Archives for September 2016

Meet Jane Cox, Photographer

Meet our Introduction to Photography teacher Jane Cox. We sat down with the one of the best-known local photographers to discuss her craft, travel, and top advice for photography beginners.

How long have you been a photographer?

I have been wedded to my camera from the age of 12 but set up my own business about 10 years ago.

Where is the best location you have ever taken photos?

I’ve just got back from an amazing trip to California, which was a photographer’s dream. I think Yosemite National Park had to be my absolute favourite. But I’m pretty good at finding beauty in the most ordinary places too, it just depends on the way you see things.

Who inspires you as a photographer?

I learnt a lot about Ansel Adams at Yosemite (you will no doubt have seen his very famous black and white landscape prints in a calendar somewhere…!). I was struck by his sense of mission to record the landscape in order to preserve it. And also his very thoughtful approach to his pictures – he ‘saw’ them in his head before he clicked the shutter. But then he was taking them on glass plates instead of film, so I guess he had to!

What is the best advice you would give to a budding photographer?

Don’t get hung up on the equipment you have, just take lots and lots of pictures, which is easy to do with digital cameras, and experiment. Change the angle, get in close, set yourselves little projects and enjoy! Then take some time to look at them afterwards and see what you like about them and what you’d change. It’s a wonderful way to spend your day.

What’s the one common mistake you see with beginners taking photos?

Am I allowed to say ‘too many selfies!? But seriously, take a moment to think about the picture before you take it. What would happen if you took 2 steps to the left, or zoomed in a bit more? It could make the difference between a shot that just records a moment or one you’d like to have framed on your wall.

Jane runs Introduction to Photography courses for Barnes Class. Visit our Facebook page to sign up for her next course!

Meet Alice Gabb, Calligrapher

We are pleased to bring you the amazing talents of stationery designer, artist, and all around cool chick Alice Gabb for our very first calligraphy course here at Barnes Class, It’s Polite to Write. Alice’s talents have been showcased everywhere from Anthropologie, Kensington Palace, and Secret Cinema, and she has over 7 years experience under her belt. From her studio, we sat down with Alice to find out just how calligraphy can be accessible (and fun!) for beginners like us.

Tell us about your journey to become a calligrapher.

I taught myself 3 years ago, but I’ve been illustrating lettering for 7 years as I’m a stationery designer, so I was very familiar with the subtleties of the Copperplate alphabet, which is where the Modern Calligraphy style stems from.

What has been the most challenging piece you’ve done? Alternatively, what is the most rewarding?

I mostly create work for weddings, so that is incredibly rewarding in and of itself, it’s a real honour to be involved! The most challenging work is when the client supplies me with heavily textured or fibrous paper which does not mix well with modern calligraphy, let me tell you! But usually there is always a way- it just involves lots of ink splattering and takes a few months off my overall lifespan….

What is a good start for someone who is interested in calligraphy? Is it an expensive or costly hobby?

I don’t think it’s expensive at all! My Beginners Kit and Perfect Practice Pad come to £31. This includes everything you would need to learn such as inks, nibs, advice and a penholder.

Once you get the hang of it, nibs need to be replaced from time to time and they are generally under £2 each and you may choose to buy some fancy inks which are around £5-10 a bottle (they last for a very, very long time). You could really go to town (like I have because it’s my job!) on custom penholders and gouache to mix your own colours, but you can achieve fantastic results with only the very basic of equipment.

What is a good first project for someone just starting?

Anything that involves one or two words! Think labelling jams or chutneys, or my favourite – place names. Place names on your table, whether it’s for a buffet or a seated dinner, make your event look so pretty! Mistakes are only natural in calligraphy, but little place cards are cheap, and with one name to write, it’s not a problem if you mess up and need to throw a little place card away and start again. Envelope addressing is seriously advanced in my book, that really sorts the wheat from the chaff! But if you really want to get better quickly, addressing envelopes for an event will improve your technique immensely, if you have the patience for it and plenty of spare envelopes to account for mistakes!

We can’t wait for our first calligraphy course with Alice! Like our Facebook page to receive first notice of the course listing!

Join Our Exploring David Hockney Class

We are excited to announce a refreshed drawing class to explore David Hockney’s 82 Portraits and 1 Still Life at the Royal Academy as a learning guide. Talented local artist Michael Ajerman will take you on a 4-week journey, including a field trip to The RA and a class featuring a live clothed model.
Class 1 & 2:  
We will be using large visual reproductions from the exhibition,
’82 Portraits and 1 Still Life’ as a visual tool.  You will be each picking one portrait to draw from.  This will be a great introduction to proposition, placement, and weight.
For students that are new/novice to drawing, you will begin with traditional pencil.
For students that are more confident to drawing, you will begin with traditional pencil or coloured pencil.
The following week (Week 2) will be introducing colour, through coloured pencils, and pastels.
During Class 1 we will schedule a plan to go as a group to see the Hockney exhibition, which closes on October 2nd.  So please bring your diary, planner, iCalendar.
Week 3: 
 
We will be working with a clothed model.   This will be a great way to continue working with the ideas of proposition, placement, colour, and weight.
Week 4: 
We will be working with a clothed model.  Exploring energetic open shapes and we will try similar poses to ones found from the Hockney exhibition.  Drawings shall be worked on for longer periods of time to discuss what Hockney calls, “The exposure of looking.”
You do not need to have any formal or informal training to attend – this is a course for beginners.
All materials are provided but you may want to bring an apron to protect your clothing.

Thank You, Photographer Ann Ayerst!

Barnes Class would like to thank the wonderfully talented local photographer Ann Ayerst. She came along to one of our sessions and took some truly fantastic pictures for us. Ann managed to capture just the feel we wanted: a relaxed and casual environment, a fun group, and an engaging teacher.

Just check out some of these fabulous pics – thanks again, Ann!

A Fun Group

A Fun Group

A Casual Environment

A Casual Environment

An Engaging Teacher

An Engaging Teacher

A Great Composite

A Great Composite

Improve: Your Photography

They say that the best camera is the one you have with you, and that’s never been more true than now, with every smart phone having a high-quality camera built right in.

But, are your photos just a bit off centre, not quite right, could be better?

Let local photographer Jane Cox give you the foundation learning you need to improve those quick snaps, selfies, or even photos taken with a dusty SLR that’s been in the cupboard for the past 10 years.

She’ll teach you what makes a ‘good’ picture, go over the basics of exposure, aperture and shutter speed, and give you top tips on how to improve your own pictures.

Jane’s a professional with her own private studio in East Sheen and we’re delighted to be working with her. Our clients have enthused about how just a few hours sincerely improved their quick pics, delighting grandparents worldwide.

Join us for a photography workshop with Jane and improve your photos too!

About Barnes Class

Barnes Class organises fun and interesting classes run by local experts at great local venues.

People Say...

“All in all a pretty perfect way to spend a Friday morning in Barnes – looking forward to trying out some other classes! ” – Sally Stephens, Barnes

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