Posts Tagged: Pittsburgh Photography Workshops
blog post: why zen photography?
Zen is not a philosophy, it is poetry. It does not propose, it simply persuades. It does not argue, it simply sings its own song. — Osho —
I imagine that those visiting our website might wonder why we have chosen to call ourselves “Zen Photography.” I can hear the pondering…”Is it a religious thing?” “Do I have to be a Buddhist to participate?” The answer to both questions is ‘no,’ but it’s OK if you are!
Zen is considered a form of Buddhism that focuses on meditation and enlightenment through direct experience. Primarily dependent on awareness and concentration, the premise of practicing Zen is to bring your focus to the present moment. As humans, our tendency is to dwell on the past or focus on the future, and when we do that we typically miss the rich experiences that happen in the “now.” Zen is an awareness. If we shift our focus to the present moment we are not burdened by the woes of the past or the anxieties of the future.
So, that brings us to the question…”Why the title ‘Zen Photography’ then?” Our Zen Photography philosophy is to provide lectures and hands-on practicum that bring your attention to the things you are most in need of learning. Through these practical learning experiences we focus on skills and knowledge that will bring you immediate progress and success. Our goal is that after you’ve attended one of our Zen Photography Workshops you will leave with the knowledge you came to obtain from us and a deeper understanding of that knowledge which will bring you more success in your photography, no matter what your level of experience. We like to think if it as Photo Satori, or Photo Enlightenment! So, our goal is to enlighten you photographically, and if some of that enlightenment rubs off of you in a spiritual way, we’re OK with that too.
For the record, we leave the religious practices of Zen up to the Zen Masters who teach Zen well. And, it’s my understanding that the Zen Masters are leaving the photographic instruction up to us, since we happen to provide photography instruction well!
Namaste, Joanne Bartone Photographer / Zen Photography
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE:
Canon EOS 5D | Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS @ 200mm | ISO: 100 | f/2.8 | 1/800 | Images refined and enhanced for color + tonality in PS5
Basic Photography Workshop Recap
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Our Basic Photography + DSLR Camera Workshop was a lot of fun, but the time together went all too quickly…
The workshop was hosted by Christine Goodis at her contemporary Lawrenceville salon, Salon Christine purposefully so we could include a photo walk to the historical (and magical) Allegheny Cemetery (a great location for creating photos!) where we put the info provided in the lecture into practice. We had a beautifully inviting space, great food to partake in during the lecture and delightful champagne and more snacks to enjoy after the photo walk. Thank you, Christine, for hosting and providing such a beautiful space for us, and thank you to all the workshop attendees for participating – I am grateful that you spent your Sunday afternoon with me!
The workshop was full and weather held wonderfully for us – it was a bit cold, but the sun graced our presence and allotted some great afternoon light for creating photos. Photos and “Ah Ha Moments” from the participants will follow soon, and I’ll add them here after all have been submitted. In the meanwhile, enjoy some of the details of the day!
You’ll notice the Zen Photography Exposure Triangle + Photography Guide smack in the middle of the image above…it is my gift to all attendees of workshops or 1:1 coaching sessions and is a great field reference to guide you as you practice and apply both the technical and creative photographic principles that I offer instruction on.
I can’t wait for the next workshop! xoxo
Namaste, Joanne Bartone Photographer
blog post: the music of the earth
“The Earth has music for those who listen.” — George Santayana
The Earth “sings to us” every day in ways that awaken our senses and spirit. It offers us unimaginable gifts if only we might stop and listen to them, or see them.
There, right in front of you in the middle of winter is a blessing of color or sound that is offering itself to you. It might be a golden weather-worn leaf curled in a crevice surrounded by snow, or the sound of ice expanding and contracting on a lake while the rest of the world lies in silence. There, everywhere is the Earth’s music and in our visual world, we can translate it into a beautiful image filled with the magic and majesty that is Nature.
Many people love nature and photography. Many people take great pride in creating with their cameras, and you don’t have to be a professional to do it.
Zen Photography Workshops | Retreats | Safaris was created with the intention to inspire, guide and inform people who love photography, no matter what the skill level and in ways that are both interesting and enjoyable.
The various practical experiences and lectures available to you at Zen Photography Workshops | Retreats |Safaris are designed to help you get in touch with and integrate the inspiration you see around you into your own creative process and we look forward to helping you fuel your soul and direct your creativity towards the gifts that surround you.
