8
Contents Page 2 - Upcoming NOVACC Activities. Page 3 - Critiquing Workshop; Smithsonian Contest; Image Re- quest; Sponsor. Page 4 - Notes About Resolution; October Challenge; Sponsor. Page 5 - Call for Newsletter Items; I Am a Photographer; U.S. Botanic Garden Workshop; Photo Competition. Page 6 - Lessons from the Field; Sponsor. Page 7 - Sponsors. Page 8 - Directions to Monthly Meeting; Exec. Board Contacts. Point of View VOLUME 18 ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2004 Page 1 Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club President’s Message by Bill Prosser I believe we got the new program year started in grand fashion. We had very good attendance (about 36 people) and a great slideshow. I believe the officers are doing an excellent job in planning and executing a won- derful set of programs and competitions. I hope that you agree with me that Sunny Reynolds showed beautiful images and spoke about her tech- niques in a way that should encourage each of us to approach our photography with new vision and excite- ment. There were several things that she said that reso- nate with me and seemed to reinforce the lessons from the George Lepp article on page 6, “Photography is all about light. Be prepared because you might have to shoot fast, but also wait for the right moment.” Each of us needs to practice our craft as much as possible. Only with thoughtfulness and practice will we get better. If I can do nothing else this year other than encourage you to get out your camera and shoot more often and thoughtfully, I will feel that I have had a very successful year as your President. One of the reasons for the Challenges is to encourage you to shoot more often and then thoughtfully compare your work with oth- ers. I have noticed that the successful amateur photogra- phers in our area often return to one or two places that they enjoy “working”. I encourage you to think about what you enjoy shooting and what locations give you the most joy. Is it, for example, your yard, your family at home or play, Teddy Roosevelt Island, the Monuments, Meadowlark Park, Scott’s Run, or the DC streets at night? Once you have diagnosed this, give your self- assignments to practice and stretch your vision. Remember, the answer to “How did you get that great picture?” It is “f/8 and be there.” MPC’s Quick-Look October Calendar Program : “Elegance of Glass,” Oct. 13 (Wed), 7:30 pm. (7:00 pm meet & greet) at McLean Com- munity Center. Critiquing Workshop : Oct. 27 (Wed), see pg. 3, 7:30 pm (7:00 pm meet & greet) at McLean Com- munity Center. October’s Program The Elegance Of Glass by Dick Whitley Our October program (October 13th), is for those who want to know how to photograph clear glassware or maybe for those who have tried it but were not happy the with the results. In the “hands-on” presentation, Dick Whitley will teach you how to use a four sided shadow box which pro- tects the glass arrangements from unwanted light. You will have an opportunity at the meeting to practice the tech- niques he describes. For a fun, educational evening, please bring a zoom lens that covers at least the 100 mm to 135 mm range; a sturdy tripod and a cable release; your film of choice—for example, 100 or 200 ISO slide film; and an 80A blue filter, if you have one. The blue filter is not necessary, but it helps to overcome the yellow hue of tungsten light. I use through-the-lens metering for my exposure. Flash equipment will not be used. If you would like photograph some of your own clear glassware, feel free to bring it. By means of introduction, Dick Whitley joined the Bowie - Crofton Camera Club (MD) after retirement in 1993. He served as Membership Vice-president for two years and as President for two years. In 1995, he joined the Photographic Society Of America (PSA). He got involved in International Slide Exhibitions in 1996 and now has four stars in Color Slides and three each in Nature and Photojournalism Slides. Dick was named Region Director (RD) of the Year in 2002. He was recently named RD Operations Director and is responsible for the every day concerns and problems of all RD's throughout the United States and Canada. During his tenure in PSA, he has been awarded various awards. In September 2004, he was awarded the Honor of Associate. This honor is bestowed for extensive and material contribu- tions to the advancement of photography. Photographic achievement or proficiency must be combined with ele- ments of service. Congratulations to Manuel Hernandez! Manuel entered 3 prints in the PSA International Exhibition of Photography this September in Bloomington, Minnesota. Two of his prints received Honorable Mention.

Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

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Page 1: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

Contents Page 2 - Upcoming NOVACC Activities. Page 3 - Critiquing Workshop; Smithsonian Contest; Image Re-quest; Sponsor. Page 4 - Notes About Resolution; October Challenge; Sponsor. Page 5 - Call for Newsletter Items; I Am a Photographer; U.S. Botanic Garden Workshop; Photo Competition. Page 6 - Lessons from the Field; Sponsor. Page 7 - Sponsors. Page 8 - Directions to Monthly Meeting; Exec. Board Contacts.

Point of View

VOLUME 18 ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2004 Page 1

Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club

President’s Message by Bill Prosser

I believe we got the new program year started in grand fashion. We had very good attendance (about 36 people) and a great slideshow. I believe the officers are doing an excellent job in planning and executing a won-derful set of programs and competitions. I hope that you agree with me that Sunny Reynolds showed beautiful images and spoke about her tech-niques in a way that should encourage each of us to approach our photography with new vision and excite-ment. There were several things that she said that reso-nate with me and seemed to reinforce the lessons from the George Lepp article on page 6, “Photography is all about light. Be prepared because you might have to shoot fast, but also wait for the right moment.” Each of us needs to practice our craft as much as possible. Only with thoughtfulness and practice will we get better. If I can do nothing else this year other than encourage you to get out your camera and shoot more often and thoughtfully, I will feel that I have had a very successful year as your President. One of the reasons for the Challenges is to encourage you to shoot more often and then thoughtfully compare your work with oth-ers. I have noticed that the successful amateur photogra-phers in our area often return to one or two places that they enjoy “working”. I encourage you to think about what you enjoy shooting and what locations give you the most joy. Is it, for example, your yard, your family at home or play, Teddy Roosevelt Island, the Monuments, Meadowlark Park, Scott’s Run, or the DC streets at night? Once you have diagnosed this, give your self-assignments to practice and stretch your vision. Remember, the answer to “How did you get that great picture?” It is “f/8 and be there.”

MPC’s Quick-Look October Calendar

Program: “Elegance of Glass,” Oct. 13 (Wed), 7:30 pm. (7:00 pm meet & greet) at McLean Com-munity Center. Critiquing Workshop: Oct. 27 (Wed), see pg. 3, 7:30 pm (7:00 pm meet & greet) at McLean Com-munity Center.

October’s Program The Elegance Of Glass by Dick Whitley

Our October program (October 13th), is for those who want to know how to photograph clear glassware or maybe for those who have tried it but were not happy the with the results. In the “hands-on” presentation, Dick Whitley will teach you how to use a four sided shadow box which pro-tects the glass arrangements from unwanted light. You will have an opportunity at the meeting to practice the tech-niques he describes. For a fun, educational evening, please bring a zoom lens that covers at least the 100 mm to 135 mm range; a sturdy tripod and a cable release; your film of choice—for example, 100 or 200 ISO slide film; and an 80A blue filter, if you have one. The blue filter is not necessary, but it helps to overcome the yellow hue of tungsten light. I use through-the-lens metering for my exposure. Flash equipment will not be used. If you would like photograph some of your own clear glassware, feel free to bring it. By means of introduction, Dick Whitley joined the Bowie - Crofton Camera Club (MD) after retirement in 1993. He served as Membership Vice-president for two years and as President for two years. In 1995, he joined the Photographic Society Of America (PSA). He got involved in International Slide Exhibitions in 1996 and now has four stars in Color Slides and three each in Nature and Photojournalism Slides. Dick was named Region Director (RD) of the Year in 2002. He was recently named RD Operations Director and is responsible for the every day concerns and problems of all RD's throughout the United States and Canada. During his tenure in PSA, he has been awarded various awards. In September 2004, he was awarded the Honor of Associate. This honor is bestowed for extensive and material contribu-tions to the advancement of photography. Photographic achievement or proficiency must be combined with ele-ments of service.

Congratulations to Manuel Hernandez! Manuel entered 3 prints in the PSA International Exhibition of Photography this September in Bloomington, Minnesota. Two of his prints received Honorable Mention.

Page 2: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

McLean Photography Club OCTOBER 2004 Page 2

Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC)

The “Alliance” is an informal organization started in the spring of 1997 by Joseph Miller with the assistance of Dave Carter and Ed Funk. Its purpose is to promote communication and cooperation among camera clubs. Each Virginia member club agrees to publish in its newsletter a calendar of open-events for the current month held at other Virginia member clubs. Check out the NOVACC site at http://www.nvps.org/NOVACC.html.

