Owen Biddle
Photo School
October Photo Newsletter
Low Key: Dark on Dark
photo by Brassai
Dear Photographers,
The seasons are shifting and we attune to the arrival of darkness ~ We're not thinking of spooky nights, black cats, howling ghosts (or even a hair raising political season). We're thinking of the beautifully seductive left end of the grey scale (historgram) - the dark greys and blacks that invite us to slow down, adjust our eyes, ponder a bit the subtle harmonies of a more monochromatic world. This month we go into detail how to master this tonal territory using some advanced skills in managing exposure.
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Low Key Photography
This workshop will take us into the field to experiment with low key photography outside the studio environment. Participants are encouraged to wear dark clothing and we will find perfect destinations in our town to practice dark subjects against dark backgrounds. Bring your tripod and join us as we learn about underexposure, assessing light and contrast, optimizing depth-of-field, and interpreting the histogram to produce some remarkable low key gems.
First Session: Discuss equipment and technical matters: Tues, 10/22 7:00 - 8:30
Second Session: Share your work from the intervening week Tues, 10/29 7:00 - 8:30
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Photo Field Trip
For the traditionalists for whom the season wouldn't be complete without a bit of the spooky...
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​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.
Location: Bala Cynwyd
Sun, 10/27 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.
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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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September
Photo Contest:
Exteriors
First Place Winner
Jeffrey Benne
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Second Place Winner
Mary Stamper
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Third Place Winner
Jeffrey Kleger
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October Photo Contest
Low Key
We hope you are inspired to capture some low key images. To enter simply email your photo to : owenbiddlephotography@gmail.com
The winning photos will be featured in our next Photo Newsletter.
Special Outing
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East Laurel Hill Cemetery offers a very UNUSUAL experience....
Walking tours lead by a local cast from The Not Ready for After-Life Players sharing true stories of mystery and murder of notable Laurel Hill residents' return from the dead .
Saturday, October 26 sometime between 7:00pm and 10:00pm.
If you 're curious (and extra brave) let us know and we'll look into organizing a group.
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Sunday, 10/20 2:00 - 3:30
These are very friendly, relaxed get-togethers at my apartment in Lansdowne. 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.
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Not a photo but....
this painting by George Inness (1825 - 1894) challenges us to stick around after the vibrant sun has set. Consider the darkening sky as background for even darker silhouetted shapes of trees, buildings, hills, people. Very low key, very mysterious, very beautiful.
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Photographer of the Month
Brassai
Brassai was one of the pioneer photographers of the mid twentieth century. He used the medium to capture the beauty of the streets of Paris in rain and fog.
Not all of Brassai's work is in the dark range, but we chose this selection of his work to show how a sensitivity to grays and blacks can result in compelling and evocative images. If you take a look at Brassai​'s wider body of work you'll see his subtle mastery of the full range of tonalities.
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​​Click on thumb nails to see full images.
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