7 posts tagged “tfttf”
More exciting is that registrations for this year's Learning to See photography workshops have finally opened! There will be four of them like last year, in August, in San Francisco, Ft. Collins, CO, Nashville, TN, and Portland, ME, and based on response so far this year will be even better than last. They're taught by award-winning podcaster Chris Marquardt of Tips from the Top Floor (www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com) and are a great learning tool as well as a ton of fun.
He arrived a couple of days before the workshop was to start, and I did my best to show him the beautiful beaches, rivers, old downtown sections and the like that are not far from here in Stuart and Jensen Beach. Weather was hot with bright blue skies and was perfect for putting the top down and enjoying what South Florida excels in, stunning weather.
The workshop started on Thursday with an introduction to design principles; aka what makes for interesting images, complete with assignments and image critique. Friday we had an excursion to the Morikami Gardens to put some of what we learned into practice. When we returned in the afternoon we had a chance to see Lightroom in action, and I decided to start using it in postprocessing my images. Saturday was when (for me at least) the workshop became even more fun, as we focused on portrait photography and in the afternoon, we had a model come in so that we could play in a real studio setting. This was for me the highlight and I got a number of images I was very pleased with. The model was someone I know who's asked me to do a portrait of her but we'd not been able to get schedules to coordinate, so perhaps it was a bit less intimidating to interact with her. That is the one part of portrait photography I feel I need the most help with, this letting down of my guard, this connecting with a subject so they can relax, so that I can capture them in a natural way. I know I get nervous, concerned they'll realise that sometimes it's me just acting as though I know what I'm doing and I'll get caught out, even though I know they can't see this. (even if they did, it wouldn't matter) I know that if I want to be good at portrait photography that this is a skill I must hone - that is, if I want images that are more than just straightforward, standard portrait fare. I've posted one below as an example. I love her lovely skin, the shape of her eyes and her beautiful lips and she was not difficult to get to look very pretty.
Well finally I have something resembling a normal desk setup, and I am thrilled. So much room, an additional monitor, a laser printer, my wacom tablet, and even a Tips from the Top Floor bear mascot (thank you Oliver!).
After months of being ashamed, I am no longer. I am professional, dammit! Don't mess with me!!!
I was reading a post from my friend John Arnold (whose podcast about post processing is a great learning tool - www.photowalkthrough.com) about how he was challenging himself to photograph some mundane object such as his refrigerator every day and try to make it interesting. So I thought I'd see what I could do with that. Photograph some everyday thing, a cup, plate, bottle, etc. and see if I could come up with some interesting images as well.
If you'd like to see John's original post on flickr, go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/floyduk/373295970/
I used to do this same exercise in drawing. Draw every day. Draw what you see around you. See the beauty in the ordinary!
The past few days have been quite busy, and no, not with Christmas shopping or partygoing. Nooooo. Over a month ago I had come up with an idea for the photographer's beanbags I've been making for the Tips from the Top Floor (www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com) listeners and forum members. Now for those of you who don't know, a beanbag can serve as a handy tripod replacement, as it's not overly large (about 7 1/2" in diameter), and can be shifted about to tilt your camera to many different angles to steady it. I keep mine in my car, and when I want to take a sunset or night shot, balance it on my dash or window ledge and it works very well.
So back in September I got this idea for a beanbag that would feature the show's logo in a fabric that listeners would relate to, and when I pitched the idea to Chris (Marquardt, the heart and soul of the show) he loved it. And finally, after weeks of research, emails, waiting for patches to be made, and finally making the first prototypes, Chris featured it on the home page and in the show for December 13 as well. And the orders are coming in fast and furious!
If anyone would be interested, details can be found at: http://morningstar.smugmug.com/gallery/1739492/3/116234112
Here are pics of the beanbag, and of the TFTF patch, available separately as well:
Tonight I ventured out to a meeting of our local camera club for the very first time, excited, anticipating a meeting with people much like all the wonderful friends I've made through my fave podcast, photography or otherwise, Digital Photography Tips from the Top Floor (www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com). I spent extra time fixing my hair and makeup, anticipating stimulating conversation about Lightroom, Aperture, Photoshop, great lenses, fave photographers, cool new techniques or anything photographic, but the reality was entirely different. In addition to being the youngest person in the room by a good bit, it didn't take too long before I sussed out that though there were some with quite superiour cameras, it seemed that I knew more than almost every single one, based on the things being said. Such as..."Is it true that it's better to shoot with a low ISO than a high one?" "I just can't understand that Photoshop and I don't want to.", "I just don't understand digital after three years. I like film better.", "I always just shoot in auto mode."
Now this is not to say that perhaps these people don't shoot some amazing images, since I've not seen their work. This is based on a cursory, preliminary snap judgement, likely unfair. And let me say this, I do plan to give it another shot.
But I suppose what I'm saying is that I was utterly amazed to discover that since I got my DSLR I've come a very long way, thanks largely to the wisdom of my Tips from the Top Floor friends who wade much deeper into the postprocessing ocean than I do, but who lead me out, teach me, have patience with my ignorance and generally never tire of my idiotic questions.
So...THANK YOU!! I would list your names but would surely leave one or more out. You guys know who you are! Thank you for your wisdom and know how much I appreciate it and hope perhaps to pay the favour forward.
Oh, and here's an image from the evening. We experimented with black light photography. Warning: looking at this image for more than 30 seconds is likely hazardous to your health, causing possible short term memory loss, nosebleeds, migraine headaches and diarrhea. Don't say you weren't warned.
My friend and Bacon Pixie Extraordinaire, Matt (http://www.dowobeha.net/ravsitar/) issued an assignment contest on the forum for my fave podcast, Digital Photography Tips from the Top Floor (www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com) with the simple theme of "Holiday", with the winner becoming recipient of some of Matt's famous cookies. Who can resist at least trying? I'm afraid my entry is waaaaay too twee, like some smarmy cheesy Christmas greeting card, but I like the expression on the snowman's face, to be honest.
