Lots of Stuff Happening

Posted by Michael Huber on May 16, 2013
Posted in: Educational. Leave a Comment

MGH_20120516_0023I have been getting a few emails on photography opportunities coming up. Let’s jump right in:

Michael Waterman and Terry Butler will lead a group shoot in Stillwater on Saturday, May 18. (Rivertown Art Festival will be going on) The plan is to meet up at the parking lot across the street from the Phipps at 11:00 am to carpool. We will concentrate on street photography since that will be the salon assignment for June, but those who would rather do their own thing are free to do so. For those who want to drive separately, we will park in the lot on the south side of the street immediately after crossing the bridge. It is a pay lot. If we have rain (or snow), we will reschedule.

Also, Jeff Bucklew and yours truly will be doing a DSLR 101 Class at 6:30 PM at the Phipps next Tuesday May 21st. We will cover the basics of both technical and the art of photography. It’s a great refresher as well. We hope to see you there!

On June 1st at 1:00 PM there will be an awards celebration for the TCACCC Young Photogaphy Competition. As a member of TCACCC, our club helps sponsor this. The location is at West Photo, 21 University Avenue in Minneapolis.

Photography Symposium 2013: Conservation Through the Lens
Saturday June 8th at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
There is a discounted preregistration fee for our members that includes admission to the Arboretum. This is a full day of fun in a beautiful setting.

The Fort Snelling State Park Camera Club would like to extend an invitation to join some of their members on a trip to Mystery Cave in Forestville State Park on July 27, 2013. The park offers a photography tour of the cave limited to 6 people. The tour is from 8-10 on Saturday, July 27. If enough people sign up a Sunday tour may be available too. All participants are responsible for their own accommodations. Please contact fsspcameraclub@gmail.com to sign up or if you have any questions.

Member Spotlight & Hyperlapse

Posted by Michael Huber on May 9, 2013
Posted in: Just for fun. Tagged: . Leave a Comment

KeeshaThis month I thought it would be nice to introduce one of our newer members, Keesha Winfrey.

Main camera/gear: Nikon D7000 and Nikon D40, Lens: Telephoto Nikon 18-55mm 3.5 and Nikon 35mm 1.8.

Favorite Editing Software: Photoshop CS 6

What is your specific background or interest in photography? Event, Commercial, Conceptual, and Nature photography

Favorite subject matter to photograph: Nature

In what areas do you want to learn more about or improve your photography? On camera flash, time lapse photography, and editing in Lightroom.

I enjoy being a member of WWPC because: I get to learn and interact with other photographers that have a just as much a passion for photography . I also like the diversity of skill levels that the club members have.

Thanks! Please say ‘Hi’ to Keesha at the next meeting!

Don’t forget that Jeff and I will be doing a DSLR 101 class at the Phipps on Tuesday May 21st -6:30 PM. This is for members but you could bring a guest – we just did not want this one ‘open to the public’. Please pop me an email through the contacts page (or in the events tab on the Facebook page) if you will be attending. We only have had a few sign up to date.

Also, the June Meeting Tutorial will be on Portrait Photography. More to come on that!

Ever heard the term ‘Hyperlapse”? This is really cool and does not look that difficult. Would be perfect around the Eiffel Tower (Terry!). Check out the video below by Candy Glass Productions.

Meeting Summary – May

Posted by Michael Huber on May 2, 2013
Posted in: Club Meeting Info. 2 comments

050113-mtgFun-filled action-packed night with some legal advice and a Salon filled with great images! Thanks to Michael Waterman who walked us through copyright, taking photos in public, how can they be used and much more. Very informative with lots of discussion. Hopefully we can put a summary on our tutorial page.

Terry Butler reviewed the award winners from the Interclub Competition and teased us with several images from the Club’s recent photowalk to the Minnesota State Capital. Speaking of photowalks… Michael Waterman and Terry Butler will lead a group shoot in Stillwater on Saturday, May 18. The plan is to meet up at the parking lot across the street from the Phipps at 11:00 am to carpool. We will concentrate on street photography since that will be the salon assignment for June, but those who would rather do their own thing are free to do so. For those who want to drive separately, we will park in the lot on the south side of the street immediately after crossing the bridge. It is a pay lot. If we have rain (or snow), we will reschedule. Please use the contact form to join, or join the event on our Facebook group.

