Charlotte Bellamy Photography Newsletter May 2023

Charlotte Bellamy Photography Newsletter

May 2023

Welcome

From Charlie

IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome

It’s been a while since the last newsletter!

Article

Can familiarity help or hinder your photography?

The rainbow effect

Tulip colour

Workshops

All the latest workshop dates and info

Article

From mentee to mentor

What the eye sees

A rare attempt at street photography

Tour review

A selection of images from tour members

The winners of the ICM challenge 2023 so far

This year is off to a great start – check out the winners from the first three months.

Useful links

I always promise no spamming and just a few useful newsletters a year, but this one has taken a while to reach you! November 2022 was the last one I sent out, and that seems like forever ago. To be honest, the reason for this has been a good one for me. Despite planning a quiet start to 2023, I managed to run six online courses, with three deep dive courses running simultaneously at one point. Thank you all so much for your support and enthusiasm with the online learning opportunities. As you will see in the workshops section, I have a new course lines up for this year for all the enthusiastic ICM photographers among you.

As I write this newsletter, I’m just back from three wonderful weeks of tours here in Holland guiding a truly international selection of photographers from England, Scotland, Canada, India and Israel, who were blessed with (nearly 100%) dry weather during the tours. We even managed a couple of sunrises, interspersed with apple cake eating, cheese tasting and of course masses of photographic opportunities. I’ve just unpacked my bag, which will get a rest of 10 days, then I am off to Norfolk for the waves and woodland tour, this year organised with Light and Land Photography tours.

I’ve been overwhelmed with the ongoing interest for more courses going forward, and I have finally got some concrete dates for the diary. So, I hope that those of you who have been patiently waiting, will find the courses and dates that you were looking for. As ever, if the dates don’t work for you, please let me know, it may be that the initial dates are nearly full, and I can organise a new set that work for you. Equally if you and a minimum of 3 friends or camera club acquaintances are interested in a course, let me know and we can organise something tailored to you.

This newsletter sees a bit of a new look, attempting to drag the newsletter towards something more visually interesting! Those of you who have seen a few, I’d love to know what you think of the new look.

So, what have I got in store for you in this newsletter? A riot of colour abounds from my collection of images in ‘The rainbow effect’. The main article ‘Can familiarity help or hinder your photography?’ takes a look at how, after 10 years, I still manage to find new ways to make images on my doorstep. A few of those who joined me for the tours have kindly shared a few of their images from the tours. And of course, there are all the new workshop dates and a selection of links at the end that you may like to dip into from other sources.

If there is anything you would like to see in future newsletters, please do get in touch and let me know.

charlotte@charlottebellamy.com Enjoy

Can familiarity help or hinder your photography?

As I browse social media posts, there is no doubt that I am drawn to the amazing images captured in exotic and exciting far away destinations. It would be very easy to believe that this is in fact, the only way to make images that are attention grabbing and compelling. However, if my photographic journey in the last 10 years has taught me one very important thing, that is; that it is absolutely NOT necessary to travel the globe to make beautiful images.

I moved to the Netherlands from the UK eleven years ago, expecting a brown, flat and uninspiring landscape. In fact, the complete opposite has happened, and I am in constant awe that I can make new and exciting images literally on my doorstep year on year. I often ask myself why this is.

Without question, I now know my immediate location like the back of my hand. I know exactly where the sun rises and sets at any given point in the year. I know the month the cow parsley flowers in the verges. I know the trees turn a beautiful golden colour at the end of October, and know that if it rains in the evening and is warm the next morning, we are almost guaranteed low-lying mist. So, the question I pose here, is whether this familiarity with my surroundings helps or hinders my photography. An interesting question to ponder.

Without question, being familiar with something can bring massive benefits. If you are familiar with something, you will find the experience that it offers is comfortable, easy, secure and supportive. All these feelings can help immensely with the ability to make beautiful images.

