Owen Biddle
Photo School
photo by Harold Edgerton
February Photo Newsletter:
Flash Photography
“Life is not significant details, illuminated by a flash, fixed forever. Photographs are.” ~ Susan Sontag
Dear Reader,
When all seems dark and dreary we may start to question if the lightness of spring will ever get here. Let's take a minute to consider a secret power of photography to break through the gloom and to deliver brilliant images that amaze and delight. Welcome to our exploration of flash photography!
photo by Owen Biddle
Background, subject and lighting: the three inescapables of photography. This workshop will emphasize the third, specifically artificial lighting, specifically flash, specifically off- camera flash. Learn these specialized skills to enhance headshots and portraits.
The first session: In-studio demonstration and practice. Discussion of equipment and technique.
Friday, 2/20 10:00 - 12:00
The second session: Share your work from the intervening week
Friday, 2/27 10:00 - 12:00
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Photo Field Trip
Hindu Temple at Philadelphia Art Museum
A perfect combination of fascinating subject matter, an exotic setting and beautifully mysterious lighting. Bring your flash and let's see what you can do in this world-class exhibition.
Sunday 2/22 10:00 - 12:00
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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.
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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Not a photo but....
in this painting by Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917) the intense, focused and directed spotlight adds drama. Does it give you ideas of what we can accomplish with our flash?
January Photo Contest:
Winter
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First Place
Walt Miles
Second Place
Won Choi
Third Place
Bob Turner
February Photo Contest:
Flash
Show us what you and your flash can do! 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, March 22 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 out 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.
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Masters of Flash
Harold Edgerton
Richard Avedon
Annie Leibovitz
Three ground breaking photographers:
Harold Edgerton invented electronic flash in the early 1950s, supplementing available light and replacing the limited and cumbersome (and dangerous) flash bulbs. With this new technology he was able to capture split second motions and show us things we had never seen before - balloons bursting, divers flipping, birds fighting mid-air, and the most haunting of all, an atomic bomb in its instantaneous moment of birth.
Richard Avedon was a genius at exploiting the potentials of flash for freezing his subject in motion, adding dynamism to his elegant fashion photography. Bringing this burst of light indoors (1/10,000 second) allowed him to capture spontaneous images of swishing hair, leaping models and wonderful gestures. And with the super fast speeds, he didn't worry about his own movements - happily jumping across the room to get the shot - no camera shake here!
You may notice that Annie Leibovitz incorporates lighting lessons from old masters of painting. She has discovered the potential of flash for manipulating light and shadow and color - sometimes accurate, other times distorted in service of her artistic purposes. She has tamed the bright light in ways that render her subjects present but also a bit mysterious.
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