June 27th, 2010 – Issue 17

THE CAMBRIDGE PHOTO GROUP
I have an admission to make. I missed the meeting. First one in a year and a half, so I figure that’s not too bad. And I’m really late putting up the Blog this month :(

Anyway, I hope to make the next one again, and hopefully it will be a year and a half before I miss another one! How about you? Do you think you’ll be able to make the next year and a half of meetings? I hope so.

I’m afraid I don’t have a great cross section of pictures this month, but I’m including what I have. If you were at the meeting and shared a picture you think should have been posted here, please send me it – it’s never too late to add!

Shoot Out: Air Show
So I hope you all got out and got your cameras out somewhere, and I’m sure you’ll be sharing all those summer pics at our upcoming Open House Gallery (Details will follow). I definitely enjoyed my time at the air show as always. It’s a challenge to trigger the shutter at just the right moment as the planes wiz by – you only get one shot at it for sure!

The Waterloo Regional Airport hosted the Aviation Expo and Airshow again this year on June 19th and 20th. There were plenty of planes to shoot, both on the ground and above it, and as always, the snowbirds were definitely a highlight.

There were lots of near misses and high flying formations and occasionally opportunities to shoot planes doing things planes don’t normally do – like land on a Winnebago! Or do loops and spirals while the engine is completely stalled!

4 Week Challenge
Every month, we challenge each other with a task – try our challenge and bring your photos to the next meeting on a memory stick to share with everyone. We’ll tell you what we like about them. If you don’t do Digitial, bring a print! We’d love to see your images.

The Last Challenge: Strangers
Last month’s challenge was to talk at least three pictures of someone you didn’t know. That’s a challenge for me to do since I always have a hard time walking up to someone and saying, “hey, can I take your picture?”, but Brett helped me out a lot… he had a model shoot he was doing for a local clothing designer and I was invited to help take some of the shots for the catalogue. Here are just some of them. 

The models were, of course, total strangers to me, so I figure I’ve got it covered! If you’d like to see the rest of the images (and shop for the clothes, you can find them here.

Brooke Anderson shared some images of strangers as well, though I’m not sure he approached them… though I’m pretty sure the cows did not mind him taking their picture.

Our Next Challenge: 50mm
Take an image using a 50mm lens only. All these fancy lenses sometimes take the challenge out of photography, and the creativity too. This month’s challenge is about shooting with a fixed lens.

Even if you don’t have a 50mm lens, set your zoom to 50mm and leave it there – don’t touch that dial! Move around your subject towards it and away from it to look for an unexpected perspective.

Next Regular Meeting: July 25th, 2010 – 4:00pm-6:00pm
Come on out and share your images at our next meeting – as always, at the back of the Video 99 store in Hespeler (see the side panel for a map of the location).

Upcoming Meetings: be sure to put them on your calendar!
August 22nd
September 26th

SPECIAL NOTE…
At our September meeting, we will be having an “Open House” to show off our photos. Come out to the meeting to get more details and provide some input on how you would like to see this event run!

May 30th, 2010 – Issue 16

THE CAMBRIDGE PHOTO GROUP
Welcome back! Hope you’ve all been out shooting lots and having fun. I know, I know, the strong sunlight makes for harsh shadows… well, perhaps you want to take a nice snooze in the warm sun before you head out in the cooler evening and better light – either way, I’m enjoying the great weather.

Speaking of which, come to our meetings from 4 to 6 monthly – after the meeting is a great time to just go out and shoot some photos – the light is good, the weather’s great, and you may have picked up a few great tips during the meeting!

That’s exactly what we did right after our meeting this month. We went round the back of the old furniture building where Video99 is located and took some shots of my bike in the grass. This wasn’t the only shot of course. Come out next month to see more, or bring your own!

Some other highlights of this month’s meeting were Shannon’s sharing of her first attempts at DSLR HD Video (I want one!) and Brett sharing photos of his latest model shoot. There were lots of great tips shared on how to capture not just great images, but great poses.

Those who missed out on the Henry’s “Photographic, Video and Digital Imaging” show missed a great opportunity to get some tips from the pro’s in a variety of photographic disciplines. Myself, I enjoyed sessions on everything from making movies on a DSLR, to Nature Photography with Ethan Meleg (who also has a blog on blogspot), to Travel photography with Michael Willems.

The place was packed with photographers of all grades – from full on pro to point and shoot newbie's. Many eager to buy equipment that ranged from a few dollars to many thousands of dollars. There were lenses to try out and if you brought your own gear, many of the booths allowed you to try their products on your camera right at the show.

Another highlight of the show was a great shooting area with some really cool setups. Hot bikes and hot fire breathers… was there a theme going on? At least they didn’t set off the fire alarms!