With these feelings, confidence can develop, and you can blossom and develop as a photographer. For me, being familiar with my surroundings has allowed me to concentrate on expressing my creativity, exploring new techniques and being open to experimentation. I’m never worried that I will ‘miss a shot’ because I’m only in that location for a few days. I know for a fact that the desire not to miss out can have a massive negative impact on my willingness to be explorative with my photography. This desire to push the boundaries and play and see what happens without expectation, is what keeps this doorstep location exciting for me.

I feel the need to return to the word ‘confidence’ at this point and to reiterate just how important that having confidence in your own ability can be to develop your journey as a photographer. Self-doubt can be a massive inhibitor to the journey forward, and being familiar with where you photograph can really help negate selfdoubts. I refer to landscape and creative photography in my article, but just think how much more confident you can be photographing families or pets in a location you know, or new-borns or still life using a lighting set up and backdrops you know.

The images I share with this writing, have all been made within 50 metres of my front door, and hopefully you will recognise the diversity, and explorative nature of them. As a set they are not so cohesive, but my aim was to show how familiarity can encourage you to push boundaries. You will see simple traditional photography, mingled with Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), multiple exposures and experimentation in focus point selection.

Making the choice of just these images was insanely difficult, because along with the wider landscape style images you see here, I also love to isolate details and individual elements that capture my eye within the location.

I love the outdoors, living immersed in it, allows me to react immediately if something catches my eye. With absolutely no planning I’ve been known to turn dinner off and grab my camera to photograph the sunset I’ve just noticed through the kitchen window. Or to pull on my wellies and open the door, picking up my camera as I leave, because I have heard the honking of the passing migration of geese flying over the house.

Of course, familiarity, can without also have negative effects. You may find you lose the feeling of a challenge, you may become bored or over confident. But even these negatives can have a positive effect if you recognise them. After all, if you recognise that feeling of needing to move on and challenge yourself, that has to be positive –it means that your photographic journey is forward moving and not stagnating.

As time has passed over eleven years, it would have been very easy for me to become bored or over confident with my location, and almost not see it as an opportunity for a photographic foray. But by recognising the variation in opportunities it offers, I have remained intrigued, stimulated and excited by it. I almost treat it as a playground for experimentation.

Without question, for me, familiarity is a positive thing. It allows me to make reactive and spontaneous images. It allows me to concentrate on creativity, and not dwell on the technical aspects of photography. It encourages me to experiment and play. It has built my confidence and allowed me to develop skills which I utilise wherever I photograph. So next time you feel that travel to a new location is necessary to invigorate your photography, ask if there are opportunities on your doorstep, in your front garden or in your neighborhood that you have been missing.

The rainbow effect

A sea of tulips before me Like a child I scribble the colours

Red, yellow, pink, green, orange, purple and blue Nature offers up a rainbow I hardly believe my eyes But it is real

ICM Deep Dive

Over 6 sessions I will guide you deep into 6 ICM subjects - Each week a new presentation with loads of material from real shoots to fully understand all the aspects and factors that influence ICM photography from 6 subjectswoodlands and trees, water, architecture and urban, animals, details and the last week will actually cover a number of smaller subject (so actually you get more than 6 subjects!)

In addition to the presentation each session you will be asked to submit a homework assignment in response to each presentation. From this, you will gain timely and valuable individual feedback and an opportunity to discuss any challenges you found or questions that you have.

By the end of the course you will have a deeper understanding of a variation of ICM subjectssome you may wish to take further, others you may not. But having the support to experiment and gain immediate feedback is an invaluable way to learn and be supported if this interests you.

Online workshop dates

August 1st, 15th, 29th + September 5th, 19th + October 3rd Tuesday evenings

20.00-22.00 Central European Time (1hr earlier in UK)

250 euros

This course is a 6-session course run over a 3 month period. Sessions are 2 weeks apart. This allows time for homework assignments to be completed and lots of time for experimentation and development of understanding.

Small group max. 6

Please note, all sessions are recorded and emailed the day following. So, if you can make all but one date, I would still encourage you to sign up.

Please email me

charlotte@charlottebellamy.com if you would like to reserve yourself a place on this course

ICM Deep Dive Further

A new course for the second half of 2023.

