photo by Bill Taylor

February Photo Newsletter

Time to Get Creative

It's winter. It's the pandemic. Owen and Rachel are moving. Our February Photo Newsletter is pared down to its essentials - but what exciting essentials they are!

When Spring starts to warm our world again, and vaccines offer a go-ahead for more social gatherings, we look forward to a full plate of workshops, field trips and even in-person classes. But for this month we are thrilled to introduce you to our photographer of the month, Bill Taylor, who shows us what "getting creative" can look like!.

Online Photo Salon

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 2/14/21 Real-Time Zoom Photo Sharing session. Limit of 6 participants, so RSVP soon. First come first serve!

It's sad but true:

The in-person classes described below are suspended for right now

But.....

We are carrying on with remote lessons via Zoom.

Email or call (610) 626 - 7854 to schedule.

DSLR Fundamentals Classes

Below are descriptions of some of our classes. Respecting social distancing requirements for now, scheduling of group classes has been suspended. If any of the levels described match your interests and needs, give us a call and we will 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.

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

POM

**************************************************

Photographer of the Month

Bill Taylor

Here's what Bill has to say:

"I started this because I was a sports parent at one time, and I was tired of getting the same type of photo of my kids just standing there holding a ball or a bat etc.. I wanted to bring some type of aww to the photos. So I purchased my first camera, a Canon EOS T3. I had a friend of mine show me how to make posters using powerpoint, but he said if I learned photoshop they would be better.

I tried to get someone to teach me photoshop but it was kind of expensive. So I stayed in the house for about a week, used two different laptops and taught myself how to use photoshop. Purchased another camera Canon EOS 7D and enrolled in Owens Photo class where I learned how to take photos better.

Before I take the photos of the kids, I will ask them what is it that they want to do? That's how I get the feel of how to create the finished product. I have a connection with the kids through coaching sports. I'm currently the President of the Overbrook Monarchs Youth Athletic Association and The Football Commissioner of the NESAC Youth Football League."

We are really excited to present Bill as our Photographer-of-the-Month; he brings us a kind of artistry that goes so far beyond snapping a good shot of a kid catching a ball mid-air. Look carefully at his work and you'll see how with a series of images Bill extracts the figures, assembles a composition, manipulates the color and image quality and sets it all in a fantastical background. His skills are astonishing and the finished products are actual works of art. The kids and their families love Bill's posters, and now we can too. Bill, you got the "awwww"!