The F cal PointOfficial Newsletter of the

Transcription

1 The F cal PointOfficial Newsletter of the Working in Projects by Izabela Korwel LINN AREA PHOTO CLUB The ultimate goal of a photographer or an artist in general is to be able to work in projects. And yet this is not the idea we develop when we work on our photographic skills nowadays. Browsing through Social Media, blogs and even many websites, we are influenced by culture of creating and sharing a single image. As stunning as a single image can be, both technically and artistically, it can hardly tell the whole story, interpret the world, express an opinion. As a creative exercise, let s take a challenge to go beyond a single image this one time. There has to be a recurring theme among all your images. There must be something you just cannot pass without photographing. Are those chairs? Birds? Fallen trees? Dumpsters maybe? A particular location where you go back to photograph over and over again? Whatever it is, find those images (here comes in handy all this keywording you hate doing). There will be plenty of images, if you identified the theme, I assure you. Create a collection, and see if you can edit it down to 5 best images, which share something more than a theme. Maybe the light is similar? Color tonalities? Composition? Create a collage, give it a cute title and voila, here is your first photographic project. Now, for those who think it was too easy. Let s take it one step further. Do you see a story emerging in your series? Have you told, or shown all you wanted us, viewers to know about the subject? If not, can you see what is missing? How about going out and continue on with this project. Maybe you need a different season, point of views, time of day, species, color. Share your projects on Social Media, and I am sure other club members will love to see those. Izabela Korwel Izabela Korwel Izabela Korwel page 1 of 13

2 Recent Photo Shoot - Steel Wool on Fire 2 greater cedar rapids area Sherry Schons December 6, 2014 We are looking for volunteers: - Studio Photographers - Assistant Photographers - Photo Editors - Make-up Artists - Hairstylists Help-Portrait is a worldwide movement of photographers using their time, equipment, and expertise to give back to people less fortunate during the holiday season. Visit our Facebook page: For more information or to get involved, please co-coordinators Amy & DJ at: gcrahelpportrait@gmail.com Amy (319) DJ: (319) Mary Disterhoft Submissions Wanted! Mary Disterhoft Have an interest in writing? Have a tip you would like to see in the newsletter? We are looking for club member submissions for future newsletters! Suggestions for submissions include: - Articles - Photography Tips - Equipment for Sale - Educational Opportunities page 2 of 13

3 August Monthly Meeting By Kris Hoeger The August meeting took place at Wickiup Learning Center on August 10,, There were 30 members present. Bob Lancaster, Vice-President, opened the meeting with new members and visitors, Jerry Keeney, Russ Werning, and Shari Brase-Smith. Upcoming Photo Events were discussed: Sept 6 Ellis Boat Club Fireworks (rescheduled from the 4th) Swamp Fox Car Show at Thomas Park - Sept 6/7 Car Show every Sunday at Newbo 9th Annual Photography Day Living History Farms - Saturday, September 20 from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm Rocky Mountain School of Photography - Des Moines Photo Weekend March 28-20, 2015 News and Notes: We talked about the Iowa State Fair, who had photos entered, on display, etc. Bob Lancaster had a copy of the photo from the Youth Division that the club sponsored. Bob Lancaster talked about going to Denali next year and reserved 2 spots and has 1 spot left. If interested see Bob for more details. The annual club contest theme was decided. The theme will be Eyes. Monthly Photo Contest: The monthly contest theme was Trains, Planes and Automobiles. 1st place Dean Traver 2nd place Gary Siegle 3rd place Dave Claiborne Remaining Monthly Contests: September Motion October Break the Rules November (Annual Contest) - Eyes Linn Area Photo Club is sponsored by: Dean Traver page 3 of 13

4 August Monthly Meeting Continued by Kris Hoeger Group Discussion: Doug Shaffer asked about having a How do you that photography question and answer segment. Topics covered included how to shoot waterfalls, fireworks, how to use a neutral density polarizer (reduces the amount of light getting through your sensor), and how to shoot a Full Moon, Super Moon or the Blood Moon on Oct 8. Some members thought photographing the 1st quarter moon is better. Sunny 16 Rules An elaborated form of the sunny 16 rule is to set shutter speed nearest to the reciprocal of the ISO film speed/setting and f-number according to this table: Aperture Lighting Conditions Shadow detail f/22 snow/sand dark with sharp edges f/16 sunny distinct f/11 slight overcast soft around edges f/8 overcast barely visible f/5.6 heavy overcast No shadows f/4 open shade/sunset No shadows Add one stop Backlighting n/a Someone asked where waterfalls were in Iowa. Locations listed were Lake McBride, Decorah Dunning Springs and Wapsi Ridge State Park Anamosa. Tips for shooting fireworks: Use a tripod, cable release, small exposure (F11 down F22), low ISO (400 or less), manual exposure (focus once), bulb setting, shoot in RAW, experiment, wide angle lens, shoot lots of pictures. Some members like to have people, buildings or silhouettes in their firework photo. Others say listen to the thump count 2 or 3 seconds before shooting. Website suggestion: creativelive.com (or search for free seminars for further information). Bad cards were discussed. Format the card in your computer then format in your camera. The computer will tell you if it has bad sectors, if it does it was suggested to get rid of the card. Annual Cookout at Wickiup September 12:30 am - 4:00 pm Join us for the annual September Cookout! The club will supply hamburgers, brats, hotdogs and chicken as well as table servings. Please RSVP at linnareaphotoclub.org to let us know your choice and a side or dessert you can bring to share. page 4 of 13