So many of you have followed the Deep dive course, then asked for more. So, I have created this course as a follow on to the Deep dive course.

Similar to the original course, it will run over 6 sessions. This course is aimed at developing your creativity further. However, rather than subjects, you will be encouraged to interpret words and concepts using the ICM technique.

If you have enjoyed the monthly ICM challenges, this will be the perfect course for you, with lots of valuable individual feedback and an opportunity to discuss any challenges you found or questions that you have. Once again, I hope to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and experiment to develop your ICM journey further.

Every week there will be a presentation and feedback.

By the end of the course I hope you will have further extended your knowledge and understanding of the ICM technique and how its possibilities go further than just a technical process.

August 3rd, 17th 31st +September 14th, 28th + October 12th Thursday evenings

20.00-22.00 Central European Time (1hr earlier in UK)

250 euros

This course is a 6-session course run over a 3 month period. Sessions are 2 weeks apart. This allows time for homework assignments to be completed and lots of time for experimentation and development of understanding.

Small group max. 6

Please note, all sessions are recorded and emailed the day following. So, if you can make all but one date, I would still encourage you to sign up.

Please email me

charlotte@charlottebellamy.com if you would like to reserve yourself a place on this course

Dependent on demand – new dates before the end of the year will be added for this course if the 1st dates fill up.

ICM and Multiple exposures

Over 3 sessions, we will explore various methods to produce multiple exposure images using ICM images. Non-ICM traditional images will also be utilised during the combination process. Lots of real-life examples showing the process from the initial idea, through capture and then postprocessing in photoshop.

It is possible to follow this course using an iPhone.

The concepts taught will give you a greater understanding of not only how you can combine images using Photoshop or mobile apps, but also why you may want to combine images.

Please note -This is not a workshop to learn incamera multiple exposure work, this is not something I practise often.

Presentations, homework and 1:1 feedback

July 4th, 11th and 18th Tuesday evenings

20.00-22.00 Central European Time (1hr earlier in UK)

125 euros

This is a 3 session course run on consecutive Tuesday evenings

Small group max. 6

Please note, all sessions are recorded and emailed the day following.

Please email me charlotte@charlottebellamy.com if you would like to reserve yourself a place on this course

Personal mentoring

For many, a group course offers exactly what you are looking for. If however, you are looking to develop your photographic journey with the support of someone who will guide, support and encourage, personal mentoring may be for you.

Having been mentored myself, by three wonderful individuals, I understand the real benefits this route can offer in developing confidence and direction.

Personal mentoring can be tailored to your specific wishes. But if reading this you have no idea where you are at, I offer a short free 20- minute session for anyone considering it, so that we can chat over any ideas you may have and I can answer questions and provide you with information on the possibilities from mentoring.

Mentor sessions are tailored to YOUR needs and there is not one path that fits all. Recent mentees I have worked with include those submitting for a qualification, those looking for guidance and direction and an individual to be accountable to. Changing path in your career from work to retirement also features, as does working on a project and preparing for an exhibition.

Individual mentor sessions 65 euros

Book and pay for 3 or more sessions together – each session is 60 euros

I have written a couple of articles on mentoring, the most recent, which was in the ICM Photo mag, which I have included in this newsletter.

“I love interacting with and helping people. So, I see the opportunity to support others in their photographic journey as a privilege. I gain as much joy from seeing someone I have worked with, present an exhibition or win an award, as I do if it’s myself. I am constantly inspired by those I teach and feel very privileged to be able to part of each individual journey. Sometimes it is the enthusiasm or ideas, while working with another that will ignite an idea, or give me the push to get out with my camera or finish a project. I often hear myself imparting knowledge and thinking that I should really do that exact thing myself! It’s a great way to stay grounded and remember where my journey started with the support of others.”

Creative landscape photography experience

A Unique experience Small group personal training and self-development experience. Offering you not only fantastic photographic opportunities, an opportunity to explore your creativity and push your boundaries.

