Photography-lovers
are invited to learn and practice the fundamentals of
photography at this free, four-hour, hands-on workshop sponsored by the
Whitewater Arts Alliance. Join Jeff McDonald and Everett Long as they present,
demonstrate, and mentor the class through hands-on practice exercises. The workshop takes place on Saturday, May 4,
2019 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts
Center at 402 West Main Street in Whitewater.
The workshop is free, open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.
However, in order that the WAA may better plan the workshop, those planning to
attend are asked to please RSVP to jeff.mcdonald@gaelicarts.com.
Topics covered will include: camera basics such
as camera controls, getting sharp images, and changing lenses; digital
photography basics such as getting proper exposure, automatic and manual
exposure modes, auto-focus and manual focus, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and
white balance; and artistic considerations such as composition, light and
shadow, depth of field, and capturing motion. Several stations with varying
photographic subjects will be arranged for participants’ practice exercises.
Participants are asked to bring their camera with its user manual, charged
battery, and memory card. The camera should have a manual exposure mode (where
shutter speed, aperture, and ISO may be set manually) and use interchangeable
lenses. Users of other types of cameras are welcome to participate but the
workshop is designed for the cameras described. At least one tripod will be
provided for the class to share but participants may want to bring their own
tripod if they have one.
“Everett and I have conducted several Whitewater Arts Alliance photography
programs over the last few years and we appreciate the positive response and
feedback. The most-requested suggestion from attendees of those programs has
been for us to include a hands-on component where participants bring their own
cameras and get first-hand guidance on their use. The new four-hour format will
allow us the time for this to be practical,” said Jeff McDonald
For award-winning photographer Everett Long, photography became an avocation
and a passion after retiring from a 31-year career teaching history at
UW-Whitewater.
Long said, “I’ve always had cameras, using them primarily to record family events and travels. My principal subject matter since becoming serious about photography are what generally could be defined as nature photography, including landscapes, flowers (both representational and abstract), birds, water scenes, fall colors, as well as sunrises and sunsets, etc. A tripod is necessary for obtaining the close-up photos of flowers and other small objects in nature which I favor. Adobe Lightroom permits me to organize, store, and edit the thousands of digital photos that I have taken over the years.”
Jeff McDonald’s photography has been recognized with awards at international photography exhibitions in the US, Australia, Canada, Europe, and Asia. His photographic interests include black and white, long exposure, landscape, architecture, street, and still-life photography.
“My objective as a fine art photographer is to
produce remarkable images. Motion, unusual visual perspectives, and interesting
light intrigue me, as do the found elements of a scene that challenge one to
frame them into an interesting composition. In my view, fine art photography is
far more about presenting the artist’s interpretation of reality than it is
about presenting objective reality, as it would be for a photojournalist. To
that end, I embrace the tools of the digital darkroom, the modern analogue of
the chemical darkroom, applying them as little as possible but as much as
necessary when they help me achieve my artistic vision,” said McDonald.
McDonald is a Whitewater Arts Alliance board
member and has served as chair of its Fran Achen Photography Competition for
the last four years.
Materials for participants to bring:
– Camera with a manual mode, preferably one that uses interchangeable
lenses
– Camera’s user manual, charged battery, memory card
– Note-taking materials
