In this great time of social media, you can often get stuck in the flood of options out there: Facebook, blogsites, websites, e-mail campaigns, etc etc.  I started this blog to keep folks updated on all of the goings-on in the photography department here at the Sawtooth School.  Since forming the Sawtooth Photo League, I am using its Facebook page more often to get information out there.  It's getting complicated to keep up with the two, as well as Sawtooth's facebook page and other social media that we are using.

So, I am bidding adieu to this blog for the time being.  From now on, please check our Photo League facebook page for all things photo at Sawtooth.  The address is: www.facebook.com/SawtoothPhotoLeague

See you there!

And, by the way, if you haven't joined the Photo League, now is a great time to do so!  It is open to current and recent Sawtooth photography students and is only $30 a year for non-Sawtooth members and $20 a year for Sawtooth members. Call Amanda at 336-723-7395 for more details, or e-mail at photo@sawtooth.org.

Until we meet again,
Amanda

We have a great new class starting this Thursday, July 19th, called Painting With Photoshop (674). Zac Trainor is back to teach this very creative class, a great choice for anyone wanting to learn more about the painting aspects of Photoshop.  You can create beautiful paintings without even using a photograph, or you can paint over a photograph to create a wonderful new look.  For more information, click here: http://www.sawtooth.org/classes/photo/painting-with-photoshop.html

The Sawtooth Photo League...Join Now!

Since February of this year, at the request of two of my students, I have been working on some kind of photography club for those who are currently or recently enrolled in Sawtooth photo classes. It took some to-and-fro to get all of the details worked out, but The Sawtooth Photo League has finally arrived!  My vision for the league is similar in nature to the New York Photo League that was mentioned a couple of posts ago. Here are the details:

 Purpose: To allow current Sawtooth photo students and instructors a chance to meet and stay connected once class is over;  to continue education by offering critique, tips, and support from other photographers; to suggest new photographic themes to explore; to suggest classes to take for further education; to document life in Winston-Salem and promote these images at Gallery Hops and other downtown events.  The Sawtooth Photo League will take an active part in documenting life in downtown Winston-Salem and surrounding areas, keeping the Sawtooth School and our downtown arts district connected while documenting the changes taking place in our community.

Meeting space/Time:  The league will meet on the third Saturday of every month, from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon in the computer room.  A larger room may be needed if the membership expands. Our first meeting will be June 16th.

Fees/Restrictions: Fees for the league will be $20.00 a year for students with a Sawtooth membership and $30.00 a year for students without a membership.  Membership will be limited to current Sawtooth photography students and instructors only.  Students must have taken a Sawtooth photo class within one year of the date of their membership (or within one year of the current session).  Memberships can be renewed every year, but only if the student has taken a Sawtooth photo class at some point during that year. Amanda Sullivan will be in charge of memberships. Students may apply for membership by phone or in person at our front desk only.  No memberships or money may be exchanged during class time, and no registrations can be taken online. 

*In the first 6 months, we will limit membership to 20 students, with a 5-student minimum.  This is to ensure that we have enough space to accommodate everyone.  We may open it up to more students later.

  

Other Information:  Photo League students will be chosen one-per-month to exhibit their work in either the Computer Lab, Photo Classroom, or Sawtooth hallway.  Students will also exhibit their work once a month at our downtown gallery hops in Amanda Sullivan’s studio space.

A large component of the league will be to document life in Winston-Salem and promote these images at Gallery Hops and other downtown events, further connecting Sawtooth to the downtown art scene.  Ideally, I would like the Sawtooth Photo League to be considered first in terms of documenting life in Winston-Salem.  I feel  it is an important component of the league so as to increase awareness of Sawtooth in the community and to accurately document our growing art scene.

Whew!  That's a lot of information!  Any questions, please call Amanda at 723-7395, ext. 205

As stated above, our first meeting will be on June 16th at 10:00 am.  This is a fantastic opportunity and a first at Sawtooth! Sign up quickly--space is limited!

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Inspiration from Unlikely Places...

I have to admit that I love photography books.  I love books on technique, lighting, composition, documentary photography, and non-technical books with lots of photographs in them that I can just stare at for hours.  I find that some of my greatest inspiration comes from very unlikely books, books that you might not ordinarily turn to when thinking of getting advice on photography.

One such book is the fabulous Dior in Vogue by Brigid Keenan.  First published in 1981, it features photographs of Dior fashions that appeared in Vogue magazine from 1947-1957.  If you have any interest in fantastic posing and lighting, this book will certainly be of interest.  Though obviously dated, it is classic, and features some really beautiful photographs from some of the top fashion photographers of the time.  I actually found the book on the free shelf of a local bookstore a few years ago, but I see now that it is actually not cheap!  You can check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Dior-Vogue-Brigid-Keenan/dp/0517544482/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338432572&sr=8-1

So check your local Goodwill, yard sales, etc.  You never know where your inspiration might come from!

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Painting With Photoshop! A Great New Class for Summer...

I cannot draw or paint.  I just can't.  Photography, now that's my thing.  But most of the other members of my talented family can draw quite well, so I always felt left out.  Zac Trainor has just the solution for me and others like me: painting with Photoshop!  It's true, you can learn to "paint" using Photoshop!  Learn and experiment with painting tools and techniques to create original digital works of your own. Start from a blank canvas or work on converting a photograph or image into your own painterly vision.  It's going to be a great class, lots of creative fun, and we'll be starting it in July.  I can see it not only being beneficial for art lovers and creative sorts, but also for portrait and wedding photographers to learn how to create interesting backgrounds for photos or even learn to paint photos that you have taken and transform them into something really unique for your clients.  I'm signing up for sure, so come join me and learn a new Photoshop skill!

The class will run from July 19th thru August 9th, from 6:30-8:30 pm.  For more information or to sign up, call us at 336-723-7395, or click here: http://www.sawtooth.org/classes/photo/painting-with-photoshop.html

Flightlogue digitally painted by Zac Trainor

The Radical Camera

If you are not familiar with The Radical Camera, you should be. The New York Photo League existed from 1936 until 1951 and produced some fantastic photos from some of the premier documentary photographers of the 20th Century.  Check out this link for more information: http://lightbox.time.com/2012/01/10/the-radical-camera-new-yorks-photo-league/#12

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Forsyth Photo Adventure Contest!

Check out a great way to have fun in Forsyth County while honing your photography skills!  AND earn a chance to win an iPad! http://visitwinstonsalem.com/whats-new/entry/forsyth-photo-adventure 
Happy Shooting!