The Fotogroup Project

urban foto

2009-07-09T11:39:00.015-04:00

This series is from walking around downtown Columbus last week; starting and ending at Goodale Park. The glasses aren't mine, they were sitting on a rock near the pond at Goodale park.

2009 Memorial Day Parade

2009-05-25T14:56:00.025-04:00

These photographs are from Worthington, Ohio's 2009 Memorial Day Parade. I watched the parade with our Samoyed, Buddy. Buddy loves a parade and this one was no exception. He got petted by many new friends.

The photographs were made with a VISTAQUEST VQ 1005 toy digital camera. It cost under $20 and came attached to a keychain. It has a crude, inaccurate flip-up viewfinder and no display LCD to see or review pictures. The lens is tiny, soft, and produces images with saturated off-colors. The shutter operates on its own schedule - it can take several seconds to work, so there isn't precise control of "the decisive moment" on this camera. However, the keychain is substantial and works very nicely.

The VQ 1005 uses SD memory cards which is better than all other cheapo toy digital cameras I have seen. The others only use volatile flash memory, so when the AAA battery gives out (quickly and often) the images are permanently lost. I went through three AAAs during this parade, but I still have all the images because of the SD card feature.

Buddy barked along with the band's music

a patriotic 'vette

lots of 'vettes in this Memorial Day Parade...

one more 'vette

It was a warm day and Buddy was ready for a big drink of water afterwards.
,

Fairfield Fair

2008-10-10T21:19:00.006-04:00

two pictures from the 2008 Fairfield Fair:

and two from the way out of town:

Fairfield Fair

2007-10-28T22:11:00.001-04:00

These pictures were made at the 2007 Fairfield County Fair.

the attenuated leaf

2007-10-28T21:59:00.001-04:00

I am interested in the attenuated leaf, and scale illusions.

more recent fotos

2007-10-22T12:57:00.000-04:00

Camera set to B/W (images composed in B/W).

recent fotos

2007-04-13T13:02:00.000-04:00

what do you think?

2007-03-05T12:42:00.000-05:00

I have been making landscape images by placing photographs side by side. The appearance of these images changes by the sequencing of the photographs. I think A is more coherent and easier to 'see' as a landscape than B. I find B intriguing, because it has a different kind of composition, more distant and less central than A.

I am interested in what others think about A and B. Do you prefer one over the other?

A:

B:

(images are from a landscape series made using a digital camera with malfunctioning sensor)

Field Trip

2007-01-29T12:33:00.000-05:00

I see I wasn't the only one at the Conservatory...

Sensor "failure" images

2007-01-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

My 4 year old p&s digital camera began to exhibit signs of sensor failure a couple months ago. The preview picture on the LCD began moving and wavering like a TV going on the blink. I could record the images although it was like making a close-up picture of water on a moving river - the image field distortions kept changing and what I recorded was not precisely what I saw when pushing the shutter. Typically there is a strong magenta cast, which I have reduced with software for these images. Unfortunately, the camera sensor completely died several weeks after it started doing all this. I am pretty excited about the image quality and made as many as I could when it was happening:

leaves and shrubs

up through trees

leaf close-up

self portrait

Interesting Reading

2007-01-25T12:18:00.000-05:00

I've been following a few interesting blogs lately that I've found both informative and inspirational.....and I'd like to share them with you....
Take a few moments, check them out...I think you'll find them as interesting as I do:

Art & Perception
The best way to describe this site is as an on-going conversation about art it its various mediums and forms. There is critique as well as discussion here, a lot of talk about artistic process...I love it.

Drinking With a Dead Man
This is photographer John Loomis' blog. He's a freelance photographer who's work can be found in People, Newsweek, NY Times, ESPN Magazine---to name a few. He gives a lot of insight about the ins and outs of being a pro freelance photographer, and he's just a great writer, it's always entertaining. He's really nice too.

Paul Lester
A blog by, you guessed it, Paul Lester....interesting writing, always thought provoking...great images too.

PhotoMusings
A lot like the above, but this time by Paul Butzi....he's smart, talented, and thoughtful. I read this one everyday.

The Landscapist
This one will make you think...it's awesome

Jez Coulson
This is just a regular photoblog, but by a professional photojournalist. Sometimes it's just random shots from his archive...sometimes he posts images from assignments he's worked on. He totally rocks and is a super nice guy too.

Alec Soth
One of the most popular photography websites on the internet....
Not always about photography, but always interesting

and last but not least...

The Online Photographer
Every photographer with an internet connection should read this....probably THE most popular photo website on the 'net....
plus, I'm one of the contributors :)

Radiant vista workshop

2007-01-08T18:53:00.000-05:00

My husband and I spent the weekend in Cleveland at a Radiant Vista workshop. It was great and I highly recommend. I've been busy trying to figure out photoshop layers since coming home. It looks so easy while you're there watching someone else do it. Anyway, we have alot of new information to process. When I get a good image, I'll post it.

Conservatory Trip

2007-01-01T13:26:00.000-05:00

It has taken me forever to get around to posting some pics from the trip to the FPC. Unfortunately the field trip was only attended by me, so maybe after we all get our normal lives back after the holidays we can begin to plan another??

