Tutorials
How to Look at Each Other’s Work
1. All images have good points and all images can be improved. Each member needs to be encouraged by what’s working well and challenged to improve their skills. This is why we like to say something positive, suggest an alternative/improvement, and end with another positive comment.
2. We want to improve camera handling & position as that’s where good composition starts, so ONE comment should revolve around that. Moving closer/farther, left/right, up/down to avoid/lessen obstruction or enhance/reduce foreground prominence, more/less depth-of-field, faster (stop action)/slower shutter speeds etc are possible suggestions.
Other secondary characteristics to look at as far as depiction of the subject:
* Originality, freshness of vision, and individual point of view
* Technical skill; mastery of the camera and the medium
Effective use of visual language; frame, color, light, moment, shape, line, etc
* Creative solutions, avoidance of cliché
* Strength of concept. Ability to communicate themes clearly to the intended audience, or substantial exploration of content.
* Expressive quality of the print. Tonal balance, color correction, and effective use of the craft.
* Keeping to the camera project criteria
Photography 101
I stumbled upon this website: http://www.photography101.org/
Depth of Field
The assignment for April 2009 is “Blurry Background”. Here are some tutorials that might help:
- Dummies.com – “Depth of Field” (video)
- Dummies.com – “Bokeh“
- Graphic Reporter – “How to Create a Blurry Background” (using Photoshop Elements)
Quick tips: Point-n-shoots – try “Portrait” mode. Others: long lens, wide aperture (small f-stop), closer to subject…
How to Critique Each Other’s Work:
At the February 12, 2009 meeting, Suzette gave handouts from these two websites:
- PhotoSIG.com – Guide to Critiquing Photographs
- DeviantART.com – How to Critique a Photo
- Meeting Minutes – Notes from Mark’s February 2009 Presentation (You may have to scroll down on the page to find the notes from February 12, 2009)
