Show us your vision/capture of a wildlife animal (no pets please). It can be in its natural habitat or a processed interpretation. Whatever it is, don’t show us something we have seen before!

A Few Notes:

1. A bird of prey on action is more compelling than just sitting on a branch.

2. Just because you photographed an exotic animal doesn’t make it submission worthy. Does it tell a story? is the composition sound?

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Anything minimalistic is harder than it seems. Think less is more but show it to us through nature.

As with most of our topics, this one as well has a spectrum of possibilities as minimalism is not a black-and-white concept but on a spectrum.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Find a scene that highlights and celebrates JUST two colours. You might have to narrow your field of vision or expand it. This topic is a great exercise in ‘seeing differently’.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Continuing our Abstract series into the world of Flowers.  Show us shapes, colours, or any other detail that on one hand shows a flower but on the other removes it from reality and context. Tricky….

We also saw how to change a background from black to white while maintaining the original colours by switching to the LAB colour mode.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

The Build Environment - but as an abstract! Think shapes, gradients, tones, and form.

Important to note: a photograph flattens three-dimensional architectural subject matter into a flat two-dimensional image. What can you do to bring back volume and depth? Or do you even want to….?

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Lack of Context.  However, to what degree depends on the level of abstraction you wish your image to be.

Notes to keep in mind:

1. Some things enhance context, like texture.

2. Make your image aesthetically pleasing. Make sure your image stays true to the rules of composition.

3. Colours add emotion to an image, choose your colours wisely.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Know the rules, but more importantly, know when to break them! Sometimes shooting during the Golden Hours won’t necessarily give you the result you want! use light and SHADOW, to sculpt your image.
THINK FORM.

Notes to keep in mind:

1. Are your Shadows popping out? Or, are they dwarfed by irrelevant details?

2. Use extreme dodging and burning to highlight your shadows.

3. Shadows are NOT reflections.

4. Do you need colour in your image or does it work better in B&W?

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Motion, sports, and anything in action. The moment of or the split second before. Use a slow shutter, composition, or whatever you need to take us into the moment of action.

In this session, we saw plenty of submissions but only a few made the cut. Watch the video to see why.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Creating an Intentional Blurred Image!

Embrace your impressionistic heart and capture an image that conveys a feel more than details yet still tells a story.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

By definition, city skylines serve as a pseudo-fingerprint as no two skylines are alike. Show us your artistic fingerprint to an interpretation of a skyline. Use techniques at your disposal to show us a skyline in a unique and creative way.

We saw a range of Skylines and saw in Photoshop how to enhance them, either by adding colour to buildings and their reflection or adding pizazz to the reflection, plus a few more tidbits!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Exposing to the right! Keep your image light and bright. We explored the art of creating High Key images and understand the compositional balance they create. We saw what the difference is between an image that has a lot of white in it as opposed to a 'truly' high key? Also, How to convert a properly exposed image as a high key and lots of other constructive critique and Photoshop tips.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

In keeping with tradition, once an In-Depth Talk-&-Learn course is completed the next Free Talk-&-Learn session is dedicated to highlighting the final assignment of the students that have participated in the course. Their assignment was to create a body of work containing 6 images. Each image is different, yet belongs to a series. Additionally, they submit a Vision Statement that verbally conveys what their visual images depict.

So please, sit back, relax and enjoy the online exhibition of the
Talk-&-Learn Online Salon Show!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

We had a spectacular and special guest speaker, Nina Wolfe. Nina is a prolific Moon Photographer and will walk us through her process of scouting locations and photographing the moon! Nina walked us through her process of using Apps to confirm weather conditions and moon alignment when deciding to go out and get a moonshot.

Thank you Nina Wolfe!

Plus - we had some time to go through the image submissions and give feedback on what was good, what was not so, and how to improve it.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

We eat with our eyes. Show us how you experience food. Fun and whimsical or realistic and mouth-watering. Use the tools of photography to arouse our gastronomical senses. Think about perspective, presentation, vibrancy, depth of field, and everything else relevant to capture a compelling image of food!

We also saw how to change the background from white to black without effecting the colours of the image through a Lab Colour Mode Conversion.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Find your spot and now observe from a different perspective. Use light, shadows, and composition to tell your story.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Let’s keep it indoors. Any image that was taken inside, be it with a lightbox, light table, strobes etc.

Be creative and don’t forget to make sure that your image tells a visual story.

We also saw today how to work with Groups/Folders in your Layer panel to organize your layers better.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Bridges around the world are a true engineering marvel. However, there is a big difference between what you see in your mind's eye to what the camera captures. Today in the Talk-&-Learn Session, we learned how to bring out the relevant details of a scene and accentuate leading lines, geometry, and composition to capture the beauty and majesticness of the bridges we photograph. From the conception of vision to Photoshop tips, this session is a great way to learn how to photograph bridges.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Find a way to show your story through a frame. Windows, doors, openings, or anything that constricts your subject into an enclosed shape. This style of composition adds a layer of complexity, originality, and perspective.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

It can be a Macro shot or just a really great Close-Up. Show us the little world through a big lens!

We Talked and Learned what makes a great Up Close image and not just another zoomed-in shot.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Not just another sunset.

Show us a Seascape in a unique and creative way.

• Don’t let your technique overtake your vision.

• Avoid the cliche sunset image.

• Is your image about water or a seascape?