Winter lights

2006-11-24T09:35:00.000-05:00

I saw my first Christmas lights of the year yesterday. This is an 8 second exposure, handheld, with fresco and blur filters from photoshop.

white balance lesson learned

2006-11-14T21:56:00.000-05:00

I spent a few hours shooting outside in overcast skies with my white balance set on fluorescent. I had many many blue pictures at the end of the day.

Photo contest

2006-11-14T21:54:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, I don't know if anyone is there.... but the Dispatch is having a photo contest. Go to dispatch.com/photocontest for details.

2006-10-20T13:07:00.000-04:00

Critique

2006-10-18T17:37:00.000-04:00

I have spent hours on this site http://www.radiantvista.com/dailyCritique/ listening to the critiques. It's fascinating and informative. I've also signed up for a workshop in Cleveland in January. I can't wait.

Old Man's Cave

2006-10-10T21:59:00.000-04:00

My husband and I spent the day at Old Man's Cave, thinking we'd get some awesome shots. Most were run of the mill shots of trees and rocks. Big deal. This is one of the more interesting ones that I took. A sunlit branch hanging out of a rocky cliff, taken with my lensbaby.

On the way home, Bob opened the car window and just started shooting. The most interesting images we got were from the car.

Just proves that you don't have to plan a big outing to get some good pictures.

A Must-Read

2006-10-10T15:11:00.000-04:00

I've been neglecting this blog, and I'm sorry for that. Life, and other projects got in the way.

But thanks to my friend Sebastian, I have discovered the blog of photographer George Barr. More than just photos, it's a photography blog with all sorts of interesting articles about photography. And not just technique, or the usual photo-blog fare, George delves into the minds of photographers, and writes about the struggles we, as photographers, face all the time. It's a must-read.

One article that spoke volumes to me, is on a subject I think we all can relate to:
10 Suggestions For Getting Through A Slump.

Quote of The Day....

2006-09-29T09:19:00.000-04:00

"Photography... is a varied and ambiguous process in which the only common denominator among its practitioners is in the instrument."

~~Henri Cartier-Bresson

Love the Dew

2006-09-27T09:54:00.000-04:00

So, I've discovered I'm obsessed with shooting dew. It's been something I wanted to try since I saw some of Freeman Patterson's work with spider webs. I've been out many times, but never really accomplished what I wanted and was never happy with the images I took. But we had some great dew on the morning of September 16th that I was able to take advantage of. Below is one of my favorites and reminded me of Jodi's overexposed flower she posted earlier.

Also updated my website with some new pics and added a spider web one in the nature section.

help

2006-09-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

I really like this picture because it is my son and doesn't look anything like him and was fun to play with. But.. .I think it could be better. Any suggestions about lighting, posing, post production would be appreciated.

Anyone have $5,000 to spare?

2006-09-14T22:29:00.000-04:00

The new Leica M8 is out for review. Looks beautiful and the specs are what you'd expect from a Leica. But is it worth $5K? You be the judge....then let me borrow it! ;)

It's a dream!

http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com/2006/09/o-happy-day.html

Photobloggers Exposed: Come Live the LifeVicarious

2006-09-06T08:44:00.000-04:00

How many times have you, while sitting behind your little desk, in your little cubicle, thought about just packing your bags and leaving it all behind? How often have you thought about exploring the world, experiencing new and exotic cultures, new smells, new tastes, and new adventures? What would it take for you to do it, to take the plunge, to head out there to places unknown-at least to you, alone, with no set plan, just you and your camera, to document our world?

It would take a lot, right? A lot of money, but even then, many of us have spouses, children, mortgages, student loans, the list goes on. We may still have the dream, but our reality always steps in. Until now. Now we can travel the globe, see the places of our dreams, take off at a moments notice, and live life vicariously, through the lens of someone else.

Read More...

Jodi's New Site

2006-08-28T15:51:00.000-04:00

My dear husband, who is the greatest supporter of my artistic endeavors, has made a web page with some of my photos.
http://web.mac.com/hoye/

Ripple Effect

2006-08-24T09:55:00.000-04:00

Jodi asked that I post what I submitted to “The Life of the Riverbank” Community Photography Exhibition. The original exhibition was cancelled, but is being rescheduled and will be shown at the DAC and later at the Dublin Rec Center. I can post a comment with more information as soon as I get it. Along with the opportunity to show your work, your image could be selected to become a postcard that the DAC will sell in their gift shop. If my ears did not fail me, my image was selected to be one of the ten postcards.

Thanks for the awesome class! Without it, this moment would have never happened.

First Macro Filter Attempts

2006-08-24T09:11:00.000-04:00

My birthday present from Mel -a macro filter! I experimented with it on Monday. Enjoy!

Tell Jodi What You Think...

2006-08-21T14:03:00.000-04:00

DJ and Chantal like images that are slightly overexposed. I always leaned toward slightly underexposed. I took this rose photo at Franklin Park Conservatory in midday and it came out very light (for me). At first I didn't like it, but it really grew on me after awhile. Tell me what you think please.

Photobloggers Exposed: Georgia on My mind

2006-08-17T10:38:00.000-04:00

In the heart of the America South, in the sunny state of Georgia, live three remarkable photographers. With a zeal for photography, each bring a fresh and distinctive perspective of their lives and worlds.

