Owen Biddle
Photo School
July Photo Newsletter:
Travel
photo by Nan Feyler
“ “Sometimes I arrive just when God’s ready to have someone click the shutter.” – Ansel Adams
Dear Photographers,
Summer ... the season of voyages; stepping out of our everyday, familiar environment we are immediately reminded that it's a vast, exciting, colorful, beautiful, world. Wherever you venture, be it near or far, your camera comes with you. Travel photography - the project of framing and recording all the wonders you encounter - offers the opportunity to develop your skills for capturing people, food, architecture, nature ... the list goes on and on; we are taking on nothing less than documenting the world as we see it!
photo by Owen Biddle
Travel photography incorporates many different kinds of picture taking. To get you ready to capture new places, people and cultures in memorable images, this survey workshop covers the essentials of architecture, portraits, street photography, and, yes, food shots.
First Session: Discussion of equipment and technique Thursday, July 24 7:00- 8:30
Second Session: Share your work from the intervening week
Thursday, July 31 7:00 - 8:30
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Photo Field Trips
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Two field trips: Pretend you're a tourist in Philly. Try out some travel photography ideas as you look at our town with fresh eyes.
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Philadelphia's Beaux Art City Hall offers some of the most elegant, charming and even exotic opportunities for photographers. You may know the grand exterior architecture of this building, but its interior is full of fascinating ornamental sculpture, and the people watching opportunities are rich. With a tripod (I can lend mine if you don't own one) and a zoom, you can discover and capture images of the amazing details of this classic symbol of Philadelphia
Saturday, July 26
10:00 - 12:00​
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photo by Owen Biddle
Rittenhouse Square in the Evening
A traveler wants to experience and photograph new places not only during the daytime hours. Practice critical low light and night time skills. The heart of downtown Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square is the perfect place to get the most out of urban night photography - stunning architecture and street scenes, a lovely park, and an endless parade of people being people (and don't forget the dogs!) In the evening light your pictures will glow!
Tuesday, July 22
7:00 - 9:00
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​DSLR and Mirrorless Fundamentals Tutorials
Below are descriptions of the basic units of our curriculum available to students ranging from beginner to advanced. Most units are five lessons and include a set of assignments designed to give practice in targeted skills with opportunities to get feedback from the instructor so that you learn from your experiences.
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Just give a call and we can set up individual sessions to keep you moving forward with your photography.
Call (610)-626-7854 for details.
​(click on links for more information)
Fundamentals 1: Camera Operations is for students who are just starting out, or want a good review of the basic camera functions.
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Fundamentals 2: Applications is for students who have some comfort with the camera and want to start applying their skills to expand their photographic range.
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Fundamentals 3: Composition takes photography beyond the subject, and encourages you to see the artistic and compositional opportunities in everyday life. Here is a chance for your right brain to come out and play!
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Fundamentals 4: Lighting Across the Genres is for students who are ready for the next critical step: lighting. Explore sophisticated means of controlling both natural and artificial light for portraits, landscape and still life to get just the mood and effects you want.
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Advanced Photography - Using self-generated assignments and in-depth critiques we will help you move forward in your work.
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Photo Contest: Mixed Subject
Due to a delay in our selection process, the theme for this photo contest got a bit confused, so we are making it an open competition. ​​​​​
First Place Winner
Jeffery Benne
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Second Place Winner
Walt Miles
Third Place Winner
Celine Kelly
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July Photo Contest: Travel
Taking a trip, to a far-off exotic land, or around the block in your neighborhood, take along your camera and show us what you see. Email your images to: owenbiddlephotography@gmail.com Limit three images per entry.
The winning photos will be featured in our next Photo Newsletter.
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Sunday, July 20 2:00 - 3:30
​These are very friendly, relaxed get-togethers in our apartment in Havertown. (Please note: this is a new location - be sure to RSVP to get address and directions) Photographers of all levels are welcome to share pictures, get photography tips, and discuss camera equipment. You can also get ideas for entering photography contests, submitting to photography magazines and having photo shows. Feedback from the group provides encouragement and inspiration to go out and take more pictures. These informal photography critiques offer an excellent opportunity to start identifying themes in your work and to get ideas for new directions. Group size is limited, so if you can come an RSVP is required by email or call (610) 626-7854. Cost is $10.
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Not a photo but....
in this painting Gauguin takes us to Tahiti to be immersed in an exotic landscape and to encounter an unfamiliar way of life. But remember, wonderful travel photography can also celebrate things more familiar and closer to home. It's just a matter of seeing, as Gaugin does, with awe and affection, the boundless beauties of our world.
Check our our online Photo Salon
https://www.facebook.com/groups/owenbiddlephotosalon
Our purpose is to provide an online place for our community to stay in touch, stay inspired and get out there and keep snapping. You can post pictures and get feedback, ask photo questions, make suggestions etc.
photo by Owen Biddle
We snuck off for a trip to Montreal and spent time in the insectarium. Absolutely gorgeous!
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Photographer of the Month
Nan Feyler
Here's what Nan has to say:
"I had never taken pictures before retiring three years ago and bringing a borrowed camera on an African safari. I loved the process of photographing animals in their habitat and sharing photos with friends. From there I bought my first camera, started taking photography lessons and began a new, exciting vocation. In short, I was hooked.
I enjoy most everything about photography, particularly in urban settings. Buildings, and their shadows and reflections interest me, along with a city’s colors and shapes. But I especially enjoy photographing people. I’ve had the good fortune of going on three photography trips: the first to Costa Rica, the second to Cuba and a third, most recent trip. to Morocco. It’s an exciting way to travel and meet and photograph interesting people."
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There's no denying Nan is "a natural". In a relatively short time she has nailed the the workings of her camera; but beyond her impressive technical skills, these images reveal her original understanding of composition, her wonderful sense for color, and most of all, her genuine feelings for her subjects.
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Click on thumbnails to see full images.
