Owen Biddle
Photo School
photo by Carol Helduer
March Photo Newsletter:
Welcome, Spring!
Dear Reader,
You know that the miracle is just around the corner... dead looking branches pushing out tiny green leaflets, fragile blades emerging from the mud, small buds promising glorious flowers. The almost unbearable tenderness of early spring and then the implausible profusion of late spring gardens. From monochrome to kodachrome. Are you and your camera ready?
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Portrait of a Flower as a Young Bloom
photo by Owen Biddle
While it's almost impossible to take a bad picture of a subject as sublime as a flower, there are many tips and tricks to elevate our flower images to something truly artistic. In this work shop we will discuss ways to up your botanicals to new levels, both technically and compositionally.
First session: Discuss equipment and techniques
Monday, 3/16 7:00 - 8:30
Second session: Show your work from the intervening week.
Monday, 3/23 7:00 - 8:30
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Photo Field Trips
This stately turn-of-the-century mansion, surrounded by formal gardens, complete with a beautiful old fashioned swimming pool, offers great opportunities for photographing both intimate scenes and grand vistas. The grounds feature unusual plantings as well as some quirky post-modern garden statuary. Our exploration will range from the macro abstractions of flower-portraits to the wide angle accentuated perspective of deep space landscapes. And we won't miss the reflections on the beautiful lotus pond.
Radnor, PA
Sunday, 3/15 10:00 - 12:00
Cherry Blossoms at Fairmount Park
Come catch Philadelphia's collection of cherry trees at their stunning peak.
Tuesday, 3/31 10:00 - 12:00
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.
Febuary Photo Contest:
Flash
Click on thumbnail to see full image
First Place
Michele Ramsey
Second Place
Jeffrey Benne
March Photo Contest:
Spring Flowers Plus
At long last.... Spring! Send us your flowers (and any other signs of spring)! 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.
Not a photo but....
this painting by Georgia O'keefe (1187 - 1886) tells us what a powerhouse a simple poppy can be.
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Photographer of the Month
Carol Helduser
Here is what Carol has to say: "I received my first SLR camera over twenty years ago. Owen has been my teacher, mentor and friend ever since. I have enjoyed many interesting classes and workshops and salons and have been to many great photoshoots with Owen and my fellow photographers over the years. Photography has been a lifelong hobby for me."
It's amazing to realize we have known Carol for so many years, sharing all kinds of photography adventures. And it has been so fun see her experimenting with new ideas, techniques and ways of portraying her lovely florals. Below you will see how she uses abstraction to nail her compositions, transforming beautiful flowers into her own personal art form.
