Spring Waterfall Workshop

Jelly Mill Falls Dummerston Vermont

Weekend of May 17-19

Every year, as winter starts to break, I begin to worry about my annual spring Waterfall Workshop.  Will there be enough spring run-off and rainfall to fill my favorite local waterfalls and will anyone sign-up to join me as I revile in our early spring’s greatest attraction, our spectacular falling waters.

The Flow

Dummerston Falls

This year a sparse winter snowfall has led to a sluggish run-off, but that has been thoroughly off-set by heavy and persistent spring rains. With my workshop just two weeks from now, I have begun scouting regional waterfalls, old favorites like Chesterfield Gorge and Pond Brook Falls as well as locations which will be new for this year’s workshop, such as Jelly Mill Falls in Dummerston Vermont.  So far, the water has been strong, but every year is different.  Heavy water flow can be dramatic but can also overwhelm the detail in some falls.  Seasons with slower flow provide the opportunity to appreciate sinuous patterns in the falls as the water weaves over and around the underlying rock. Conditions are looking great, but it is always about getting the most from whatever nature provides.

The Victims

My second worry is whether anyone will show up for the workshop.  I have never advertised my classes and workshops but have gotten the word out through Facebook and my blogs.  

Chesterfield Gorge Upper Cascade

I set a limit on my workshops of no more than 7-8 participants.  Sometimes I have fewer, often due to last minute cancellations, but I don’t take it personally.  I would enjoy shooting the falls even if I had only one participant.  It is always a great excuse to spend time exploring the falling waters and that one person would get a lot of attention!   That said, this year I have room for a couple more photographers and they are welcome to get in touch.  Here is the plan.

Frye's Measure Mill Wilton NH

Lower Purgatory Falls, Wilton NH

We will gather Friday evening, May 17th, around my dining room table, for a chance to meet everyone, and review our plans. It will be my opportunity to assess the varying levels of photographic experience among the participants and consider how everyone can be accommodated.  I will discuss key elements of the photography of flowing water, including the importance of a sturdy tripod, a cable release and, of course, a polarizing filter.  We will also have a chance to plan Saturday’s schedule.

Garwin Falls, Wilton NH

All day Saturday, and Sunday morning, we will explore some of our region’s most dramatic waterfalls, I typically devote much of Saturday to the marvelous group of falls in Wilton New Hampshire. Wilton has a wonderful collection of waterfalls all conveniently located, including Purgatory Falls, Tucker Falls the dramatic series of cascade at Garwin Falls.   Saturday evening, we will gather again around my dining room table for pizza and discussion of the day’s experiences. We will also have a chance for review and gently critique many of the images from the day’s shooting and plan Sunday morning’s explorations.

Stickney Brook Dummersto Vt

Sunday morning, we will gather again for more falling waters.  We will begin with waterfalls in Chesterfield.  Then, for the first time, we will venture over to Vermont exploring the falls in Dummerston and, if time permits, the waterfall in the quintessential New England village of Green River.  I will let you all escape, by noon, exhausted but with a camera full of wonderful waterfall images.

Pond Brook Falls Chesterfield NH

It should be an exciting weekend and I’m looking forward to sharing many of my favorite spots and techniques.

The entire program including snacks and an informal dinner will be $195.  Please get in touch if you want to get on the list for this year’s workshop, or if you have any questions.  In the meantime, I will be spending my days gleefully scouting the falls.

Jeff Newcomer
www.partridgebrookreflections.com

jeffn49@myfairpoint.net

603-363-8338

Introduction to Digital Photography, An Overdue Course Syllabus

Upper Garwin Falls, Wilton NH

Green River Falls, Guilford Vt

I am in the middle of my Introduction to Digital Photography Class at Keene Community Education. I have been offering this 4-week course, twice a year, for several years and I continue to be amazed at what seems to be an endless supply of local people who are desperate to learn about how to use their digital cameras. The class has never failed to be fully booked immediately after the course is announced.

The program includes 8 hours of class time and two photo shoots to nearby locations. Eight hours is not enough, but during that time I try to cover a broad range of topics. In the first class, I start with a discussion of the features offered by various classes of cameras and how to approach learning the mind-boggling array of features.  I show how and where to upload and archive images and the advantages of different image file types (emphasizing RAW of course). It is a lot to pack into the first two hours.

