We always like to do something fun the last day. Arnie went out the other day to find a good Sunflower field. There were problems with most of them…
Too flat with no sense of depth. Not far enough along to have the classic Sunflower shapes. Too sparse. Trees and shrubery in the way. No place to park our vans. Too many power lines interfering. He finally found one that promised to be even better several days later.
It is now several days later, and the field looks cheerful.
“Don’t do just another field of Sunflowers shot,” we challenge.
“Use all the lessons from this week to make your own unique shots and see how many approaches you can do.”
“Try high key.”
“What about a flower that has not yet opened? But show that it is a Sunflower.”
“See the whiskers on the leaves. Try a macro shot.”
Except for the first image, all of these are macro shots.
“Photograph from the back of the flower using the backlighting. Look for patterns. Photograph from underneath. Try an abstract.” We keep challenging them.
“Experiment with white balance and exposure, too.”
And they do.
Everyone has a great time. They are reluctant to leave. Still, we need to do a final critique and get the images on sticks for our student gallery.
The images they have done are wonderful. Some are whimsical, some of them abstract. No two are alike. They have risen to the challenges.
Everyone puts up a slide show of their critiqued images from the week so family can see what they have done.
Each admires the work of the others, and family members are impressed.
There are hugs goodbye as some people have to catch a train. Arnie and I do shuttle service so they can continue their travels with their new-found knowledge and skills.
Some stay the night, and we go out to dinner in Cortona.
It is a great way to end the workshop. We know we will miss them when they all go. Some have said they will come to our reception for our exhibition on the 12th.
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I’ll miss your blogs from Europe! You’ve been to some of my favorite places and I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures. Can’t wait to see the student galleries on your website!
Lesley,
I am so behind on the student galleries, it’s embarrassing. Then again, we are on the road so much, it’s hard to keep up.
My task for July is to create and publish all the student galleries from 2011 thus far. Then, and only then, we’ll update ours.
So glad you have been enjoying the blogs from Europe. I’ll be continuing, of course, but from domestic locations.
Take care, and thanks for writing,
TBC