Read more to learn about Faustina Black, Sebastian Shuster, and Otto Kitchens...

orange water

2006-08-14T21:20:00.000-04:00

I have recurring dreams about soft calm water. When I am around bodies of calm water I feel a sense of serenity. That may explain my obsession with the Scioto River, and why I took way too many pictures of the water. This is one of those pictures showing the sunset, slight waves and smoothness of the river.

sunset over scioto

2006-08-14T21:10:00.000-04:00

My husband and I walked to the river one night right before sunset. We got our cameras out as quickly as possible and started shooting. I was really pleased with this picture. I like the silhouette of the trees and the orangey sky. This picture is taken with the polarizing filter and is underexposed.

Impressions

2006-08-11T12:36:00.000-04:00

I've written before about how I've attempted multiple exposures, but never very successfully. Well, I think I may be getting close to achieving what I want. I love the soft, impressionistic feel that can be achieved through multiple exposures, selective focusing, and blur. And on occasion, I like to utilize all three techniques.

I shot these images the other day at the Park of Roses.

These are just an example of a series of photos I did that day. The rest can be seen on my Photosite. I've posted a few already, and have a few more to show over the next couple of days.

Photobloggers Exposed: Photography in 3-D

2006-08-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

Three different photographers, with three very different styles, all with one thing in common: a passion for photography along with the desire to share. Allow me to introduce you to Daniel Seguin, David Desjardins, and Dean Sherwood.

Read more here.

Photoblogging: The Movement of the Image-based Weblog

2006-08-04T00:07:00.000-04:00

There's a movement on the Internet, and it’s been around for a while now, with momentum building every day. It's called photoblogging. A photoblog, quite simply, is a chronological log of photography; a weblog, where the emphasis is on a photographic image, rather than text.

There are literally thousands of active photoblogs on the web right now, most updated daily by photographers from all around the world. The photographers, themselves, vary from the amateur to the professional, from the film purist to the user of the latest in digital technology. But they all share the same thing: a passion for photography.

Several online communities have emerged, serving this growing phenomenon. Sites such as Photoblogs.org, Photoblog-community.com, and Coolphotoblogs.com all offer photographers a place to list their sites, share images, communicate with each other, and generate traffic to their photoblogs.

Most photoblogs are powered by a content management system, or web-host, for example: Expressions or Pixel Post. These services provide photobloggers with the software they need to build their blogs. They offer various templates, assistance in building, and community to expand, share, and grow the photoblogs.

Many photoblogs allow for comments to be made on each image. This act of commenting is what helps to build a small of community of photographers, who offer encouragement and critique to one another. Although many of the comments can become redundantly polite, some can offer constructive criticism, or may also be as a question for the viewer to find out more about the photograph.

This growing community of photographers and their blogs is as unique and diverse as each image itself. A place where the photographer can display images, receive feedback, and share ones vision with the world, the photoblog has become the gallery of the 21st Century, and with each day: a new opening.

This article is the first in the series: Photobloggers Exposed, to be featured on Blogcritics.org, where in each edition, two to three photobloggers will be profiled.

Stay tuned for more…

Question of the Week vol. 5

2006-08-03T10:30:00.000-04:00

This edition of QOTW comes from Cindy May...

Tell us about the one that got away. Where were you and what were you doing when you missed a prime photo opportunity?

From Cindy:
There have been a few times I wish I had my camera with me, or had my camera with me and just ran out of film, battery power or space on the memory card. However, there are a few times I wish I had had my camera with me and another time I didn't take a photograph out of respect for privacy.

1) Driving back to Kent State University (main campus) while passing through Amish country I saw a couple Amish kids on roller blades. Of course the Amish don't like their picture taken, but if I could have gotten away with it (by using a telephoto lens), I probably would have tried it.

2) Walking home from work one day (while living in Gloucester, UK), I saw a child being pulled by their Dalmatian while on roller blades [People on roller blades often make good subjects].

3) When my husband and I were in Paris last summer and walking to a museum (or some other tourist attraction) we passed an old man and his dog. The dog was a golden retriever and it was carrying a small paper bag with the handles in its mouth while the old man had a plastic bag with a French stick (bread) poking out of it. Both were probably on their way home for lunch. Since I used to have a golden retriever I still have a soft spot for them and it was such a classic scene of French life. If I had hurried I probably could have gotten their picture, but something told me to just take a mental picture and leave it at that. I can still picture it today....

4) This isn't one that got away, but one where I decided to ignore the rules of privacy and just be an annoying tourist with a camera. This summer while we were in Salzburg (Austria) and walking around the city after attending mass I noticed quite a lot of people in national costume and thought it would be interesting to photograph some of them so people back home could see how they dress on Sundays. I got a few good photos and don't think I offended anyone [Sometimes it's easy with a digital camera to pretend like you're aiming at something else].

From Cheryl:
Although there have been many, the most recent was while I was visiting my brother in Cleveland. I have always wanted to capture the essence of what I think of as an empty or lonely street. For me, it's a street at night with the only source of light coming from the street lights... older houses with cars scattered about the curb. The extra something my vision has is a stray cat crossing this street. Well, it happened and all I could do was watch my perfect picture in my review mirror. I saw it, stopped my car, and admired it all happening... the only words that could come out of my mouth were, Damn! I wish I had my camera.