5 page 5 of 13

6 September Prairie Photography Walk What: Prairie photography Walk Where: Wickiup Hill Learning Center Address: Morris Hills Road, Toddville GPS: , When: Saturday September 20th, 7:30 to 9:30am Join us in September as photographer Bob Lancaster, leads us on a trek through the Wickiup prairie on the morning of Saturday September 20th. Meet at the front door to Wickiup and wear your comfortable hiking shoes for the approximate two mile hike. Suggested equipment to bring: Tripod Standard, wide angle and a macro lens Bug spray keep in mind DEET is great for avoiding ticks and mosquitoes but bad for camera bodies. Empty garbage bag or similar to lie down onto the grass without getting dirty. The shoot date will stay as planned unless it is pouring down rain at the start time. This prairie shoot will still take place even if there is a light mist as the mist would help create beautiful images. This shoot is free to attend for photographers of all skill levels. As a thank you, please consider donating a few images back to Wickiup. Links to images can be sent to the activities@linnareaphotoclub.org and will be forwarded to Wickiup. Remember to include an Image Rights note in your for your photo donation. If you d like to check out Bob Lancaster s wildflower webpage, click the following link: For more information on Wickiup Hill Natural Area: Wickiup-Hill-Natural-Area.aspx Linn Area Photo Club is sponsored by: Dean Traver page 6 of 13

7 page 7 of 13

8 page 8 of 13

9 page 9 of 13

10 LAPC Annual Contest Categories 1. People and Portraits Defined as individuals or groups of people as the primary focus of the photo. 2. Black and White (no color or selected color photos are allowed) Any permissible subject is allowed. No color photos allowed. 3. Animals Domestic, captive, or wild. Includes mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, etc. Does not include insects (see Macro / Close-Up category). 4. Landscape / Scenery Photos that focus on natural settings. 5. Macro / Close-Up Macro/Close-up of any permissible subject. Includes insects. 6. Architecture Photos where man-made permanent structures are the theme (i.e.; buildings, bridges, dams, architectural elements, etc.). 7. Panoramic Defined as capture of images with elongated fields of view. Any permissible subject is allowed. Minimum size: 6 on the shorter measurement 7. Panoramic continued Minimum aspect ratio: 2:1 May be either cropped from a single image or multiple images stitched together. All mounting, framing, etc., requirements and/or restrictions apply unless specifically noted otherwise here. 8. Computer Enhanced / Manipulated Anything obviously and overtly unnatural and manipulated in the computer and/or darkroom (i.e.: selective coloring, unnatural-looking HDR, etc.). Any permissible subject is allowed. 9. Anything Goes Images that do not fit any of the above categories, but are otherwise not restricted (i.e.: collages, nude, etc.). Does not include computer enhanced or panoramas. 10. Annual Club-Selected Theme Theme to be decided by LAPC members each year. (2014 Theme: Eyes ) One (1) entry per person. To be judged as a Member s Choice. One (1) vote per member (one chip). 1st Place only shall be awarded. Not eligible for Best of Show Award. Winner will receive one (1) year s paid membership to LAPC for the next year. page 10 of 13

