50 people, a 150 year old mill and a weekend of learning and photo fun…

By John VanSteenberg

YM Weekend class blog

50 people, a 150 year old mill and a weekend of learning and photo fun…

Recently, we conducted a teaching event in conjunction with YM Camera, in Youngstown, Ohio. Fifty people attended the two hour class and Q&A session on Saturday and about 38 braved the chilly and wet weather on Sunday morning to test out what they learned, experiment and just play around; to see how the class helped them control their images and ‘see’ more photographs.

The accompanying images are from a few of the attendees.

We studied how to control motion (for dramatic effect), depth of field (for emphasis and de-emphasis), the interaction of aperture, ISO and shutter speeds (for total control), composition, light modifiers in nature, unifying backgrounds and foregrounds; and everybody seems to have gotten something good from their work there.

The mill is an exceptional opportunity for many great images, as the results attest. There are multiple good views of the mill, a modern and an old covered bridge, a waterfall or two, ravines, rocks, fall flowers and trails galore.

Remember, 35-40 photographers were at the same place at the same time. Even when they saw the same subject, they each found their own way to communicate it to the viewer. Each, uniquely their own. A few were willing to send some to me to be shared with you.

Mike Briggs usually shoots bike racing and other sports. He loved the 10-24 so much, he spent most of the morning exploring with it. (I’d love to think that I taught him something in the sessions. But, I know that he had to go out there with all of this talent, seeking his own unique way of ‘seeing’ of what was in the scene there). Here are a few of his images:
 

 

Tracy B had just bought her camera 2 weeks before the event. Here are a few of her images:

 

Sam Racketa is a life long sports shooter. "If there isn't a ball in the shot, I don't know what to do with it!" He wanted to explore his pictorial touch. I think he has a very nice one too:

 


Marilyn Wenger sent in a few too. All very different and unique. Great job!

 

We also did a little portrait session and we spent a fair amount of time looking for the light (direction, volume, texture). And the light was fantastic: dark, diffused by overcast and rain and the rain produced great color saturations. Our mandate was to explore and have fun: to let the creative juices flow. And boy did they….

In addition to the images here, you can see a larger collection at: http://tamron.myphotoexhibits.com/exhibits/4206-ym-camera-trip-gallery

We want to thank Jim Yankush and the staff of YM Camera for doing such a great job hosting the event. And we want to thank the fabulous staff at the Lanterman Mill in Mill Creek Park for their great tolerance, advice and guidance.

Comments

[Juanita]

Exciting to see interaction to a business so close to home! The photos are marvelous!

[Mike Briggs]

Thanks John, for the class and your kind words! Great to see some of the other's work. Amazing that a whole group can see so many different things, and capture them the way THEY saw it.

[Ruth Miller]

The class was great and the day at the mill was awesome. I especially liked using lenses I have never used before. I can now tell you I have a wish list!
Thanks Jim and Adam from YM Camera
for sharing your camera knowledge with all of us amateurs that attended the class. It was great.

[mia]

Wow the pictures are abdolutely amazing, I particularly like the ones of the big house and the water fall.

[Elliptical reviews]

No offense, but if there's a facebook like button, it'll be much easier for me to share.

[Lisa]

There is a FB like button and also a Share This button that allows you to choose FB to share it with friends.