photo by MGM
March Photo Newsletter
Lights, Camera, Action!

Dear Photographers,

The month of March, what with the Academy Awards, is a good time to think about photography's cousin, cinema. How do the two art forms overlap? How do they influence each other? This month our field trips and our workshop will reflect a bit on these relationships, and we hope to provide you some opportunities to use your own photography to pay homage to that other, moving, kind of image making.

photo from Fanny and Alexander by Ingmar Bergman

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Photo Workshop:

Hollywood Effects

It works both ways: Cinematographers have taken from still photography - lessons in lighting, white balance, depth-of-field, framing. Photographers have taken from cinema - new approaches to narrative, selective focus, color key, and heightened effects to create a mood. This workshop will explore these issues and a film-still assignment will challenge you to try out some new ideas in your own work.

First session: In-depth discussion how technical considerations amplify the narrative and emotional content of images. A Film-Still assignment will be provided.

Tuesday, March 22 7:00 - 8:30

Second session: Share work from intervening week

Tuesday, March 29 7:00 - 8:30

We're planning to meet in person, but due to limited space, to be safe, limited to three participants.

Photo by Paul Donnelly

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Photo Field Trips

These two field trips were chosen for their "cinematic" potential....

Masonic Temple

This may be a new discovery for you, but the Masonic Temple is a fascinating building, both from the outside and inside. The fancy and luxury, the golden mosaics, stained glass windows, sweeping stairways and Egyptian pillars are the ingredients for some unique and gorgeous photography. Can't you imagine Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra strolling the halls?

Location: Philadelphia

Saturday, March 19 10:00 - 12:00

West Laurel Hill Cemetery

An unusual choice of setting, perhaps, but one that is especially evocative in the late winter. A perfect setting for a horror flick! Dracula? 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.

NOTE: In the spirit of Hollywood costuming, for your fellow photographers' benefit.... If you wear a costume to the field trip, you get a $10 discount. If you wear an outrageous costume, you save $30!!

Location: Bala Cynwyd, PA

Saturday, March 26 10:00 - 12:00

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Announcements

Owen Biddle Teaches Night and Noir at MainLine School Night!

Orson Welles said that black and white photography was like a message from another world. Drawing on the ideas of film noir, 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. For intermediate and advanced photographers

For more information contact:

Main Line School Night

260 Gulph Creek RoadRadnor, PA 19087

610.687.0460
info@mainlineschoolnight.org

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DSLR 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.

Photo Salon

Unfortunately, we have decided to put in-person photo salons on hold for right now, until we have a better idea of the risks of gathering indoors. We really miss seeing everyone in person, and can't wait to get back to sharing our work, our inspirations, our friendships (and our cookies).

In the meantime, come to our facebook on-line salon to post and see exciting pictures and to get feedback from our wonderful community of photographers. A great way to stay motivated!

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.