Owen Biddle
Photo School
photo by Owen Biddle
June Photo Newsletter: Life Holds Still
"Everything is a subject." ~ Andres Kertesz
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May Photo Contest:
City vs Country
The challenge: send in a pair of pictures showing how you view these contrasting two
Click on thumbnail to see full image
First Place
Walt Miles
Third Place
Steve Kalish
Second Place
Nan Feyler
Honorable Mention
Shelley Friedman
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Dear Reader,
Take a minute. Look around you. What things do you see? A lamp? A sea shell? A post card? An onion? These mundane objects that make up the unnoticed background of our daily lives are the ingredients for some really creative and fun photography - still life photography. While providing wonderful opportunities to practice a multitude of camera skills with subjects that never get tired or complain or have their own agenda, this type of picture- taking allows us to slow down, look carefully, arrange our own little world ... a kind of meditation with our cameras that can yield some very beautiful art.
photo by Owen Biddle
In this hands-on work shop you are invited to bring along objects that have a special meaning to you, or that you simply find beautiful or interesting or evocative. I'll provide the lighting, background and guidance to insure you go home with really special pictures you'll be proud to frame and hang on the wall.
First session: Using your own materials and an assortment of my own, we will compose and photograph still lifes.
Tuesday, 6/16 7:00 - 8:30
Second session: Share the results of your work from the Tuesday, 6/23 7:00 - 8:30
Lansdowne, PA
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Photo Field Trip
Philadelphia Museum of Natural History
Here's a destination where "life" really does hold still. While dioramas are not eveyone's favorite way to experience our fellow creatures, these displays do allow for some uniquely arresting images. And exhibitions of gems, insects, botany etc provide opportunities to practice skills useful for those interested in product or still life photography.
Saturday, 6/27 10:00 - 12:00
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Not a photo but....
coulda fooled ya! This photorealist painting by Elena Molinari (1956 - ) aims to produce photographic effects in paint on canvas. (ed. note: I'm not sure why...)
June Photo Contest
Still lifes of all sorts are welcome. Limit of three images per entry.
Email your images to: owenbiddlephotography@gmail.com
The winning photos will be featured in our next Photo Newsletter.
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Sunday, July 19 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.
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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Photographer of the Month
Andre Kertesz
Andre Kertesz (1894 - 1985) is one of the giants of photography. His work spans a tremendous range, from intimate still lifes to moving street photography to revealing portraits. At the same time, his unique style is recognizable throughout. While the still life photos below represent a small subset of Kertesz's life's work, they beautifully show his eye for striking shapes, strong contrasts and inspired use of light and shadow. Kertesz brought photography into new realms - for instance inviting us to consider simple objects for all their artistic potentials. He was also a pioneer with using distortion as one more means of expression.
Kertesz has been a major inspiration for Owen over the years. We hope you too, will find inspiration in this selection.
Click on thumbnails to see full images.
