Freeman Patterson Workshop Group Thread

08/13/2005 08:00:43 PM · #177

Ok...I'm trying to get back up to speed. I could list a gazillion excuses, but that's all they would be! ;^)

Posted Exercise 2, Part 2 a few minutes ago. Will try to get Part 1 completed tomorrow, and then visit some other blogs to check out others' results and comment.

A couple from this exercise that were kind of fun:
Photo #5
Photo #7

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

08/14/2005 08:29:24 PM · #178

I'm going to have to wait until Tuesday, when I'm at the office, to comment on blogs. With the number of images in many of them - Neils really slowed me down, and I hadn't hit Ursula's yet - it is taking forever to load each persons blog page with a dial-up connection.

Is there anyway to split the blog pages up?

That's all for now.

fifield

08/16/2005 11:42:41 AM · #179

I finally loaded the pictures I took for half of exercise 2, the 7 foot radius one. They can be seen at my blog.

I'll try and finish exercise 2 and 3 this week to get all caught up. And I'll try and keep commenting on everyone's blogs, sorry if I haven't gotten to you yet.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

08/16/2005 01:00:21 PM · #180

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I think there's a preference to specify how many postings per page. If we limit that and the number of images per post then it would be easier on dialup users.

I suggest that if we are to post more than say three images then we split it into more than one post. Also set our preferences so that only one post shows per page. I realize this makes it more difficult to follow an exercise if we are constantly changing pages however I feel it is a good compromise to accomodate dialup.

Either that or limit the size of the images posted in the blog to thumbnails.

edit: In the settings for formatting choose 1 post for the main page (first preference)

In the settings for archive choose daily (first preference)

Message edited by author 2005-08-16 13:08:24.

08/16/2005 01:20:58 PM · #181

Something else that is helpful is to allow comments to open in a new window - then you can view the images you're commenting on at the same time. This setting is in the preferences also. Just a thought. ;^)

Considering that our recent (current for some of us) exercise calls for posting 10 images, perhaps we shouldn't limit to just 3 per post. 10 isn't terrible - it's the 25+ that takes forever to load at dial-up speed.

I may be the only dial-up user??? If so, I can muddle thru - really. ;^)

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/16/2005 03:26:06 PM · #182

That works...just reset mine. Thanks!

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

In the settings for formatting choose 1 post for the main page (first preference)

In the settings for archive choose daily (first preference)

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

08/16/2005 05:06:46 PM · #183

OK - sorry its been so long. I've been real busy and with the disk crash recovery .... well you know ;-)

Anyway back to FP.

I think you will already have guessed before looking at my blog which image I'm going to try and imitate. I already had one attempt ;-) Yes the spiders web shots for me are just soooo impressive. I love the way the droplets come in and out of focus, together with the bokeh of a fine lens. Awesome.

So go to my blog for a view of my attempt.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/20/2005 01:36:14 PM · #184

Almost caught up! This afternoon I will try for three objects. I still don't have the book as Amazon.com has them on backorder (wonder why?). With regard to the three objects, does shooting location matter?

Also, with assignment 3, since I don't have the book - can I use one of the other books instead? They have similar images. I have "Photographing the world around you." Otherwise, I'll just have to copy someone elses ideas... ;)

my blog

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

08/20/2005 01:53:42 PM · #185

When I ordered mine back in early July the details on the Amazon site said this book was a special order and could take extra time and handling to get. That's why I ended up ordering from one of the 'Used' links that Amazon offers.

Originally posted by dahkota:

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

08/21/2005 01:49:06 AM · #186

Assignment #3 posted.

Inspiration - ferns pg 14

wkmen

Olympus SP-570 UZ

08/21/2005 03:13:44 AM · #187

I posted the 2nd half of the 2nd assignment Saturday. Will work on 3rd assignment and commenting this week.

08/29/2005 08:03:00 PM · #188

Another Monday--after our two week "slowdown", and I figure it's time for another exercise!

This might be a hard one. Let's discuss it first a bit before going on. I've tried to use several of the do it yourself exercises (not all of which involve photography) on pages 56-72 and come up with my own version of a practice exercise. Let me know what you think, or if we need to modify it some to make it both fun and educational and consistent with the book.

Exercise 4. Foresight and Abstracting (together!)

Take a cup and saucer. Study all its features, and tonality. How it makes you feel. What concepts it represents. Take notes on what you find interesting, and what impressions it makes on you.

Now, think about how you might abstract and convey the features that you've noted. Plan it out carefully. Sketching out your planned abstract is one idea for practicing foresight in this framework.

Now create the abstract photograph you have planned.

Notes: Include notes with your post. What were you trying to convey about the cup and saucer? Describe, and possibly include your plans in your post. And of course your final photograph.

Option. You may use a hard-boiled egg instead of (or in addition to) the cup and saucer.

More Notes: You photo does not acually have to be "OF" the cup and saucer! Just representing the concepts or features you documented!

Message edited by author 2005-08-29 20:32:04.

wkmen

Olympus SP-570 UZ

08/29/2005 08:27:28 PM · #189

Thanks for moving us along, Neil.