Rockport Ma

In subsequent classes I cover the control of exposure, approaches to composition and the opportunities and challenges of shooting in various kinds of light. Somewhere in there I try to squeeze in discussions of image sharpness, focus and control of color balance.

Old Home Day, Chesterfield, NH

It is a lot to explain and in preparing my classes I have drawn heavily on the discussions I have written in many of my blog articles. My students often ask whether I have a course syllabus and I generally direct the to my blogs. Most of the information and examples are there, but it is not always easy to find. Included here is a list of links selected from over 400 blog articles that cover the key areas of my course. They are organized to roughly match the order of the classes. Hopefully these chapters will also provide a helpful introduction to the amazing world of modern digital photography for those who will never be able to participate in any of my classes.

Central Square, Keene NH

Nuts and Bolts

My first class is generally the most challenging for the students and myself as it includes such a broad range of topics. The relative advantages of large sensors and small sensors, lossy vs lossless file types, and the long list of approaches to image archiving are just a few of the topics covered.

• What Camera Should I Buy (Part I)
• What Camera Should I Buy (Part II)
• Spray and Pray
• Digital File Types
• Image Backup for a Long Journey
• Dead Tree Photo Archiving
• Foot Photography

Intro to Digital Photo Class, Spring 2018

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Exposure

Exposure is not just about the brightness of the image. How we combine Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO also effects important aspects of the imaging, including depth of field, portrayal of motion and image noise. 

• Exposure, the Basics and More
• Exposure - The Basics Part Two
• ISO Control
• Using the Histogram
• Exposing to the Right
• Diffraction and Best Lens Sharpness

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Composition

Lower Purgatory Falls, Wilton NH

The “Rules of Composition” should never be allowed to restrict your own creative vision, but they can provide some helpful starting points. The rules are all based on what looked balanced and beautiful to the eye of others, and what works for your eyes has equal validity. Picasso said “We all know that Art is not truth.  Art is a lie that makes us realize truth”.  Your compositions should be a path to realizing your own personal truth.

• Compositional Guides
• Cropping, Less is Often More
• Drawing the Eye
• The Power of Diagonals
• Head and Nose Room
• Avoiding Distractions
• Lets Get One Thing Straight
• Spacing in Your Photographs, Avoiding the Overlap
• A Vertical Rut ?

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Using Light

In New England, the light is always changing. Whether it is the warm beauty of the “Golden Hour” or the harsh brilliance of the midday sun, it is important to recognize the conditions, and plan your shooting to respond to the challenges and the opportunities that they provide.

• Working With the Light (Part I)
• Working With the Light (Part II)
• White Balance
• Favorite Light for Spring Foliage
• The Magic in a Sunny Day
• Photography in the Lead Hours (New England Photography Guild Article
• Flash Photography 1, Cute Little Owen!

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Sharpness and Focus

The apparent sharpness of and image is not only related to proper focus, but also the steadiness of the camera. These are important topics, but I never know where I will be able to slip them into my presentations. It usually depends on how many questions I must answer and how many images I end up critiquing. 

• Tips for Sharp Focus
• My Problem with Monopods
• Lens Cleaning, If You Must
• Back Button Auto-Focus
• Protecting Your Photographic Jewels
• Protecting the Equipment

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Final Thoughts

Here are some of my random thoughts about art, photography and the state of digital photography’s place in the world of fine art and media. It is the kind of “artsy” talk I pledged to never use when I started my blog more than 10 years ago.

• Why I Photograph
• Is Photography Art ?  Is it a Craft
• Find Rather Than Search
• "No Budget for Photography", The Devaluation of Photography

Jeffrey Newcomer
www.partridgebrookreflections.com

Winter Visual Clean-Up

Jackson Square, New Orleans La

This is the second winter that Susan and I decided that by February we had a sufficient dose of cold and ice and escaped for a March road trip to the south.  This year we loaded our rented van and headed toward New Orleans.  On the way we visited family in Harrisburg Pennsylvania and, then struggled through persistent winter in the mountains of West Virginia, until we finally felt the beginnings of spring warmth in the horse country around Lexington Kentucky.  Our route took us for short stays in Nashville and Memphis before we landed In New Orleans. 

