Get Connected! (Clubs)

Since I’ve been getting acquainted with photography, I’ve been interested in what else is available to me besides the photography class I’m taking at school. This post is devoted to different clubs that are available for people interested in photography. I’ll keep it updated as I discover more.

South Jersey Photography & Art Society
This website is meant to connect people who have similar interests. In the South Jersey Photography & Art Society consists of people who want to learn more about photography and art. They have monthly meetings for a $5 fee and also share other events relating to photography and art. The monthly meeting for April is on Wednesday the 6th with the topic of “Close-up and Macro Photography.” Another event available for their members to go to is a National Geographic Traveler Seminar in Philadelphia, PA.

South Jersey Camera Club
South Jersey Camera clubs hopes to connect people who are interested in the art and science of photography. They hold monthly meetings for members who share an interest in photography and hope to exchange their ideas and expertise about photography. Membership to the club is $35 annually for individuals and $45 for families. Visitors are welcome at no charge (but cannot take part of field trips or workshops.) Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m., the third Tuesday of each month from September through June at the Medford Leas Community Center, Medford, NJ.
Next meeting: Tuesday April 19th at 7:00PM

Inspiration

Photography has always been of interest to me but what has me really interested lately is seeing portfolios of such great photographers. A lot of my friends are in the age range of getting married now which makes me check out their engagement/wedding photos and in turn stalking the rest of the photographer’s work! One photographer I’m particularly fond of is from Southern New Jersey herself. She is a younger photographer with an unbelievable eye for great pictures. From what I can tell about the reviews that she gets, everyone who has worked with her has absolutely loved her! Check out her work at her Hello Gorgeous Photography website and become a fan of her on facebook!

First Assignment

In my first class meeting, we talked about the basics of what makes a photograph good. We talked about the rule of thirds and selective focus. Neither of these concepts were too new to me. I had heard about the rule of thirds last semester while making an oral history video and I’ve always been a fan of selective focus. So when the assignment we had to turn in the next Thursday was to utilize these techniques, I thought it would be simple; I had no idea that I would struggle.

I did struggle. It wasn’t using the rule of thirds or selective focus that I struggled with. It was breaking out of my comfort zone and not feeling like a complete idiot in public snapping pictures of random things. It was thinking creatively, artistically and finding things to take a picture of that would have some element of interest. For what seems like forever, I have always had a digital camera that I could use to snap pictures of anything I wanted to. I never took advantage of this, though. I was always hesitant to take pictures wondering if people are questioning my artistic eye. This first assignment was more than just using a rule of thirds or selective focus. It was about overcoming the obstacles that will prevent anyone from being a successful artist; namely, self doubt.

I did eventually get plenty of shots to work with. We had to select a “final five” to turn in for our assignment. Here are my two favorites, both of which have been photoshopped:

Introduction Post

Hi everyone! This is my first blog post to what I hope will end up being a fun and exploratory journey through my triumphs and failures when it comes to photography. I am a senior at Rowan University with a major in Writing Arts. Because of my love for new media, I decided to branch off a little and take two courses this semester: Online Journalism I and General Photography (Digital). I hope to utilize this blog to document my journey into the world of general photography. As a beginner (and newbie) I hope to help others who face the same obstacles as me find ways of overcoming them, or at the very least, realizing that they are not alone. This blog will probably be full of small tidbits I learn in class, online tutorials, interviews with more established photographs on what it was like for them as a beginner, and really bad jokes. I hope you all enjoy reading about my journey into the world of photography!