For those that are beginners or want a refresher, Jeff Bucklew and I will be doing a DSLR 101 class on Tuesday May 21st, 6:30 PM at the Phipps (same room). This will be similar to the classes we have held at the library but with some adjustments as this will be for our members only. We will focus on understanding the Big 3 of shutter speed, aperture and ISO along with touching on settings and the art of photography. It would be great to get an idea of how many may attend. Please shoot me an email via the contact page.

Also a reminder that Speedlite Master Syl Arena is giving a seminar in Minneapolis on Thursday May 9th. The event will focus on getting great light with small flash. There should be plenty of opportunity for personal attention as the class size will be smaller. Syl has several best selling books including ‘Lighting for Digital Photography’ and is an instructor for Kelby Training among many other hats he wears. HERE is the link for more information and a $25 discount code for our club.

You are legally required to attend…

Posted by Michael Huber on April 25, 2013
Posted in: Club Meeting Info. Leave a Comment

Well, not really. Michael Waterman will talk to us about law and photography at our upcoming meeting on Wednesday May 1st, 7:00 PM at the Phipps. Topics that will be covered include the legalities of taking photos in public versus private places, rights of privacy, model releases, ownership of images, copyright protections, and more.

We will also have a quick slide show of the Interclub Award Winners.

Ever wonder how the shutter actually works inside your camera? Below is a video showing this action in slow motion. I can’t believe this does not break more often! Now I understand why landscape photographers (and others) will sometimes use the ‘mirror lock’ feature to keep the mirror up before clicking the button. Vibration of the mirror flipping could certainly effect sharpness in some images.

And another video just for fun. Clicking that shutter at just the right time!

Also, our membership year starts January 1st so those of you who were members last year and want to continue this year, please bring $25 to the next meeting. Hopefully you feel it is worth while!

Portrait Softening

Posted by Michael Huber on April 18, 2013
Posted in: Creative/Artistic, Educational. Tagged: . 8 comments

I am no expert… but I thought it might be fun to share how I sometimes soften portraits. This technique uses Photoshop and is pretty simple using some of the basic tools. This also let me try out a new screen capture software. Please let me know if more of these are valuable to post. Click to enlarge it full screen and watch in 720 HD for a clearer look!

We are still looking for a matted/framed photograph from one of our members to show off at the library for the month of May. Please send me an email if you are interested. This is a great way to promote yourself and the Club!

Member Spotlight & Camera Apps

Posted by Michael Huber on April 11, 2013
Posted in: Just for fun. 7 comments

Nick WarnkenToday we meet Club Member Nick Warnken.

Main camera/gear: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Lens: Canon EFS 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 Tele-Macro

Favorite Editing Software: Photoshop Elements 11

What is your specific background or interest in photography? Landscape, Outdoors

Favorite subject matter to photograph: Flowers, Mountains

In what areas do you want to learn more about or improve your photography? I guess I’d have to say more in Photoshop

I enjoy being a member of WWPC because: I get to interact with other Photographers of all skill levels, and see where they’re at in their photography.

Thanks Nick!

camera-fv5I have found that I am using my phone as a camera more and more – especially after our last meeting on street photography. The phone is always with me and is a great way to ‘visually’ stay in touch with family and friends by exporting images using Instagram. There are a million apps out there with most free to try out. I have an Android phone so my favorites are Camera FV-5, HDR Camera, Pixlr-o-matic and the simplicity of Instagram. Many of these are also available for the iPhone as well. HERE is a good article on tips for getting the most out of your camera phone. Below are several images I took with my phone in between running miles and lifting hundreds of pounds of weights at the club…..
club

Don’t forget that there is a photowalk scheduled for Sunday the 14th. Meet at 9:00 AM in front of the Phipps to head out to the Minnesota State Capitol. Should be fun! Also, our presenter at the last meeting, Valerie Jardin, has a Minneapolis workshop coming up in June. HERE is the link for more information.

April Meeting Summary

Posted by Michael Huber on April 4, 2013
Posted in: Club Meeting Info. Leave a Comment

Valerie-Jardin-1Great meeting last night and I want to again thank Valerie Jardin for taking time to visit with our Club. We had a large turnout (which included some new members-yeah!) to hear her discuss street photography. Some great images and tips. This will especially come in handy as our new Special Assignment topic for the May/June Salon is ‘Street Photography’. What a coincidence! Valerie has a Passion and Vision Twin Cities Photowalk Facebook group if you are interested. HERE is a link to that page.

Valerie will also be speaking at Spring Break which is coming up on April 13th. President Mark Freier of the Camera Council gave a quick update on the event. Online registration can be found HERE with full day registration for our members being $40 (by April 8th) or at the door for $50. This is open to the public and there are special student rates.

