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
Robert Barley
Mike Barry
Heather Coe
Rich Ernst
Pam Jordan
Jim Limburg
Jack Lipscomb
Paul Marcoux
Ed Ogle
Rich Roberts
Richard Stillman
Albert Wang

DISCUSSION TOPICS

1. Images created using filters
====================
We discussed and critiqued images that members created using filters.

2. Why You Abandon Your Creative Projects (and how to stop)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hECp8OQbe7E
by World of Creatives - 10:29
=========================================
We discussed why we don't finish creative projects.
We are interested in too many things, and something new catches our fancy.

3. Is Documentary Photography Art?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC04WbHXvE8 -
by Joshua Timpko's Film Photography Journey - 13:01
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We discussed whether documentary photography is art.
Photography exists on a spectrum from "documentary" to "art".

4. Journey Through the History of Photography | Christie's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkHUHWsTvIs
by Christie's - 10:09
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We discussed the "value" of photography.

5. 10 Street Photographers EVERY Photographer MUST Know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPRASv4-thI
by The Art of Photography - 16:47
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We discussed street photography, and it is not very popular with our group.

6. Pictorialism: When Photography Became Art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWZMzu1LEqE
by Art & Tech Playground - 5:30
==============================
We discussed the history of fine art photography

7. Is "Black and White Photography" fine art or just old fashioned?
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We continued this discussion and Richard Stillman is planning to convert a few hold outs to the genre.

8. Constructive Critiques and Personal Projects (optional) =====================================
Several members showed images that they had created in the past month, and our group offered constructive criticism. 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

RESOURCES (Where you can find sources of inspiration)
I have listed resources under the discussion topics.

What is Fine Art Photography? - suggested by Robert Barley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqtOU2sATE8
Let's discuss this one at the August Fine Art SIG meeting

PICK A TOPIC FOR THE NEXT MEETING
We decided to create fine art using "wide angle" techniques. It was suggested that one can create a wide angle appearance using Photoshop or another image editor using a filter if one doesn't have a wide angle lens. Create distortion or forced perspective or just have fun.

Michael Hohol has suggested "Intentional Camera Movement while photographing lights in the dark" for a future topic.

AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY SIG MEETING - Tue 8/19/2025 @6:00pm
1. The main topic will be "Wide Angle Fine Art", 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.

Thanks,
Mike Barry

================ Notes from ZOOM ==================

Meeting summary for FCDCC Fine Arts SIG Zoom Meeting (07/15/2025)

Quick recap
The photography group discussed various techniques, tools, and artistic approaches, including the use of filters, plugins, and specialized apps to create different effects in their images. Members shared their recent work and experiences, covering topics such as black and white photography, aspect ratios, and the challenges of capturing specific subjects like rodeos and landscapes. The meeting also touched on broader themes in photography, including the nature of art photography, the value of historical images, and the resurgence of film photography, before concluding with plans for future challenges and discussions about international photography opportunities.

Next steps
Rich Roberts: Document the Kerrville flood aftermath through photography, focusing on infrastructure damage, volunteers, and community recovery efforts for historical documentation at local museum
Richard: Prepare and teach a black and white photography class to the group before departing for Dresden in September
Team: Participate in wide-angle photography assignment for next month's meeting, exploring force perspective techniques and demonstrating sensor size differences
Mike: Review and process the remaining 4,000 horse jumping(rodeo?) photos from recent shoot
Mike: Organize photo walks and social events for the group
Ed: Re-edit and adjust brightness levels of American Basin waterfall photos
Ed: Share fisheye lens photos with the group
Mike: Fix the red spot above the lasso in the sepia-toned rodeo photo
Mike: Investigate why his 7.5mm lens isn't producing full circular fisheye images
Ed: Consider dimming down the columbines in the flower photo
Mike: Consider applying the sepia/cartoon filter treatment to more rodeo action shots
Ed: Consider applying CPL blurring background effect to recent horse photos
Richard: Demonstrate 23mm lens effects on medium format camera at next meeting
Richard: Share contact information through Albert with the group
Rich Ernst: Look up and share the painting filter/plugin name used in his images
Jim: Share details about the Waterlog filter from Tin Rocket regarding PC compatibility
Albert: Watch the recommended videos about unfinished creative projects
Richard: Follow up on the Indigo Pi app update regarding overheating
Team: Watch the recommended photography videos shared by Mike
Team: Consider experimenting with unique/unconventional methods of image creation for gallery exhibition

Summary

Photoshop Plugin Artistic Effects
The group discussed Rich Ernst's use of a Photoshop plugin called "10 Rocket" to create painterly effects on photographs. Rich demonstrated several examples, including abstract and realistic styles, and explained how the plugin works by creating multiple layers and applying brush strokes. The group provided feedback on the effects, with some noting that the foreground appeared heavy in some versions. They also discussed the potential for printing the images on canvas, with Rich expressing a desire to remove the canvas texture layer for better results.