Nashville Music at the Listening Room

The trip was about finding warmth, but it was most notable for delicious food and great music.  Yes, even country music.  Of course, I took pictures along the way, but so far, of the 1400 images, I was too busy to edit more than about 30.  More to come, I’ll be adding them to a New Orleans Trip Gallery.  It was great to get away, but I returned with a fresh eye for the special character of our winter landscape. This week I would like to get back into regular posting with an offering of a few of the winter pictures that I was able to grab before we retreated to the south.  

This winter was another disappointment, spells of cold and a few paltry snow storms, but not much to excite the miserable weather fetish of the devoted outdoor photographer.

The Cold
I found manifestations of the bitter cold spells with the smoke coming from the Keene State College smoke stacks and, one of my favorites of the season, the deadly icicles hanging menacingly inside the railroad arch in Keene New Hampshire.

Out From Under

Given the paltry amounts of snow, my pictures often featured what was bravely poking its way through the cover.  At various times, grass, rocks, fences, tress and wood piles and had their moments. 

Christmas Cheer

 Christmas always provides opportunities for warm images in a cold season.  This year’s Keene Central Square tree was not massive, but it had a nice shape.  I never caught the square in the perfect “Winter Wonderland” moment, but I like the contrasting light of the storm clouds behind the late afternoon glow.  

This year I had to go to Princeton New Jersey to catch dramatic holiday lighting.

Finally, to accurately reflect he season, I must include the bare ground around the Chesterfield Town Hall on an early February morning.  The cold clear air allowed a beautiful view of January’s aptly named Blood Moon in eclipse.  


And just as a reminder, I include a nostalgic shot of a frigid winter sunset from a Walpole hillside, February 2008.  Winter the way it ought to be - I hate this global warming s#*t!

And don’t forget to sign up for my Spring Waterfall Workshop. 

I’m expecting a lot of April showers to bring May flowing water as well as the flowers.

Spring Waterfall Workshop 

Weekend of May 17-19
Get in touch soon!

Jeff Newcomer
wwwpartridgebrookreflections.com”
603-363-8338
jeffn49@myfairpoint.net

Digital Photography in the Glorious New England Spring

Fryes Measure Mill Falls, Wilton NH

On the Mississippi, New Orleans

We have escaped the cold and snow on our southern road trip.  I love the New England winter, but by March I have found that I am ready for a little warmth and a jump-start on spring.  After two weeks we have settled into a nearly week-long stay in warm New Orleans. Neither Susan or I have been to the big easy before, so we have enjoyed a great time touring, eating and hearing some wonderful music.  On the way we stopped in Lexington Kentucky, Nashville Tennessee and Memphis.  At present we plan to head home along the Gulf Coast and then reluctantly head north up the Blue Ridge.

Singer-Song Writers at Nashville's Listening Room

We are having a great time, but I’m looking forward to getting back home for my spring photography programs.  In addition to sharing a few images from our trip so far, I wanted to let everyone know about my plans for the spring.  When we get home, these programs will be coming on quickly, and given the limited size of the classes, I want to get people signed up as soon as possible.

You can contact Keene Community Education for my Intro to Digital Photography Course and directly with me, at jeffn49@myfairpoint.net, to get signed up for the exciting Spring Waterfall Workshop.

Introduction to Digital Photography: 

Description

Digital photography has greatly expanded our ability to capture images that reflect the beauty of the natural world. Yet to capture the best images, one must still appreciate how to achieve the optimal exposure in various situations through the interaction of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.  Techniques for nailing sharp focus with both automatic and manual controls are also needed along with an understanding of the capabilities and controls of your camera.   These aspects of photography will be covered as well as the essentials of strong composition, which will be addressed through discussion and constructive feedback of your own images. In addition to the four classes, two field trips to local areas of beauty and interest will be scheduled based on class consensus.  Please bring your camera and manual. Limit: 15

• Date: Tuesdays April 9 to May 7, Tue., (no class 4/23)
• Time: 6-8 pm (8 hrs.)
• Location: Room 326 at Keene High School
• Instructor: Jeff Newcomer
  jeffn49@myfairpoint.net

$122.00

Contact Keene Community Education at

https://www.keenecommunityed.org/

·         (603)357-0088

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Spring Waterfall Workshop 

Weekend of May 17-19

Garwin Falls, Wilton

Spring is some weeks away, but it is time to begin thinking about the spring runoff and the seasonal rains which hopefully will be invigorating our many regional waterfalls.  I am an enthusiastic fan of waterfall photography and there is no better time to capture the excitement than in the early spring.  