From Jodi:
There's one special missed opportunity for me. My husband and i were at Ritter's ice cream on a kids night. Of course all the kids were adorable, but there was this one 3-4 year old boy in particular. He had two older sisters that were wearing "hula" skirts so he put one on too and just played and played. There he was with his little buzz hair cut and a skirt on! It was a real testament to the innocence and beauty of children.

From Chantal:
There have been quite a few missed opportunities, which have all prompted me to begin carrying my camera with me everywhere. One that stands out was one evening I was picking my son up from orchestra rehearsal, I didn't bother to take my camera, it was only a 10 minute drive, after all, what could possibly happen then, I thought. It was rainy, around 7:30pm, and I as I was stuck in traffic. I noticed a break in the clouds ahead of me, with the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen. The juxtaposition was just amazing, with the downpour all around me, and this glorious sky, with bright yellows, oranges and pinks just ahead, in the distance.

Photos by Cindy May

2006-08-03T10:16:00.000-04:00

This is my niece Ashley being pushed in the swing by my husband Andrew (while at Homestead Park earlier this spring). I like it because of the expression on Ashley's face and the fact that it's not too blurred. You know how difficult it is to take pictures of children, so it's nice every now and then when you can manage to capture a good one.

~~~~~~~~~~

This image is an example from the Pop-9 camera.

Richard Avedon Exhibit at the CMA / Fotogroup Update

2006-07-21T18:46:00.000-04:00

Last night, DJ and I attended the lecture given by Laura Wilson, a photographer who assisted Richard Avedon during the six year period he produced what is now the American West series. Laura spoke about her time working with Richard, his technique, and some of the interesting people they met while touring the American west, photographing its inhabitants.

Richard Avedon, famous for his portraits, was a true American Master. He cared less about f-stops and shutter speeds, and more about capturing the emotion and essence of the individual he was shooting. His images are brilliantly striking and deeply personal.

The exhibit will be held at the CMA until September 17.

In keeping with the theme of the exhibit, and also because I'm feeling particularly inspired, for our next months meeting, let's all shoot portraits. Shoot people you know, people you don't know. Experiment with different techniques, different lighting situations. Use your creativity to capture the essence of the person in front of your lens.

Next month, we decided to meet for a photo-outing, instead of just a meeting in the coffee shop. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, please add your input.
Things to consider:
-where to meet
-when...Thursday nights as usual, or maybe a Saturday/Sunday afternoon?

I've been feeling like night shots using long exposures would be interesting, and warm weather is best for that.

Email your ideas to the Google group, or post here as a comment.

The Fotogroup Project Meetings

2006-07-17T13:14:00.000-04:00

Just as a reminder to all those interested, we meet on the third Thursday of every month at the Panera Bread on Bethel Rd.

The schedule for the next few months is as follows:
July 20
August 17
September 21
October 19

All meetings begin at about 6:30pm until whenever. You are invited to bring photos of any kind for discussion, along with any ideas you would like to share or questions for the group. We usually have a topic to shoot for each month, and all are invited to bring suggestions.

This is an opportunity for us all to get together, get to know one another, share photos, experiences and ideas, and enjoy the company of other photographers. You are welcome to bring a friend, also.

If you have any questions, or need directions, please feel free to contact me by simply leaving a comment here. I hope to see you all at the next meeting!

~~chantal

Question of the Week vol. 4

2006-07-12T11:09:00.000-04:00

Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer.

It makes you a Nikon owner.

~Author Unknown

What is your favorite piece of equipment in your camera bag right
now?

Melanie says:
Macro O-rings. I like to get right up on plants and flowers. With the O-rings they almost become abstract.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cindy says:
I don’t own much ‘equipment’ (other than a separate flash unit, a telephoto lens and a tripod), but I do keep several cameras in my camera bag that go with me on most of my long-haul holidays. Of these, my favorite is the Lomo Pop 9 camera. It's a shiny gold plastic wonder that takes 9 small, but slick images of your desired subject. I’ve learned that it usually does better outside and the more colorful the object the better. Interesting shapes and patterns make the best subjects. I’ve definitely got my money’s worth with this camera and plan to continue to use it until I run out of ideas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DJ says:
my favorite tool is my brain... mainly because it is so unpredictable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

chantal says:
My favorite piece of equipment is whatever I am using at the time. What or how I shoot is so dependant upon my mood at that moment, it can change at the drop of a hat. There are certain toys I like to play with to create certain effects, my Lensbaby being one, and probably the one I am using the most right now. But I also love my Holga, my macro lens and my fisheye...and of course, my trusty polarizing filter. Other than that, I try not to get too caught up in the technical, so for me the simpler the better.

I Love My Lensbaby 2.0!

2006-07-07T09:55:00.000-04:00

Photographers, both digital and traditional, are always looking for innovative ways to capture that perfect image. With all the different types of cameras, lenses and computer programs on the market, it seems the possibilities are endless. One of the many creative effects photographers sometimes like to create is to have certain area of an image in sharp focus, while other areas are softly blurred. This effect can be created with the use of shallow depth of field, with a diffusion filter, and with the lens called Lensbaby 2.0.

The Lensbaby 2.0, is a selective focus lens that allows for a sharp area of focus, or ‘sweet spot’, surrounded by a graduated blur. The lens is adjusted with a bellows-collar that manually moves in and out to focus in on the subject, while at the same time creates the soft blurred effect in the surrounding areas.

