by successfulbob | inspiration, photography, photography - art quote, photography education
Sunday Photo/Art Quote from Sir Herkomer on Magic & Light
I’m always on the lookout for creative photography quotes & this week’s selection comes courtesy of Michael Colin Campbell. He’s a fabulous photographer and maintains an excellent photography FaceBook Group called On Photography. (check out On Photography here) Michael is a historian of photography as well, and I get great enjoyment from following his posts there. I recommend you drop by and check it out and become part of the conversation.
“It is by the management of light that we touch the true magic of our art.” Sir Hubert von Herkomer
This quote grabbed me because of its simplicity as most wonderful quotes do. It brought to mind that what we as photographers do when we do it well, is capture magic. While Herkomer is a painter, I feel many other arts inform our photography if we are open to it. When an image is created with well-executed lighting, it can bring out strong emotion in the viewer. Which leads me to the craft of what we do. Have you attempted to master your lighting skills? Do you practice and experiment pushing the boundaries of your knowledge of light? Or, are you a ‘Natural Light Photographer’?
Please don’t get me wrong. I can appreciate being able to find and see the fabulous light in any situation. But I believe we need to be able to use ‘available light’. And by that, I mean any and all lighting that is available which includes light from whatever source we can get our hands on to create the proper shadows that will make our images sing.
As if by Magic…
Here is an example of the stunning light and depth Herkomer has created.
Eventide: A Scene in the Westminster Union (workhouse), 1878
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – I’ve been at this as a pro for over twenty years. Maybe I’m a slow learner, but I’m still working on learning and experimenting with light. I don’t think I’ll ever master photography & lighting, but I sure enjoy trying!
by successfulbob | inspiration, photography education
Feedback from Students
Had an online session with Carol. We worked with Photoshop and my ‘Photo-Synthesis’ and Step & Repeat technique a couple days ago. I received this in my email inbox.
“Bob,
I just wanted to thank you for our individual class session via Hangout today. This is certainly the start that I needed to understanding how to create artistic images in many layers from one or two selected images. From the techniques for creating a clean accurate selection and the variations of that original selection, to the ability to manipulate the selection on layers with a variety of sizes, directions and overlays, was exactly what I needed.
A personalized class allowed us to proceed at a speed that fit my abilities and let me ask questions at any time. It was a wonderful way to learn so much more information than I would have gotten in a large class. Being able to schedule the session to fit our time worked out perfectly.
Thank you again, Carol”
Carol Fabrizio, M.Photog.
Fabrizio Fine Art Photography (see Carol’s work here)
Flushing, MI
One on one classes are recorded live via Google Hangouts and YouTube. You & I are able to work together on project specific lessons that you choose. The recordings are available for review at any time in the future.
If you would like to learn more get in touch. bob@bcphotography.com
On Another Note
This came through my Facebook feed. Nothing gets me more excited than to know I have helped someone in some way. It makes teaching extremely worthwhile!
Always enjoy getting feedback from students especially when they follow through and complete a project.
This is an awesome example of follow-through. While the final project is not photography specific, creativity in any form helps us move forward and see possibilities. I’m excited for Alisa. You can see her photography work here.
I have read about the creation of coloring books for adults as a way of relieving stress. Hare’s a link to an article on what’s happening inside your brain when you color.
The Therapeutic Science of Adult Coloring Books
From Medical Daily – “Coloring used to be reserved for children and the occasional adult who got to babysit them, but recently, the activity has found a different demographic. What started as a niche hobby has now turned into an international trend, as adult coloring books find themselves on more and more bestsellers’ lists throughout the world. However, while this trend may be a fun way to pass the time, it’s the books’ therapeutic properties that really have them…” continue reading
Check out Alisa’s 70’s inspired coloring book!
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – What’s your personal project? Photography or otherwise? I have an inquiring mind!
by successfulbob | inspiration, photography, tuesday painterly photo art
Tuesday Painterly Photo Art – Helen Yancy
Tuesday’s on Successful-Photographer, now dedicated to the art of converting images beyond that of a photograph and converting the image in a more Painterly/Artistic direction. We’ll be taking to look at the artist/photographers who are forging their way forward in creating a new art form with photography at its base.
