Fort Collins Digital Camera Club

The goal of our Fine Art Photography SIG is to help each other to create fine art from our photography.
The Fine Art SIG is a place where artists support each other and nurture creativity in others.
Unrequested criticism can feed an artist's fear of failure and stifle their creative growth.

ATTENDEES
Mike Barry
Judy Cannon
Heather Coe
Rich Ernst
Jim Fellion
Jim Limburg
Ed Ogle
Rich Roberts
Joan Sayre
Albert Wang

OUR MAIN DISCUSSION TOPIC WAS "Abstract Photography".
We discussed what "Abstract Photography" and "Abstract Art" means to us, and then we looked at examples of "Abstract Art" that we had created. Members explored textures, 3D images, closeups, post processing, blurs even fractals. The variety was amazing and beautiful.

RESOURCES (Where you can find sources of inspiration)
https://www.marcelemilien.com/blogs/post/is_abstract_photography_the_next_abstract_painting
https://www.marcelemilien.com/#artoftheweek
https://cgmodernart.com/abstract-paintings/abstract-art
https://www.riseart.com/guide/2366/guide-to-abstract-art
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/abstract-photography.html
https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/Futuristic-Imaging-Transforming-Your-Pictures-Into-Abstract-Art/32073160?via=search-layout-grid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_photography
https://xenodream.com/jux.htm (fractals)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzeZHWZ51fM - Frozen soap bubble photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz4AniRSeVY - Erik Stensland Gallery Talk

FINISH-IT-PHOTO
We discussed several members techniques for making fine art from the "Bridge at Lion's Park" image by Mike Barry. Please send me more images if you wish to continue doing Finish-It-Photos.

Please finish the "Horsetooth Reservoir" image by Mike Barry for the December meeting.

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUES AND PERSONAL PROJECTS
We looked at a couple images but didn't have time for any critiques.

PICK A TOPIC FOR THE NEXT MEETING
Our topic for next month is "Bubbles and Films", inspired by Joan's soap film images.
Joan is going to give a presentation on "Bubbles and Soap Films" at the next meeting.

Judy shared Stephanie Cox' recipe for soap bubbles:
- 6 parts water
- 3 parts dish soap (It’s best to use Dawn dish soap as opposed to a low foaming soap like Palmolive.)
- 1 part corn syrup or glycerin. (This might be specific to frozen bubbles to give them strength to withstand any wind.)
My secret tip is to use a long zoom and get back away from the bubbles. If you’re 10 ft away with a focal length of 200mm, your DOF is 6”. That’s likely enough to get the bubble sharp front and back. Not sure it matters so much if you are doing freezing bubbles.
She also provided a link to a YouTube video on "Frozen Soap Bubble Photography"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzeZHWZ51fM

AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY SIG MEETING - Tue 12/13/2022 @6:00pm
1. The main topic will be "Bubbles and Films" with a presentation by Joan and members will present their Bubble and Film images.
2. We will see what everyone did with the finish-it-photo of "Horsetooth Reservoir".
3. We will hold constructive critiques (optional) Pick as many as 3 images that you would like critiqued, and be prepared to show them by sharing your screen during the ZOOM meeting.
4. We will pick a topic for the next meeting

If you don't have time to research the topic, or you don't have any images that you want to have critiqued, that is OK, you can just attend the meeting and participate when you want.

I would like to see more pictures from our Fine Art SIG in the regular club meeting slideshows.

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.

Please email Mike, info@fcdcc.com, when you find mistakes, missing information or if you have suggestions for the Fine Art Photography SIG and I will try to address the issues.