Spring is here! And early! We’ve had some wonderful sunny days and some rainy ones too, but one thing is for sure – the warmer weather is hear to stay (it will probably snow now that I’ve said that!) I don’t know about you, but I’m a little more eager to carry my camera around with me now that I know my shutter finger won’t freeze to the button!
4 Week Challenge
Our four week challenge is about encouraging us to reach further and expand our skills and creativity. Each month, we have a new challenge and an opportunity to share our pictures with each other. The photos have to be new and shot within those four weeks (because we want you thinking fresh, not digging through your stock of images. We encourage you to take as many as you like (it's a digital world) and pick a few of your best, then bring them to our group on a media stick. We will display them and give a quick review for the benefit of all.
The Last Challenge: Cold
Well, I mentioned a cruel trick, and then got played another one. Our challenge was cold, and no sooner did we announce that, and the weather got a lot warmer! Still, we saw some nice photos from our members. Is it winter or is it not? In this case, it is not! Brooke Anders shared this image he had manipulated to make look cold. And a very convincing job he has done. You would never know that this is wheat in the heat of summer.
Always great with people – and dogs - Shannon Nicholson brought some great images taken in the snow. Seeing the bundled face and the joy in these eyes let’s you know that snow is not always about shivering. Sometimes it’s a lot of fun too.
Is it fair that Tammy Burden lives so close to a beautiful river? Well, fair or not, this wonderful photo of the old building on the river across the street from her Video store is a wonderful example of cold landscape. Still air and calm water make for a reflective moment. Our Next Challenge: Easter
Too late for Easter? Well, I know the Blog is being posted after the date (sorry about that), but there’s still time to bring out the eggs, the bunnies, or the more Holy side of Easter and create an image that depicts what Easter means to you. Or maybe you just took some great images over the Easter Holiday and want to share them with the group. Whatever you like, bring your Easter images to the next meeting for us all to see.
Future Challenge Sneak Peak
If you want to start thinking about the challenge following this one (it will come quickly), then get on your sneakers! The next challenge will be about showing speed in your photo. Blurs, streaks, whatever it takes to show your objects in full motion… but don’t take those shots until after the next meeting!
Our Next Shoot Out
We’d love to have you join us for a walk around down town Elora. It looks like it’s going to be a sunny day and the mill and old shops will make for some really great images. You can meet us at the Elora Mews (56 Mill St. West in Elora) at 9:00 on April 10th. If you miss the time, don’t worry, come on out and look for people with cameras – if it’s not one of us, invite them to the next meeting! Freebie of the Month: Photo to Sketch
Here’s a fun little tool to make quick and easy sketches from your images. There’s nothing fancy about it, but it’s really easy to use and you can get some fun effects – and of course – it’s free!Download --> Here <--
I also ran across this neat little freebie from Black’s – I don’t know if the date was last December or the coming one, but it might be worth a try! It’s still on the Black’s Website, so hopefully you can still get one!
http://www.blackphoto.com/imgs/data/Coupon.jpg
Next Regular Meeting: April 25th, 2010 - 4:00-6:00pm
You’ll want to be at this meeting! Brooke is going to do a workshop on studio lighting basics. Come and learn some lighting techniques, or share your own tips as we discuss the best way to light for portraiture.
And don’t forget to come with your challenge images on a memory stick to share with the group.
We're still meeting at the usual place: the Video 99 store in Hespeler - come in the front door and meet us out back in Tammy's Studio. See you there! And don’t forget to bring a friend!
Upcoming Meetings:
May 30th.
June 27th.