To all - I just caught up in the previous exercises (just in time) as far as posting my results goes. Next I'll look through your Exercise 3 shots and post comments.

Thanks for your input so far, and not being shy. It's easy for one (i.e. me) to read comments about your results and go "No, way off" but the thing is, every comment is valid and we're learning to do things the FP way, which is certain to be a growth exercise. I'll try to keep that spirit when I'm making the comments, and when I'm reading them, too.

08/31/2005 11:31:47 AM · #190

Originally posted by wkmen:

Thanks for your input so far, and not being shy. It's easy for one (i.e. me) to read comments about your results and go "No, way off" but the thing is, every comment is valid and we're learning to do things the FP way, which is certain to be a growth exercise. I'll try to keep that spirit when I'm making the comments, and when I'm reading them, too.

I was intending to add a post here asking what everyone thought so far of the comments received, so as you've just raised the issue, I'd like to wonder out loud whether we should make some 'comments about comments'. What I mean by that is to state whether a comment you received is helpful. I still wonder yet whether or not my comments come across as crass and missing the point or if they really are constructive within this particular context. Does this make any sense at all?

Perhaps PM's could be used to further discussions about comments, whereas any concepts could be discussed here, so that others might benefit from insights.

Message edited by author 2005-08-31 11:42:58.

08/31/2005 11:41:24 AM · #191

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Exercise 4. Foresight and Abstracting (together!)

Take a cup and saucer. Study all its features, and tonality. How it makes you feel. What concepts it represents. Take notes on what you find interesting, and what impressions it makes on you.

Now, think about how you might abstract and convey the features that you've noted. Plan it out carefully. Sketching out your planned abstract is one idea for practicing foresight in this framework.

Now create the abstract photograph you have planned.

I wonder whether we should discuss this too much in advance or just go for it and see what we get. Perhaps we will get more out of it by using our own imagination and having our output constructively critiqued, rather than gain ideas from others prior to making our final photographs (witness the endless discussion threads about the challenge topics). I know that, from a purely personal point of view, any thoughts I might have would be strongly coloured by any great discussion and I'd end up creating something almost purely derivative. I'm not particularly artistic myself, but can already see the value in this exercise, don't forget that this is about learning to see artistically.

I'm not trying to put down anyone's ideas here, this is only my slant on this.

Good luck everyone and happy shooting!

08/31/2005 11:41:27 AM · #192

Oops, double post, how embarrassing.

Message edited by author 2005-08-31 11:43:47.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/31/2005 12:40:26 PM · #193

Alan, I agree very much about people not discussing the shots themselves until they've done the exercise. And not peeking at others blogs in that case as well.

So since no one has chimed in objecting to the exercise, let's go for it as is! (I also agree about the trying it first part--I was thinking I should have done that myself before even posting it!)

I don't know where everybody is...we had a little break...now it's back to work.

As for the comments, I feel that it's important for everyone to look at all the posted works (for past exercises). Since everyone is just experimenting, and posting trials and "failures" as well as successful shots, I don't believe "critical" comments are always needed. Just nicely say what comes to mind about them, or at least just leave some words of encouragement to let people know that a "classmate" took the time to look. Since we are trying to do this TOGETHER, but from far apart, some, at least minimal comment, is important (I think).

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

09/03/2005 06:52:45 AM · #194

Hi Guys,

sorry I've not been too active these last two weeks. I've been on vacation and forgot to take the FP book with me. Anyway I'm back in harness now so should be able to get some work done on this workshop now.....

where's my cup and saucer?

wkmen

Olympus SP-570 UZ

09/03/2005 10:11:51 AM · #195

OK, I've made comments on everyone's posts for exercise 3, and most for exercise 2 - Now its time for me to grab the cup and saucer and start contemplating. Wish me luck. And imagination. (Especially the latter.)

09/10/2005 12:14:01 PM · #196

As this thread hasn't been seeing a lot of activity lately, I'd just like to say that I've added the latest exercise to my blog (pathetic, though it is). How's everyone else doing?

I'm away for a week commencing on Monday, lovely countryside, nowhere near as much time available for shooting as I would like.

Neil, if you're going to be putting up another exercise this week, would it be possible to post it on Sunday, so that I can see if I can have a go at it while I'm away? If it's not possible, it's not the end of the world.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/20/2005 01:33:15 AM · #197

We were "due" for another assignment today, but I think we need another week extension on the last one. At least I do!

As it's been very quiet, I am hoping others want to continue this exercise. Can I ask everyone who wants to continue to chime in here.

Thanks!

Neil

BlackDot

Canon EOS-20D

09/20/2005 02:16:58 AM · #198

We're settled in now. Work is still a time hog, but I will try to catch up.

09/20/2005 02:42:50 AM · #199

Originally posted by nshapiro:

As it's been very quiet, I am hoping others want to continue this exercise. Can I ask everyone who wants to continue to chime in here.

Thanks!

Neil

I'm still in. Looking forward very much to the next exercise.