Photographer Craig Strong, creator of the Lensbaby, and updated Lensbaby 2.0, was looking for a digital replacement for his beloved Holga camera. The clever combination of an old-fashioned bellows camera and a tilt-shift lens, this incarnation can create images that were once thought to be only made through the use of Photoshop. Compatible with most film SLR and DSLR Nikon F-mount or Canon EF-mount cameras, even older model 35mm SLRs with screw mount, the Lensbaby 2.0 is available for everyone.

What sets this lens apart is it gives the photographer greater control over creativity. The same scene can be shot many times, all with different effects. Just a simple tilt of the bellows with the tip of the finger, and the sweet spot can be altered, the blur can be increased, or decreased, highlights can be created, or a simple, subtle glow can enhance a scene.

The distorted effects of your images can also be controlled by varying the use of the aperture disks that come with both the Lensbaby and Lensbaby 2.0. The improved Lensbaby 2.0 when used with no aperture disk shoots at f/2.0, while the other disks range from f/2.8 up to f/8.0. The larger the disk, the more diffused the image will be; the smaller the disk, the sharper the image becomes.

I shoot primarily with a Nikon N90, and found the Lensbaby 2.0 to be a wonderful addition to my camera bag. I sometimes shoot with a Holga camera, and I love the soft focus and vignetting that a Holga camera can create. The Lensbaby 2.0 can create the same effect, but with more control. I can put the sweet spot exactly where I want it, and also control how distorted and blurred the surrounding areas are.

I've been shooting for years, and shallow depth of field and creative focusing have always fascinated me. Now, with my Lensbaby 2.0, I find myself thinking differently, more creatively, and always looking for the next Lensbaby shot to add to my portfolio. The addictive Lensbaby 2.0 adds a whole new dimension to photography by allowing the photographer to "paint" and picture and create an image that is truly unique.

Accessories can be used to enrich the use of the Lensbaby 2.0. Availble at the Lensbabies website is a Macro kit, including +4 and +10 lenses which screw on to the ens of your Lensbaby. There is also a Digital Optics .45X conversion lens, which converts the Lensbaby into approximately a 22mm true focal length and includes a macro focus mode It can increase the amount of blurring around the sweet spot, while decreasing the sharply focused area. Modestly priced, and easy to use, these accessories can add to the fun and enjoyment of shooting with the Lensbaby 2.0.

Whether you shoot film or digital, the Lensbaby 2.0 is a must-have addition to every photographer’s camera bag. It was specifically created with the artist in mind, the photographer who desires to create an image in the camera, and who can not be restrained by the limits of traditional lenses.

Specifications:

• Focus Type: Manual
• Focal Length: approximately 50 mm
• Aperture Type: interchangeable aperture disks
• Aperture: f/2.0, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8
• Minimum Focus: about 12”
• Maximum Focus: infinity
• Size/Weight: 2.25" high x 2.5" wide / 3.7 oz.
• Coated Optical Glass Doublet
• Note: a Lensbaby does not communicate electronically with your camera body
(for AF cameras, it’s recommended to shoot in Aperture priority mode)

Purchase your LensBaby here!

Photographs by chantal stone, All Rights Reserved

Fireworks...July 4, 2006

2006-07-06T11:04:00.000-04:00

Last year I attempted some fireworks shots and failed miserably. I wasn't in a good area to shoot, too many street lights in the way. This year we went to a different spot, which was an improvement, but some trees were still in the way a bit, but overall, it was a good spot...minus the traffic afterwards!

I experimented with different exposure times, ranging from 1 second up to 30 seconds. The images here are all 20 seconds or longer. I found that the longer exposure times made for more interesting shots.

Pride Parade: Ask and you shall receive

2006-07-05T16:58:00.000-04:00

2006-06-29T10:38:00.000-04:00

My favorite photo is always in the next roll of film. (And everyone else's are ALWAYS better than mine). These are a few pics of the storm rolling in last night. I was lucky enough to be outside to see the clouds changing, so I shot 43 pics of the clouds. (digital is great).

Question of the Week, vol.3

2006-06-25T23:37:00.000-04:00

"A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into." ~Ansel Adams

We are often our own worst critics, but what is your favorite photograph that YOU have taken in the past 6 months?

chantal says:
I think my own self-criticism actually hinders me, sometimes, from fulfilling my potential. And as far as my "best" or "favorite" photo...it doesn't exist.

My best photo is always my NEXT photo, the one I've yet to create, the one that's in my head right now.

There are a couple, though, that I am particularly fond of. I just came back from vacation, and I don't even have all of the film back yet from processing, but those that I do have, I am pleased with. These images, along with many others will soon be posted onto my personal photo-blog.

Another image I am happy with was posted here before. This multiple exposure image was about a year in the making. I had it visualized in my head, but could never actually shoot it the way my mind saw it. Then suddenly one day...magic. I created what my mind saw. You gotta love when that happens.

QOTW vol.3 cont'd

2006-06-25T23:28:00.000-04:00

DJ says:
Once again... a great question... but...I am going to change the assignment, at least for me.

These images were not taken in the last 6 months, but actually rediscovered in the last few weeks and I have been manipulating them to achieve an image closer to my original vision.

A person without eyes cannot see, but seeing is not required to have a vision!!!

The first two images represent a series I have been working on for years, and still continue, that involves folding or rolling paper and then shooting the unusual shapes and using strong, directional lighting to create these images. sometimes the images can become quite busy and lose their impact as a visual element and people start to try and analyze the image too much.

