Sunday, January 26, 2014

The Quilt(er's) Photography Workshop 2014

{the beginnings of my next "someday soon" quilt}

I've always liked to take photos - mostly of my daughters - but since I started blogging, my interest in photography has grown tremendously.  I am constantly trying to find ways to improve my photography - both in composition and in all of the technical ways - some of which I understand and some of which I don't.  To do so, I do read photography books and photography blogs and blog posts but what works best for me is simply learning by doing.  Every time I take a photo, I am learning more about what I like, what works, and what doesn't.  I leave my camera in manual mode 100% of the time - even if that means that I sometimes have a camera card filled with photos destined for the trash.  But the more I experiment, the less that happens - yes, I always have several throwaways while I'm trying to find the right settings - but at least I feel like it is less trial and error now than it was a year ago.  

{my first but definitely not my last time using double gauze - love it!}

So, this brings me to my new idea/plan for The Quilt Photography Workshop which I'm thinking I should rename The Quilter's Photography Workshop because I think it should be about more than just taking photos of quilts.  Instead of specific assignments each month focusing on just one aspect of photography, I want to encourage you to just take photos - mindfully.  Maybe not every photo you take but at least once a month, take some photos of whatever quilt/sewing blog related projects you want and just really focus on the photos.  Experiment with different apertures and different white balance settings, try taking the photos in a variety of light conditions, concentrate on your composition, use props (or not), take photos that are related to each other (or not) - I am just basically trying to encourage you to learn by doing.  


I will still plan to have a link up once a month but you choose what type of post you want to link - a finish, a WIP, a day in the life of a quilter, or something else related to needle crafts. Just be sure that it is a post where you truly concentrated on the photos.  As part of the post, you can also write about the photography - what you learned, what you are trying to learn, what you can't figure out - totally up to you whether you want to do this or not but I wanted to leave this option open as part of the learning/workshop process. 

So, what do you think???  

24 comments:

  1. I like it! As you know, I share your interest in photography but am not the most reliable blogger (I've been better for the last month though - really!). I will try to do this with you!

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  2. I like it! I definitely have goals in mind for what I want to improve with my photos, so it'll be nice to have a place to keep me a little accountable to pull out the camera and focus! :)

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  3. I must say that your first two link ups got me thinking a lot more seriously about the photography aspect of running a quilting blog. I bought a new camera and do need the practice to learn how to use it. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone links up!

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  4. Yes, also bought a new camera for my holiday and have been playing with different settings, using the manual and reading up a bit on photography in general. Even managed to use the Manual setting at times during the holidays. Definitely need more practice!

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  5. I like the idea of being able to post something we are working on or whatever else we might be capturing with our camera at the time. I lost my camera in November but my daughter let me have her old one and I need to spend some time getting to know it, so this is perfect!

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  6. I like your idea Beth. I struggled to write a specific post about my photos before so would no doubt find it easier to make it part of an ordinary quilting post. Have really benefited from your earlier posts in the series so I am delighted to read that you are continuing.

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  7. Love the idea especially since I just got my new camera and need to practice more! This would give me the perfect excuse!

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  8. Love it! This is an area I've been working on too. I can't promise that I'll link up every month, but probably most months!

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  9. Sounds like fun. The hardest part for me is the editing after I've taken a photo. We have very basic photo editing software on our home computer and sometimes it's not up to the task of properly editing my pictures.

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  10. Totally in for it! If I can just notice when you post the link up (but I receive an email message, so that ought to do it ;) I love ot take pics of fabric and projects, but I really struggle with lighting, especially in the winter when there isn't much daylight. I hope yo learn a lot and see hwta everybody else is up to!

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  11. I'm in the learning mode as well and I wouldn't mind to learn few tricks and tips from others. I'll be watching and hopefully participating too.

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  12. I have just purchased a new camera with the same goals in mind as you mentioned. Love to joing in with your link up party.
    ........now I just have to try and remember how to put your button on my blog!

    Cheers

    Linda

    Taupo

    New Zealand

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  13. This sounds like fun, and I look forward to improving my photo skills.

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  14. I kind of liked the assignments :) I'll be sure to follow and participate-a-long.

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  15. Point me in the right direction: good photography blogs where I can learn the basics first. I'm a total newbie and I need to learn more. Guess I should get my manual out, eh? But I don't learn by reading, really.

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  16. I love the idea of being able to focus on the photography, but within the realm of the project we happen to be working on! great idea!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  17. I really want to become better at taking photos and this would be a great motivator to finally do something about it. Great idea!

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  18. Love it! I seriously need a new camera for this. Always learn a lot from these posts.

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  19. I would love it. I am trying to learn and to see what others are doing and how they achieve it would be great.

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  20. I like this idea...and I am trying to be more mindful when I take pictures. I hope I don't have so many trash ones someday!

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  21. this sounds like a good direction to go in with the workshop! will there be a specific day each month for the link party?

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