Most people have heard the saying, “Six Degrees of Separation.” It refers to the concept that all people are only six steps or less away from every other person on the planet. It means that everyone is a friend of a friend of a friend. The world is shrinking. People around the globe may be separated by huge physical distances but with the ease of travel and communication our social distances are becoming smaller and smaller. This is the idea behind a new show from Lookie TV.com titled “Six Degrees with Andy and Mikey,” our friends from Lighten Up and Shoot. If you haven’t heard of Mikey and Andy from Lighten Up and Shoot, you soon will! They are on their way to creativeLIVE for a free Street Photography Workshop this July 29th-31st.

We are excited to announce the six lucky people who will be joining Mikey and Andy for their Lighten Up and Shoot creativeLIVE workshop on July 29th-31st in Seattle. They are going to partake in one of the most amusing, entertaining and educational workshops in creativeLIVE’s history. Armed with their backpacker’s studio they will hit the streets of Seattle in total Lighten Up and Shoot style! They’ll be approaching people, taking their photos and simplifying photographic techniques along the way. If you didn't get one of the six spots to come to creativeLIVE, don’t worry, the entire workshop is going to be streamed live and free for the world to see. Mikey and Andy’s unique approach to photography and clear and easy photographic explanations help remind us that photography is fun. Check out the video submissions of the six Lighten Up and Shooters!

Amber Wilburn @amber_wilburn

If you could create a documentary photography project that would deeply impact everyone who sees it, what would it be? Is there an untold story just waiting to be communicated visually that could motivate people to act? And how would you even begin to plan such a project – from funding to logistics?

I’m drawn to the non-profit Blue Earth Alliance by their simple yet powerful tagline, “Photography that Makes a Difference.” Their mission is to raise awareness about endangered cultures, threatened environments and social concerns through photography. The old adage “a picture speaks a thousand words” is especially true when it comes to using visual storytelling to instigate social change. Think of any major catastrophic event in recent history. It is the images of these tragedies that touch hearts around the world and help us understand the reality of a situation. Yet I find hope in the fact that such images inspire us to make a difference in whatever ways we can.