4 Week Challenge
Every month, we challenge each other with a task. Try our challenge and bring your shots to the next meeting on a memory stick to share with everyone. We’ll tell you what we like about them.

The Last Challenge: Speed
Capturing speed isn’t as easy as some led me to believe. It’s tricky to get that smooth motion of the camera, and focusing at the same time can be difficult as well. We had some good discussion about the images.

Shannon had some interesting shots at the fair where she shot a posed person in front of a moving ride (sorry Shannon, I didn’t get the copy of your images to post :(

Brett managed to capture a few images while waiting by the curbside and managed to pull it off quite nicely with a few very sharp images of cars passing by.

Our Next Challenge: Strangers
Sound odd? Scary? Well, it wouldn’t be a challenge if it wasn’t… well… a challenge. The idea behind this challenge is to bring at least three images of people you don’t know. Chat with the people, ask them if you can take their picture and pose them if you can. Some of us find that really hard – and I know some find it very easy (I definitely fall into the hard category). Either way bring your photos next month and let us see your new friends.

And remember, you’re welcome to bring any images you have taken and share them with the group – they don’t always have to be from this month’s challenge.

Future Challenge: 50mm
All these fancy lenses sometimes take the challenge out of photography, and the creativity too. Start thinking the next month about shooting with a fixed length lens.

Shoot Out: Air Show
Well, there were lots of undiscussed options this month. Get out and shoot! Take your camera when you go looking for flowers for your garden, your trip to the beach or anywhere else.

Here’s an idea. The Waterloo Regional Airport is hosting the Aviation Expo and Airshow again this year. The show is on June 19th and 20th from 9:00am until 5:00pm. If you didn’t get those “speed” shots before, maybe you’ll get some of the jets screaming by!

Freebie of the Month: Tintii
Last month we showed you a photoshop plugin package from filterforge. Plugins are great but if you don’t have photoshop, they’re not very useful.

Here’s a little utility that is both – the paid version is a photoshop plugin, so if you can afford it, it works directly in your photoshop. If, however, you just want to run it as a standalone, then you can.

The program will let you take a full colour photo and processes it into a black and white image with some elect highlighted colours quickly and easily.

Download here. And enjoy!

Next Regular Meeting: June 27th, 2010 – 4:00-6:00pm
Come on out to our next meeting, share your images. As always, meet us at the back of the Video 99 store in Hespeler (see the side panel for a map of the location).

Upcoming Meetings: be sure to put them on your calendar!
The Fourth Sunday of every month…
July 25th, August 22nd, September 26th…

April 25th, 2010 – Issue 15

THE CAMBRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
Are you feeling it yet? The weather’s been beautiful and it’s getting nicer to get outside. Time to leave the indoor studio for a while and venture out into the landscape for some vista shots. No matter where you live, there are always some beautiful subjects to be shot.

Those who went on the Shoot Out in Elora were treated to a beautiful sun-shiny day with plenty of material to shoot. This shot of a tall work of art was nicely silhouetted against the Sun by Tammy. 

Almost everyone in the group took a shot of the coloured doors, on one of the side streets, and it was interesting to see the different perspectives in each of them, as evidenced by these two by Chris and Gary respectively.

Finally, Rachel showed her creativity and photographic eye by angling this image so that it was the door that was on the slant, and not the road as was indeed the reality – good job, Rachel!

And as if that were not enough, we also had a great time at the meeting at Video 99 where Brooke Anderson set up and providing us with a demonstration of a basic studio lighting.

We learned a great deal about placement of lights, how the light should be balanced, how to meter it effectively and even a little on posing our subjects. Great job, and thank you Brooke. Thanks also to Brett who was our impromptu model for the evening!

4 Week Challenge
Every month, we challenge each other with a task. Try our challenge and bring your shots to the next meeting on a memory stick to share with everyone. We’ll tell you what we like about them.

The Last Challenge: Easter
Admittedly, the last blog was a little late being published and not everyone got the message that the challenge was “Easter” but Shannon and Rachel came through for us. Shannon showed us an image of one of her favorite subjects – her dog! And managed to practice some studio lighting in the process.

Rachel gave us a glimpse of some of her “loot” with a picture of her  chocolate. What you don’t see is the real interest part of the photo – she’s been practicing her photoshop skills and removed the net weight from the box… too bad we couldn’t remove the net weight from eating it!

Our Next Challenge: Speed
This month’s challenge is about capturing speed. Unlike the “Stop action” challenge we did a few months ago, this time we want the image to portray the speed. The idea is that on a two dimensional, still image, we want you to convey the feeling of motion – and the faster the motion, the better.