Also, we are organizing our own photowalk group and will send out direct email invites to those that are interested. Send an email to me via the contact page if you want to be included in those notifications if you have not already signed up. These photowalks will still be open to all members and, when possible, be posted on the blog and our Club’s Facebook page. The next photowalk will be Sunday April 14th to visit the Minnesota State Capitol. Beautiful architecture and detail inside and out. We will meet at the Phipps main entry at 9:00 AM. HERE is a link to a blog post Terry did of her recent trip there along with one of her spectacular photos below.

Dome from the Second Floor

Weekly Update 03/28/13

Posted by Michael Huber on March 28, 2013
Posted in: Club Meeting Info, Just for fun. 1 comment

MGH_20130320_0034-EditSpring Break registration and programs are up!  HERE is the link to the Event’s page that describes the programs, etc.  There are a number of speakers covering portrait, HDR, landscape and wildlife photography. Check it out and mark it down for April 13th. UPDATE: See Terry’s note on registering in the comments for this post…

Our recently started Facebook page is gaining momentum. This is a fun way to have discussions, share resources and get feedback with members between meetings. I recently posted some shots of my daughter just for fun and enjoyed corresponding ‘via the web’. I wanted to try using one constant light and convert them to black and white. I used the Topaz Labs B&W plug-in for Lightroom. HERE is a link with some tips if you don’t have a specific plug-in. I was not a Facebook user but opened a private account to specifically join our page (which also is a closed group -only open to members). Click on the link on the right side of the page to join.

I received and email from the St Croix County 4H Photography Project Leader, Kay Jacobsen. She is looking for a member or two from our club meet with them and discuss photography. Topics are open. Their next meeting is tentatively set for June 8th and I believe they meet in Baldwin. Please consider volunteering – you all have more knowledge then you know!… (that was good! -I have to write that down…) Pop me an email if you are interested or want more information.

Don’t forget our next meeting is coming up Wednesday April 3rd, 7:00 PM at the Phipps. We will have special guest Photographer Valerie Jardin who will discuss Street Photography. We may be a bit tight on Salon time but still don’t forget to email your images to photos@wiphotoclub.com by Monday. Our Special Assignment is ‘Things Around the House -Abstract’. See you then!

Special Guest at the next Meeting

Posted by Michael Huber on March 21, 2013
Posted in: Club Meeting Info. Tagged: . Leave a Comment

Valerie JardinAt our next meeting on April 3rd, we will have Photographer Valerie Jardin visit us and discuss street photography. Valerie is an author, contributor to the Digital Photography School and a frequent guest on This Week in Photography. She leads workshops around the country and her native France. She will also be having several in Minneapolis this year.

I always feel a little strange taking pictures of people in public but many times they are critical in creating the story I want the image to tell. Usually my images look more journalistic then artistic! It will be great to get some pointers from Valerie on shooting in public- from gear suggestions to ‘seeing’ a scene. This should be fun!

 

Here is a video in which Photographer Matt Stuart looks at the quirky side of street photography. Some fun shots.

Member Spotlight & A Field Trip

Posted by Michael Huber on March 11, 2013
Posted in: Club Event. 1 comment

K-LauererToday we learn a bit more about our Club’s Treasurer Kathy Lauerer.

Main camera/gear: Canon 7D. Canon 100-400. Canon 25-105. Canon 18-55. Gorilla pod. Mono pod.

Favorite Editing Software: Photoshop CS6

What is your specific background or interest in photography? I move between watercolor painting and photography. I’ve always been interested in the visual arts but never got the chance to explore or experiment. So when I retired one of the first things I did was buy a SLR.

Favorite subject matter to photograph: Wildlife

In what areas do you want to learn more about or improve your photography? I get seriously excited about watching wildlife. It makes the experience even better to be recording it. I’d like to actually take shots that represent how fascinating nature is.

I enjoy being a member of WWPC because: I need help with the technical side of photography and I really appreciate how much the club has helped me. WWPC has some really good photographers who are supportive and want to see the less skilled photographers learn and develop.

Thanks Kathy and we appreciate you handling our ‘big bucks’!

Also, Michael Waterman and Terry Butler will lead a photo walk on Sunday March 17. We will meet up at the Phipps parking lot at noon to carpool to Union Depot in St. Paul. Tripods are allowed and Terry will bring an extra if someone would like to use it. There are many photo opportunities, both inside and out, lots of architectural detail. Maybe we will find a place for refreshments when we return to Hudson. This will be a great way to get out shooting new places and get to know other members of the club.
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