Discusson Group Notes February 13, 2009
Friday the 13th was an odd night. Bianco's was closed for a family emergency so the six of us went down to Primo's. Back when we first started going to Bianco's there were usually two or three people working the counter. That dwindled down to one and stayed that way for the last several months. We've been keeping him busy, but not rushed, with our meals, drinks and snacks but still we're not what you would call BIG spenders. I just called them (it's Thursday after 8 PM) and no one answered so it's possible that, in this economy, Bianco's is not going to be able to keep operating so late in the evenings.
Therefore, if anyone drops by and finds Bianco's closed then please meet us at Denny's at 1028 West Ave I. This next week I'll scout around for a more permanant alternative location.
Terri talked about her digital scrapbooking which she says she can do with CS3 but prefers other software. Later I spoke with Deborah at home and she likes CS3 because it gives her more control over the details. For those not familiar with it, digital scrapbooking lets you put your photos on pages in all kinds of ways with all kinds of backgrounds, overlays, and do-dads that I can't possibly describe. If you haven't figured out what you want to do with all your photos or just want to try something new then Google "digital scrapbooking" and see the amazing things that people have been doing. These are definitely not your Grandmother's scrapbooks.
Bonnie brought her multiTripod from Ergorest http://www.ergo-items.com/accessories/ergorest_multi_tripod.htm. It's like the Swiss Army Knife of small tripods. You can hang it on your car window, set it on a table, even wear it on your chest. Then she described her hotshoe leveler http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-337-Double-Bubble-Level/dp/B00009R6J7 which allows you to level your camera even on an adjustable head. Then she showed us her accessory bag for her new notebook computer, it was bigger than her computer. She had headphones, USB hub, mouse, make-up kit, change of clothes, kitchen sink (OK, no sink but it was a lot of good stuff) and we had fun watching her pull it all out.
We talked about the upcoming trip to Calico but no one was planning to participate. Terri started off a discussion thread on taking photos locally versus distant. Julia and I described the California Legless Lizards (they look like silver snakes with yellow bellys) that we found and took photos of. I hate to admit it but her mini-Canon beat out my EOS with (poorly applied) closeup filters. Lee mentioned something about kissing his dog in bed (he claims he thought it was Terri) and now I can't get the visual out of my head. I'm glad Terri didn't have her camera for that one. Time for a refill.
Bonnie explained the value of adjusting your white balance as the day progresses and lighting changes in a way I hadn't heard before, but now understand. She says she carries her white card around her neck for easy access and offers the web sites http://www.expoimaging.net/product-cat-overview.php and
http://www.photovisionvideo.com/store/CTGY/DCT/ for reference. Now I realize that I should have been doing this all along.
It was a shorter night than usual and harder to keep the discussions moving in a full service restaurant so these notes are shorter than usual. Hopefully we'll be back to normal on Friday the 20th.
Refrain: We meet each Friday at Bianco's Cafe at the South end of the Lancaster Market Place, behind and across the street from Movies 12. The core times are from 7 to 8 PM but there's typically someone there from 6:30 to at least 8:30. Bianco's will keep the lights on for you. But if they don't then meet us at Denny's at 1028 West Ave I. We're all in trouble if they close.
Glenn Olson
Coordinator and Moderator