A short demo of image processing possibilities

By the Roving North Penn Arts Alliance member - Mike Darr

First thing I will say is I am always available for advice and discussion. If anyone wants to talk photography, I am willing -- no, anxious -- to do so. Riding Rex (for those who do not know Rex is my motorcycle) is my life but photography is my passion.

A few people have said to me, “I wish I could take photos like you do.” I am very flattered but it does not take a genius or someone akin to Merlin casting magic spells to get great images. I take the same images that everyone else does. I do have some very good equipment, especially great lenses. The single most important item in the image capture mechanics is the glass. If you have poor glass you get poor images.

Other pieces of hardware are important but none as much as the lens. I thank the great lens designers/manufacturers and programmers at Adobe every day for giving me some great tools to work with (and for taking a lot of my money – HA). If you let the auto-everything camera make image decisions it will be hit or miss (mostly miss) as to what quality image you get.



Above: Image that most "Auto" cameras will record.



Here are three views of an image taken by me with the camera mounted on a tripod and one that records the setup using my cell phone camera. The captions will explain. So I guess that those many hours spent in geekdom, sitting in front of my computer over these many years have paid off.

Above: Manually setting the exposure will
result in a truer recording of the scene.

Above: The "setup" as recorded by "auto" cell phone camera.



Another very important thing is to be there when the light is right. Have you ever noticed that when you are in a beautiful scenic location early in the morning or later in the afternoon the view seems so much more beautiful? And when there in the midday the same scene looks flat and boring? Usually the best time for dramatic images is before 10am and after 3pm, but there are ALWAYS exceptions.

Above: My interpretation of the second image.
Converted to black and white, tree perspective corrected.
Sun slightly enlarged.

 

Regardless of brand, the camera makers as well as many publishing companies offer great guides to improve your photography. Get a book or DVD and study, then practice, practice, and practice some more.

To see more of Mike Darr's work and to follow him on his scenic travels go to
http://scratchin-the-itch.blogspot.com/
Enjoy the wonderful journey of creating art whether you use a camera, pen, pencil, brush or whatever medium you use; have fun and learn. And as Mike always says "Don't ride the highways to make great time,
Ride the backroads to have a great time..."

Why do we need the Arts?

As we proceed in the 2012 year there is talk of budget cuts, decreases in giving, and most of these have to do with the Arts & Culture area. So the question has become, why do we need art and culture? Think about it, what does art do for an individual? It allows the individual to express themselves, it allows the person to be creative, and it allows the individual to work out the solution with what they have at hand.

Art allows one to relax, replenish, and re-think ideas, expressions and statements. Art creates an oasis where one can refresh themselves with paint, chalk, clay or whatever medium the individual chooses. Yet there are those of us that have chosen the path of art not for vacation, but for vocation. We walk this path every day in one fashion or another. We may illustrate a story or a book. We may create a campaign to promote a product or service. We may paint a portrait of a loved one, or a landscape nearby. We may sculpt a memorial or something that is utilitarian. We may also use our talent and skills to teach what we know so that you may enjoy the many facets of Art. Some will utilize their talents to help individuals cope.  Yet when every new year comes about and budgets are made, one of the first cuts in education, and communities are the Arts and Cultural programs. So how do we as individuals help the arts? Support them, visit a museum, look for local exhibits, donate what you can to a local art organization, or take a class in painting, drawing, ceramics, or photography. On this journey of life, see how artists help you along the way. You may be surprised at what you find.

This author for one has learned a great deal in the Arts.

Creativity - I learned to be more creative, by taking written words and turning them into pictures to help tell the story.  To make a mundane object look like a thing of beauty

Task Oriented --I learned to do what needed to be done to complete the task. Many nights while in college after working a part time position and a 45 minute train ride, I learned to utilize that ride into a brainstorming session for the days assignment and once at home would complete the next assignment that was waiting to be completed.  Some nights, this meant finishing the piece at 4 o’clock in the morning. The next day would soon start and I knew that I was current and on task with all of my assignments up to the one that was passed out the day before.

Improvisation – I learned to improvise, when an assignment was not going as I thought it would, I would improvise with a different medium or when I needed to see a hand or foot at a different angle, I would use my own or ask a family member to strike a pose.

Research – I learned that knowledge and research of subjects was needed to help illustrate the story or campaign. This was before the internet so the library, magazines, and my own camera were tools used to help me research what I needed to help complete the task.

Observation – One of the most important tools in the artist’s tool box is the tool of observation, seeing how the line flows, the color changes, how the face looks at different moods, or how the shadows are cast at different times of the day. Observation of those around you will help you decide as to how to react to their situations or needs.

Time Management – I learned that working too long on the initial thought process would hinder the final execution. So I trained to work quickly and set deadlines to meet each task of the project.

Project Management – Each piece is a project, whether it is a solo or a team effort does not matter. The completion of the project is the task. Managing the components of the project becomes essential to make the deadline with a completed and excellent product.

These are some of the many things that I learned as I study art and these are some of the things that we all need to help us on this journey of life. So when the budgets are passed around and the arts programs are on the chopping block make an issue to keep them from getting cut. The Arts can work with a minimum budget, most artists do any way. But the Arts cannot exist if the doors are closed on museums, events and most of all classrooms.

So support the Arts, keep the Arts and Culture in the budgets. Take a class when and where they are offered. Visit a museum, a play, a concert, or visit a local Art event, even make a purchase from a local artist. You’ll be glad that you did and we hope that you will see why we need the Arts.

Author's study of Pennypacker Estate in pen & ink 

Spring into art with an Art Class.

Have you ever wondered as to how they drew that still life, painted that landscape, made that piece of ceramic, or composed that digital image? Well you can stop wondering because the North Penn Arts Alliance in conjunction with the North Penn School District will be providing instruction in drawing, painting, ceramics, digital art and more. As part of the Continuing Education Program run by the North Penn School District, members of the North Penn Arts Alliance will be providing eight to ten week sessions in many of the visual arts disciplines. In addition to that we also have several classes for children from grades K to 12, these classes are held on Saturdays during this semester. The instructors for these classes are all professionals in their fields and have had many of their pieces on public display and held in private collections.  The link to the Continuing Education Booklet is http://tinyurl.com/74j6djg

The description and fees for the Kids’ Classes is found on page 7, the Adult Classes are listed with the fee information on page 12 and the Registration Form is on page 15.  Take a class and Spring into Art this year.

For more information about the classes and the North Penn Arts Alliance at www.northpennarts.org