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
Bill Adkison
Robert Barley
Mike Barry
Heather Coe
Ken Eis
Rich Ernst
Jim Fellion
Michael Hohol
Pam Jordan
Jim Limburg
Jack Lipscomb
Joseph Long
Paul Marcoux
Kristi Norman
Ed Ogle
Jim & Joan Sayre
Albert Wang

DISCUSSION TOPICS

1. Chiaroscuro images
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We discussed what we thought "Chiaroscuro" means and most of us showed images that we thought were that style. I have been watching YouTube videos about Chiaroscuro and they don't agree on a definition. Some say that Chiaroscuro means "light and dark" so any image that emphasizes light and dark is Chiaroscuro. Some say that the key to creating a Chiaroscuro image is to use only one light. Some say that Chiaroscuro images have many light dark transitions. Some say that Chiaroscuro means using light and shadows to emphasize the 3 dimensional aspect of the image and make it more dramatic. I would like to discuss Chiaroscuro more, so think about it, research it and we can talk about it again when we have time.

2. White Balance
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We briefly discussed white balance.

3. David duChemin class
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Kristi has actually watched the new David duChemin class "Don't shoot what it looks like; shoot what it feels like" and she gave us a rough idea of what it was about.

4. Depth Maps in Photoshop
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We started discussing Depth Maps and the new AI Neural Filter in Photoshop, "Depth Blur". Ed showed us how to use it. There is a lot more to Depth Maps and Depth Blur, and we will be discussing it next month.

5. Fine Art SIG Outings
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We have decided to start having regular short local outings where we practice learning to see beautiful or interesting objects, go out to lunch, and then we have a short ZOOM meeting about a week later to show 1 image or more from the outing (with constructive critiques). I think this could be a very good way to improve our photography skills.

Our first outing will be this Sunday 3/23 at 10am. Let's meet at the Loveland Library parking lot, 300 N Adams Ave, Loveland, CO 80537. We will walk around Loveland or Civic Center park until about 12pm, then go out to lunch. I will arrange a ZOOM meeting for about 1 week later, to give us time to process a few images.

6. ZOOM demonstration
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Jim will bring his laptop to the club coffee meeting on Thursday 3/20 @9am at Panera Bread Company so anyone who is having trouble with ZOOM can experiment and work the kinks out of the process. It seems like Apple machines have some extra protection that is blocking ZOOM. If you are having any trouble with ZOOM, please bring a laptop to the coffee meeting on 3/20.

RESOURCES (Where you can find sources of inspiration)

Photoshop SOLVED Impossible Selections! (One-Click)
PixImperfect video that Rich mentioned

The End of Old Hue/Saturation – Photoshop's Big Update
PixImperfect video that Rich mentioned

Impression Realistic Painting Effect, an Action Add-On by DesignRocket | Creative Market
Here is a link to the painting actions by TinRocket from Rich. And they do have many more actions to do similar stuff. This is the impression one which I think creates one of the most realistic paintings.

Watercolor Magic Watercolor Effect | Creative Market
Here is another link to the painting actions by TinRocket from Rich. This one is ok but not as good as the Impression.

CHIAROSCURO: The Lost Art of Light & Shadow (Classical Method Revealed)
This is a YouTube video about Chiaroscuro recommended by Kristi. I had a hard time understanding his accent, but my ears are old. There are many videos about Chiaroscuro on YouTube.

A Beautiful Anarchy podcast by David duChemin
Just click on one of the links on the podcast episode page to listen on iTunes | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher

How to Use Depth Maps in Photoshop Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvJkEg5BT9E

Secret Depth Map in Photoshop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp_eLXo6g_g

Constructive Critiques and Personal Projects (optional)
Our group offered constructive criticism for some of the Chiaroscuro images. I think it is important for us to learn to give and receive constructive criticism, and we may even learn how to improve our photography

PICK A TOPIC FOR THE NEXT MEETING
We decided to discuss "Depth Maps" and "Depth Blur" at the next Fine Art SIG meeting. Learn about it and try it out, then show us what you have been able to do with "Depth Maps" and "Depth Blur". Ken wants to simulate atmospheric perspective, or maybe a more realistic fog, with a Depth Map. Let's try to do what Ken is talking about. (KEN: If I misunderstood what you are trying to do, please email the group and tell us what you really want to do.)

AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY SIG MEETING - Tue 4/15/2025 @6:00pm
1. The main topic will be "Depth Maps", but we will probably also discuss other topics. If you want to discuss something else, send me an email and I will add it to the agenda
2. Constructive Critiques and Other Personal Projects
3. We will pick a topic for the next meeting

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.