Free Photography Workshop Set July 12

A free photography workshop, "The Art of Portrait Photography", is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at

Better Farm in Redwood, N.Y. Sponsored by area non-profit betterArts, the course will explore different facets of portrait photography, including lighting, posing, and manual camera settings. Those attending mus have their own cameras with manual settings. The instructor for this course is Erin Fulton, a professional photographer working out of Redwood. Pre-registration is required—interested parties may RSVP to info@betterarts.org or (315) 482-2536. Better Farm is located at 31060 Cottage Hill Road in Redwood.

betterArts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to the arts throughout Redwood, N.Y. and surrounding areas through the provision of free and low-cost workshops, residencies, private instruction, studio and gallery space, performances, and events. Learn more at

www.betterarts.org

.

Macsherry Library Art Show Features Our Work!

We told you last week about Macsherry Library's Ninth Annual Heart of Winter Art Show & Chocolate Festival, the reception for which was held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Macsherry Library Community Gallery in Alexandria Bay, N.Y.

Among the featured work was my above nighttime photograph, and this piece by our own Maylisa Daniels:

These pieces, as well as all the other paintings, drawings, poems, and three-dimensional pieces, will be on display through Saturday, Feb. 18. Be sure to stop in and take a look—and don't be shy about buying a few pieces to take home with you!

The Saturday afternoon reception was packed—with people, with art, with chocolate, and with younger children working diligently on making their own Valentines Day cards. Here are photos from the event:

We can't wait to team up with Macsherry Library again from 1-5 p.m. May 12 for their Garden Day! That event will offer free seeds, catalogs, information, and master gardeners for guidance—and reps from Better Farm and betterArts working with kids on planting seeds, painting some faces, and bridging the gap between cultivation and creativity in order, literally, to cultivate creativity. Stay tuned for details!


Many thanks to Sue-Ryn Burns for putting this event together! Macsherry Library is located at 112 Walton St. in Alexandria Bay, N.Y.

Picture Perfect

When Tracey Hicks contacted us to say she'd like to donate some photography equipment to betterArts that once belonged to her late brother, an extremely talented photographer and teacher, we were thrilled. The Better Farm crew and its visitors for years have expressed interest in an on-site darkroom—a dream we've realized layer by layer as we empty the basement, clean it, install vents and dehumidifiers, and build tables for enlargers and trays.

When the 300-plus pound washer box arrived yesterday packed to the gills with photography equipment, we couldn't wait to see what we were in store for. Inside we discovered a huge enlarger, several cameras including a 4x5 and 8x10, light boxes, timers, paper, flashes, and more. The equipment will all be available for rental by anyone in the community; and our darkroom (when finished) will be up for grabs by our artists-in-residence, community students and teachers, or anyone who'd like to learn the classic art of film photography.

Here's what Tracey had to say about her unbelievably generous donation:  

I think my brother would be very happy to know that students of life, photography, school, whatever will be using it and learning and enjoying what they are doing especially since he loved photography and was a teacher. I truly believe that he would have loved to have visited the farm and... I couldn't think of a better place for the equipment to be. I hope it all works and works out for you.

Heartfelt thanks to Tracey for giving us all we need to get this darkroom off the ground! Contact us if you're interested in renting some photography equipment, and check back here for updates on the renovation.

Workshop for Budding and Established Professional Photographers Set June 19-21

Better Farm, in association with Heath Photography, has slated a workshop for budding and established professional photographers from June 19-21, 2011, in Redwood, N.Y.

"For the Professional Photographer: How to build a relationship with your clients and keep them coming back!" will be taught by Penny Heath, a professional portrait photographer for the last 25 years. The two-day, hands-on course (all day June 20 and 21, with students arriving at Better Farm for orientation the evening of June 19) will explain in detail the workflow that makes a professional photography studio successful. Participants will be shown how to pose subjects for portraiture in studio lighting, as well as outdoors under natural light. The workshop will encompass everything from photographing the client to marketing and selling photography services. Those in attendance will also learn marketing techniques, customer service, special packages, and products that are sure to increase profits and raise a studio’s bottom line.

For more information and to sign up, please click here.

BodyHeart: A movement celebrating the ART of the female form

Kristen and daughter Riley Caldwell's self-portrait for BodyHeart's site.

Amber Krzys is on a mission. She's hellbent on changing the way women see and relate to their bodies. Wanting to make a difference, she founded BodyHeart; a movement encouraging women to celebrate the ART of their own form. Women in this campaign inspire by allowing their un-retouched images to capture the truth of how beauty truly comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages.

Submit your photo here.

.