This year I will be following my usual, time tested, schedule.  We will gather Friday evening, May 17th, around my dining room table, for a chance to meet everyone, and review our plans. It will be my opportunity to assess the varying levels of photographic experience among the participants and consider how everyone can be accommodated.  I will discuss key elements of the photography of flowing water, including the importance of a sturdy tripod, a cable release and, of course, a polarizing filter.  We will also have a chance to plan Saturday’s schedule.

Over all day Saturday, and Sunday morning, we will explore some of our region’s most dramatic waterfalls, from the marvelous group of falls in Wilton New Hampshire, to some lesser known falls in Chesterfield and Gilsum.  Saturday evening, we will gather again around my dining room table for pizza and discussion of the day’s experiences. We will also have a chance for review and gently critique many of the images from the day’s shooting and plan Sunday morning’s explorations.

2017 Workshop

Sunday morning, we will gather again for more falling waters.  I will let you all escape, by noon, exhausted but with a camera full of wonderful waterfall images.

It should be an exciting weekend and I’m looking forward to sharing many of my favorite spots and techniques.

To allow for individual attention, the workshop is limited to only

 8 participants.  The entire program including snacks and an informal dinner will be $195.  

Get in touch as soon as possible, by email or phone, to get on the workshop list.  I look forward to seeing you. And in the meantime, stay warm.

Oak Alley Plantation Up-River from New Orleans

Jeff Newcomer

www.partridgebrookreflections.com

jeffn49@myfairpoint.net

603-381-8393

Grounds for Sculpture, and for Photography

A Great Reason to Visit New Jersey, Finally

As I am getting ready for the start of my Adobe Lightroom Course, which starts tomorrow, I wanted to step back briefly to share images of a magical location for art and nature in New Jersey.

Grounds for Sculpture is a sculpture park and museum situated among 43 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, occupying the former New Jersey State Fair Grounds in Hamilton New Jersey.  A wide range of sculpture, from massive modern works of abstract art to intimate, life-sized sculptural recreations of impressionistic paintings, are scattered along narrow paths which wind through the gardens.

The Scream

We visited on an unseasonably mild afternoon in late December, and although the gardens were anything but lush, they remained a lovely refuge. Additionally, visiting in winter meant that we shared the park with only a few other people.  We would like to return in the spring or summer, but we appreciated the quiet, and the lack of visitors made photography a much simpler task.

Art Recreated

Renor and Van Gogh

One of the most surprising features of the park is the many recreations of familiar works of art.  These elaborate sculptures were created by Seward Johnson who founded the park.   Perhaps the most striking and whimsical is seen as you leave the Welcome Center.  Right next to the park entrance is an massive sculpture of Renoir’s “Dance at Bogival”, and immediately in front is Van Gogh, sitting at his easel, gazing on the Renoir masterpiece, but painting his own, “Café Terrace at Night”.

Nearby, on a grassy hill, is Monet’s Woman with Umbrella.

After Manet's "Argenteuil"

Many of the sculptures allow visitors to become part of the art, as they can sit next to the works on benches, or around a beautifully set sculpture of a formal dinner table.

Questioning Reality

Many sculptures are meant to fit into the environment.  Around bends in the paths we came upon a couple embracing in the bushes or napping at the edge of the gardens. We had to cautiously approach to be sure that they were not alive.

 The exhibits both among the gardens and in the museums are constantly rotating.  We saw numerous abstract pieces along with others that were more representational.  The sculpture of a dramatic head surrounded by a herd of sheep was especially bizarre, but I particularly enjoyed the stately female figure-head which seemed to float on one of the park’s ponds. 

There were many more interesting works that I could mention, but for me it was mostly enjoyable to photograph my way through the park.  The bright light provided interesting challenges, and every bend in the path presented a new opportunity to capture examples of wildly varying artistic expression.  Grounds for Sculpture is definitely worth a stop, and it is great to know that now there is a good reason to go to New Jersey.

Grounds for Sculpture Gallery

Jefff Newcomer
www.partridgebrookreflections.com