Photography enthusiasts often look forward to autumn as a time to take pictures. Hoping to assist people to take memorable photos, Patrick Sellitto, is organizing a workshop for the weekend of October 21-23 entitled, "A Sense of Place: Delaware Highlands Fall Photo Weekend." It will be a weekend workshop using the 70 NW Photo Gallery on Broad Street in Milford as a base. As the director of 70 NW, a not-for profit organization dedicated toward the promotion of fine art photography, Sellitto often organizes events to educate the public about photography. Previous outings include a trip to the Emerald Isle and to the nearby Pocono Environmental Education Center.
For the autumn weekend, Sellitto is organizing the event with an eye on diversity. The School of Visual Arts graduate is inviting numerous photographers; both domestic and foreign so that at least 10 professionals will be available to provide instruction to small groups.
Photographers will be chosen to offer a variety of specializations to the participants, ranging from fall foliage scenes to portraiture. One photographer, Wendel White, specializes in photographing predominantly African American towns in New Jersey and their inhabitants. In 2003, White was appointed as a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Frank Zimmermann, who often exhibits his work at the 70 NW gallery, specializes in architectural photography.
Zimmermann plans to assist people interested in photographing a gothic house of worship within walking distance of the gallery, St. John The Evangelist/Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Other architectural gems in Milford include Forest Hall and Grey Towers. Both properties are associated with the Pinchot family. Each building is massive, offering a variety of shots. Details found on the exterior and interiors display the influence of French design. Grey Towers was modeled after the ancestral estate of the Revolutionary War hero, General Lafayette.
Participants will be encouraged to meet with the photographer of their choice and to go with the professional to any number of locations within and around the beautiful hamlet of Milford, PA. Suggested locations include Child's Park, the Roebling Aqueduct, High Point State Park in northern New Jersey and NY State Scenic Byway where many car commercials are filmed to show the curviness of the road and breathtaking mountain views.
Sellitto hopes to attract about 100 participants from all different skill levels. Beginners are welcome. "The purpose of "A Sense of Place " is to empower everyone to discover their creativity through photography and to be able to interact with professional photographers in a creative environment."
The 70 NW director guesses that about half the participants will bring film cameras and the other half will bring digital cameras. Although cameras are encouraged, they are not entirely necessary, as materials will be made available for "cameraless photography."
Selected images from the weekend will be exhibited at the gallery from February 9 to March 5. The opening on Saturday evening, February 11, 2006 will be part of the "Art After Dark" program whereby galleries in Milford keep their doors open from 6-9 pm with wine and cheese receptions to kick off new exhibits.
Sellitto hopes the weekend will be a very hands-on experience for each participant as the emphasis will be on photography tips and practice with room being left for individual innovation. To tailor the workshop toward the particular tastes and needs of the participants, they'll be asked what specialty or area of troubleshooting they'd like to focus on while they're signing up.
A flat fee of $ 45 will cover a welcome reception on Friday evening, where participants will have a chance to view photos of some of the instructors at the gallery. The fee will also include the professional instruction, lunch on Saturday afternoon and a Saturday evening wrap party. Sellitto estimates that people can still find things to do on Sunday morning if they'd like to return to the gallery.
Discounts with various hotels and camera shops were being arranged at press time. Further information will be posted as it develops, on the gallery's website, www.70nw.org. Prospective participants are encouraged to sign up through the website. Sellitto and the Managing Director, Tie Struyf, can be contacted by calling (570) 296-6789 or by emailing info@70nw.org
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