We answered all these PLUS we saw how to add colour to a black-and-white image to enhance your sunset colours!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Show us the essence, and only the essence of a scene. This topic is very forgiving and provides a free license to hide unnecessary details in the shadows. However, the vision of what you choose to show must be clear and obvious.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Get out your ND Filters and lug that tripod out to capture the sky and water in all its glory. Show us the use of long exposure as a means to an end and not as an end in itself. Use the technique to accentuate motion for the purpose of your visual story.

A great Q&A Session!

We talked about filters, magnetized filters, magnet rings, converting light readings and much much more!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Where the predominant line(s) in your image are diagonal. You might have some horizontal or verticals, but predominantly Diagonal. Also, is your diagonal adding to the story of the image? Does a diagonal rather than a vertical/horizontal change the narrative of the story?

ALSO... we saw today the importance of using a VECTOR MASK in conjunction with the Gradient tool.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

NOT your typical images of your pet, wildlife or anything animals. Show us a DIFFERENT perspective.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

“Change is the only constant in life.”

-Heraclitus

Our lives are in constant transition. If it is our own being, from birth to death, or the natural world around us. Some of these moments go unnoticed while others are celebrated. Sombre or joyful, transitions make up the fabric of our being.

Show us the transitional moment you observe in the world around you.

Please Note: This topic should heavily rely on composition and story.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Capturing a scene in (mainly) a single tone.

Please keep in mind that it’s not just about the tone. Show us an original take on a scene, tell us a visual story.

We also learnt today how to use the Solid Color Adjustment Layer and Gradient Map to selectively manipulate colour and tone in your image.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Capture a moving object in motion. Show us the essence of the motion yet still keep the gist of the story in your image sharp enough or in context.

Most submissions missed the mark when it came to composition. See why and what we did to improve them.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Capturing a moment in time where many street components are aligned to tell a story. Maybe it is a mistaken story or maybe realistic, but nonetheless, a story that captures a moment.

We started out the session with a few pointers on what it takes to capture a great Street Moment and then went through the Showcase submission images. Most haven't made the cut, but we Talked and Learnt why.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Minimal B&W is a topic that on the surface seems very simple to accomplish, yet, as we saw in the session, many submissions missed the mark. We discussed why, and what can be done to improve those images.

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Taking us from here to there, up or down. These vertical bridges are a photographer’s delight. Simultaneously ascending/descending and carving three-dimensional shapes in the space they occupy.

Show us your best capture of a staircase!

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Removing a story from its context. How much or how little depends on the mystery and intrigue your new story creates.

All Subject Matter is Welcomed!

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They say that Symmetry is one of the universal laws of esthetics. The human eye finds it esthetically pleasing. It creates a sense of balance and harmony. In this session, we will put that to the test!

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The human eye does not see in black & white, so why are we so intrigued when we see a black & white photograph? Why do some B&W images stand out from the rest?

In this session, we will talk about the importance of form and tonal range when converting or creating a B&W image and how some colours convert better to B&W.

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Understanding the colour wheel. How different colours are complementary or analogous, how they work together to create harmony or drama, isolation or grouping.

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Heat, swimming pools, popsicles or summer love? What does Summer mean to you and can you capture it in a photo?

Keep in mind colour as mood, warm vs. cold, sun glares can be your friend when the topic is related to heat. And of course, all the rest of the artistic requisites I always mention: composition, story etc.

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Definition: a long narrow band or strip, typically of the same width throughout its length, differing in colour or texture from the surface on either side of it.

"a pair of blue shorts with pink stripes"

Now, make it a compelling composition!

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A shot that just wouldn’t have worked without having that ‘someone’ in the image. It can be staged or caught by fluke, whatever it is, it must have a ‘je ne sais quoi’.

People (or sometimes better just a single person) for a sense of scale, context, composition, story.

All subject matter is welcome!

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What would the world look like if you would always look straight upwards? Share your upward perspective as artistically as you can. Any subject matter is welcome - Be Creative!

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It can be stormy and dramatic or calm and soothing. In between the whole gamut of weather conditions. Show us your capture of The Sky.

Please keep in mind composition, tone and story. Not just ‘another sunset image’. But take us by the hand and show us what made you pick up the camera and take the shot?

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In-camera, in post or on your iPhone! create a Multiple Exposure image that TELLS A STORY! Not just a composite image but a combination of images overlaying one on the other in which each image contributes to the theme of the image. You might be celebrating geometry, movement or a specific topic.

Don’t forget to tile your image with the VISION of the image. What is the essence of your visual story? What do you see in the image? what were you trying to convey?

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Find a way to show your story through a frame. Windows, doors, openings or anything that constricts your subject into an enclosed shape. This style of composition adds a layer of complexity, originality and perspective.

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100th Session Anniversary - OPEN TOPIC

These Talk-&-Learn sessions have been a wonderful platform for us to talk, learn and share our images. Therefore, the 100th-anniversary session will be dedicated to you, and any topic you choose, as long as it TELLS A STORY! Even though the topic can vary from one image to another, I will be judging all images with the same yardstick, so regardless of your subject matter, does your image have vision, composition, technique, and all the other things we have been talking about throughout these other 99 sessions?

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Geometry is everywhere we look, shapes and lines define our visual world. This session will be dedicated to celebrating everything geometrical. Especially, your interpretation of how it is perceived in your mind’s eye. Do you see it in an abstract? in a bridge or maybe in an ice flake. Show us where and how you see it!

