Discusson Group Notes June 26, 2009
The folks dribbled in but by the time we got in full swing we had 12.
Mary brought in the May, 09, edition of "Nature Photographer," which had many great photos. It also had a list of 13 techniques for getting great nature photos. Two techniques I thought were interesting were "Water Level Blind," which is wading into the water so your camera is just above the water line, and "Back-button Focusing," which I hadn't heard about but Lyle described it for me.
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2286
Jim brought in some coupons for discounts on our meals. This could become habit forming.
Jim, Mary, and I talked about local trips and buying equipment on a budget.
Jim says he still uses film. I read recently that Kodak was discontinuing manufacturing of Kodachrome. The end of an era. Jim said that he ordered 11 x 14 prints from Adorama for $5 each. Online you can select from eight different kinds of paper and can do color correction as you order the prints or check the box that has them do the color correction for you. He said that he ordered them one day and that they were shipped the next.
Cheryl said that the photos she sent to Adorama were back yard photography. Backyard photography is a great way to practice photography, whether you're on a budget or not. A Google for "backyard photography" brings up a host of good links and great photos from the backyard.
Jo asked if we were going to meet on July 3rd and I told her yes. Last year we met on July 4th though only Jerry, Julia, and I showed up. Bianco's was closed so we sat outside talking for a while then Julia and I went to watch the fireworks at the corner of Ave H and about 34th, next to the warehouse.
I showed my photos of my Eclectic Trip to Hart Park http://www.glenn-olson.com/photos/journeys/hart1/hart1.htm, which includes a photo of a train. Mary and I then talked about putting pennies on the tracks.
Last week in my notes from Terri I said that she might have been mistaken about Art throwing his enlarger in the garbage. I was wrong. Art said that he did throw it in the garbage, but only after taking out the lens.
Bonnie passed around her portfolio. My favorite was Multnomah Falls. Of course, I used to live in the Portland area and so went to the falls many times.
Bonnie and Lyle talked at length about their studios, equipment, and techniques. I had used Bonnie's a few days earlier and got what I considered some great portraits. Lyle said that, with a different setup and equipment, that even my portraits can be improved. To show what he means he's offered to demonstrate the use of his studio to Bonnie and me. Lyle said that you need about 9 ft between the camera and the model plus another 9 ft to blur the background. During these discussions I realized that my green-porch could be used as a studio, with some limitations, because it's 12 ft wide and 50 ft long. Later, when I got home, Deborah reminded me of my 30 ft x 50 ft shop and overhead crane that can hold large backdrops. Plus we can close the doors and block out almost all light. I guess I'm better of than I thought, but I do want to thank Bonnie for my first opportunity in a studio and the use of her equipment.
Bonnie offered up her studio to the other members of the group but said that it would not be available during July. If you're interested, and want to view your photos realtime, then you should bring your own laptop. I forgot mine and, for some reason, hers was not compatible with my camera.
Art said that CDs of backgrounds are available and that you can order Chroma Key backgrounds. These Chroma Key backgrounds come in blue and green which allow the computer to selectively delete them and insert whatever background you want. A Google search for "chroma key background" brings up a number of articles and sources. I'm seriously considering ordering one of these backgrounds. Art also said that B&H sells opaque vinyl cloth to put over your windows to block out light.
Art and Lyle had a discussion on light boxes. Later, Deborah and I looked up light boxes on the internet and found an interesting site that tells how to build your own for $10 or less.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html
Terri told us about the possibility of taking skate board photos. Every Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m., there is an event at the Marie Kerr Skate Park in Palmdale. Unfortunately, I'm usually at this meeting but maybe someday I'll play hooky and go to the skate park.
Terri bragged that on her trip this fall she'll be taking a tour of the Statue of Liberty. We'll be expecting some great photos when they return. I'll be going to Las Vegas on the 8th, in part to photo-document a large box of genealogy stuff my sister has collected. It's a lot faster to photograph multiple documents than to put them through the scanner, and the clarity is better.
After some of the folks left, a few of us had a lengthy discussion on purchasing affordable equipment versus the expensive stuff. We know that there are many in the club who are on a budget (including me) and some of the new members are trying to figure out what they need and what they can afford. We concluded that photography can be very expensive, but doesn't have to be. One example is the $10 dollar (or less) light box described above. Another is Art's purchases of second-hand glasses and setup for his light table work. Which reminds me, I have quite a selection of glass panes left over from building my green porch which I would be glad to give away (so I don't have to haul them to the dump). These panes range from small to door size and both clear and tinted.
If you can, please join us each Friday evening at Denny's at the corner of Ave K and 20th West. We begin at 6:30 PM and usually go to at least 8:30 PM. You can drop by at anytime and stay for as long as you like (you don't even have to buy anything).
Glenn Olson
Coordinator and Moderator
glenn@glenn-olson.com
816-8278