Namaste, Team Zen | Joanne Bartone
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE:
Canon EOS A2E | Canon 24-70mm L f/2.8 IS @ 70mm | ISO: 1000 | f/5.6 | 1/30 | Images refined and enhanced for color + tonality in PS5
blog post: photography workshop
Zen Photography Workshops is presenting a Basic Photography Workshop + Photo Walk on March 24TH, 2013 | 1 to 3 PM
blog post: 2013 fall foliage workshop
“Knock on the sky and listen to the sound.” — Zen Saying
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the profound colors, pungent fragrances and autumnal foods this time of the year, but mostly I feel that Autumn it is an opportunity to reflect on the events and goals that previously occurred in Spring and Summer, and consider resting and regrouping through the Winter months to (hopefully) face the changing seasons once again.
I see beautiful colors throughout the Winter, Spring’s colors are bountiful and Summer moves from chartreuse to forest green, but Autumn? …visually there is no other season like it!
So to help you create from this most visually stimulating time of year I’m offering a 3-hour Photography Workshop on October 12th + 27th, from 6 AM to 9 AM and then again on October 13th + 26, 3 PM to 6 PM at Mingo Creek County Park.
The goal? …is first, to help you envision your photos and then secondly, help you create from all the potential that will surround us.
You will learn:
- ISO, Aperture + Shutter Speed: the Exposure Triangle and head home with your own Zen Photography Exposure Guide
- To apply the principles of composition and how to view scenes differently.
- Understand how those camera dials can help you achieve what you envision.
- Learn to shoot comfortably in M (Manual) Mode.
- Understand how different lenses will affect your exposure and composition.
What to bring:
- Your enthusiasm + questions
- A Tripod
- Your DSLR Camera
- All the Lenses you have
- Compact Flash Cards
CLICK HERE to register – pre-pay/pre-purchase required. Once you register, you’ll be given the meet-up location.
Namaste, Team Zen | Joanne Bartone
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE:
Canon EOS 7D | Canon 24-70mm L f/2.8 @ 70 mm | ISO: 200 | f/8 | 1/8 | Falling Water, Farmington, PA | Image refined cropped and enhanced for color + tonality in PS5
blog post: priorities
“We cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that wecan see.” — Taoist Proverb
Elusive time. we all need time, but too often we don’t make time to do the things that could make a difference for ourselves. we need time to be still, to see, to learn, regroup, meditate, explore, exercise, laugh, be with people we love… many people remind us that we cannot buy back time. where does time go?
When we are “still,” when we take the time necessary to nurture ourselves, it will offer us opportunities that we couldn’t even begin to see all the while we are busy doing things.
Perhaps it’s about our priorities.
Only 3% of Americans make time to create goals that would advance their lives, be it their finances, careers or even their personal lives. that is a shocking statistic! what have your priorities been? have they been leading you in the direction you want to go, or do you need to make, and then take, time to regroup and redirect yourself? “but I don’t have time,” you say. i disagree. you can create and effect big changes for yourself in thirty, fifteen, or even in as little time as seven minutes; yes, 7 minutes.
We have a plan for you at Zen Photography Safaris | Workshops | Retreats. we want to help you help yourself to prosper in all aspects of your life. we know that it can be done. come join us.
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE:
Canon EOS 5D | Canon 70mm-200 L f/2.8 IS lens @ 100mm | ISO: 200 | f/4 | 1/250 | Hopewell PA | Image refined, cropped and enhanced for tonality in PS5
blog post: inspira-Zen
“Inspiration is a different thing. Through inspiration you start on the journey, not on any effort of copying. You move on your own path. Inspiration is just a challenge. A thirst arises, and then you move. Tantra says, ‘Be inspired, but don’t become imitators.’ Always remember that you are your own goal.” — Osho
“Tantra” is akin to principles or ethics based upon Divine Universal principles.
Zen Photography Safaris | Workshops | Retreats was created with the intention to inspire, guide and inform people who love photography, no matter what the skill level.
We can derive our inspiration in many ways…here, i simply want to focus on the inspiration for our photography.
Perhaps we find inspiration for our photography from the beauty of nature, or the repetition of patterns at an industrial site, or perhaps from the irony presented often in life, and we can even find it through the work of other photographers – all are beautiful and viable ways to become inspired as we move through learning to see and photograph all that we are seeing. the challenge then, presents itself with taking the inspiration you have found and integrating it into your own creative process without copying what you have been inspired by.
Tricky.
Consider this:
When you can approach being inspired as a challenge where you integrate that inspirational source into your own creative process, instead of copying it verbatim, you will have stretched, extended and liberated your OWN creativity, and THAT is exciting! this liberation will then extend further and move you to places of personal and professional growth that you previously only hoped for.
The various practical experiences and lectures available to you at Zen Photography Safaris | Workshops | Retreats are designed to help you get in touch with and integrate your inspirations into your own creative process. we look forward to helping you fuel your soul and direct your creativity towards your own truth.
For more inspiration to reflect upon, please refer to our INSPIRA-ZEN-AL BLOG posts where you will find inspiration for your personal, creative, technical and business needs.
Namaste, Team Zen | Joanne Bartone