(All subjects matter are welcome - even abstract!)

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They live and breathe yet they aren’t sentient beings even though we attribute them spiritual, and nurturing attributes. They are nature's skyscrapers, sheltering awnings, and grocery stores and as such provide us with wood to build and food to eat. They have character, beauty, grace, and sometimes just plain whimsical.

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This week’s session will be dedicated to:

SERIES OF 6

In keeping with tradition, once an In-Depth Talk-&-Learn course is completed the next Free Talk-&-Learn session is dedicated to highlighting the final assignment of the students that have participated in the course. Their assignment was to create a body of work containing 6 images. Each image is different, yet belongs to a series. Additionally, they submit a Vision Statement that verbally conveys what their visual images depict.

So please, sit back, relax and enjoy the online exhibition of the

Talk-&-Learn Online Salon Show!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Paying homage to International Women’s Day, this session will be dedicated to the achievements and depiction of women (in front of the lens). Show us a story of a special woman in your life. A mother, sister, aunt, wife or friend, through tenderness, strength, love, accomplishment or whatever conveys your visual story.

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Ask yourself what is the essence of Urban? Now, see how you can incorporate people into that environment!

Be Creative, Be Bold, Be Impactful!

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Celebrating the wide gamut of human expressions. Joy, defeat, angst, content, confidence - can you capture the expression?

We discussed the importance of having an expression that can 'stand alone' or one that needs context and have more detail to the story.

In Photoshop we say how to complete the story by using filters, either as a Smart Object or on a separate layer.

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Blue is one of the most favoured colour in people from all over the world. It is the colour of the sky we see every day and in the oceans and seas that reflect it. However, we can find blue in other places. Share with us where you find it!

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Combing an Abstract (lack of context) with architecture. This is an opportunity to see in Shapes, Lines and Light.

Hint: Ask yourself what is the essence of an abstract and what is the essence of architecture. Now combine the two!

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Using ND Filters to capture minutes-long exposures. In this session, we will highlight the best of the long exposure submissions, see what it takes to make your LE image stand out from the crowd with vision and post-processing tips, and, most importantly, Sharon will be introducing the Kase Magnetic ND Filters!

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Thinking outside the bouquet!

This session is a challenge to create images with flowers that are unique in their composition, vision and execution. I am not looking for yet another floral image but rather, something that shows flowers in a way we haven’t seen before, be it a composite or in-camera.

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What is it like to see something through something?

A looking glass can be a window, a mirror, or any other translucent glass. This technique adds a layer of complexity, texture and story to an image - show us your story!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Know the rules, but more importantly, know when to break them! Sometimes shooting during the Golden Hours won’t necessarily give you the result you want! use light and SHADOW, to sculpt your image.

Notes to keep in mind:

1. Are your Shadows popping out? Or, are they dwarfed by irrelevant details?

2. Use extreme dodging and burning to highlight your shadows.

3. Shadows are NOT reflections.

4. Do you need colour in your image or does it work better in B&W?

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Creating an image with multiple layers, be it a Foreground, Midground or Background or layers of content, layers of meaning.

Layer your layers!

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As we embark on a New Year, we will look up to new beginnings and a healthier future. This topic is broad, yet focused. Within the realm of photography, it can address, composition and perspective, the conceptual subject matter of meaning or maybe both.

So let’s welcome the New Year with cheer and toast to Looking Up!

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Show us your vision/capture of a wildlife animal (no pets please). It can be in its natural habitat or a processed interpretation. Whatever it is, don’t show us something we have seen before!

A Few Notes:

1. A bird of prey on action is more compelling than just sitting on a branch.

2. Just because you photographed an exotic animal doesn’t make it submission worthy. Does it tell a story? is the composition sound?

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Anything minimalistic is harder than it seems. Think less is more but show it to us through nature.

As with most of our topics, this one as well has a spectrum of possibilities as minimalism is not a black-and-white concept but on a spectrum.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Find a scene that highlights and celebrates JUST two colours. You might have to narrow your field of vision or expand it. This topic is a great exercise in ‘seeing differently’.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Continuing our Abstract series into the world of Flowers.  Show us shapes, colours, or any other detail that on one hand shows a flower but on the other removes it from reality and context. Tricky….

We also saw how to change a background from black to white while maintaining the original colours by switching to the LAB colour mode.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

The Build Environment - but as an abstract! Think shapes, gradients, tones, and form.

Important to note: a photograph flattens three-dimensional architectural subject matter into a flat two-dimensional image. What can you do to bring back volume and depth? Or do you even want to….?

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Lack of Context.  However, to what degree depends on the level of abstraction you wish your image to be.

Notes to keep in mind:

1. Some things enhance context, like texture.

2. Make your image aesthetically pleasing. Make sure your image stays true to the rules of composition.

3. Colours add emotion to an image, choose your colours wisely.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Know the rules, but more importantly, know when to break them! Sometimes shooting during the Golden Hours won’t necessarily give you the result you want! use light and SHADOW, to sculpt your image.
THINK FORM.

Notes to keep in mind:

1. Are your Shadows popping out? Or, are they dwarfed by irrelevant details?

2. Use extreme dodging and burning to highlight your shadows.

3. Shadows are NOT reflections.

4. Do you need colour in your image or does it work better in B&W?

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Motion, sports, and anything in action. The moment of or the split second before. Use a slow shutter, composition, or whatever you need to take us into the moment of action.

