About

Overview

New England Light Painters (NELP) was formed by a group of art-focused photographers in January 2006.  Since then, we’ve been meeting every month to:

 

  • Review each others’ work, and offer support, ideas and encouragement.
  • Exchange ideas about potential fine art projects and techniques, including presentations by our members.
  • Arrange photo shoots with a fine art orientation.
  • Plan and execute group exhibitions of our work.
  • Meet with special guests, including established fine art photographers, as a source of inspiration and fresh ideas.

Anyone interested in creating “fine art” via photography is welcome to attend our meetings and participate in our events.  As long as we can keep our costs down, membership is free.

What is Fine Art?

One of the questions we’re often asked is what makes a photograph ‘fine art’. There are two definitions that may be helpful:

  • It is probably a fine art photograph if you’d like to blow it up to 16” x 20”, frame it, and hang it on the wall in your living room.
  • It is probably a fine art photograph if there is a feeling, idea or message that you would like to convey.

Our intent with the above descriptions is to be helpful, not exclusionary. If you feel you are creating (or want to create) fine art photographs, you’re welcome to participate in this club.

Brief History/Motivation

NELP was formed initially as a special interest group (SIG) of the Gateway Camera Club, a member of the New England Camera Club Council (NECCC).  Though there are already many photography clubs in New England, there are several reasons why we were motivated to form a new one.  From our discussion at our first meeting:

  • Competitions are a focus of many clubs, but traditional camera club judges are not always art-friendly. While there are many things we all want to learn from the camera club perspective (composition, technique, etc.), we want a supportive environment to explore our artistic vision.
  • There is a story behind each of our photographs, and we like having the opportunity to share this with each other. We feel that the story provides important context for our photos.
  • We want the group to become a source of creative ideas, and to give us the ‘nudge’ to get out there and make our art.
  • We are looking for more guidance in creative techniques and how to apply them.

New England Light Painters is intended to supplement, not replace, the competitions and educational programs already offered by Gateway and other NECCC member clubs.

Meetings

We meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, all year long.  Except as noted, meetings take place at 17 Fox Hill Drive in Natick, at 7:30 pm.  Please contact me dkahn (@) dlawton.com if you need directions.  Meetings on the 2nd Monday are usually a peer image review, focusing on reviewing images created by our members.  The 4th Monday of each month is our “Education Night”.

Each image review meeting has an optional theme, for those of us who are looking for ideas.  Members are, of course, welcome to bring any image they would like feedback on.  You will have the opportunity to explain each image, and to ask any specific questions if you’re looking for specific feedback.

We accept virtually any image format for peer review/critique.  Prints are encouraged, since this ensures that the image you show us is exactly what you want it to be.  We have an HD display, and can show images from CD/DVD, USB or memory card (CF, SD, etc.).

Special Events

We will have several special events during the year.  Events will range from shows, to photo walks… guest speakers to group gatherings.  Visit the website for current events, or join our mailing list.

Mailing List

In addition to this website, the best way to find out about group activities is our mailing list.  To join our mailing list, just send an email to: members-subscribe (@) nelightpainters.orgOnce you are subscribed to the list, you can send appropriate announcements to the group via members (@) nelightpainters.org.  (Use members-unsubscribe if you’d like to stop receiving emails from the list.)