9-16-08,  1517 Camden Rd, 7:00pm DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND REPRODUCING YOUR WORK This year’s programs lean heavily toward providing information on increasing our professionalism.  Join us Tuesday, September 16^th for a slide review and fascinating talk to get the answers to all those questions you’ve had regarding digital photography and reproducing your work. JoAnn Sieburg-Baker’s interest in photography began with the gift of a Nikon camera presented to her on her wedding/college graduation day (Same day!).  She has been a professional photographer since 1971, specializing in architectural photography, though her subjects and interests are much more diverse.  Large landscapes, reproduction of a client’s valued heirloom portrait and designing and building websites are a few of her current projects.  With a book on North Carolina Victorian homes to her credit, she most recently was commissioned to photograph Dennis Oppenheim’s “Reconstructed Dwelling” CATS light rail project, work which was published in Art in America.  A master dark room printer in those first years, JoAnn embraced digital technology in its infancy.  Though her work, including some for a Raleigh newspaper, gave her lots of experience retouching and hand coloring conventional prints, digital technology allows for better, easier printing and rework.  Some rework is very tedious, altering pixel by pixel, but even this process appeals to this self proclaimed ‘‘techie.”  A very common problem in photographing one’s own work is the inability to get an image that isn’t warped.  Photoshop – now in Version CS3, accommodates the user with a feature to easily and subtly stretch the image as needed.

Photo by Cordelia Williams

JoAnn’s current preference is to reproduce her work on canvas rather than to print and frame with glass.  A visit to her ‘studio/home’ (she gave ‘studio’ top billing) is inspiring, with large pieces on every wall and work in progress in several rooms.  She stated that having her work accessible allows her to work most conveniently.  A huge fine art color printer and cutter occupy part of the ground level.  Her total involvement and love of the work she does is obvious. In the early years, JoAnn traded her services photographing artists’ work for their art, which has given her a wonderful collection that she has had to store due to space demands.  Artists, often short on funds, were more than happy to barter.  Now JoAnn has the ability to pick and chose assignments.  She still enjoys working with other artists however, giving weekend workshops and, of course, photographing and reproducing art. Travel, another keen interest, will occupy more of her future soon, and, of course, that means photography.  She is working toward a show of work created from photos of a farmhouse in Switzerland she used to visit.  When questioned if photographing would detract from the travel experience, Joann marveled at the idea that one could travel and not take photos!  Of course, not capturing all those images is unthinkable!  Prepare to get smart about digital photography and reproducing your work and get caught up in this artist’s enthusiasm and join us!