First up is a photographer Helen Yancy.
If you are a member of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) you have probably heard of Helen as she has been a stalwart of the organization having served on the Board of Directors and as President, and as a PPA Approved Juror and Jury Chair for many years. Helen has earned all the degrees and most awards offered by PPA.
Helen embraced Corel’s Painter Program to takes her images into the artistic realm and has been an instructor sharing her knowledge with fellow photographers ever since. Let’s take a look at some of Helen’s work.
Here is a before image
Here is the image after Painter. Helen said the panel of judges that viewed this were not for this treatment. When we are entering painterly images, we have to remember that art is very subjective.
This painted photo is Helen’s granddaughter captured during a senior portrait session – Painter portrait in the traditional style – high key
Your subjects don’t have to be human. Pet portraits are good in this market. (Heck the subject doesn’t even have to be alive. I’ve done art pieces of buildings for businesses. ed.)
Cat portrait painted by Helen
“Creating exquisite paintings from our images to a discerning clientele raise the perception of a photographer to that of an artist because the paintings truly are art pieces that will be a treasured investment for generations. There is certainly a learning curve, but learning to paint is possible for any photographer that has the desire. I will have a class soon in my camera room, very limited, and my book – Ordinary to Elegant: Painting with Photographs (or something like that) will be available for pre-sale on Amazon (published by Amherst Media) very soon.”
Helen
Helen Yancy Commissioned Portraits
Where the camera is only the beginning…
See more of Helen’s work here.
I hope you enjoy the new Tuesday Painterly series.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | inspiration, photography, photography competition, photography creativity, photography education
PPA & PPA Affiliate Organizations
Busy week!
When I travel to speak sometimes, I get a little behind on my blog posts. For good reason. This past weekend I had the honor & privilege of sharing some knowledge and judging imaging competition for the New Hampshire Professional Photographers Association. What a great group! If you are in that neighborhood & not a member of this association you are missing out big time on great photography education and camaraderie with fellow photographers.
I can’t speak highly enough about Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Affiliates. Education. Yes, there is a lot of it available online and through DVD and streaming products but I have to tell you nothing beats in-person education. Weirdly enough, your learning opportunities are magnified, and you learn as much or more during the breaks sharing ideas with fellow photographers over a cold beverage or hot meal.
I’ve been a member of PPA since 1997, and as soon as I moved to Arizona in 1999, I became a member of the Arizona Professional Photographers Association (AZPPA) and, in spite of living almost two hours away, have been attending monthly meetings, conventions, and special events. That’s a lot of commuting time! I added to my education by using audio training on sales and marketing during the drive back and forth.
If you read this blog regularly, you know that I am a huge proponent of the imaging competition system. The state organizations that are PPA Affiliates are a great place to get your feet wet in the process. Most state affiliates have an annual competition with some of the PPA Approved Jurors on the panels. Also, they have some form of image critiques and networking with other photographers who are familiar with the best practices in competition. Please don’t let the word competition hold you back. It is not a battle against the other photographers for awards. It is a challenge against yourself to be better than you were the previous year. The awards start coming as you improve. I’ve seen it time and time again, those that get in and participate find they improve their photography skills exponentially. Those that say, “I’m not ready’ seem to progress at a MUCH slower pace.
Networking is another large part of belonging to associations. Getting to know the other photographers in your area can be a great help to you and your business. What do you do if you become ill or have an accident just before a big job?? Do you have backup people in place to make sure your clients are served correctly? Also, many photographers share leads with fellow photographers with overflow business or with genres of photography that they don’t pursue. Sharing ideas on lighting, posing and pushing each other to become the best they can be. Sharing time by heading out for little photo trips together. All these things tend to start with joining your local affiliate.
What are you waiting for? Here’s a link to the PPA Affiliate list.
Become the best photographer you can be. Check out the next meeting in your state!
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | inspiration, photography - art quote, photography competition, photography creativity, photography education, success education
Sunday Photo/Art Quote – Excellence
Let’s go back…
WAAAYYY back.