Photography Techniques and Filter Demonstrations
The group discussed various photography techniques and filters, with Rich Ernst sharing images from Scotland and Thermopolis, and Jim demonstrating the Waterlog filter which creates a watercolor effect. Paul presented photorealistic images taken with square frames, while Ed inquired about natural hot springs in Thermopolis, which Rich confirmed exist. The discussion concluded with Jim sharing his favorite filter techniques and Paul showing images from different locations including Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Landscape Photography and Aspect Ratio
Paul discussed his photography techniques, particularly focusing on the use of a 16:9 aspect ratio to capture the scale of a landscape. He explained his choice to shoot in camera rather than crop later, citing the potential for a higher pixel count and better composition control. The group explored the technical aspects of different sensor sizes and cropping methods, with Rich Roberts and others sharing their experiences and questions about the effects of sensor size and cropping on image quality and perspective.

Fisheye Lens Image Challenges
The group discussed issues with Mike's fisheye lens, which was not producing the desired circular image despite being advertised as a true fisheye lens. Ed explained that the problem likely stemmed from the lens's image circle not fully covering the sensor, rather than the focal length. The others suggested that Mike could either use a circular mask or composite horizontal and vertical images to achieve the desired effect. Mike then shared some rodeo photos he had taken and manipulated using various filters and effects in Photoshop, including sepia tones and texture overlays. The group provided feedback on the images, with Rich Roberts making a specific comment about a distracting red element in one of the photos.

Rodeo and Mountain Photo Highlights
The group discussed and admired Mike's action photos from a rodeo event, particularly highlighting the expressions on animals and participants. Ed then shared a collection of his recent photos from a trip to the San Juan mountains, showcasing waterfalls, wildflowers, and abandoned mine structures, with particular attention to his use of black and white photography and Photoshop techniques. The discussion concluded with Ed sharing his experience driving through challenging mountain roads in a specialized jeep and capturing panoramic photos with his phone.

Photography Apps and Creative Projects
The group discussed several photography apps and tools, including Adobe's Indigo Pi, which is a computational photography app currently in beta for iPhone, though some members experienced overheating issues. Rich Ernst shared his experience with Reflex's Reheld app, which allows for 5-second handheld shots and produces sharp images, particularly for waterfalls. The conversation then shifted to discussing a video about creative project abandonment, with members sharing their own experiences of starting multiple projects but not completing them, and Richard suggested that peer accountability could help overcome this challenge. The conversation ended with a brief discussion about a recent picnic event that had good attendance despite some people being out of town.

Artistic Value in Photography
The group discussed the nature of art photography, particularly focusing on how photographs can transition from documentary records to artistic works over time. They explored the value of photographs, noting that historical context and notoriety often drive prices more than aesthetic beauty alone. The conversation touched on specific examples like Hitler's paintings and Brady's Civil War photographs, with Rich Roberts emphasizing how the photographer's identity affects a photo's value. The discussion concluded with reflections on the recent popularity of film photography, which Jim and others attributed to its ability to produce unique, characterful images that digital cannot replicate. Punch Card Camera Art Project The group discussed the idea of creating a camera that prints images onto punch cards, with Mike suggesting it could be a successful art project. They explored the feasibility of translating digital data into punch card format, with Jim noting it wouldn't be too difficult. Rich Roberts shared his dilemma about photographing the aftermath of flooding in Kerrville, Texas, and the group advised him to consider the impact and potential uses of his photos, suggesting they could be valuable for historical documentation or to support local recovery efforts.

Black and White Photography Discussion
The group discussed the merits of black and white photography versus color, with Richard expressing strong support for black and white as a powerful artistic medium that can convey mood and texture without distraction. Heather shared her experience converting flamingo photos to black and white, which was well-received by the group. The discussion concluded with an aside about name changes at Ellis Island, where Richard shared his family's story of voluntarily changing their name from Lefkowitz to Leroy when immigrating to the United States.

Photography Career and International Move
Richard shared his extensive experience in professional photography, including commercial work, adventure travel, and teaching, and discussed his upcoming move to Dresden, Germany, where he plans to teach photography and conduct photo walks/workshops for tourists and locals. The group discussed the challenges of working in a foreign country, with Richard noting potential visa issues due to his age, though his wife's work permit could help. The conversation ended with plans for the next photography challenge focused on wide-angle photography and forced perspective techniques.

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