For inspiration, here’s a flickr group to look at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/deliberatemotionblur/

Future Challenge: Strangers
I know this one will be a challenge to me! The idea is to bring at least three images of people you don’t know – Oh my – you mean I’ll have to ask strangers if I can take their pictures?!

Shoot Out: Henry’s Show
OK, so it’s not really a shoot-out, but how could we call ourselves photographers if we didn’t go at least one show? May 14th, 15th and 16th, Henry’s is presenting their annual “Photographic, Video and Digital Imaging Show” at the International Centre in Mississauga. Some of you may want to attend all three days when you see the Show Schedule, but if you would like to go on Saturday, contact Gary (you should already have my e-mail address as I send notes to you all). Perhaps we can travel together.

For more information on the show, visit the website:

http://www.henrys.ca/Show/Imaging-Show.html

Freebie of the Month: Photoshop Plugins
Filter Forge is a plugin package for Photoshop that allows you to use pre-built and build your own filters. You can also access over 7000 user-created filters from their website. Best of all, they have “Freepacks” that you can download and use on images up to 3000x3000 pixels!

These filters do some amazing things to your images. Give them a try. (Note: If you have photoshop elements, I believe these plug-ins will work for you too, but that is unconfirmed… if you find out one way or the other, please let me know and I will update the blog… thanks).

http://www.filterforge.com/download/

Next Regular Meeting: May 30th, 2010 – 4:00-6:00pm
You never know what you’re missing when you’re not there. We share a few of the images we see on the blog, but certainly not all of them, and not always the best either. Come on out and share you’re pictures with the rest of us! Meet us in the studio at the back of the Video 99 store in Hespeler.

Upcoming Meetings: Put them on your calendar now!
June 27th
July 25th
August 22nd

CPG – March 28th, 2010 – Issue 14

THE CAMBRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
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.

CPG Newsletter 13 – February 21st, 2010

THE CAMBRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
Wow! This newsletter marks the end of our first year. There have been lots of changes, a bigger venue (thanks Tammy), lots of great instruction (thanks everyone), and lots of great images.

Shoot-Out
This past month, we had a great “Shoot-out” but our attendance was poor – only Rachel and myself attended the event at the Chicopee ski hill. That’s unfortunate because the day turned out to be beautiful and there were some awesome opportunities for pictures. Hopefully we will have some more great events coming up in the months to come.

Next Shoot Out
That being said, we don’t have a “Shoot-out” planned for this month. We want you to take some time to consider where you would like to go, and if you think you have a great place you would like to take us to, we’d love to have you lead an expedition! Come with your ideas to the next meeting.

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: Lights in the Darkness

We challenged you to work with your shutter (curtain) or use the night shot mode on your camera, and we got some interesting and creative shots.

This ghostly image was taken by Tammy Burden using a long exposure and a pinlight. (note it has been cropped from the original).

Brooke Anders, created this great image from downtown Hespler. Members commented that the streams of light hide the vintage of the vehicles, giving the image a timelessness. Welcome Brooke and we look forward to seeing more of your work.

Another new member, Derek Marsh, didn’t have a theme picture, but shared some great images, including this striking one from his trip to Disney that we all loved (and I had to share). Great work Derek.


Our Next Challenge:Cold
Well, the warm weather came, the snow was melting away and some of us even thought winter might be over, but it was all just a cruel trick! We got dumped on this week and the snow has returned – and it’s cold! Cold enough for Winter Olympics – at least on this end of the country.

So what better theme for our challenge this month than “Cold” – the challenge is to take an image that depicts cold. Be creative – use colour (usually blues) to give the cold feeling, or depict something that makes us feel the chill as we look at the images. I’m sure Tammy will provide the heater again to warm us up after.

Make us shiver with your images.

Freebie of the Month: GIMP
Wow, I cannot believe that in a whole year I haven’t posted a link for this freebie! It’s a little cumbersome, but it’s a great layered photo editing tool and it’s (you guessed it!) FREE.

http://www.gimp.org/

This GNU licensed program is available for several platforms. It has some great effects and the fact that you can work with layers makes it a great alternative to the ever popular Adobe product!

Next Regular Meeting: March 28th, 2010 - 4:00-6:00pm We want you to come to the next meeting with your ideas and thoughts. Come with ideas for challenges and outings, and if you think you can, bring some suggestions of how you might be able to help the group – bringing goodies, leading an outing, or any other great idea, bring your thoughts along.

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! Bring a friend and bring your photos on a memory stick or in print so we can all share.

Upcoming Meetings:
April 25th Regular Meeting
– Brooke will lead a workshop on studio lighting basics.
May 30th Regular Meeting