Estherville (Ia.) Outdoor Connection, FRIDAY, Feb. 1, 2013-3
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e’ve all heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. What’s most captivating are those iconic images, captured by the continuum from novice to professional, which render us speechless. No matter the skill level, every photographer knows that out of the thousands of pictures one takes in a year, there may be only one image that satisfies the soul. The ability to capture that single, vivid image that evokes a passionate response can be aided by seeking the help of a professional. Emmet County Conservation hosted a photography workshop presented by Sarah Morphew on Saturday January 19th at the Emmet County Nature Center. The audience of 38 traveled from near and far to learn about composition, focus, lighting, and use of subjects. The presenter, Sarah Morphew, has vast experience as a photographer in California working for a premiere senior portrait studio. Her talents currently infuse the work crafted by Morphew Studios where Sarah, along with her husband Alan, creates masterful pieces of work in pho-
A session with Sarah JENNA POLLOCK EMMET COUNTY NATURALIST
tography, website design, graphics, and music. They also offer lessons and workshops for those looking to gain insight and increase their skill. Sarah began the photography workshop with an introduction into quality equipment. Sarah noted that "The quality and effectiveness of your work will be determined by: your experience and skill level, your "eye" (having the ability to see the world in a unique way which others can then relate to and be inspired by), and the quality of your equipment." The Canon camera seemed to be the most popular at the workshop from easy to handle point-and-shoot to the professional grade. As the workshop moved into the act of capturing images, Sarah discussed composition. There may be a single subject in the photo, possibly a person or
a flower, but the background is just as important. Like any director worth their salt works to set the stage and scene just right, a photographer needs to pay attention to every detail that their image highlights. Composition is key! Getting “photo bombed” by a pile of trash can put a damper on the excitement of any photo shoot. Adjusting the focus of a photo can be a lot of fun and help determine what part of the picture one wants to highlight. Sarah noted that it’s important when photographing an animal subject to always have the eyes in focus. Adjusting the focus, whether by zooming in on an image, or setting the function on one’s camera can make a big difference in quality photos. Use of light can be a fun twist on a familiar scene. As participants learned at the workshop, working with shadows can enhance a photo when captured purposefully. Shadows can also ruin a photo when overlooked. To wrap up the workshop Sarah Morphew sent her eager students outside on an assignment. Participants were asked to take pictures
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of a subject at different distances, different angles, and various lighting sources. The key to taking pictures and improving performance has to do with experimenting. Take time to get to know the camera and equipment that you will put to use. Learn what settings appeal to your eye. Not everyone agrees on what makes a good picture, and that’s what makes photography appealing. Sarah encourages photography enthusiasts to, "Learn to see the world in new and different ways. Next time you take a picture, try something you have never done before." Emmet County Conservation wishes to extend a wealth of appreciation to Sarah for sharing her talents with us and presenting this workshop. You can see Sarah’s work by visiting morphewstudios.com. This photo taken by David Haukoos, one of the participants of the recent photography workshop held at the Emmet County Nature Center, captures the sun shining on the austere winter landscape. (photo by David Haukoos)
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