The third image is my personal favorite... it is an image that is very simple, not only in visual impact, but also in it's elements and the amount of time to create the image. This is one of those images that just jumped into my face and said, "take me". I really like the hard contrast between the black and white and also the curved edge between the two tones. In my opinion, a straight line would have lost the dynamics. I shot this image using 35mm Polapan slide film, instant develop. This process creates a positive image that I scanned hi-res and then manipulated slightly. I am not sure this is a film you can still purchase or is even manufactured.

Let me know what you think...

QOTW vol.3 cont'd

2006-06-25T22:55:00.000-04:00

Melanie says:
These are my current favorites -- One black and white and one color. They were taken while Nick and I were on our vacation in Europe a few weeks ago.

- The black and white I took while were walking around the smaller streets and alleys in Florence, Italy. (Ilford 125 ISO, f/8 and I let the camera adjust the shutter speed). I really like the perspective -- I got down low so that the buildings would be exaggerated and the bike would be the main focus.

- The color photo is from when we were at Westminster Abbey in London, England. (Fuji 200, f/16 and I let the camera adjust the shutter speed). I just like playing with perspective. The sky was a gorgeous blue, and the clouds were arranged just perfectly so that the lions take center-stage. Without the clouds, I don't think this photo would be as striking.

color swept plant

2006-06-16T11:35:00.000-04:00

I know that this type of photo won't appeal to most people, but I like it. This is taken with my digital camera at .8 second while I swept the camera over a plant. I am surprised at the colors that developed because the plant was just green and red-brown.

Columbine flower

2006-06-15T14:12:00.000-04:00

Double exposure with phlox and columbine.

Ohio Goth

2006-06-15T14:03:00.000-04:00

This is taken with a holga camera using multiple exposures. I like the way the wall of the building behind the tree formed a cross with the multiple exposures. The purple tint to the picture is from closeup shots of purple flowers.

A Cool Mistake

2006-06-13T14:11:00.000-04:00

This is what can happen when we don't pay attention to what we're doing. I had been out shooting multiple exposures and forgot to reset my camera when, a couple days later, I went out again to shoot with my Lensbaby.

The result is kind of cool though. Very unexpected, very surreal.
(double click to view larger)

Makes you wonder...Are there such things as 'mistakes' in Art?

There are more Lensbaby images on my site, here.

Multiple Exposures

2006-06-06T09:29:00.000-04:00

A lot of us here at the Fotogroup are just slightly obsessed with the idea of multiple exposures. It all started when we collectively discovered the work of Freeman Patterson. Jodi and DJ had much better results right away, I've been practicing on and off for about a year before I finally got an image I was happy with. (Either I'm just way too slow, or way too critical of my own work--maybe a bit of both!)

This image was taken using 6 exposures- 3 or 4 out of focus, the remainder were in sharp focus.

~~chantal

Chantal's first Lensbaby attempt

2006-06-06T09:25:00.000-04:00

This image was taken using a Lensbaby. The great people at Lensbabies.com were awesome enough to send me my very own Lensbaby for product review. Over the next few weeks I will be posting many of the images I shoot using the lens, and then writing a product review which will be submitted to various publications, online and off.

A Lensbaby is a selective focus lens for SLR cameras--both digital and standard. It allows you to bring one area of your image into sharp focus, or 'sweet spot', surrounded by a graduated blur.

So far, I'm enjoying shooting with my Lensbaby. They say on the website, that it may take a little practice to achieve your desired effect, I'm seeing that this is true. Since I use film, I'm limited by how quickly I can get my film processed, before I move on to the next attempt. I'm shooting one roll of film at a time, and keeping track of all of the variables so that I know what works for me, and what doesn't.

I'm not very happy with the image here. The lens comes with various aperture rings that you can change manually. I'll talk about that more when I write the actual review. For this image I used the f/4 ring, and I also used one of the macro filters (from the macro kit they sent me!). I wanted a very up-close, tight image, which I got, but it's obviously ineffective. I probably shouldn't have used the macro, that way more of the background would have been in sharper focus. The image is also slightly overexposed, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, in fact, I often will purposely overexpose many of my images, but again, here, it's just not very effective.

Oh well.....gives me reason to try, and try again!!

Question Of The Week, vol.2

2006-06-04T15:41:00.000-04:00

Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.
~Tony Benn

All artists are influenced and/or inspired by others, but not limited to the same medium. Who are some of your favorite photographers/artists?

from Jodi Hoye:
My main form of creativity has been in quilting. I love Jinny Beye's unique approach to quilting.

I also love picking colors and putting them together in rug hooking and knitting.

Freeman Patterson is my favorite photographers because he can do unusual things with the normal, and make it beautiful and unique.
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from DJ:
Most events in a persons life begin with a certain amount of background, or a succession of events; then they work on finding closure based on what has come before as a foundation. As far as our ability to build on these foundations; our ability to speak has been built by years of remaining silent, babbling and finally speaking; so, too, do photographers have to build an image by laying thought upon thought, vision upon vision, and incident upon incident. This is perhaps the most natural way to create an image. This is also probably the safest way to create the image, because the photographer is creating, whether consciously or unconsciously, in a straight-line. Problems that surface are easily fixed, because in theory the photographer can step back and see where the problem started and take a different path. Not that images don't exist that can be created using this process, there are quite a few, and effective ones at that. Still, the strongest emotion a photographer can invoke, is when the vision is clear. Sometimes, a less common strategy, which is to begin the image creation process by first looking at the end. Rather than creating the image in a linear fashion, the photographer can adopt a more organic approach, where images LEAP from the print — to support. Images built in such a manner, support the main emphasis of the subject. An image should not attempt to provide an answer, but to prompt the viewer to ask a question that needs an answer. The image can accomplish this in endless ways. Instead of proclaiming the subject matter of the image, the image should quietly address the answer and let the viewer determine the question. The motive of this, is bringing the viewer back to the question they themselves asked upon initial viewing. You cannot affect a persons memory, but only affect it in hindsight. By changing a persons thoughts about past events, which by definition are unchangeable, a persons thoughts can never truly become a memory.