Around the time when the calendar was going lower as it progressed toward Anno Domini from the time Before Christ. There was this dude named Aristotle who was a scientist but more importantly to today’s discussion a Philosopher. Even back then he recognized that we need to practice – a lot – to become the best we possibly can be. He might have been near the first to recognize the phenomenon but he assuredly was not the last. Repetition has been touted by all the great instructors as one part of how to become good at what we do.
I believe that a major part of the secret is that little secret sauce of making it a habit. Once formed habits self-perpetuate. This makes it an almost unconscious route toward excellence. We still have to program our habits to be good ones moving us forward and not just rote repetition. We need to continue to study, to learn and to practice what we learn. The secret is to make practice the habit and just make sure we program the practice properly.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not and act, but a habit.” Aristotle, 384-322 B.C.
I feel in order to practice properly we not only need to keep at it, but we need to have some outside help in reviewing our practice. One of the ways I continue to receive outside perspective on my imagery is to participate in Professional Photographer’s of America Photographic Competitions. I respect the jurors and their opinions (FYI I am also a PPA Approved Juror) but I also sign up for the critiques to get additional feedback. It’s not like I need the feedback to earn PPA Merits and awards. I have been fortunate and hold the Master of Photography and Artist degrees and have managed a few awards along the way. The awards and degrees have not been the ultimate goal but been byproducts of my participation in trying to learn more about my craft.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be the image maker I am today without my participation in PPA’s Photographic Competition.
I encourage you to practice. To learn. To repeat again and again. And seek feedback so you have some outside opinions to help you on your way.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – I am in no way suggesting that the feedback you get will always be spot-on. You still need to run the information received through your own filters. But, I have found on many an occasion that information to be extremely valuable especially when time has passed and I can view my work with a more critical, and less personally involved, eye.
PPS – “10,000 hours.” Malcom Gladwell
by successfulbob | book review, inspiration, photography, photography books, photography creativity, photography education
Visual Palette Book Review
Lots of information and detail. That’s what I look for in a book.
Are you a photographer just getting started? Find yourself in a photographic rut? Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
And this one has it.Are you a photographer just getting started? Find yourself in a photographic rut? Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
Are you a photographer just getting started? Find yourself in a photographic rut? Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
A pro and find yourself in a photographic rut?
Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
Maybe it’s time to take a look at a book called Visual Palette by Rocky Nook Author Brian Matiash.
I always appreciate taking a peek into another artist’s thought process when it comes to finding new ways to view and capture a scene that lay before me. Brian gives a great primer on the basics of composition and then moves the process forward with ways to apply the basics in a more advanced way. The
The images included in the book are solid examples of the point that is being made. Are all stellar? Nope. Some are. But, do they do the job? You bet. This book is about, and should be about YOUR photography. You get to experience Brian’s work and thought process but he is sharing ideas and concepts that you can take out for a test drive.
And that’s what it’s all about. Learning new ideas or being reminded of those long forgotten.
Yours in CreativePhotography, Bob
PS – here’s a small excerpt from the book to give you a taste of Brian’s ‘voice’…
“I, Photographer
I am sharing the backstory of my life as a student to illustrate a few
points as it relates to you, the photographer. The first, and probably
most important, point to make is that photography absolutely is a
journey with no set destination. There isn’t a geographic coordinate
to plot to, a set distance of miles to travel, or a number of exposures
to take. There is no master class you can complete where you’ll
receive a certificate stating, “You’ve Made It!”
Don’t feel any despair over this. The fact that this is a never-ending
journey should be something to rejoice! I first picked up a camera to
use with meaningful intent in 1996. At the time of this writing—nearly
20 years later—I’m still forging ahead on my path to discover who this
person, this photographer, really is. Sure, I have a solid understanding
of the correlation between the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed
of my camera equipment, but beyond that, I will be a student of this
craft for life. To think otherwise is to resign myself to the idea that I
am done growing as a photographer. And that, dear reader, is a terrifying
thought to ponder.” Brian Matiash