In this session, we saw plenty of submissions but only a few made the cut. Watch the video to see why.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Creating an Intentional Blurred Image!

Embrace your impressionistic heart and capture an image that conveys a feel more than details yet still tells a story.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

By definition, city skylines serve as a pseudo-fingerprint as no two skylines are alike. Show us your artistic fingerprint to an interpretation of a skyline. Use techniques at your disposal to show us a skyline in a unique and creative way.

We saw a range of Skylines and saw in Photoshop how to enhance them, either by adding colour to buildings and their reflection or adding pizazz to the reflection, plus a few more tidbits!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Exposing to the right! Keep your image light and bright. We explored the art of creating High Key images and understand the compositional balance they create. We saw what the difference is between an image that has a lot of white in it as opposed to a 'truly' high key? Also, How to convert a properly exposed image as a high key and lots of other constructive critique and Photoshop tips.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

In keeping with tradition, once an In-Depth Talk-&-Learn course is completed the next Free Talk-&-Learn session is dedicated to highlighting the final assignment of the students that have participated in the course. Their assignment was to create a body of work containing 6 images. Each image is different, yet belongs to a series. Additionally, they submit a Vision Statement that verbally conveys what their visual images depict.

So please, sit back, relax and enjoy the online exhibition of the
Talk-&-Learn Online Salon Show!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

We had a spectacular and special guest speaker, Nina Wolfe. Nina is a prolific Moon Photographer and will walk us through her process of scouting locations and photographing the moon! Nina walked us through her process of using Apps to confirm weather conditions and moon alignment when deciding to go out and get a moonshot.

Thank you Nina Wolfe!

Plus - we had some time to go through the image submissions and give feedback on what was good, what was not so, and how to improve it.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

We eat with our eyes. Show us how you experience food. Fun and whimsical or realistic and mouth-watering. Use the tools of photography to arouse our gastronomical senses. Think about perspective, presentation, vibrancy, depth of field, and everything else relevant to capture a compelling image of food!

We also saw how to change the background from white to black without effecting the colours of the image through a Lab Colour Mode Conversion.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Find your spot and now observe from a different perspective. Use light, shadows, and composition to tell your story.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Let’s keep it indoors. Any image that was taken inside, be it with a lightbox, light table, strobes etc.

Be creative and don’t forget to make sure that your image tells a visual story.

We also saw today how to work with Groups/Folders in your Layer panel to organize your layers better.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Bridges around the world are a true engineering marvel. However, there is a big difference between what you see in your mind's eye to what the camera captures. Today in the Talk-&-Learn Session, we learned how to bring out the relevant details of a scene and accentuate leading lines, geometry, and composition to capture the beauty and majesticness of the bridges we photograph. From the conception of vision to Photoshop tips, this session is a great way to learn how to photograph bridges.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Find a way to show your story through a frame. Windows, doors, openings, or anything that constricts your subject into an enclosed shape. This style of composition adds a layer of complexity, originality, and perspective.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

It can be a Macro shot or just a really great Close-Up. Show us the little world through a big lens!

We Talked and Learned what makes a great Up Close image and not just another zoomed-in shot.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Not just another sunset.

Show us a Seascape in a unique and creative way.

• Don’t let your technique overtake your vision.

• Avoid the cliche sunset image.

• Is your image about water or a seascape?

We answered all these PLUS we saw how to add colour to a black-and-white image to enhance your sunset colours!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Show us the essence, and only the essence of a scene. This topic is very forgiving and provides a free license to hide unnecessary details in the shadows. However, the vision of what you choose to show must be clear and obvious.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Get out your ND Filters and lug that tripod out to capture the sky and water in all its glory. Show us the use of long exposure as a means to an end and not as an end in itself. Use the technique to accentuate motion for the purpose of your visual story.

A great Q&A Session!

We talked about filters, magnetized filters, magnet rings, converting light readings and much much more!

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Where the predominant line(s) in your image are diagonal. You might have some horizontal or verticals, but predominantly Diagonal. Also, is your diagonal adding to the story of the image? Does a diagonal rather than a vertical/horizontal change the narrative of the story?

ALSO... we saw today the importance of using a VECTOR MASK in conjunction with the Gradient tool.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

NOT your typical images of your pet, wildlife or anything animals. Show us a DIFFERENT perspective.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

“Change is the only constant in life.”

-Heraclitus

Our lives are in constant transition. If it is our own being, from birth to death, or the natural world around us. Some of these moments go unnoticed while others are celebrated. Sombre or joyful, transitions make up the fabric of our being.

Show us the transitional moment you observe in the world around you.

Please Note: This topic should heavily rely on composition and story.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Capturing a scene in (mainly) a single tone.

Please keep in mind that it’s not just about the tone. Show us an original take on a scene, tell us a visual story.

We also learnt today how to use the Solid Color Adjustment Layer and Gradient Map to selectively manipulate colour and tone in your image.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Capture a moving object in motion. Show us the essence of the motion yet still keep the gist of the story in your image sharp enough or in context.

Most submissions missed the mark when it came to composition. See why and what we did to improve them.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

Capturing a moment in time where many street components are aligned to tell a story. Maybe it is a mistaken story or maybe realistic, but nonetheless, a story that captures a moment.

We started out the session with a few pointers on what it takes to capture a great Street Moment and then went through the Showcase submission images. Most haven't made the cut, but we Talked and Learnt why.

