Here's a few notes from our meeting last week. The meeting was recorded (our first ever) at the request of a couple of our regulars who couldn't attend.
1. What can photographers learn from the old masters.
I had a few thoughts on what photographers can learn from the Old Masters, and made three points (although still just scraping the surface of the subject)
- use of angled light to create a 3D modelling. Rembrandt lighting used on portraits is well known but the effect applies equally to all subjects
- make clear what the main subject is. This is done by either making the main subject the brightest or the most contrasty part of the overall image. Other parts surrounding the main subject can be full of detail with their own highlights and shadows, but they are just that bit more subdued compared to the main subject.
- create depth. This is done by making the foreground area more detailed, darker, saturated and contrasty. As the image moves into the mid distance there is less detail, contrast and saturation and the far distance the image becomes really quite soft and high key. John (R) also correctly made the point that the colour temperature also shifts towards blue in the distance. I illustrated these effects by looking at the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards where there are many examples, see https://www.pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com/finalists-gallery-2021/
Iain made the point that its all about the light, and particularly the Chiarosciro technique.
2. Four members then showed us examples of their work. We haven't seen anything from Mick for a while and he showed some excellent abstract images of smoke patterns, sometimes inverted or flipped. It was surprising how often these created faces. Also images of building which had been warped into unusual shapes. Steve had pulled together his favourite images, and produce a grid for each year. All excellent and interesting presentation. Iain and Judith showed a selection of their images. Nice work.
3. Personal projects. I've had a bee in my bonnet about personal projects for some time. I think they can give focus and direction to our photography, but have to admit that I struggle to find a subject that I want to work on. So I thought this was worthy of discussion. It seemed to me that photographers can seek 'external' stimulus to come up with ideas, eg, doing a 365 project, or imitating an existing technique (eg ICM, long exposure) or favourite photographer. There's nothing wrong is doing this, we all need a place to start so long as we're not just copying. The other approach is I think much harder, and is where the photographer has a genuine interest in following a subject. I gave some examples from student graduation projects, eg, one was on the ' surveillance camera's point of view' and another was of how our skin is intimately linked to our identity. Both of these are really unusual and very personal to the photographer.
There was general support of personal projects from the group, but not everyone agreed. Gerry has no interest at all, and John (M) felt it gave us the opportunity to fail in that some ideas just don't lead anywhere and we shouldn't be afraid of moving on to another subject. But to my surprize a good number of the group were working on projects, including David who is photographing the Turkish barber shops in Harpenden (David you must show us the results).
4. Future of ESIG This has been the final meeting of ESIG this season, and I wanted to get the members views on what we should do next year, when HPS might be meeting back in the hall. After discussion, we agreed
- you would like me to continue running ESIG via zoom
- you like the current mix of content. We decided to structure each meeting with a roughly 50:50 mix of (i) sharing (our photos, favourite photographers, ideas) and (ii) a regular Portfolio Review, where participating members summit just one photo each month and we discuss each in greater detail.
- I need to make it easier for you to contribute. To do this, we agreed that you are happy for me to plan the speakers in advance. I will invite or you can volunteer to do a little talk at a particular meeting some weeks ahead. That way you have plenty of time to prepare, and I'm not rushing around trying to get speakers at the last minute. It would be great if everyone gets to chance to speak at least once in the year, and probably much more.
- John (R) made the point that a disadvantage of using Zoom is that we don't get to meet face to face and we don't see any prints. This led to the idea that maybe we should go away for a weekend once (or twice) a year. Good suggestion. I'll give it some thought.
Thanks for your support. I'll be in touch over the summer to get next season started.
1. What can photographers learn from the old masters.
I had a few thoughts on what photographers can learn from the Old Masters, and made three points (although still just scraping the surface of the subject)
- use of angled light to create a 3D modelling. Rembrandt lighting used on portraits is well known but the effect applies equally to all subjects
- make clear what the main subject is. This is done by either making the main subject the brightest or the most contrasty part of the overall image. Other parts surrounding the main subject can be full of detail with their own highlights and shadows, but they are just that bit more subdued compared to the main subject.
- create depth. This is done by making the foreground area more detailed, darker, saturated and contrasty. As the image moves into the mid distance there is less detail, contrast and saturation and the far distance the image becomes really quite soft and high key. John (R) also correctly made the point that the colour temperature also shifts towards blue in the distance. I illustrated these effects by looking at the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards where there are many examples, see https://www.pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com/finalists-gallery-2021/
Iain made the point that its all about the light, and particularly the Chiarosciro technique.
2. Four members then showed us examples of their work. We haven't seen anything from Mick for a while and he showed some excellent abstract images of smoke patterns, sometimes inverted or flipped. It was surprising how often these created faces. Also images of building which had been warped into unusual shapes. Steve had pulled together his favourite images, and produce a grid for each year. All excellent and interesting presentation. Iain and Judith showed a selection of their images. Nice work.
3. Personal projects. I've had a bee in my bonnet about personal projects for some time. I think they can give focus and direction to our photography, but have to admit that I struggle to find a subject that I want to work on. So I thought this was worthy of discussion. It seemed to me that photographers can seek 'external' stimulus to come up with ideas, eg, doing a 365 project, or imitating an existing technique (eg ICM, long exposure) or favourite photographer. There's nothing wrong is doing this, we all need a place to start so long as we're not just copying. The other approach is I think much harder, and is where the photographer has a genuine interest in following a subject. I gave some examples from student graduation projects, eg, one was on the ' surveillance camera's point of view' and another was of how our skin is intimately linked to our identity. Both of these are really unusual and very personal to the photographer.
There was general support of personal projects from the group, but not everyone agreed. Gerry has no interest at all, and John (M) felt it gave us the opportunity to fail in that some ideas just don't lead anywhere and we shouldn't be afraid of moving on to another subject. But to my surprize a good number of the group were working on projects, including David who is photographing the Turkish barber shops in Harpenden (David you must show us the results).
4. Future of ESIG This has been the final meeting of ESIG this season, and I wanted to get the members views on what we should do next year, when HPS might be meeting back in the hall. After discussion, we agreed
- you would like me to continue running ESIG via zoom
- you like the current mix of content. We decided to structure each meeting with a roughly 50:50 mix of (i) sharing (our photos, favourite photographers, ideas) and (ii) a regular Portfolio Review, where participating members summit just one photo each month and we discuss each in greater detail.
- I need to make it easier for you to contribute. To do this, we agreed that you are happy for me to plan the speakers in advance. I will invite or you can volunteer to do a little talk at a particular meeting some weeks ahead. That way you have plenty of time to prepare, and I'm not rushing around trying to get speakers at the last minute. It would be great if everyone gets to chance to speak at least once in the year, and probably much more.
- John (R) made the point that a disadvantage of using Zoom is that we don't get to meet face to face and we don't see any prints. This led to the idea that maybe we should go away for a weekend once (or twice) a year. Good suggestion. I'll give it some thought.
Thanks for your support. I'll be in touch over the summer to get next season started.
