Owen Biddle
Photo School
photo by Julia Barol
December Photo Newsletter
Finding the Light in the Dark
We chose our theme for December, "Finding the Light in the Dark", thinking about the shortened days and the opportunities discovered in night photography. Colorful neon lights, mysterious street lights, warm glowing lamp light spied through a window, even the cheerful holiday lights all add wonderful atmosphere and mood to our photography. Our photographer of the month, Julia Barol, shows us what can be done with night photography. But the theme may evoke other possibilities as well, as we enter this particular winter, searching for ways to stay connected to the power of photography to inspire us through all sorts of difficulties or challenges. We are excited to present a favorite photographer, Roy Decarava, whose work shows how the human spirit shines through .
December Two-Part Photo Workshop
Orson Welles said that black and white photography was like a message from another world. Drawing on the ideas
of Film Noire, explore night photography as well as high-contrast and atmospheric renditions of people and interiors. Using artificial
light, both "found" and set up, take your photography in mysterious new directions. (Low-light color photography will also be covered)
Fridays 7:00 - 8:30 12/11, 12/18
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December Photo Field Trips
Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:30 12/8
Come practice your night photography skills as you enjoy the visual possibilities in capturing this vibrant downtown area at night. The festive decorations, lit-up store windows, traffic lights, and illuminated churches all add up to some fantastic photo ops. Color, style, and shadow are the ingredients for some really special shots.
Lansdowne at Night 4:00 - 5:30
Tuesday 4:00 - 5:30 12/22
This friendly small town just outside of Philadelphia offers a great mix of neon store lights on the downtown strip, warmly lit homes, trails of headlights and taillights and trains pulling into and out of the train station. A perfect place to try out your night photography skills in a relaxed setting.
photo by Owen Biddle
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photo by Owen Biddle
*******Don't Forget!******
Gift Certificats Available to that Favorite Shutter Bug in Your Life!
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Upcoming DSLR Fundamentals Classes
Upcoming DSLR Fundamentals Classes
Below are descriptions of some of our classes. Respecting social distancing requirements for now, sessions will be online via Zoom.
Please note: Private individual classes are always another option. Call (610)-626-7854 for details and scheduling.
(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.
Saturdays 11:30 - 1:00 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 12/26
Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:30 12/8, 12/15, 12/22, 12/29
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.
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:30 12/8, 12/15, 12/22, 12/29
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!
TBD
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.
TBD
Photo Assignments from Photo History - A great way to learn about - and from- the masters of our field. Please check in with Owen to discuss enrolling and scheduling. (610) 626 - 7854
Advanced Photography - Using self-generated assignments and in-depth critiques we will help you move forward in your work.
TBD Please call us to discuss dates (610) 626 - 7854
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In-person Photo Salons are on hold right now, but we are very excited about our new online options
1. Check out this facebook link and join the group. 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. What do you say???
Special thanks to Jonathan Prusky, whose technical skills have saved us more than once and made this whole endeavor possible.
2. Sunday 3:00 - 4:30 12/20 Real-Time Zoom Photo Sharing session. Limit of 6 participants, so RSVP soon. First come first serve!
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Take a minute to look at these wonderful images by Roy DeCarava. And here is a link for an interview you might enjoy. When you get to the WHYY webpage be sure scroll down for the narrated video..https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114287231
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Photographer of the Month
Julia Barol
Here's what Julia has to say: "I grew up with a father who was an amateur photographer - many days and nights taking photos or sharing them with us. My high school senior project was sports photography. I used an old Roliflex camera for my 3 week project - taking photos of rowing and equestrian competitions and developing them in black and white in the lab. I learned that the Roliflex was probably not the best instrument for fast action shots. I stepped away from photography for many years after that and only recently have gone down the rabbit hole of potential - meaning everything I see feels like an opportunity for me to explore my surroundings through film. I am so thankful to have found Owen and under his tutelage am learning how to improve my art on a weekly basis. My primary camera is a Fuji X-T30 but I also shoot with a Canon Rebel T6i and in a pinch, my iPhone."
Julia, you have found some remarkable light!! From spiders caught in the street light, to store lights and car lights, to glowing dusks, your pictures bring a sense of wonder and peace as you show us the beauty lit up all around. Thanks!
Click on thumb nails to see full images.
Photo Tips to Kick Start your Photography
Sometimes even the most enthusiastic get bogged down, distracted or discouraged. Here are some suggestions and mini challenges to get you and your camera back out there...
1. Use a 50 mm lens rather than a zoom - great indoors and out. Use this fixed lens to blur the background in a portrait or still life.
2. For non-moving subjects use a tripod to slow down and get a sharper picture along with better framing.
3. Turn off your review so you don't see the pictures until you look at them on the computer to encourage use of your brain to visualize the images.
4. Manual focus to slow down.
5. Limit yourself to a single f stop during a shoot - great way to learn about the interaction of f stop and depth-of-field.
6. Backlight is basic! Use it for drama.
7. Try tracking focus for such things as running dogs and outdoor basketball.