So... how does this relate to the question at hand... believe it or not, or at least in my chaotic mind, it does. I try not to focus on a single artist or style or art. I like to think I am a well rounded artist and by trying not to focus on a single concept or individual, I will remain free of getting stuck in a rut. I like to make the viewer think deeper than they have ever thought before and make them keep coming back to the image for one last, or so they think, glance at the image. anyway... hope this clears up nothing and provides clarity, none-the-less.
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from Cindy May:
I enjoy and am inspired by the works of artist David Hockney and photographer Martin Parr (whom I have met and have gotten his autograph). I had never heard of David Hockney until I saw an advertisement for an exhibit of his at the National Museum in Cardiff (Wales). My husband, a friend, and I all visited and I was hooked ever since! Probably the most impressive work was a whole wall taken up with overlapping photos (called ‘joiners’) of the Grand Canyon. It was the next best thing to actually being there (and I have – twice!).

I had never heard of Martin Parr either, but he was listed as a guest lecturer at a photography seminar I attended quite a few years ago. That was also the first time I had ever heard the term ‘documentary photography,’ which is a style I’ve adopted and practiced for most of my life. Last summer when I was in Paris my husband and I visited the Museum of European Photography. Unbeknownst to us, there was a Martin Parr (& Charles Close) exhibit on. The most impressive work was an installation where Parr decorated a room to look like his family’s living room circa about the 1950’s. There was an enlarged photo (of the window) in place of where the window would have been, but otherwise everything else was authentic. Although it wasn’t so much about photos, it was a really clever installation complete with a TV and radio spewing programs from the time period.

I also very much like the impressionists – Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt to name a few. I have visited Monet’s house in Giverny (France) and seen the garden which was the subject of so many of his lovely paintings. It’s always interesting to see where artists get their inspiration.
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from Arthur Weeks:
Here are some-

Robert Frank
Heinrich Riebesehl
Fay Godwin
William Eggleston
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lois Conner
Toshio Shibata
Roni Horn
Minor White
Joseph Beuys
Lee Friedlander
Bernice Abbot
Hans Hofmann
Diane Arbus
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from chantal stone:

I like to draw my inspiration from various mediums. I go through phases where I really try not to look at other photographer's work, for fear of being too influenced by them. I like to see what other people are shooting, and of course, to learn new techniques, and gain new ideas. But I've seen where sometimes other artists become so influenced by those of the same medium, they tend to copy too closely. Call it my own insecurity.

I really feel that I do live and breathe my art. But it isn't always practical to be shooting day and night, which is why I like to write and occasionally paint and draw. And I find that I am more inspired in my photography, when I am most active practicing these other art forms. Therefore, it seems natural to me, that the vast majority of my influences come from fellow writers and artists, but not necessarily photographers.

A line of poetry, a beautiful melody, or lyric from a song, the raw emotion felt through a skillfully acted performance in a film. These are the things that inspire me, that motivate me to do what I do.

A few of my favorite artists and writers include Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Klimt, Emerson, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Tamon Van Scoy, John Spivey...among many many others.

Question Of The Week, vol.1

2006-05-21T20:38:00.000-04:00

The following is the first installment of an on-going series.

"The urge to create, the urge to photograph, comes in part from the deep desire to live with more integrity, to live more in peace with the world, and possibly to help others to do the same."
-Wynn Bullock , 20th century photographer

In an attempt to define ourselves as artists and also to learn more about one another, I pose the following question(s):

When were you first inspired to become a photographer? What, in particular, inspired you and how does that affect the work you do now?

From Arthur Weeks:

Here are some things that got me interested in photography:

1a) When I was going to college, majoring in studio art, there was a painting class where we were shown history of art slides before starting to paint.

One time, the slides started way out of focus, then they were focused as we looked. Paintings from hundreds of years ago and new ones were intermixed - it was impossible to tell by looking at the out-of-focus image, which ones were new and which were old. The surprise happened when recent abstract paintings popped into focus as I was expecting a painting from several hundred years ago and visa versa.

This got me thinking about composition as an independent thing from subject: after that class I was walking on campus and looked at the cracks in sidewalks, and started recognizing the underlying structure of strong abstract compositions in some of the cracks. So, I thought, why not just photograph this?

1b) An earlier art class project was to make a series of 26 photographs, each photo featured one letter of the alphabet, until you had the whole alphabet. This was pretty good for learning to 'see' in different ways (for example I made a side-view photo of my sister's poodle for a lower case 'n'). I didn't consider photography a significant art form at that time.