WATCH NOW ON PATREON

As pets, in your neighbourhood, or in a natural habitat. The last session of the year will be dedicated to the animals around us.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Does your image show us something we haven’t seen before?

2. Is there character or personality in the image? Playful, mysterious and just a moment of awe.

3. Did you use a technique to depict your story? Slow shutter for movement, low key for selective details…..

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In this session, we will have a look at the work of the IN-Depth Talk-&-Learn alumni and see the work of their final assignment: Creating a Series of 3-6 images plus a Vision Statement.

So get your popcorn ready, sit back and enjoy this beautiful online exhibit.

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Books-Reading-Literature: Everything to do with Reading.

Young or old, rich or poor, engaged in the sacred or the secular, people everywhere read. Let’s pay homage to the beauty and seductiveness of reading with all its various meanings. As a story, an abstract or something completely different. Show us your interpretation.

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Celebrating everything twisty curvy! Accentuate circularity, depth and volume. Colour OR B&W, any subject matter, architectural, nature, studio….anything goes!

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Repetition of Patterns. As this assignment should be B&W there is a strong emphasis on FORM.

We will discuss what creates a compelling composition, balance and tonal range for this intriguing topic.

If you choose to submit an image, be cognisant of the background ‘stage’ vs. your subject. Sometimes a background on its own doesn’t quite work like having the same background with a subject occupying the space.

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Anything of two car lanes or less. Show us the vibe and feel of a narrow place, if from your travels or close to home. These narrow passages are filled with charm and character. A few tips: 1. Bests to have a subject occupy the space (people, cars, bicycles etc.)

2. Strong light can be your friend, play with contrast and shadows.

3. As this subject matter calls for a wide lens, don’t forget to correct lens distortion!

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Take advantage of the lights painting on a dark canvas. The movement, rain, snow or glow.

We saw how to get rid of blown-out highlights without having a bracketed darker exposure. We added snow in post and saw how to add pizazz to night light streaks!

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The costumes, the funny, the scary - Show us what you got!

We saw how to add colours in post to create this poster image of the owl as well as create a soft glow for that special spooky Halloween effect.

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Honouring nature and the elements in shaping the world around us. If it’s in the macro of a conch shell or the larger geometric shapes sculpted in sand dunes by the wind.

Show us what shapes, patterns and forms you see in the world around you.

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LONG EXPOSURE

Get out your ND Filters, tripod and shutter release to capture a Daytime Long Exposure Image. All subject matter will be welcome, single shots or composites. Surprise me!

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Time, as a smart man once said: is relative. And so are the definitions of the term. Definitions vary according to the context, However, these do a pretty good job:

1. The measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues: duration.

2. A nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events that succeed one another from past through the present to future.

Now, internalize these concepts and do your best to depict these concepts in a visual image!

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re·la·tion·ship: the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

Tough one eh? it is but we can use the challenge! This topic spans many subject matters and leaves lots of room for creativity. It can be an actor and an audience, a mother and child, two colours.. but ask yourself: how are they relating to one another and, most importantly…is it telling a story?

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For this assignment/session, we will put an emphasis on Exaggerating the dark tones.

Know what it is you want to show, then downplay (a lot!) everything else. You can either capture it low-key in-camera, or better yet, get a properly exposed image and then in post, decide what and where to dodge and burn.

Black & White OR Colour, everything goes!

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Some things you just can’t bring back in your suitcase!

Show and tell of in a visual story what it smelled, tasted or felt like experiencing the location you were travelling in. Take us by the hand and show us what it felt like to actually be there!

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The complexity of Juxtaposition. We are often attracted to the opposite, why is that? Maybe it accentuates the contrast, adds a deeper layer of complexity? Or just colours our reality with a richer palette. In this session, we will explore all the ways that Opposites work!

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Understanding the principle of Telling a Story through Sharon's Travel/Street Photography. Sharon presented some of her past images and showed the pairing of a caption to an image to complete the visual story. Also, Sharon exemplified how to simplify a scene and the importance of 'de-cluttering'.

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Naturally finding moments in which we can capture an image that depicts the simplicity of form and contrast we would normally create in post-processing by converting to B&W.

I am going to challenge the submission to not convert your images to B&W in post, but make sure that your original shot in monochrome. For some ideas, think foggy days, white streaks on black hair, dalmatians…you get the idea. Good luck!

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One of my passion projects is photographing trees. Everywhere I go I look for the majestic tree that stands out in my eyes. Their beauty and grace do not cease to amaze me. Yet, what I see in my mind’s eye is rarely what my camera sees, and most often than not, I need to complete my visionary process in Photoshop. In this session, we talked and learned about how to do just that!

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Geometry is everywhere we look, shapes and lines define our visual world. This session will be dedicated to celebrating everything geometrical, especially, your interpretation of how it is perceived in your mind’s eye. Do you see it in an abstract? in a bridge or maybe in an ice flake. Show us where and how you see it!

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In this session, we will embrace the Olympic spirit and celebrate everything athletic. The triumphs, defeats, grit, grace and beauty - everything related to Sports Photography.

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Thinking outside the visual box. This topic is all about original concepts. No need for fancy Photoshop footwork, you can create an outstanding image with an original take by just creating a composition that incorporates original framing, angles, perspective or…surprise us!

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What defines Heat? fire, heat haze, steam, vapour, sweat, sun glare...Today we saw how to accentuate the details that convey heat in a visual image. We created smoke, steam and lens glare in post-production as well as our own flame brush!

