Owen Biddle
Photo School
photo by Bob Turner
November Photo Newsletter:
Gratitude
“Photography is a love affair with life.” ~ Burk Uzzle
Dear Photographers,
This month of Thanksgiving we take a moment to look back and, using our photography, say "Thank you" to those who came before us. We owe a gratitude to so many whose life work set the stage for the bounty of privileges we have today: in the world of art, in a country of plenty, in a place of breathtaking natural beauty. It's a long list...
19th century photography pioneer, Fox Talbot
This is an appreciation of the masters who showed us the way. From Matthew Brady to Richard Avadon, from Cartier Bresson to Ansel Adams, we will investigate the look and feel of the photographers' world view. Developing a more in-depth understanding of how other photographers used technique and their unique artistic sensibilities to create classic pictures should enhance and advance our own work. Although, using 21st Century equipment, we cannot really duplicate photographs from earlier times, we can challenge ourselves to capture the composition and spirit that we learn from studying the photographs of the masters.
Wednesday, November 12 7:00 - 8:30
Haverford
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Photo Field Trip
West Laurel Hill Cemetery
An unusual choice of setting, perhaps, but one that is especially evocative in the Autumn light. The mausoleums, obelisks, angels and arching trees are the elements for creating uncommon compositions. A great chance to try out your tripod and wide-angle lens.
Tuesday, November 25 10:00 - 12:00
Location: Bala Cynwyd, PA
photo by Owen Biddle
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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:
Bird's Eye/Worm's Eye
This month we got so many exciting entries! Congratulations to our winners, Walt, Jonathan and April, who demonstrate how dynamic a radically different vantage point can be! And honorable mention to Barbara who actually got a bird's eye and a worm's eye in a single shot! Click on thumbnails to see full images.
November Photo Contest:
In Gratitude
What are you grateful for? Send us some pictures! 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 Owen Biddle
Not a photo but....
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here is an American classic, by Norman Rockwell (1894 - 1978).
Happy Thanksgiving!
ONE MORE BIG THANK YOU .....
to our amazing community of photographers and photography lovers! Owen Biddle Photo School thanks you - those who have been with us through the years, and those who have joined us more recently. We know how lucky we are to find all of you who, like us, are possessed by the passion to create and share images.
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Photographer of the Month
Bob Turner
Here's what Bob has to say:
"Just to give you an idea what is going through my mind when doing an assignment for a newspaper editor, I thought I would share with you how I go about doing a shoot such as covering one of the Veterans programs.
I try to look for something different that might be of interest to the reader. Making images of veterans
just standing or sitting is not what I desire to do. I try to capture facial expressions or catch people engaging in something.
During most of the ceremony especially solemn moments, I try to be as inconspicuous as possible in moving around. By studying the handout program before time I find a position that allows me to utilize a 200-400 mm lens thereby being away from the assembly but in a position to get images such as the ones with the Veterans head bowed. Later I use a 50mm lens when the master of ceremonies leaves the podium taking a microphone out to the audience to interview Veterans. I get in close to capture the facial expressions as they talk about their service experience. At that point people realize you are a press photographer and do not mind the intrusion. Often, I see an opportunity to get a nice shot before the service begins; I included several but the one I like is where two veterans are standing in front of a monument with their arms placed on each other's shoulders, just the expression I caught at that moment tells how happy they are to see one another.
In the classroom shots of the students with the Vets, I tried to find something interesting where the student and Veteran are interacting. I often took the liberty of setting up a shot between Vet and student!
I have done almost all the aspects in photography over the years, From studio portraits to images of the moon.
What I enjoy the most is capturing people at a specific moment of time, preserving that moment so others may relive it over and over."
In keeping with our theme of gratitude this month, we thought of Bob Turner and his sensitive pictures of service members. He succeeds in communicating respect for these individuals while at the same time creating compelling compositions. And thank you Bob for the fascinating glimps into what is involved in taking great these photojournalistic shots.
Click on thumbnails to see full images.