11 LAPC Annual Contest Rules Eligibility: a) Competitors must be members in good standing of Linn Area Photo Club (LAPC), and have paid their dues (at time of judging). b) Must be present during contest to participate. c) Photos must be submitted to the entry table by 1:30 (Not just in the building). LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!! Entry format: a) Entries must be in print form only. b) No restriction regarding print paper. Glossy, matte, metallic, canvas, etc., are all acceptable. c) Entries may be either color or black & white in any category, unless specifically restricted. d) Entries must be the original work of the competitor, and must have been taken within five (5) years. e) Entries cannot have been a previous LAPC Annual Contest winner (1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place). Entries may have been a previous LAPC Monthly Contest winner. f) Photos may be any size up to, and including, 11 x14 (including matting, if applicable)*. g) All photos must be mounted on 11 x14 foam core that is at least 1/8 thick. h) Matting is optional. i) Entries can NOT be framed or include any type of covering. j) All entries must have the competitor s name, image title, category, and an arrow indicating the up orientation on the back in the lower righthand corner. Information must be legible. k) Entrant s name, photo title, date, and any other text cannot appear on the front of the photo. l) No collages. m) Any photo may be disqualified by the Contest Rules Committee if deemed inappropriate and/ or not meeting any rule or requirement n) Nude photos are not eligible. Entries, Prizes, & Judging: a) Each competitor may submit up to two (2) photos in each category, with an overall total of eight (8) maximum submissions for the entire contest. Does not include club-selected theme category. b) Three (3) winning entries (1st, 2nd & 3rd Place), along with up to three (3) Honorable Mention entries, will be selected, per category. c) Only the three winning entries (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place) in each category, as well as Best of Show, will receive a prize. Competitors may win up to two (2) awards/ prizes in each category. d) The same photo may not be entered into more than one (1) category. e) Best of Show Award will be selected from amongst the1st Place winners in all categories (except Annual Club-Selected Theme category), and be awarded in addition to the 1st Place Award for that category. f) The Annual Contest will be judged by a pre-selected judge or judges. g) Judge(s) and/or Contest Rules Committee members reserve the right to move photos to other categories if category choice is deemed inappropriate. Photo will be disqualified if appropriate category already has maximum number of competitor entries. *- See Panorama Category for panorama size criteria. page 11 of 13

12 Monthly Contest Rules Eligibility: a) Competitors must be members in good standing of Linn Area Photo Club (LAPC), and have paid their dues (at time of judging). b) Must be present during contest to participate Entry format: a) Entries must be in print form only. b) No restriction regarding print paper. Glossy, matte, metallic, canvas, etc., are all acceptable. c) Entries may be either color or black & white. d) Entries must be the original work of the competitor, and must have been taken within two (2) years. e) Entries cannot have been a previous LAPC Monthly or Annual Contest winner. f) Minimum size: 8 x10. Maximum size 11 x14 (including matting, if applicable) g) Entries may be mounted, but it is not a requirement. h) Matting is optional. i) Entries can NOT be framed or include any type of covering. j) All entries must have the competitor s name, image title, and an arrow indicating the up orientation on the back in the lower right-hand corner. Information must be legible. k) Entrant s name, photo title, date, and any other text cannot appear on the front of the photo. l) No collages. m) Any photo may be disqualified by the Contest Rules Committee if deemed inappropriate and/ or not meeting any rule or requirement n) Nude photos are not eligible. Entries, Prizes, & Judging: a) Each competitor may submit up to two (2) photos in each monthly contest. b) Three (3) winning entries (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place) will be selected. c) Only the First Place winner will receive a prize. d) Contest will be judged by a vote of LAPC members. About the Linn Area Photo Club The Linn Area Photo Club (LAPC) was established in November, 2003, in order to bring together individuals in the greater Linn County, Iowa, area who are interested in acquiring and developing an appreciation of the art and techniques of photography. Dues are $25 for new memberships and renewals. Monthly meetings are normally held at 1:30pm on the second Sunday of the month at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center in Toddville, Iowa. (See Calendar of Events for details). Club membership is open to photographers of all skill levels. Members participate in a variety of educational programs, field trips, and photo shoots. There is an informal monthly theme contest and an annual club contest that drew over 90 entries in its first year. Members range from beginners to professionals and use both digital and traditional photographic technology. LAPC is a great place to meet and learn from other photo enthusiasts. Contact Information Linn Area Photo Club PO Box 676 Marion, IA Website: membership@linnareaphotoclub.org page 12 of 13

13 2014 LAPC Elected Officers Office Name Telephone President Tim McAdam (319) Vice-President Bob Lancaster (319) Secretary Cherie Flint (319) Treasurer David Byrnes (319) LAPC Appointed Officers and Committees Office Name Telephone Activities Amy Mueggenberg (319) Membership David Byrnes (319) Kris Hoeger (319) Newsletter Nicole Dernelle-Ruhlow (804) Public Relations Ken Boardrow (319) PSA/N4C Rep. Bob Lancaster (319) Webmaster Bob Randklev (319) LAPC Contests & Ken Boardrow Contest Rules Doug Hoeger Doug Shaffer Exhibits & Outside Photo Competitions Bob Lancaster Karla McMurrin Deadline for submission to The Focal Point is the 25th of each month for the next month s newsletter. The Focal Point will be published by approximately the 5th day of each month. The photographic image... is a message without a code. -Roland Barthes page 13 of 13