2nd - 6th November 2023

Location - East Netherlands

The Netherlands in the autumn is beautiful, and offers striking photographic opportunities of colour and contrast. Straight lines of trees with overhanging reflections in canals in contrast to the gnarled trunks of the ‘dancing trees’ will leave you surprised and amazed at the landscape of the Netherlands – it’s not all cheese, clogs and windmills – though I can guarantee you will taste the amazing Dutch apple pie!

Join me for 5 days of creative development. This experience will not only offer numerous wonderful landscape photography locations, but it will offer you the opportunity to explore your creativity, improve your skills in creating projects and encourage you to step out of your comfort zone! Set in the beautiful Dutch countryside, Charlotte will welcome you to her home and will guarantee a relaxed, supportive, positive and fun learning experience. This experience is available to only 6 participants to ensure the most optimal learning environment.

In person workshops

This creative experience is aimed at anyone who has a desire to develop their photography further. Technical assistance will be offered for ICM and double exposure work, but it is expected that you are competent with your camera. The creative theory sessions will challenge you to look at your own and other photographer’s work to understand and expand your creativity. This experience is ideal for anyone stuck in a rut, lost your mojo, unsure of your direction with your photography, or anyone looking for a chance to experiment, explore and have some time to themselves for their photography. And of course, anyone wishing to learn more about ICM.

The tour will include a pick up and drop off at the airport on the 2nd and 6th November. It includes accommodation at the Stadshotel Doesburg for 4 nights.

We will photograph a minimum of 4 different woodland locations during the tour. But in addition to photography, there is time for creative development with photo reviews and critique, learning post production techniques and exploring your creativity back at my farm house on some of the afternoons.

If this sounds like your ideal photography break, please get in touch.

Spaces will be limited to 6.

Full details can be found on my website https://www.charlottebellamy.com/creative-landscapeexperience

From mentee to mentor

I always knew I wanted to help people – I kind of assumed that meant being a nurse or school teacher. But recently, I have realised ,that I have found a way to help others, whilst doing something I love – I think I have the best job in the world – teaching and supporting others on their creative photography journey.

In the last 10 years, I have worked with some amazing individuals who have encouraged and supported me to develop my creative photography via mentoring. Because I have experienced this on a personal level, I recognize how valuable this can be as a way to develop not only skills and knowledge, but also self-belief and confidence in what I want to create as a photographer and artist.

After a course, if my participants go away with a desire to experiment and be themselves, I feel very happy. I am delighted to be part of the desire of so many, to bring creative elements into their photography practices. I offer online and in person group training and mentoring, as well as on an individual basis in ICM, multiple exposures, project creation and creative expression. I am based in the Netherlands, but originally come from the UK, and often return for workshops and photography tours.

For me, creativity is being yourself, and allowing this to show in the work you produce. 6 years ago, I was producing technically correct images, which showed not a hint of myself, only a reproduction of what I was seeing. I realised I needed to find a way to express what I was feeling into my images, and that was when I fell in love with ICM.

I hear so many photographers say that they want to escape the confines of the ‘expected’ or the ‘correct way’ to photograph. I have also experienced this, which is why I think it is so important to embrace creativity and encourage photographers to fall in love with the process of making photos that they love again.

Although I was working with individuals before COVID arrived, it is really since I started offering mentoring and training online, that I have developed a passion for sharing my knowledge and helping others to feel the same excitement and enjoyment as I do every time I go out with my camera now. I absolutely love the fact that my groups comprise individuals from the world over, I think it offers a wonderful experience to everyone in the groups. Last night I was online and I had individuals from Israel, California, Ireland, the UK, Sweden and Australia! I still have to pinch myself, that I have been found by individuals outside of the UK or Holland.

