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I mentioned this in this week's Channel Hastings newsletter but if you missed it here it is again:
All Channel Hastings Flickr members and supporters are warmly invited to attend a private view featuring the work of three local Flickrites.
View of an exhibition by locally based photographers Terry Russell, Adam Piggott, Barry Reid and Thor Taylor.
This is a mixed exhibition including stunning local scenes. Come along from 6.30pm and enjoy wine and light refreshments.
The Imagen Gallery is at the Britannia Enterprise Centre Waterworks Road (near Morrisons)
Private View Friday 28 March from 6.30pm onwards.
The Exhibition runs from 29th March to 11th April. If you can make the Private View please RSVP Imagen on 01424 447518 (Tue - Sat)
Would be great to see you all down there!
Technorati Tags: Imagen, exhibition, Channel Hastings
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Great light and wonderful shadows around late this afternoon. The red posts and the shadows caught my eye. (Woolly hat was an added bonus as part of the 'United Colours of Hastings' theme.)
Technorati Tags: Red, Flickr, challenge, Channel Hastings
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Have you ever wanted to take your photography to the next level? Then, taking part in a photo challenge with your photography buddies can really help inspire you and push your creative boundaries.
So, what are some good tips to help you become a real super 'Photo Challenger'?
Here are five tips I've gleaned from throwing myself head first into our first ever local photo challenge. (Part Two will be posted next week!)
1. Take Your Camera Everywhere
Yes, always take your camera with you. The more you take it, the more opportunity you will have to take shots. And the more pictures that you take, the more your photography skills will improve. There's nothing more frustrating than missing a photographic opportunity by not having your camera on you. So, take it everywhere! Shops, work, pubs, gigs, walks, parties. Make sure you never miss another golden opportunity.
2. Get a Notebook
One of the most important things you should always take with you (besides your camera!) is a notebook. When you out and about looking for shots you will often generate new ideas. Don't let them escape! Just as you need to capture great shots with your camera you also need to capture those great ideas that arise when you are in your 'creative zone'.
3. Tell A Story
It's not always just about the photos. Adding a few comments to your images can help tell the story behind the photo. Where? When? Who? Why? What? By answering these simple questions you're helping to build up more of a complete 'picture' by adding an extra bit of texture or colour to your image.
4. Go Native and Meet the Locals
Add an extra dimension to your photos and ask local people to get involved. They don't have to be the main subject of the photo but they can add an important visual element of interest. By approaching local people you're not only adding to the quality of your photos but also helping to build up your confidence as an aspiring photographer.
5. Track Your Progress Daily
One of the best ways to do this is to share your photos on photosharing websites like Flickr. You can create your own Photo Challenge sets that enable you to see at a glance how you're doing. You can also regularly check out the submissions of the other 'challengers' to get fresh ideas and inspiration.
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Last Wednesday was an exceptionally beautiful winter's day coming at the end of an otherwise uninspiring January. Faced with the choice of staying indoors slumped in front of my computer screen or grabbing my camera and heading out into the crisp dry winter air for an impromptu photowalk the photowalk always wins hands down.
I know that a lot of other photographers meet up before their planned photowalk. However, mine was going to be a purely solitary and spontaneous affair.
My favourite camera at the moment is my Nikon D300. It gives me as a unique creative licence to capture the rhythm of what's happening locally in my hometown.
I've recently been so wrapped up with focusing on our first ever photo challenge that I had forgotten the joys of just kicking back and walking along the seafront and soaking up the atmosphere.
My chosen route was The Hastings-St Leonards promenade. There's something special when the sun comes out in the winter and you're on the promenade. I can't really describe it. All I know is that I'm just compelled to capture and share those magical moments.
Photos from Photowalk Wednesday 30 January 2008
A Quick Primer
What is photowalking?
The Wikipedia definition describes photowalking as the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things you may find interesting.
Why Go Photowalking?
The benefits of photowalking are threefold: physical, emotional and creative. Going for a photowalk is good for both your physical and emotional health and also adds another exciting dimension to your photographic learning and enables you to push your creative boundaries.
Where Do You Photowalk?
Anywhere that grabs your fancy.
When Do You Photowalk?
Again, you go can on a photowalk at anytime day or night.
Who Goes Photowalking?
You can do it alone or meet up with your photography buddies and head out together on an organised route and then share your favourite shots online.
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Thursday 30 January 2008...clear blue skies, long shadows, crisp air...the perfect opportunity to go for a photowalk along the Hastings-St Leonards promenade. Starting from The Marina Pavilion and heading east towards Hastings my mission was to soak up the atmosphere, follow the light and capture a variety of fresh new images.
The Marina Pavilion, Bottle Alley, Hastings Pier all threw up their own unique photographic opportunities. But it wasn't until I was on my return journey west that I noticed the White Rock promenade telescope. I had always known that it was there but I had never had a true 'photographic experience' with it. The sun was starting to set and the possibilities looked promising.
As opposed to taking shots of the telescope I just focused on the lens. I flipped the telescope around and started viewing the world through the lens and it's then that I had my 'decisive moment' and I started taking pictures...I was more than happy with the results!
All of this got me thinking...Wouldn't it be great if we could do the same with ‘old school’ perceptions of Hastings and St Leonards? Yes, just f-l-i-p them. A recent comment on Flickr stated that a photo of an elderly couple looking blankly at a wall just about summed up Hastings.
Yes but only if you want it to. Poor and unimaginative images of Hastings create the sensation that it's a pretty poor and unimaginative place to be in. But what happens when a diverse and talented bunch of photography enthusiasts start to create their own unique and creative vision of Hastings? And what happens when they come together to collaborate and share their vision with the rest of the world?
Yes, outdated perceptions get 'flipped' and in the process people start to view Hastings through a new and exciting lens....
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