A few pictures...

Bobby Goode sent me some awesome photos that I thought would be fun for everyone to see.

photo by Bobby Goode

photo by Bobby Goode

photo by Bobby Goode

Enjoy

New Workshop starting…this Wednesday…Jan. 22...

Want to learn all about how to use your camera?  Well this workshop is for you.  The club has purchased a set of DVD's that will help you learn all kinds of tips and tricks to take stunning pictures.

Information:
When: Wednesday, January 22
Where: Roswell Adult Center, Rm. 29
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Cost: $2.00

There were a lot of people interested in this.  Please attend.

February Challenge...

"There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast." -Charles Dickens

February is right around the corner.  Think Ground Hog and Valentine's Day.  It's the shortest month of all, so make wise use of your time.

Our challenge for this month will be backlighting which is my favorite way to take my pictures.  I love it when there are golden sun rays filtering through the background, or if there is nice rim light on my pictures.

photo by Rob McKelvy

What is backlighting?  Simple.  All it means is that your main light source is behind your subject.

Have you heard the old saying that the best way to take photos is to "always have the sun at your back?"  This results in a squinting subject, since the sun is shining directly in the eyes. Not a pretty sight or very good pictures.  Putting the sun behind your subject can produce some stunning effects, and great photos.

How to backlight:

1.  Placement:  You are facing the sun, and your subject's back is to the sun.

2.  Diffuse the sun:  Choose a location where you can have the sun partially or fully hidden by your camera (like trees or a building).

Photo by Jean Smith from iHeartfaces.com

3.  Meter Mode:  By default most of our cameras are set on "evalutive" or "matrix" metering.  This means the camera will assess the appropriate metering based on the entire scene.  "Spot" metering is weighted at the center of the shot… a very small area.  This is the metering mode to use in backlighting.

The icons for metering are shown below.  The one on the far left is the "evaluative" mode or default mode.  The third icon from the left (the one with the green box around it) is what the icon will look like on your camera for spot metering.  Refer to your manual if you do not know how to set the metering mode.

4.  Use Manual mode:  It is time to take your camera out of auto or AV (aperture priority mode) and use the manual mode (M).  In the other modes, the camera will try to expose for the entire scene instead of letting you expose for your subject.  In manual mode, you have full control on the exposure.

5.  Overexpose:  Because of the bright background, your meter will misguide you, giving you a darker exposure reading.  To compensate, overexpose slightly, but not too much or you will blow out your highlights.  

Challenge Rules:

1.  Because we are studying light, try to take 4 pictures of different types of backlighting, one each week.  Do not try to do all your pictures in one afternoon.  If you only have time for one or two pictures, go with that.  Strive for 4--1 each week.

2.  No archives please.  Pictures must be taken between January's meeting and February's meeting.

3.  All mediums accepted.

4.  No more than Four pictures may be submitted.

5.  Include your photo info: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and any post processing you did.

More examples to stir your creative juices:

All photos by Rob McKelvy

I hope you have a lot of fun with this month's challenge.  Like I said, this is my favorite type of lighting.  

Enjoy, learn, and get clicking.  

A study in light…shadows

"Our job is to record each in (their) own way, the world of light and shadow and time that will never come again exactly as it is today."  -Edward Abbey

If I am counting my weeks right, our next meeting will be Thursday, January 16th.  For those who are wanting to take part in our year long study of light, this will be the first unveiling of our study on shadows. (http://pasrnm.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-photo-challenge.html).  It is my hope that through this study you will be able to see, and identify dynamic forms of light, and apply it in order to capture your subject in a way that will evoke emotion as well as inspiration to the viewer.  I hope you will explore, take creative risks, and share the knowledge you have learned.  I have had great fun looking for shadows this month, and am excited to share my discoveries with you.  I hope you have done the same.  It is not too late to jump on board.  Here is some inspiration for you.

photo by Rob McKelvy

Some awesome photos...

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." -Dorothea Lange

I have some amazing, and gorgeous photos to share with you today thanks to Gennean.  My goodness, the ice freeze we had sure helped for getting some stunning pictures.  Enjoy, and thank you Gennean.

photo by Gennean Hendricks 

photo by Gennean Hendricks

photo by Gennean Hendricks

January Photo Challenge...

"Which of my photographs is my favorite?" The one I am going to take tomorrow."  -Imogene Cunningham

I think this quote is so true.  When I take photos, then upload, and look at them, I think, "Oh I really like these."  Then I take more, and I like those too!  That is why we take pictures…we love them.  We want to share that love, and awe with others.  When we do, we are passing on a piece of ourselves through our lens.  We are passing on beauty, detail, and passion.

Happy New Year!  Hopefully, everyone had a fantastic holiday, took lots of pictures, and have made a New Year's resolution to keep taking pictures, and sharpen your photographic skills.  I would like to challenge you to start a folder, or portfolio of your favorite pictures for 2014.  At the end of the year, have them made into a photo book.  You will be amazed at how your photographs improve.

For 2014, I decided rather than pick a subject each month as a challenge, that we would do a study in lighting in keeping with the light workshops that Kelly and Rey Berrones have so graciously hosted. (and Jennifer Coats).  What I would like to propose is that one picture/week be taken depicting that month's particular lighting challenge.  If you do the challenges, you will have 52 pictures, and hopefully, a better understanding of light.  I understand the challenge of time, so please do not put yourself under bondage to get this done.  It is to be fun.  If you only get one picture, then be thrilled with your one picture.

Here is what I have planned for the challenges each month:
January-Shadows (in retrospect, I should have done this challenge in February in honor of the ground hog seeing or not seeing its shadow.)
February-Back light
March-Hard light
April-Natural indoor light
May-Directional light
June-Diffused light
July-Night light (think 4th of July)
August- Light at different times of day
September-Artificial light
October-Black and white light (think Halloween…black)
November-Photographer's choice
December-Holiday light

This month's challenge is of shadows.  Look for shadows of lines, abstractions, people, and anything that is interesting to you.  There was a photographer who was known for putting the shadow of himself in his pictures.  I do not recall his name.  If anyone can shed light on who he was, shoot me an email.

Rules:
1. Photos may not be archived.  They must be taken from the time from the December meeting to the January meeting.

2.  You may submit up to 4 photos.  Please, please…do not take 4 photos in the same day.  This defeats
the purpose.  Photos must be taken 1 week apart or close to a week.

3.  Photos can be in any format: print, framed, matted, CD, or flash drive.

4.  Have the file information.  Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO, and any processing used.

5.  Have fun!

Examples of shadow photos: (all photos by Rob McKelvy unless noted)

photo from the web

photo from the web…this is also back light

photo from web

photo from the web

Go out and find some shadows…and get clicking.  Happy New Year!