The enthusiasm I have for experiencing and, trying new things and following the path that others have not yet taken is something which I hope to impart to anyone who I work with. I love experimenting, and trying things regardless of knowing how they will work. Since being introduced to working in projects some 6 years ago, it is a way I love to work. So much so, I offer courses, webinars and group mentoring specifically on project creation. Right now, I have a group of 10 who will meet on a monthly basis in 2023, taking the concept through from brainstorming ideas and looking for inspiration, right through to presenting the end product.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with three wonderful mentors who have encouraged me to be myself and follow the creative path I have developed. Lesley Chalmers, my first ever mentor introduced me to ICM. Hamish Scott Brown mentored through my successful Master craftsman qualification journey and encouraged me to submit a panel of ICM multiple exposures, even though it had never been seen as a submission before. Most recently and ongoing, I am working with Tony Bridge, from New Zealand who once again is encouraging me to be brave and follow my heart and make the images I want to. None of these mentors was specifically for ICM, but for creativity and development of my photographic journey in general.

Creative photography training opportunities are bountiful now, compared with 10 years ago. Once upon a time, creative development was just for artists and painters. When I started, there was literally only Doug Chinnery offering to share his knowledge freely. However now, there are so many wonderful photographers offering support learning opportunities targeted at creative development.

In October 2022 I was delighted to run workshops during the Creative Light event run by Margaret Soraya – it was the most amazing experience, being surrounded by 50 other people in one room who just wanted to be ‘creative’ and make themselves happy doing it! Being surrounded and supported by others on their creative journey is a wonderful bonus when you join a group course or mentoring. From every single group course I run, the feedback always refers to the added value attendees felt by seeing the work of others and hearing the experiences that are shared during the courses.

If my students go away, after spending time with me, with a desire to experiment and be themselves I feel I have done my job as a mentor or teacher. I run my mentoring and courses with the idea of providing a toolbox of skills and ideas that they build on the courses, and then can utilise with their own interpretation, as they continue on their journey after the time we have together. I share my experience and knowledge freely, but ensure that I always make it clear they are concepts or ideas – never rules. In fact, if I make any suggestions, I often encourage students to break my suggestions and deliberately try the opposite to see what happens. All my courses and mentoring integrate my teaching of concepts and technical aspects, but a bigger part is the feedback and discussions that follow the completion of assignments. I don’t just critique images – we discuss the whole experience to ensure a deeper understanding.

Course feedback and reviews

If you are in any doubt how much you will learn, or how enjoyable the courses are, check out a few of the reviews that have been left by previous course members.

If you enjoy ICM and want to learn more, this course is Fantastic

Recently finished the 6 session Deep Dive ICM course, and absolutely loved every minute, even when taken out of my comfort zone. Each session was a combination of critique and introduction to the new topic. As there were just a small number of participants, we all got a personalised experience, yet we each learned from our fellow classmates different interpretations of the selected topic. Most sessions had new material that Charlotte had taken in the previous two weeks, so it wasn’t based on entirely on old material. Over the period of three months, we got a true immersion in the art of ICM. We could see how we all started to develop an individual style, each person had a very different style too. You probably need to have done a little ICM to not feel at sea in the first session. But the enthusiasm and positive critique means you gain a lot of knowledge over the three months. If you want to do ICM photography this course will really move your skills on. Thanks Charlotte for your time and energy creating this course.

An excellent well paced course

An excellent well paced course, with constructive and insightful feedback on all photos. I would, wholeheartedly, recommend this course both for the inexperienced and experienced ICM photographer. I have been attempting ICM’s for over a year and learnt loads on technique and style. I wish I had attended this course at the start of my ICM journey. Malcolm, Deep Dive Course 2022

Perfect Class for Learning ICM

I loved the Intro ICM class so much that I'm sorry it can't keep going! It has been a gateway to thinking about photography in a whole new way, and Charlie is an excellent instructor. She gives you all you need to get started and does it in such a positive way that the class is a joy. Plus I learned so much from getting to see the homework of other participates. I highly recommend this class.

Charlotte is an amazing Person and a very talented teacher.

Charlotte is an amazing and very talented teacher. she explains things in such a way that gives you permission to play and learn so much through this new freedom. She is an inspirational teacher and her work which she showed us with such generosity opens up our senses to sight, looking more carefully at things and understanding of the need to feel what we see so as to give more depth to our image making. She succeeded in giving me such an insight into the beauty of the process she teaches of ICM and Multiple images. Thank you Charlie so much .

