March 27, 2007
Told Me So
Simon sent me this link a while ago (warning: contains some nudity), and it's the perfect compliment to the following description (as requested) of my photography group or, more accurately, the photography group of which I am a part, because if it's anyone's photography group, it's Katrina's.
After she moved from Colorado to the Bay Area two years ago, Katrina became the very first person I hooked up with in real life that I knew solely through the blogosphere; I met her even before I'd met BIFF* Will, and since then we've gotten together a handful of times and kept in touch over email when she stopped blogging.
One of the obvious benefits of having online friends turn into real-life friends is getting to be there in person for important milestones--housewarmings, thirtieth birthday parties--and the creation of this photo group is kind of an extension of that. I remember when Katrina got her digital SLR camera, and I've since watched her pieces take the form of promo postcards, capital-A Art, and now an Etsy shop. When she asked if I wanted to be part of her photography group, I joined less for the opportunity to hone my own technique through structured practice as I did for the change to watch fellow amateur photographers at work. I'd seen and admired things Katrina had done with her camera, and now was my chance to learn how she did it--to witness the method, the theory, the process, the crouch.
Yes, the crouch or, in my case, the sprawl (getting this shot).
So far, our group has only had one organizational meeting and one outing, but we're scheduled for meet-ups through the end of the year. Everyone knew Katrina but none of us knew each other, so that first meeting was made up of introductions, complete with descriptions of our photography backgrounds, goals, and styles. For me, taking pictures is usually a solitary activity, and in fact the independence of the hobby is one of the things I like most about it. So what was I doing in a photography group? "Getting out there," "doing something," "venturing outside my comfort zone," "learning," and maybe even "making some new friends." There are six of us--all ages, all abilities, all women--all looking to find something in the group that we can't find alone. Even, it turns out, me.
Based on our outing to the Embarcadero, where I took only 80 pictures compared to my usual 150 to 200, one of the best things I've experienced in the group has been sitting around a Katrina's table eating homemade artichoke dip, or sitting around a restaurant table in San Francisco eating chips and salsa, and talking to people--girls!--about whatever. For me, notoriously girl-shy, tongue-tied in the face of smalltalk, and attached to Simon like a spidermonkey every weekend, it was kind of a big deal that I spent six hours out on the town with virtual strangers and not only didn't die but actually enjoyed myself. So, okay, I admit it: Simon was right and I was wrong; risk taken, confidence gained, blah blah blah.
If anyone out there is considering starting or joining a photography group, my advice is this: make sure all the members have the same understanding of the group's purpose. My theory is that if you want to be and stay friends with these people, don't bring competition and critique into the mix. (Even though we should be able to judge and comment constructively, it's rarely that simple or easy, is it?) So keep it light, keep it friendly, let it be creative and artful without being artsy. And make sure someone in the group knows how to make fresh artichoke dip.
*Best Internet Friend Forever, acronym courtesy of recent delurker Emma
Posted by Leah at March 27, 2007 08:53 PMWow- is this in direct response to my email? Awesome!
Posted by: Nicole at March 27, 2007 10:41 PMNicole--The photo group was actually organized more than a month ago, so although it's not in direct response to your email, it is definitely related to the bigger picture, which is that Certain People think I need to get out more. (I respectfully disagree but that doesn't mean it's a bad way to spend a random weekend.)
Posted by: Leah at March 27, 2007 10:58 PMi have no idea why but for some reason i really dig how the shot you took while laying down on the pier is crooked. . . if you'd taken (or photoshopped) it straight, it seems like it would've had less impact, only i dunno how to articulate why. . .
Posted by: bloopy at March 28, 2007 12:36 AMIt's a big step isn't it, taking that first outing with group of photographers, and strangers?
I too (nervously) went on a Flickr meetup down here just two weekends ago, and all, suprisingly went very well.
I have found that in the past, for me, photography is a solitary sport (unless you've hired a sherpa to carry your gear for you) and I always wondered how it would be within a dynamic group setting.
I think the key is being around the right people.
Sounds like you've found exactly that. Hope you have a wonderful time on many more fruitful and educational outings.
PS. You've got that sprawl down to a science..
Posted by: s- at March 28, 2007 05:32 AMO, hobo photographer
Languishing on a wooden dock
Waiting for a better light level
Or perhaps relief from dysentery
No, I will not give you a nickel
I've gotten a few people from a photography board together for two outings so far. It's been fun. For some reason though, I'd rather be in your group. Oh yea, it's because MY group is just a bunch of middle-aged dorks with old cameras!
Why don't I get to hang out with the pretty young women?!?!
Photography has always been a solitary pursuit for me as well...and I love that. Still, it's good to meet others and get an idea of how they see the things you see.
Posted by: iamnot at March 28, 2007 07:41 AMWhat a great experience for you! Maybe once Emily is off of the boob I can round up the girls for some outings. I could learn a few things from some of them for sure. I love the pier shot too :)
Posted by: Angella at March 28, 2007 08:33 AMYou are totally my BIFF.
Posted by: will at March 28, 2007 09:35 AMBloopy--The original pier shot is crooked, but I didn't think it was crooked the right way. The resulting shot was actually Photoshopped to be crooked at a particular angle on purpose! (One of these days I should do side-by-side comparisons of before- and after-Photoshop.)
S--Funny you used the word "sherpa" since that's what I'm always calling Simon when we go out.
Tim--xxoo
iamnot--You take AMAZING pictures, so you must be doing something right!
Angella--You definitely should. You have some talented ladies up there (holy cow, Christy!), and we already know that they're great company.
Will--I can't wait to see you in six weeks.
Posted by: Leah at March 28, 2007 10:22 AMI love the shot you took lying down, as well as the shot of you taking it. It would be cool to see the original picture. I really enjoy your blog. I've been reading since your split up scare a couple months ago. A friend of mine had directed me your way, but that happened to be the first night I checked it out, I've been hooked ever since.
Posted by: Stephanie at March 28, 2007 09:11 PMI've always loved your photos and only recently joined the ranks of those with a digital SLR (and, consequently have no idea what that even means). But if sprawling gets you an amazing shot, I'd totally do it.
I've never heard of a photography group. Awesome to you for going.
Posted by: Mrs. Flinger at March 29, 2007 10:13 AMSo if you are going to be talking about photography groups and stuff will you tell us what equipment you have? Mostly because I am always looking for more stuff to by for my rebel xt. Feed my habit please? I have had mine less than a year and already I bought 3 additional lenses, a filter, a speedlite, a bag, a remote, a monitor calibrator, and now I think I need a macro lens, better RAW editting software, a wacom tablet, a bigger bag . . .
Posted by: MicheleLouise at March 29, 2007 02:48 PMI am SO GLAD to have you on board for this. I am looking forward to many more of your sprawl-produced photos!
Posted by: Katrina at March 30, 2007 10:24 AM
