In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
Sometime a little over a year ago I wanted to learn more about my camera. I’d been reading that in order to really be present and creative one needs to know and drive their camera like they’d drive a stick shift car (without thought of each and every action). I didn’t know who could teach me. After searching online for a somewhat local teacher I found Kevin’s website.
I drove the hour and a half to somewhere in Riverside and met with Kevin for over 4 hours. I enjoyed what I learned so much I went back again for some more instruction, but this time with my intimidating lighting equipment.
Kevin’s words to me where, “Learn to shoot in manual.” I was intimidated by his suggestion as that meant I had to think, I was going to be in control of what the camera did.
A year and much practice later, yesterday I was so relaxed and very excited realizing that I understood and knew much of what Kevin was going over in his class. I drove home feeling much more confident in my ability and comprehension of the hows and whys related to my camera and photographing.
I spent a lot of time shooting Caitlin, one of the 6 other students. I was fascinated with Caitlin. She didn’t seem to mind me shooting her. So I kept shooting her as she was listening to Kevin teach. Caitlin is young and seems to know who she is and what she likes. How does that happen at such a young age? Somethings Caitlin doesn’t like are rules (in photography:-) She doesn’t seem to have a bit of fear of trying this and that. She’s obviously quite creative and curious and, unlike me, doesn’t have a fear of making a mistake and worrying what others will think. She impressed the hell out of me. I just kept shooting her and loved every minute of it.
Seventeen year old Caitlin was one of my classmates during the Learn Your Camera Canon Camera Class I attended in Anaheim for 4 hours yesterday.
Here is a link to more photos I shot before and during the class. There was so much going on at the park yesterday. Two baseball fields had tournament games going on and the park was alive with parents and kids.
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#2 (I see a wolf and a witch's face. What do you see?)
#3
Fence bordering the entry to Santuario De Chimayo near Taos, NM was completely filled with unique crosses left in memory of loved ones..
Another assignment: Flipping and Blending (abstracts)
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#2
#3
#4
Four shots of water and what I saw in the water.
This photo had the Two Crows in it also. After my critique I took them out and put in the bushes.
These crows are our teacher's. I added about 4 different background textures as well as a photo of geese in a lake.
Two blended textures on top of an original rose photo (pictured below).
Original rose photo before adding blended textures.
One of the Photomontage assignments I uploaded today.
Oregon coast, Thanksgiving 2009. Sister Leila, Brother in laws, Walid and Dennis (Leila's husband).
Photomontage of an old lake reflection, using a texture to create an aged photo look.
I learned a lot today. But boy does the learning require time. Creating the initial photo and finding another texture blend is the first and second step. Carol Leigh gives us written assignment lessons. She also makes videos and provided us with links to them. Then she also is available by email to answer questions. Unbelievably great teacher. The most time consuming part of creating the photomontages is remembering what does what in Adobe Photoshop CS5.
Started with taking this photo and spent hours trying to find the right background today.
Ended with two different backgrounds. This is background #1.
And this is background #2.
Golf course shot and wall background blended. Then in Lightroom I added the On One Perfect Preset Vol 2...Wow-C_HSL-only-green.
I almost quit this class because I didn’t believe I could create, learning is difficult for me, and I don’t know Adobe Photoshop very well at all. So, glad I continued on and got to the other side of my thinking.
Here’s the comment my teacher Carol Leigh left under this photo: “…..I like the combination of the purplish-grey colors and the muted yellows (kind of complementary colors: purple/yellow). Those muted colors, along with all those straight lines gives a sort of stormy feeling to the piece. Very mysterious. Very interesting.” –Carol Leigh
Off to LA for the day:-)
Two photos: the original of this shot on the golf course blended with a pattern on a tree turned horizontally.