2020-10-20 Conceptual SIG meeting notes

We met online using ZOOM 6:00pm-8:00pm

The goal of our Conceptual SIG is to help each other to create fine art from our photography.

Attendees
Mike Barry
Mike Dunnets
Rich Ernst
Dave Fahrney
Michael Hohol
Jim Limburg
Paul Marcoux
Ann Yang

We discussed techniques that we used to create edge effects
Some of us create all of our own brushes and images that can be used for masks, and some of us purchase them or find them for FREE on the Internet.
The basic technique for creating edge effects was to add a mask to an image layer, or to create a new layer above the image layer and use the "create clipping mask" function to make it mask the image layer.

We also discussed adding borders to images
Method 1: Increase the canvas size to add space around an image that can be filled to create a border.
Method 2: Add a texture layer above the image, mask it to leave only the border, and use a blending mode to finalize the look of the border.

We showed examples of projects that we are working on.

We decided that the topic for our next meeting will be composition
Composition is important for fine art photography and fine art in general, so we don't have to limit our discussion to just composing photographs, we can include composition in fine art.
If you know any artists that would be willing to teach us about composition please tell Mike Barry, we might ask them to join us at a ZOOM meeting.
Everyone has the homework assignment to research "Composition", study it and bring back some information for the group to discuss at our next Conceptual SIG meeting.
If you find some good composition information online, tell me where it is and I will put a link to the information on our website.

We briefly discussed sources for resources and training.
Please send me links to resources and training, I will put them on the club website.
Check out the "Fine Art Photography" section of the Resources page of FCDCC.com
https://fcdcc.com/resources.php

Paul found a slideshow on Composition by a Stanford professor.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6w2XfPHEcZYSkZXWG9mSGpFMVk/view
You will need a Google account to view the slideshow, and I found it valuable.
Would it be appropriate to go through the slides at one of our meetings so that we can discuss what he is saying?

I have been watching a series of classes by Anna Aspnes where she teaches about composition and her technique for creating fine art from her photography.
This is her website - https://www.annaaspnesdesigns.com
You can watch a replay of her "7 tips to create photo artistry with Anna Aspnes" here for free
https://www.designcuts.com/learning-hub/sessions/7-tips-to-create-photo-artistry-with-anna-aspnes

Mike Stauder does excellent compositing work, when we start talking about compositing we should ask him to teach us at a ZOOM meeting.

Agenda for our next Conceptual SIG meeting 11/17/2020 at 6:00pm
1. The main topic will be "Composition"
Please research on your own so we can all discuss it at the meeting (optional)
2. We will pick a topic for the next meeting
3. We will discuss current projects
Show a project that you are working on (optional)
Ask for constructive criticism (optional)
If you don't have time to research the topic, or you don't have any project that you want to show or have critiqued, that is OK, you can just attend the meeting and participate when you want.

Jim Limburg will send out the Meeting ID, passcode, and meeting link when we have scheduled the meeting, which will be about a week before the meeting date.

Email Mike, info@fcdcc.com, when you find mistakes, missing information or if you have suggestions for the Conceptual SIG and I will try to address the issues.