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In this session, we will celebrate the vast meanings and interpretations of these engineering marvels. The ingenuity of the human mind to overcome natural obstacles, a figurative link 'bridging’ two opposing sides or maybe you just enjoy the beauty of the geometric harmony.

What do bridges mean to you? And, most importantly, can you convey it as a visual story?

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What are the fundamental principles of creating a series? What type of series are there? we will Talk-&-Learn how to create a compelling series and VISION STATEMENT - aligning your visual and textual stories.

In this session, I will be showcasing the works of the IN-DEPTH Talk-&-Learn students from the past course. Enjoy the show!

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Combining Nature and Minimalism. Focusing on the Less within the boundaries of Nature. Simplifying your frame to create a single story in your composition. Sometimes, the distance between Simplicity and Complexity is a small one!

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What is Industrial Photography? Things that first and foremost are made by humans to service a large number of people. When considering your image, keep in mind your storytelling. What do you want your image to show? The destruction of the environment by industry? The pollution caused by industry? The benefits we gain from having large-scale manufacturing? Or, maybe just the mechanics of the machine. Whatever it is, just be sure to include elements in your image that contribute to your story. Also…consider how you use tones to convey a strong or soft message.

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Focusing on ONE thing. Simplifying a scene, either in-camera or in post. This topic can, if not careful, blend into abstract. I would encourage you to try and keep it within the realm of contextual imagery, yet to a minimum!

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One can argue that any artwork is subjected to the artist’s personal interpretation. However, this week we are taking the concept to new heights and literally recreating reality to express our vision and to express our personal interpretation of a scene.

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What is Titled Self Portrait you ask? It is a Self Portrait that you have titled so the viewer can get insight into your intention when creating the image.

When creating a Self Portrait, think about how you see yourself, how others see you, how you want others to see you, etc. whatever your intention is, just make it clear so that your image tells your story.

Think outside the box! extra points to those that will come up with new and creative ideas.

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Talking and Learning about Abstract Photography with Special Guest Ursula Abresch!

Ursula shared her spectacular abstract images and gave us insight into her vision, techniques and gear!

Sharon and Ursula both reviewed the SHOWCASE images and gave constructive feedback, The submissions were outstanding, kudos to all those that shared their images.

Taking context out of the equation, how much or how little is a fine art.

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Capturing the magical moments of everyday life in the urban environment. Telling a story that shows a snap moment of an event, lifestyle or better yet…a decisive moment! How to be sure to include the right context that completes your visual story, all this and more!

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Bridging the two worlds of Long Exposure and Still Photography. Creating a composite image that includes a LE and still image that would otherwise NOT have been able to be captured in-camera. Of course, I hope that it goes without saying, that the still image needs to complement the LE to tell a story. Let’s Talk-&-Learn how to best capture Long Exposure Composites!

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Let’s Talk-&-Learn how to best capture Motion! We experience reality as a continuous reality in motion, however, a camera freezes a moment in time. How can we use the tools and techniques at our disposal to depict motion? From wind gently swaying the leaves on a weeping willow, or capturing with a slow shutter a cyclist racing through the finish line.

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Spring is here and with it the new cycle of life renewing itself. This session will be dedicated to all things reborn (not just flowers…try and think outside the box!) We talked and learned what encapsulates the essence of Rebirth, the cycle of life, transition, contrast...and Post-processing tools in depicting just this!

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Today we saw an extraordinary collection of wildlife images. We discussed how to best post-process them and enhance the visual story.

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STILL LIFE: How to bring out the life in the lifeless? Celebrating the inanimate objects surrounding our lives. Using composition as a guide to convey the story of your vision. What works and what doesn't? we say participants images and analyzed the good and the 'not quite there...'.

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What defies Artistic and What defines Architectural Photography? And how to marry the two?

Forget the rules, what do YOU want to show? we will talk and learn how to stay true to architectural aesthetics such as lines, shapes and tone, yet still make room for personal interpretation.

PLUS, as this is the 1 Year Anniversary Special Session, an additional 30 minutes of Sharon demonstrating her personal post-processing files!

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This is a hard topic for the Straight photographers out there. Forget the sharp, crisp details and just focus on a feeling, impression or mood a place or thing gives you. Now try conveying that in a photograph! Ask yourself what helps us convey an emotion? Now use that to showcase your vision!

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The opposite of minimalism, but just as hard. Creating a storyline with complexity and detail and still see the forest with all the trees.

We discussED and learnED the nuances of complexity and how to create compelling images that integrate many details, yet stay true to a narrative.

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Less is More is an understatement when we talk about what makes a great minimalist image. We learned how to create simplicity with composition, contrast, black and white and texture. All through theory explaining the concepts as well as participants' examples, what to do and what not to do! And of course, just like every week, valuable Photoshop post-processing tips.

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We are often attracted to opposites - In this session, we explored the various forms in which we can depict duality in a visual image. Yin and Yang, Black and White, Big and Small, Masculine and Feminine…Whatever your subject of passion is, try exploring it through the lens of duality. And of course, plenty of useful Photoshop tips and tricks to enhance your vision.

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Knowing when it’s actually better to have a blurred image than a sharp one! Creating a feel, an impression or a mood and not a crisp, sharp straight photograph. We explored when it is best used, how to capture it in-camera and how to enhance it in post! Plus, plenty of Photoshop post-processing tips!

