Sunday, May 2, 2010

Takin' a class in night photography...

Many of you know that I've been taking photography classes at Tri-Community Photography Center, an adult education program in the Covina Unified School District... It's really a cool program, and definitely geared to the adult who wants to learn (or play) in photography. For a single fee per term, you can take as many classes as you want, use the lab, and no attendance requirements as "we're all adults, and while we know that sequential learning may be best, we also have lives and can't always make it!" They take attendance, but not for grades...as there are no grades. If you complete a certain amount of hours, you earn a vocational certificate... The instructors are all professional photographers in their own right...and you can take classes in Photoshop, Lightroom, basic camera and photography, Portraiture, Lighting...you name it...they've probably got a class in it!!! These were taken for Eva's night photography class..my first location shoot for this class...others made it to the other previous night shoots..I told Eva the next time I saw her that I didn't think night photography was my thing...I got very frustrated with my monopod and settings...then I downloaded my photos...so tell me, what do you think???

The Castle Green in Pasadena, CA

A jazz bar and dinner house...Red, White and Bluezz



From inside city hall...

The back side of City Hall...

All Saints Episcopal Church...across the street from Pasadena City Hall...


Another shot of City Hall...

An interesting doorway on the way back to my car...

Loved the lighting and the reflections in the glass...again, on the way back to the car...

Another shot of Red, White and Bluezz jazz club...

And a last shot of the Castle Green...

26 comments:

  1. Ok, Chief. I'll agree with you - nite fotography isn't your thing. ;)

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  2. I won't. That top photo is striking and a whole new way to look at Castle Green.

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  3. Knowing you Cafe...that's most likely a compliment!!!

    Thank you AH!!! These all came out better than I thought they would!!!

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  4. I think they are all fabulous! Fantastic!

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  5. Thank you Margaret!!! I guess hassling with the monopod wasn't as bad as I thought...at least not in the moment!!!

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  6. Well I'm damn impressed. Lord have mercy Girl. These are terrific!
    V

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  7. I especially like the fifth one down. The colors in the archway remind me of a child's story book. The cool green and the deep blue...

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  8. Funny, I clicked on your blog in order to ask you where you mentioned taking photography classes. I remenber reading something you said somewhere.
    So, now I know. Thanks. It's the switch to digital that is making me nuts.

    P.S. Love that last shot!

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  9. I'm blushing Virginia!!!

    Thanks Mr. E...I was surprised that one turned out as nicely as it did...actually, I was surprised that any of them turned out...I felt like I was all thumbs trying to manipulate my monopod...and I was sure they were all going to be out of focus or blurry, whether I wanted them to be or not!!!

    Shanna...that's exactly how I found Tri-Community...I bought a digital SLR and couldn't believe how hard it was compared to a 35mm film camera...and...it had been years since I had shot with a 35mm...so when I got it, I stumbled around a lot and shot with auto focus. I figured that's no way to use a good camera, so I started looking for classes. Then after a day long class with Nikon and weekend photoshop class, I realized I still didn't have a clue...the Hubman knew someone who was taking classes at TriC and told me about it...the rest is history!!! They draw from all over SoCal, so if you're near a fwy, you're good to go!!!

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  10. BLUSHING? WHAT? You are one great photographer......and hostess! :)

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  11. I like the second one, perhaps because I like the subject.

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  12. I rrived here thanks to a link at Virginia's.

    I wish an equivalent photo class existed here in Avignon where I live but I haven't been able to find anything like it here. I'd love to learn more about the technical stuff of photography. Learning with others is more fun than learning on your own like I'm doing!

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  13. Welcome Nathalie and Dbdubya!!!

    Nathalie, you might want to try http://digital-photography-school.com/...I've found it's the next best thing to Tri-Community!!!! There are a lot of tips and tutorials, information, critiques, and challenges. And the best part is it doesn't matter where you live, cause it's virtual!!!

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  14. I also have a brunch of Citihall pics which I'll try to post b4 century end. And, Chiefkath, you & I will have even more/better CH pics after this Sat! We'll never catch up...

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  15. Thank you Luiz, and welcome!!!

    Looking forward to Saturday Cafe!!!

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  16. Sounds like fun. I wish they had a place where I could take classes and play!

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  17. I hope you are taking your bodyguard along on some of these nighttime photo-shoots! Love the angles in the sidewalk retail scenes.
    Chris

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  18. Not sure why I've never visited your lovely blog before! And I must apologize for not getting to formally introduce myself today. Fun times!

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  19. Hi Ben!!! Welcome! Sorry we didn't meet officially today, maybe at the next one!!!

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  20. YAY!!! Marisa!!! Everybody, Marisa is my niece who is a professional photographer extraordinare!!! Recently, she did the cover and a spread in the photo magazine Exquisite Weddings, San Diego Magazine, http://www.exquisiteweddingsmagazine.com/. Last thursday she had a fine art show of her photography, sans people!!! It was a lovely evening at the cool restaurant Alchemy in the North/South Park area of San Diego (I don't know if we were in North or South Park!) (proprietor, Ron is Marisa's significant other)

    Welcome Anonymous Chris...for this night-time shot we were in a large group...no body guards needed!!!

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  21. Well in a word I'm envious! I'm waiting for my course in night time photography, and getting very frustrated by just being able to take day time shots. I especially like your shots of City Hall, particularly the one from inside.

    Seeing your shots of Pasadena streets reminds me of our visit to Pasadena in 2000. We went to the Kidscape place (don't know if it still exists?) with our children. My main memory is of baking hot pavements and trying to walk in a small strip of shade beside the shops!

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  22. Thanks Linda!!! They sure turned out better than I thought they would...coming up soon will be some daytime shots of the same City Hall!!!

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  23. Your niece Marisa is definitely a pro fotog! Some of the very best wedding shots I've seen.

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  24. Excelent images I love the quality and candidness

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