Owen Biddle
Photo School
photo by Dani Garr
October Photo Newsletter:
A Matter of Perspective
Worm's Eye - Birds Eye
No perspective, no perception. / New perspective, new perception.” ― Toba Beta
Dear Photographers,
One powerful way to shake up an image is to choose an unexpected perspective. We are used to viewing our world at eye level. When we choose instead a different point of view (high, low, up close, through a crack...) we give our picture a whole new feeling. Suddenly we reveal unsuspected patterns and hidden intimacies. Shifting perspectives can add humor to an image, can stimulate new insights, can alter our sense of proportion, and can allow the viewer to consider reality in intriguing new ways.
This month we offer a field trip designed to break into a birds eye view of the cityscape and a workshop to learn more about these rich possibilities.
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From the Bottom Up? Or the Top Down?
In this workshop you will be challenged to try out new points of view to add a freshness to your pictures. Climb up on a chair - or to the top of a building - and peer down. Squat down , lie down and see how the world looks from below.
First Session: We'll take a look at examples of photographs that make excellent use of shifting perspective. We'll discuss use of fish eye lenses, macro and wide angle lenses. And we can brainstorm sites for birds eye / worms eye photography
Sunday, 10/19 4:30 - 6:00
Second Session: Share your work from the intervening week Sunday, 10/26 4:30 - 6:00
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Photo Field Trip
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Benjamin Franklin Bridge by Evening Light
A unique vantage point for some great shots of Philadelphia. From this bird's-eye-view use the monumental structure of the bridge to frame patterns of streets, traffic, storefronts, the river, and people passing by, all lit by the irresistible combination of artificial light and twilight.
Tuesday, 10/21 3:30 - 5:30
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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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this ceiling fresco by Pietro da Cartona (1596 - 1669) is a great example of how a startlingly radical worm's eye view can deliver the drama.
Not a photo but....
We have to brag....
Two of our very own have been selected for Black and White Magazine People's Choice Awards!
Nan Feyler ~ Single Image Contest
Jeffrey Benne ~ Single Image Contest
Photo Contest: Framing​​​​​
First Place Winner
Mary Kulakowski
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Second Place Winner
Shelley Friedman
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Third Place Winner
Cassandra Walwendah
October Photo Contest:
Bird's Eye/Worms Eye Perspective
Climb up! Squat down! Show us what you discover as you capture images from these different perspectives. 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, November 23 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.
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 Elliott Erwitt
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Photographer of the Month
Dani Garr
Here's what Dani has to say:
"I first discovered photography when my family put a disposable camera in my hands and encouraged me to capture moments at family gatherings. From then on, I’ve been drawn to documenting people and the joy of shared experiences at events and gatherings.
What really pushed me to take photography more seriously was music. I've always loved going to shows and concerts, and a few close friends were in local bands. Since they knew I had a camera and liked practicing photography, they would ask me to come take pictures, even without seeing my work. I quickly realized how much I loved photographing them and their journey. Talking to the right people and making connections eventually led me to writing and shooting for an online music publication, The Dread Music Review. I ended up taking photos of some pretty big bands like Wu Tang Clan, Busta Ryhmes, Third Eye Blind, and Taking Back Sunday. Music photography opened the door for me to think of photography as more than just a hobby.
Today, while I still approach photography with that same sense of fun and curiosity, it has also become part of my professional life. I get to combine it with another passion of mine—rock climbing—by capturing events at the climbing gym where I work. One highlight has been photographing a Parkinson’s meet-up that I helped start this year (More info on that meet-up below). Seeing the energy and community come through in my images has been incredibly rewarding.
In recent years, I’ve also expanded my photography into travel and landscapes, bringing my camera along on new adventures and chasing the beauty of the outdoors. From music venues to climbing walls, mountain ranges to family portraits, I enjoy being a jack-of-all-trades behind the lens.
I know I still have so much to learn, and that excites me. Photography continues to be a way for me to connect with people, capture moments that matter, and share the stories I see unfolding around me. It also gives me the chance to travel back in time and relive a moment through one image - that's one of the things I love most about taking photos."​​
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Curious about the Parkinson's Meet-Up? It occurs every Wednesday from 1:30pm-3pm at the Gravity Vault Radnor: 175 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA, 19087. This is a free rock-climbing meet-up for those living with Parkinson's disease. Get signed up today by following this link: Gym Desk Sign Up Link or emailing KaylaYim1224@gmail.com. Not sure if this meet-up is right for you? Come check it out and watch others scale up the walls - you can cheer them on or simply observe and decide if you want to join in! Give Gravity Vault Radnor a call with any questions: 610-756-2529.
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And another option for those curious about trying out rock climbing when living with any of a variety of disabilities is the Adaptive Climbing Meet-Up, hosted by the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports. These meetings occur the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6pm-8pm. No experience is required, but we do ask that you sign up in advance by emailing Andrew Skobac at a.skobac@centeronline.com. This is required for each session you want to climb. Any questions? Give the Gravity Vault Radnor a call at (610)756-2529.
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We are so excited to share Dani and her images with you this month! Her passion for rock climbing combined with her skills as a photographer make her the absolute perfect match for our theme of perspective. Looking down from the top of a 60 foot wall, or up at one of her proud proteges as they summit the wall, she knows a thing or two about point of view. ​Take a look as Dani also shares her love of travel, music and people.
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Click on thumbnails to see full images.
