Darkroom Background – Digital Future

Photographers of my generation (40 or older) remember photography as a two-sided coin. There was the taking of the picture; be it sports, nature, or whatever. But there was also the developing of the picture; be it B/W, slides, or color. Cameras, light meters, and flash units were expensive, but that was still only half the cost of a true photographer. Many photographers, myself included; had almost as much invested in their darkroom as they did in camera gear.It was a sad day; when in college, they announced it would be their last year of having a darkroom. It felt like they had ripped one of my arms out. It felt like half of everything I knew suddenly was irrelevant and unimportant. It made me question the rest of my photography experience as well. I mean; if they got rid of darkrooms, could traditional photography be that far behind? At that point; I asked myself, “Have I wasted 20 years of my life?”The answer to that question for me and several million others out there is a resounding, “NO!” We have not reached the end of the road. We have entered a new chapter in the book of life and for many of us this is where the story gets really exciting. The mechanics of good photography involve knowing the mechanics of good art. Regardless if you use 35mm, digital, or even video you still need to know things like: the rule of thirds, framing, and depth of field. Light, lines, and balance have much more to do with “how” you see verses “what” you see with.The same is true of the digital darkroom that we call the computer. Photography is still a two- sided coin. There is taking the picture and there is enhancing the picture. Before we used enlargers, timers, and chemicals; now we use, computers, software, and media card readers. It may all be overwhelming at first (I know it was for me.) But look at it this way; after two or three hours at your computer, have you ever been told you smell like chemicals?Skills like cropping, dodging and burning are still used in all major photo-editing software. In fact, the things that would have taken hours in the darkroom can often be done in seconds. When it comes to dodging (making a certain area lighter) things have become incredibly easier. How many of you still have half a dozen specialized dodging tools laying in a closet somewhere? If you wanted to combine images in a darkroom it took hours to produce and years of experience to make it look real. Now a days, two or three images can be combined in just minutes and still look VERY realistic!If you remember back to how long it took you to master your darkroom skills, it probably won’t take you as long to learn new computer skills. For those of you who are hesitating because of cost; I can remember spending $1500.00 to set up a darkroom and thinking that was a good deal. At today’s prices, you can get a really good computer and excellent photo-editing software for less money than that.We who have documented the past must embrace the future. Photography is NOT a dead and buried art form. Every advertiser still uses photography. Every high school student still wants senior portraits. Every Mother still wants a photo of her new born baby. The need for good photography has not disappeared, it has simply evolved. If every mechanic quit; every time a new car was introduced, the world would be in big trouble. Do not fear the future, be the future. Show the world that creativity never dies, and join us in the digital age.

Los Angeles Art Classes – Reasons to Study There?

Los Angeles Art Classes are generally so remarkably encouraged by creative individuals, museums, galleries, art facilities, workshops, and studios because they’re in prosperity there. This particular area also is known as one of the biggest offerings of arts-related schools and programs in the world.. The area provides a tremendous variety of activities from shopping and dining with a lively party all night atmosphere, and enjoys the beautiful California weather.Are you looking for an Art school in the Los Angeles area? Well, you’re looking at the needed write-up! Hereunder is a list and brief information of Art schools in LA who are taking on enrollees from around the world.1. Westwood College Los Angeles Campus-Westwood College is not really your typical institution of higher learning. Learners can earn a bachelor’s degree within just 3 years plus some associate degrees just in 20 months. With day, night an internet-based schedules, they’re able to cater to just about any chosen lifestyle. It serves this diversified neighborhood of some 700,000 residents and it is close to the Los Angeles Staples Center, residence of the LA Lakers, and just minutes from down-town L. A.. Right now there are a number of places to eat, bank, and shop in close proximity to the campus. West College also has a campus in Anaheim, CA. The college’s Art programs are:* CAD – Architectural Drafting* Graphic Design and Multimedia* Game Art* Game Software Development* Interior Design* Visual Communications2. The Art Institute of California Los Angeles in Santa Monica- you will join a group that is devoted to providing you a growing, revitalizing natural environment where you stand free to check out your artist’s thoughts and also to extend your talent and expertise. Here you are able to connect with like-minded students who present your desire for the creative world and also the push to learn. Other locations they have are Orange county, Santa Ana and Hollywood, Los Angeles. To mention a few courses offered:* Art of Cooking* Audio Production* Baking & Pastry* Culinary Management* Culinary Arts* Digital Film making and Production Arts* Media Arts and Animation* Web Design and Interactive Media* Fashion Design* Fashion Marketing and Management* Game Art and Design* Game Programming* Interior Design* Graphic Design3. The Los Angeles Film School- Found in the heart of Hollywood, California, The Los Angeles Film School building was once a recording studio put to use by names like Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and John Williams. At The Los Angeles Film School you can learn industry-current film, animation, or video game strategies from trade specialists whose qualifications include things like working on films, like the Matrix, Fight Club, Back to the Future, Jerry Maguire, and Batman. You may also enjoy making use of the most recent technology, including a fully digital HD Dolby Surround, THX-Certified theater. They’re an accredited college and private post-secondary establishment that gives degrees in film, computer animation, game production and recording arts.4. Interior Designer Institute-IDI has offered its students alternatives that are basically not available at other design colleges. This school offers Certificate or Associate of Arts Degree Programs in Interior Design. Or maybe you may proceed into their Bachelor of Arts Degree Program that’s certified by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) – formerly FIDER. At IDI, the choice is yours and in their state-of-the-art premises you’ll learn from a faculty that reads being a who’s who in interior design. The college offers student placement assistance to pupils at all levels. Programs Offered:* Certificate in Interior Design* Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design* Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design* Master of Arts Degree in Interior Design5. Art Center College of Design- they are an innovator in art and design education for up to 75 years. Art Center is found in Pasadena, California, with classes held at its Hillside Campus and new South Campus in downtown Pasadena. The Institution gives you undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide array of disciplines, along with Public Programs offering design education to all ages and stages of experience. The present graduate programs are offered in the fields of Art, Broadcast Cinema, Industrial Design and Media Design.