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When one image isn't enough to tell a story and you want to CREATE rather than capture. We say how to take multiple exposures in-camera, in post and even on your phone with Snapseed! Tips and tricks on how to improve your images with groups and other great Photoshop enhancements tips.

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Using exaggeration in composition and lighting to create Low Key images. From architecture to floral, this episode has it all! We discussed how to create low key images in back and white as well as colour. A great episode to learn how to create your images pop!

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It is best to shoot High Key images in-camera. However, if you decide to recreate a High Key from an existing image, even a dark one, it is very, very doable! We walked through various ways of creating in camera and in High key images in post. Secret ingredient: Gradient Map Adjustment Layer!

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How to bring out the emotion in your landscape images. using Composition, Contrast and Colour (or lack of). We explored the Zone System invented by Ansel Adams and saw the difference between a small and large tonal range. How strong contrast conveys more drama whereas the mid-tones have a calmer, serene effect. All that and many Photoshop post-processing tips!

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How to enhance your photographs into a one of a kind work of art by hand painting on them, adding textures or collating. What works and what doesn't, what mediums to print on and how to photograph your post-painted images to create reproductions that will make them pop. Get inspired to create your own multimedia artwork!

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How to see colours as B&W? Today we discussed how colours translate in a B&W pallet. When one option is better than the other and if you do decide to convert a colour image to B&W, how to do it best by utilizing your colours to extend your tonal range as much as possible. Learn how to customize your B&W Adjustment layer to give you the results you want.

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Delving deeper into Long Exposure frequently asked questions. Understanding the difference between a slow shutter capture to a LE image. How to use filters, filter magnets and awesome tips on reducing long exposure noise in your images. Additionally, I explained the principles of creating a composite to combine a long exposure with a still shot.

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Hope is an optimistic state of mind that this will be better. But he do we convey that in a visual image. Today we learned how to do just that! With Subject matter, contrast and colour, we say how to use the tools of photography post-processing to convey the emotion and essence of Hope.

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A balanced photograph often allows the viewer’s eye to be drawn throughout the image equally, without resting too heavily on one certain aspect of the image. Photographs that are improperly balanced are often less appealing to look at, especially if the ‘heavier’ part of the image lies too far left or right. In this session, we will saw how to create BALANCE in your image through the use of COLOUR.

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What Makes a great floral image? What makes a great abstract image? and how to combine the two?

Today we saw how to take slow shutter images with your smartphone and post-process them in Photoshop. We also addressed image submissions and saw how to accentuate the abstract and story of floral abstracts.

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As photographers, the first rule is to have the light source behind you so your subject will be uniformly illuminated. However, as we advance, we see that rules can be broken and sometimes. intentionally so. Backlighting is one of those situations. It is a case in which the light source is actually in from of you illuminating your subject from behind. This creates immense lighting challenges. Today we say how we can overcome some of these difficulties with the help of luminosity masks, composition, bracketing and a few Photoshop tips and tricks.

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How to create a more compelling composition by framing your image with trees, structures, windows, and yes, even shadows. In today's Talk-&-Learn session we discussed and saw various formats of framing, getting it right in-camera as well as some post-processing magic. We used masking, gradient lighting and the pen tool in Photoshop to accentuate and highlight the frame within our frame.

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Less is More is an understatement when we talk about what makes a great minimalist image. Today we learned how to create Minimalism with composition, contrast, black and white and texture. All through theory explaining the concepts as well as participants' examples, what to do and what not to do!

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Understanding the importance of what Ansel Adams coined as Previsualization and the Zone System. When to choose a wide tonal range and when to choose high contrast? How does a colour image convert to black and white? and, most important, COMPOSITION! how to frame or crop a landscape image. All this and as usual, post-processing tips.

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What does it mean to express a thought or a concept in a photographic image? How to be true to the story you are telling and use tools and techniques to convey your story. We Talked and Learned about all these and more. Using composites, masks, and blending mode we saw how to transform a snapshot into an expression of art. Finally, we revised some of the new Photoshop2021 new tools, Sky Replacement and the Content-Aware Tracing Tool (part of the Pen Tool).

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How to use MOTION in your photography to Tell a Story. From longer shutter speeds to long exposure photography, what works better to convey your visual story. And, if you didn't get it quite right in-camera, we showed how to add motion blur to your image in Photoshop during the post-processing phase. Lastly, we demonstrated the Replacing Sky feature in the new Photoshop 2021 - awesome feature!

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In a great series, each image can stand alone and tell its own story. Today we discussed how to tell a story through a single image (composition, colour, time, light, etc.) that comprises the series and continued to the series itself. What kind of series are there, does the orientation of the canvas need to be uniform? In addition to these topics, we also learned some Photoshop tips that aided in enhancing our images.

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A wide range of questions regarding daytime LONG EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY. We talked about ND Filters, colour casting, filter magnets and of course - plenty of post processing examples on how to bring out the best of your long exposure images. From using the Pen Tool to the Gradient Adjustment layer, tips and tricks that are always handy in your post processing toolbox!

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Who are you? We all have many facets to our personality and sometimes who we are today is not who we will be tomorrow. Have you ever tried capturing that in an image? Today we talked and learned about the different ways and concepts to convey yourself in a self portrait. Want read more about the first Self Portrait, read up on the first self portrait painting in an article by the New York Times HERE

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What to include and what to exclude in an Abstract image? That is the most important question you should be asking yourself when learning the fundamentals of Abstracts. Keep the mind questioning, take your subject out of context to focus on the lines, texture, and shape of the image rather than the story.

