The Art Lives On

 

So Kodak has filed for Chapter 11.  I must admit the news made me sad.  I'm not going to go on a nostalgia trip, nor a digital bashing (I LOVE digital photography.  I'm not against it in any way) but it did make me sad to hear the news.  I'm not going to comment on what Kodak should or should not have done, but  here is a good article if you are interested in reading about it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/jan/22/john-naughton-kodak-lessons  What will become of Kodak is anyone's guess. I hope they'll find a way to stay in business, but I do worry for the future of film.  I'm afraid it will become harder and harder to find film, especially locally.  

Film has been a staple in my life since I was old enough to hold a camera.  We had a darkroom in my home growing up, and it was always mysterious and wonderful to me.  Being in a small, dark, quiet space watching something that you created come to life was--and still is--such a thrill.  

People ask me quite often what my stance on digital vs. film is.  I love both.  Both are forms of art that are quite different despite their similarities.  I think that we have to rethink film to make it work for the 21st century, however.  Film photography is no longer used for documentation.  That all goes to the digital realm.  Film photography is an art form that is no different from clay or painting, for example.  A potter uses a wheel and a kiln to create art.  A watercolor or acrylic artist uses paint and a canvas to create art.  And a film photographer uses film and a darkroom to create art.  Though there are many digital programs that now allow one to create a painting on a computer, there are many who will never stray from the traditional brush-to-canvas method of painting.  The same is true with film photography.  I use digital photography in my work and every day life for both documentation and art.  But when I want to use the darkroom, I am concentrating on an art form that has been around for over 100 years.  I don't see why I have to give that up in lieu of digital.  I use both for different things.  

Digital photography makes sense to a generation of people who have grown up in the computer age with immediate results.  If you need a report for school, you look up the information online immediately instead of planning a trip to the library.  If you want to find a picture that Ansel Adams took, you look it up online instead of finding it in a book.  If you want music, you download it instead of heading off to your local record store to look for it.  And now you can even get a movie instantly if you want to watch something.  Want to share something with your friend? There's texting, cell phones, and social networks all at your fingertips the exact moment you have an idea.  It is the age of the immediate indeed, and digital photography fits right in.  You don't have to wait to see your image.  It is right there in front of you.

I would hope, though, that people start recognizing film photography for what it is: a beautiful art form that is a process instead of an immediate. Just like sculpting, painting by brush, knitting, jewelry-making, or whatever art form you enjoy, film photography forces you to slow down and take a breath in a world that can be haphazard and frantic.

There's certainly nothing wrong with that.

Until we meet again,

Amanda

Another Intro DSLR class added!

Due to the large wait list we currently have, we are adding another Intro DSLR class to our Winter schedule!

The section number is 606 C, and it will be taught by our wonderful, entertaining professional photographer, Dan Simonson.  The class starts next week, and will run for 6 Thursdays, Jan. 19th-Feb. 23th from 6:30-8:30 in the evenings.

Call today if you would like to sign up, or register online.

Until we meet again,

Amanda

Time is Running Out---Early Registrations Ends Soon!

Just a reminder to let you know that early registration for classes ends on Friday, January 6th, so if you are interested in a class, call soon to get the early bird discount!

Happy New Year!
Amanda

Change in Dates for Nighttime Photo class

Just a head's up to anyone interested in the Intro to Nighttime Photography class, #630. Instead of beginning on February 4th, it will now begin on February 11th and will run through February 25th. The class time is the same, 6:30-8:30.

It should be a great class, and a must for anyone who needs a little extra help with nighttime and low-light photography!

photo by instructor Keith Morgan.

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Winter Class Calendars

I recently had a great suggestion from a student to create a calendar with all of the photography classes laid out.  There are so many classes offered in our Winter session, that this would be a helpful way to look at them all at once to see which ones may fit into your schedule.  When I upload them here, you cannot see them very well, but take a look below and you will get an idea of what I am talking about.  If you would like for me to e-mail you a copy of the calendars, I will be glad to.  Just let me know at photo@sawtooth.org.

Happy Holidays to all of you!  I look forward to the start of our Winter session!

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Photo Classes Make Great Gifts!

 

If you are giving the gift of a camera for the holidays, consider giving a photography class along with it!  It's a nice way to make a great gift even better!

Winter Session Spotlight: 654 A, Complete Studio Lighting Course

We have lots of great photography classes in our winter session that we are offering for the first time, so I will try to spotlight those classes in the next few weeks to give a closer look at some of the exciting things going on here at the Sawtooth Photography Department!
 
photo by Dustin Clewell

In coming up with the new schedule, I was trying to think of classes that offer something more for photographers that you can't get at home, find through a search on the Internet, read in a book, or otherwise have access to.  I think I've found this in Dustin Clewell.  Dustin is incredibly enthusiastic and totally passionate about photography.  A recent graduate of Appalachian State with a Bachelor of Science in Technical Photography, Dustin currently works for Belk in Charlotte, shooting all of their fashion and product ads.  He really knows his lighting, both ambient and studio, and is truly an asset to our teaching staff. 
                                                                                                                                          
So when he agreed to teach an in-depth lighting course, I was thrilled!  But we had one small problem: we didn't have any proper lighting equipment!  Through joint efforts between our previous executive director, Sherri Nielson, and our current interim director, Christine Gorelick, I was able to order a new complete lighting system for the Sawtooth Photography  Department.  Dustin and Miranda Coe (another one of our fantastic new teachers) came by the other week to test it all out, and were quite pleased with our new equipment.  So we're ready to go!

Even if you don't have a lighting set-up at home or any desire to do fashion photography, this course is well-worth your time if you want to take better pictures.  Understanding lighting is the key to great photography, and this course will cover on- and off-camera flash, studio strobes, and natural light.  The best part?  It will not be taught in our regular photography classrooms but in our Youth 4 room instead, the one with all of the windows in the front of the building facing the street.  Everyone walking by will get a sneak peak at the fantastic work we're doing here! 

So spread the word to anyone you know wanting to improve their lighting skills.  It will be great fun indeed! And if you want to check out more of Dustin's work, click here http://www.flickr.com/photos/clewelldm/

Until we meet again,
Amanda