This weekend I had the fun of getting creative with my camera. I took a “Creative Camera Techniques” class at Newspace Center for Photography in Portland. The class involved a lot of techniques for getting blurs and images that are more painterly and less literal. It was fun to get out of my comfort zone, and even more fun to go with a couple of new photography friends from my area. It’s so nice to have local photography friends!
Here are a few of my favorite images from the day…
Creating blur with long exposures.
Moving the camera during a long exposure created "shelves" of light.
Plastic over the lens creates neat effects.
Painting with light. A projected screen saver is behind, creating a silhouette.
Painting with light to create a silhouette.
By far, my favorite was the light painting. There were so many possibilities I could see for this technique, especially in the dark of winter. I left the class with an arsenal of new, fun techniques to explore. Most techniques I had read about before, but hadn’t tried. It was great to have the nudge to try something new. I’ve always been a big believer in play and experimentation as a tool for learning and creativity but have been too busy doing other things. The class reminded me how important it is to let go and just play!
How about you, have you been out playing with your camera lately?
Love these shots, Kat! Love the Silhouette, especially. And, love hearing about how much fun it was to learn all of this! A great reminder that leaving the comfort zone can actually be fun! (I’ve forgotten that a few times. 🙂 Great post!
I forget this and re-learn it over and over again Juli. It is good to be reminded once in a while!
That’s so cool! I’m busy learning the basics, but did accidently stumble across something the other day. I was practicing with exposure for the Basics class and an over-exposed photo resembled a water-color painting! Perhaps that’s how those techniques are discovered-accidently!
Yep, by playing around we both learn the “right” way and also discover those creative ways to look at the world. Great job!
These are so much fun – I find my most creative work tends to be an accident. HA HA
This is really fun. I love the effects painting with lights gives!
Looks like fun, Kat. Did you use a tripod for these shots?
Nope, no tripod in any of them! Long exposures, hand-held.
Love these, they look really fun. The lights are great and I love the plastic over the lens effect.
I’m glad to hear that you liked the class, Kat!
I’m signed up for the beginning digital photography class at Newspace on Saturday! Maybe I will take the Creative Camera class if I can figure out my camera :~)
I will be looking forward to seeing what you do with these techniques!
Elaine, you are so lucky to have Newspace in your city! Enjoy the class.
it sure does sound like a fun class! Especially to link up with new photography friends for it.
I love the first one as it makes me wonder where she’s going and what she’s been doing and if she’s in a hurry!
The blur really adds that “hurry” feeling to the image, doesn’t it?
yep! love it!
This sounds like fun. I don’t know too many people in the area who are avid photogs to just “have fun” with.
My fave is that black and white with the walking legs, but the light painting-well, you look like you’re ripping it up in a disco. Boogie on.