2) A traveling show of “new American color photography” was shown at the museum and it wowed me. I had never seen photographs with such saturated colors, off-beat composition and subject selection. The show was organized (curated) by Sally Eauclaire; she had 3 books printed of this series, some may still be in libraries.

3) My dad always photographed, making the standard family event photos. When I was 13, I went to the Experimental Aircraft Association annual fly-in with my uncle, who was interested in (and made a) home-built aircraft. Dad showed me how to use his Argus C3 camera (the brick) and I made Kodachromes at the fly-in. These were pictures to record images of airplanes that I liked; it was not about how photos can be interesting beyond the subject matter. That concept started after I was out of college.

4) When I first saw some Ansel Adams prints (20+ years ago) and realized how beautiful a photographic print can be.

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From Mandy Levy:

I was first inspired to become a photographer a few years ago when I visited Hilton Head, SC. The beach and nature scenes really made me want to start taking photos and capturing the beauty I didn't get to see everyday in Ohio. I love taking photos of people, animals and places but I think I am most inspired by nature photos. The majority of the photos I take today are of nature scenes, but I am trying to branch out and take pictures of other things.

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From Cindy May:

I wish I could say there was one ‘defining moment’ for me, but I don’t recall one as such. As far back as I can remember I’ve always enjoyed taking pictures – even before I owned a camera (in which case I painted a block of wood and pretended with that instead). Since I’ve taken up photography as a hobby, there are certainly photographers whose work I admire and which inspire me (like David Hockney and Martin Parr).

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From Jodi Hoye:

First, I'm not sure that I could be considered a "photographer", although I do aspire to be an artist in photography. My father was a photographer, shooting weddings and always posing me and my siblings on curving roads or at covered bridges. I think because I grew up with him taking pictures, I always thought it was "uncool". I didn't even think about getting a camera until last summer. One of my friends sent me a card with a print in sepia of a chair next to the woods. I loved it! At the same time, my parents sent me some money and I decided to get a camera! (I knew nothing about them, when I first took pictures I ignored the light meter because it was too much technology for me.) Now I see the world in a different way and am always looking for good pictures. I just LOVE to hear the click of my camera taking a picture!

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From chantal stone:

I always knew I wanted to be an artist, and as a child I would experiment in different mediums. I loved to paint, draw, create sculpture, even write, and I still enjoy all of these things. But when I was about 14 or 15, I was struck by the stark b&w images on a U2 album cover by Anton Corbijn. I decided to give photography a try, and my father bought me my first camera, a used Yashica fx-7 super.

I immediately fell in love with the medium. I took a few photography classes, and read every book I could get my hands on. I joined the yearbook staff and school newspaper and did all of the candid photos for each. My camera was ever-present around my neck.

Over the years, although my love for photography never died, my priorities shifted with family, kids, etc, so there were times when I would put my camera away for extended periods of time, but the passion was always there. A couple of years ago, I realized that my love for photography was never going to fade, so I picked up my then new Nikon, started shooting, and I haven’t stopped since.

The art we create is an extension of who we are. And who we are is simply a culmination of our experiences. My photography, as an art form, is how I express my thoughts, dreams, desires and fears. Through my photographs, I wish to relate my feelings and my understanding of the world around me. My only hope is that someone else can catch a glimpse of my perception of reality, and be touched by it.

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From Cheryl Brilmyer:

I have always liked photography. I skip the articles in magazines and have always been more attracted to the pictures, but there was not a particular “moment” that stands out for me which made me aspire to become a photographer. I would have to classify my inspirations as curiosity, creativity and my social network.

My brother’s friend in high school was interested in photography. He would share his work with my brother and my brother would share it with me. I would always think, “How does he do that?” I have always found ways to be creative throughout my life. As a kid, I would color, paint, and draw… the typical kid things. When I was in high school I liked to write poetry and enjoyed sculpting with pottery. Now my outlet is photography.

In college, my two roommates took a photography class. This is when I developed a greater interest in it. Although I was the subject of some of their projects, I wanted to be able to make my own images. In short, you tend to gravitate towards what your friends or social networks are interested in. It just took me a while to catch on.

I would have to say that I share some common likes with the individuals who have contributed to being my inspirations. For example, I gravitate towards using depth of field in my images. The similarities come with some differences which I tend to like more. I also love the creativity photography allows and the different interpretations of the same subject that each individual brings to the table. I strive to be creative all the time, even when shooting the most ordinary of things. Successful or not, I keep on shoot’n.

What the Toy Camera Contest Is

2006-05-19T08:37:00.000-04:00

The Toy Camera Contest celebrates -- you guessed it -- Toy Cameras, the cheap and cheesy little cameras with low end specs and intriguing results. We encourage all amateur and professional photographers to enter this contest, and you may enter as often as you wish. Entries are accepted from April 24, 2006 until June 15, 2006 at midnight, Pacific Standard Time.

here's the link to check it out...
Toy Camera Contest