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How to capture and create LOW KEY Images. We learned to darken the irrelevant details and bring to the fore the important ones using Luminosity Masks, Gradients, and just old fashioned Dodging and Burning. A great session for the intermediate to advanced post-processor!

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Understanding the subtleties of High Key images. Capturing in-camera and post-processing tips and advice.

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How to pre-visualize what the essence of your scene is and how to convey that in post-processing. In this session first saw examples of Sharon Tenenbaum's bridge photos, analyzed their vision, and saw through the images of some participants how to convey their vision in Photoshop, using masks, the Pen Tool, and Gradient Lighting.

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A great session that explained theory principles and hands-on technical Photoshop tips! As we Talked and Learned about what makes a compelling Seascape image? 1.) Horizon Line LOCATION 2.) Horizon Line Horizontal (or not) 3.) Less is MORE 4.) Technique 5.) Colour vs. B&W 6.) Tonal Range: Wide or Narrow. We even saw how to add colour to a black and white image, correct compositions with sophisticated 'cloning' and much more.

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Today we talked and learned about using Shadows in an intentional way to tell a story. Contrast, composition, or texture, they all add and contribute their share in what makes a great shadow image.

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What is an abstract image? Is it different from Fine Art Photography? And why do we find abstract images so intriguing? In this session, we discuss all this and more. We say examples of how to use the Pen Tool and Gradient in Photoshop to enhance our vision and accentuate the main theme of the image.

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Macro photography, is extreme close-up photography, usually of very small subjects and living organisms like insects, in which the size of the subject in the photograph is greater than life-size. Capturing the essence of the minuscule world in enlarged high definition. we saw some amazing submissions and learned how to enhance the images with Photoshop tips and tricks.

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Enhancing your skylines photos was never this easy! Step by step instructions in Photoshop along with artistic composition tips. Today we talked and learned about how to create balance through symmetry in Skylines. The importance of content in your foreground and proper cropper cropping. With plenty of Photoshop tips and techniques that easy to follow. We traveled through the skylines NYC, Auckland, Yangon, and Calgary!

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MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE EXPOSURES! The beauty and creativity of telling multiple stories in one picture frame. How to capture it in-camera or in post. In Photoshop or from the ease of your smartphone on SnapSeed. Learn how to enhance your images in Photoshop with basic principles that are easy to follow.

Learn more in this insightful article from Shutterstock about Multiple Exposures.

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Bridges around the world are a true engineering marvel. However, there is a big difference between what you see in your mind's eye to what the camera captures. Today in the Talk-&-Learn Session, we learned how to bring out the relevant details of a scene and accentuating leading lines, geometry, and composition to capture the beauty and majesticness of the bridges we photograph. From conception of vision to Photoshop tips, this session is a great way to learn how to photograph bridges.

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Today we talk about how to take an image out of its context and letting the mind imagine and wonder. How to use composition, colour, texture, form, and balance to create a compelling abstract photograph.

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Nature Photography! how to best photograph animals in their natural environment, and more importantly, when nature doesn't always cooperate, how to make adjustments on Photoshop to tone down the background and focus the attention on the subject.

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Today we talked and learned about 'What makes a great ACTION shot?' Capturing that split-second motion that encompasses concentration, skill, and finesse. We saw how to capture the right composition and enhance it with basic Photoshop tips.

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Today we talked about understanding the difference between colour and b&w. What do colours really look like in b&w? how to create a balanced image? and we say a few examples of enhancing b&w images to make them pop.

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The Decisive Moment: Finding the right balance where everything in the moment is: 'yes, yes, yes!' In today's session we looked at beautiful submissions by participants sharing their 'spontaneous moments' captured on pixels. We saw, what works, what doesn't, and how to improve it.

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Today we talked about Daytime Long Exposure Photography. We discussed different ND filter systems and brands, explained the basic principles, and continued on to some constructive image critique. Thank you everyone for participating!

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Today we focused on blurred images 😉 - excuse the pun! The beautiful technique of ICM: Intentional Camera Movement. We saw what gear you need, composition rules, movement technique, and of course, Photoshop tips!

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Today it's all about TREES. How to photograph this subject matter in the most compelling way. We addressed composition, long exposure, image stacking, ICM and much more. Through constructive critique and Photoshop tips we saw how to enhance images to better convey the artists' intention.

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Today we addressed the topic telling a visual story through the topic of ISOLATION. Looking at different images submitted and discussing composition and ways to enhance this concept with the aid of Photoshop.

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Today we discussed images with the common theme of Architectural Photography. How to straighten camera distortion, enhance the sense of depth and volume through gradient lighting overall storytelling to transform your images in FINE ART Architectural Photography.

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In today’s Photo Talk-&-Learn Session, I addressed the importance of composition. I exemplified the ways in which from one image, you can create many stories.

Your canvas is the portal in which others will see the story you want to tell, what you decide to include or omit will convey the essence of your visual story.

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In this Zoom Photo Talk-&-Learn Session, I addressed a body of work by Barry Wolf ‘Just Like Me’ in which Barry exemplifies the importance of conveying though your image the essence of your vision. In the latter part of the session, show through participants’ work how to achieve this with Photoshop.

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