Willa Siegel and I are resurrecting the Self Improvement Field trip for the 2012-2013 NVPS year. Paul Simmons created this project for the 2006-2007 year. He said:
“The objective of these field trips is to improve our photographic vision by learning to recognize and use the building blocks of visual design in creating images. If you’re like me, you have favorite pictures, ones you have taken and those taken by others, but have difficulty articulating what it is that makes them good. Hopefully, these Self Improvement Field Trips will help us in consciously using the elements of visual design to create and understand compelling images.”
We will be using Freeman Patterson’s book, “Photographing The World Around You” (A Visual Design Workshop) as a study aid. Each month there will be an assignment, e.g lines, triangles, circles, etc. There will be a monthly field trip to local parks such as Green Spring Gardens Park and other locations, schedule TBD so that we do not conflict with other NVPS field trips, We plan is to meet around 9am on either a Saturday or a Sunday, with times to be specified as we determine our locations. There will be mentors at each field trip to assist and answer questions. In addition, there will be a photo gallery where you can post images and have a guest critiquer comment on your image.
We encourage novices to participate. Of course, even advanced photographers are invited to come and improver their photo eye.
If you attended the May 22nd meeting, Matt Schmidt’s presentation: “Abstracting & Visual Design: Visualizing the Simplest Form” was a great introduction for this project. I will be presenting a forum in September to kick off this project.
Purchasing Freeman’s book is not a requirement but it will be useful to understand the monthly assignment. The book is not readily available. Freeman will sell us the book at a reduced rate of $23, (not sure if it is US$ or Canadian$, not much difference) plus shipping. If you are interested in buying the book please email me. I will advance the money.
Bob
r.friedman.1@alumni.nyu.edu