I've done two courses with Charlotte - ICM multiple exposures and creating a cohesive body of work. I learned so much from these courses, which are well worth the money, and I found Charlotte so easy going and so eager to show you what she knows and to help you to develop your skills. She is there every step of the way and goes above and beyond to support you with your course work. She also gives excellent feedback and critique which is invaluable. Trust me, you won't regret joining her courses!

What the eye sees

Street photography is not really my thing. But if I ever venture into a city, I am always amused and intrigued by what I see other people getting up to. Always on the look out for a story, or something just a little bit different – most of these are shot using the auto mode on my camera – when I’ve needed to decide against perfection or capture.

The winners of the ICM challenge 2023 so far

After a massively successful 2022 challenge, this year is off to a great start – check out the winners from the first three months.

Anyone who has followed an online or in person course or mentoring is invited to join my creative community, at no cost.

In 2022 I ran a wonderfully successful ICM challenge with some super images submitted and a great end of year presentation event.

This year we already have three worthy winning images from the three monthly challenges, which have been judged by the amazing external judges Annemarie Hoogwoud, Doug Chinnery and Valda Bailey. Each kindly offering their time to judge the monthly challenge and offering feedback to the top 3.

Around 30 entries are submitted each challenge, with points awarded to the top 10 placings, which go forwards towards the ICM photographer of the year title.

To see all the entries this year so far please go to this page

https://www.charlottebellamy.com/icm challenge2023

Woodland and Trees – January – Ania Rolinska

Bleak or wild – February – Joy Tracey

Light and dark – March – Ania Rolinska

Tulips of Amsterdam

I was thrilled to fly in from Canada to participate in the workshop. We have the Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada every year where people come from all over to see the tulips but it pales in comparison in what we photographed in Amsterdam.

The whole workshop was planned perfectly. The hotels we stayed at were great with fabulous breakfasts. The locations we got to photograph were picture perfect. Breath-taking tulip fields. Quaint little towns. The beauty and craziness of the Keukenhof Gardens.

Charlotte‘s expertise and knowledge of the area was priceless. My main goal was to get some assistance regarding ICM and I feel much more confident using this technique.

If you get the opportunity to take one of Charlotte’s workshops you will not be disappointed.

Barbara McKenzie

A selection of images from the Light and Land Holland tour 2023

Photo credits

Top row Margaret Rainey

Middle row Malcolm Barents

Bottom row Mark Heppenstall

Useful links

I will be presenting to the Camversation community on the 29th May ICM and multiple exposures. Tickets give you access to the event, and the recording for 2 weeks, should you be unable to make the date its self.

https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/intentionalcamera- movement-and- multiple-exposure-with -charlotte-bellamy

I was delighted to be asked by Kim Grant to join her for a podcast episode in her new venture of Photographic Connections. You can access my episode here, but I highly recommend subscribing and listening to the other episodes.

https://photographicconnections.buzzsprout.com/2156164/12667 068-ep5 -charlotte-bellamy-the-joy -s-of-creative-photography

Tony Bridge offers up a regular newsletter, written from the heart, sharing his worldly knowledge and insight into how his life shapes his photography. One to sit down with a coffee and enjoy. You can subscribe, but to get started head to the page containing all the back issues and enjoy a few.

https://breathinglight.beehiiv.com/

CHECK THE NEXT PAGE FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER BONUS

A special thank you gift

Thank you for reading the newsletter and reaching the end.

Please put the date of June 13th in your diaries. I will be running a critique evening via Zoom.

Image critique/discussion event

June 13th

20.00 Amsterdam (Central European Time)

Online via Zoom

This will be a free event – but you must register by sending an email to request the link.

charlotte@charlottebellamy.com

You are welcome to submit an image for critique during the event. (Of any type, it need not be ICM)

You may do this at the time of registering your interest or later – that is up to you. However, only the 1st 20 images received will be critiqued during this event.

The event will be recorded and placed on my YouTube channel later.