Charlies Angels but with cameras

This past weekend I taught an "intensive" version of the digital photo 2 over at Rayko. Sure enough, it was one of the most knowledgeable and silly groups I've ever worked with...
(& they took good photos, too)

Some writing

I've always loved the photos of Henri Cartier-Bresson. What's not to like, they have an amazing ease and sense of balance. Did he create or discover his decisive moments? Like all masters, he makes the nearly impossible look easy.
Still, I was happily surprised by this short introduction he wrote in his own book: The Mind's Eye (Aperture). Without further ado...

Photography has not changed in it's origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not a major concern.
Photography appears to be an easy activity; in fact it is a varied and ambiguous process in which the only common denominator among its practitioners is their instrument. What emerges from this recording machine does not escape the economic constraints of a world of waste, of tensions that become increasingly intense, and of insane ecological consequences.
"Manufactured" or staged photography does not concern me. And if I make a judgement it can only be on a psychological or sociological level. There are those who take photographs arranged beforehand and those who go out to discover the image and seize it. For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to "give a meaning" to the world, one has to feel oneself involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, a discipline of mind, sensitivity, and a sense of geometry - it is by great economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression. One must always take photographs with the greatest respect for the subject and for oneself.

To take photographs is to hold one's breath when all facilities converge in the face of fleeting reality. It is at that moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.
To take photographs means to recognize - simultaneously and within a fraction of a second - both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one's head, one's eye, and one's heart on the same axis.
As far as I am concerned, taking photographs is a means of understanding which cannot be separated from other means of visual expression. It is a way of shouting, of freeing oneself, not of proving or asserting one's originality. It is a way of life.
Anarchy is an ethic.
Buddhism is neither a religion nor a philosophy, but a medium that consists in controlling the spirit in order to attain harmony and, through compassion, to offer it to others.
- Henri Cartier-Bresson, 1976

New Technology from Eye-Fi

An interesting world we are creating. I have always found it entertaining that we have folks whose job it is to drive around in cars with cameras attached to the tops of them to document our neighborhoods (Google Earth "streetview", MSN, etc.) It turns out we have a another entire crew of folk whose soul purpose it is to drive around in order to figure out where all the little wireless base-stations are that bring us the internet without plugging in.
Why o why, you may wonder. Well some fine folk under the name of Skyhook have discovered that this information, once documented, can be used as an alternate to a GPS satellite system to figure out where you are, locationally speaking.
The fun does not stop there- This fancy technology has now been stuffed into the standard issue memory card that fits with ease into your digital camera. My understanding is that the location is then automatically added to your metadata in each file. All for only $130- I'll be saving my pennies.
Until then, you should read the actual article at the NYT so that you can get the information second hand, instead of third...

Water Fall

Here's to another great class taking pictures at night in the fine city of San Francisco. Watching as my students discover the delightful fun of creating and discovering interesting pictures has become more and more enjoyable. Quite a treat. 

Perfect Weather

This weekend was my first intensive-style teaching weekend, over at Rayko. Lucky for me I had some great students who came with both questions and answers. Not only that, but we had a nice overcast morning for them to take some pictures in. There is this wonderful industrial area right next to Rayko where they are building a new freeway, so it is constantly changing. It is wonderful to watch them explore with their cameras, sharing in one of my favorite things to do. 

Student's Shots

I mentioned putting up some of the images that my students had taken for our evening field trip. This evening photo-taking excursion always proves to be fun and educational, if not just cold. This photo of the boat at Yerba Buena was taken by Brian Lynch. Night time can yield all sorts of unexpected results. 

The last weeks assignment is to photograph one object in 10 different ways. Here is a link to a student who did a stellar job of pursuing this assignment- Jane Yen.

A picture I took

Teaching at Rayko is getting busier and busier. More people keep signing up and full waiting lists lead to adding another section. The good news is this gives me more experience and allows me to meet many interesting people. Beginning digital just ended for the second time, and as usual we finished the class with an evening shoot-out. I am planning on posting some of my student's images, but as I await those, I thought I'd share with you the one that I took while teaching. You never know what you may get when you take  pictures at night.

Evening Shoot-Out

I would say that a good time was had by all.
This brings to and end the first beginning- digital photography course that I've taught at Rayko, and it proved to be pretty fun, actually. The students were interesting, nice, and fast learners to boot. We managed to cover more ground than I'd anticipated, and many of the photos they took were impressive. I was also impressed by the kindness that the students showed each other, and the enjoyment they showed as we tromped around South of Market, taking many pictures along the way.