As a member of the McLean Photography Club, you may attend any of the activities listed below. We have tried to insure the accuracy of the information below. However, if you plan to attend an event,

it may be best to verify its time and place beforehand. Loudoun Photography Club Contact: Lisa Carlson at (703) 725-2931 or [email protected]. Website: http://www.loudounphoto.com. Meetings are held at 7:00 pm at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn, Va. Program: Oct. 5 (Tue), John Sykes presents "Digital Photojournalism," 7 pm. Field Trip: Oct. 15 (Fri), Balloon Festival field trip to Long Branch, 7 am . Competition: Oct. 19 (Tue), Animal competition with Jan Carson. Manassas Warrenton Camera Club Contact: Andrew Jezioro (703) 361-8542 or [email protected]. Website: http://www.mwcc-photo.org. Meetings are held at 7:30 pm, Manassas City Hall, Old Town Manassas. Program: Oct. 7 (Thu); Instruction Tips & Tricks in PhotoShop, pertaining to digital photography by, Anna Marie Morgan. Competition: Oct. 21 (Thu); Nature. Field Trip: Oct. 16 (Sat); Hot Air Balloons. Meet at Manassas City Hall, Old Town Manassas at 6:00 am or a little earlier. McLean Photography Club Contact: William Prosser at (703) 821-2670 or [email protected]. Website: http://www.mcleanphoto.org. Meetings are held at 7:30 pm (meet & greet at 7:00 pm), McLean Community Center. Program: Oct. 13 (Wed), “The Elegance of Glass,” Dick Whitley. Critiquing Workshop: Oct. 27 (Wed). See page 3 for more info. Northern Virginia Photographic Society Contact: Contact: Carl Zelman at (703) 404-4769 or [email protected]. Website: http://www.nvps.org. Meetings are held at 7:45 pm at Dunn Loring Fire Station, 2148 Gallows Rd., Dunn Loring, Va. Program: Oct. 5 (Tue). TBA. Competition: Oct. 19 (Tue), Judge, Susan Klemens. Workshop: Oct. 23 (Sat), “Photography as Art,” Joe Miller. To be held at the Joseph Miller Center for the Photographic Arts. For further info contact Fred Chitty, 703-493-8530, or [email protected]. Field Trip: Oct. 15-17 (Fri-Sun), West Virginia Bridge Day and Fall Foliage. For further info contact Ralph Edwards, 703-878-2882, or [email protected]. Forum: Oct. 26 (Tue). Joe Miller, “Seeing Images in a Chess Set.” Members Gallery: Mary Ann Setton will display prints and Minnie Gallman will show slides. Reston Photographic Society Contact: Jerry Weisskohl at (703) 200-4134 or [email protected]; Jim Schlett at (703) 476-6538 or [email protected]. Website: http://www.leagueofrestonartists.org/. Meetings are held at 7:30 pm at RCC Hunters Woods, rooms 3 & 4. Program: Oct. 18 (Mon), Bill Prosser: A Digital Trip to Utah and the West. Exhibition: Oct. 4 (Mon) - Oct. 31 (Sun), Annual Judged Photography Exhibit (members only), Jo Ann Rose Gallery, Reston Community Center, Lake Anne. Vienna Photographic Society Contact: Bill Graybeal at (703) 281-9619 or [email protected]; Warren Standley at (703) 979-3838 or [email protected]. Website: http://www.safeport.com/vps. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wed. at 7:30 pm in the main lecture hall of the Thoreau Middle School, 2505 Cedar Lane, Vienna, VA. Program: Oct. 6 (Wed), 7:30 pm; Bob and Raymond Leonard, “Sail Down to Australia: The Adventures of Kangaroo Ron and the Tasmanian Devil .“ Competition: Oct. 20 (Wed), 7:30 pm; with our judge Olive Rosen, a long-time freelance, corporate, and wedding photog-rapher who has taught at the Smithsonian and judged extensively in the DC area. Field Trip: Oct. 16 (Sat), Fall Color 2004: The Middleburg & Aldie Ramble, departs the Vienna Metro Station, North Lot, at 7:30 am. Contact Bill Kyburz at [email protected] or (703) 517-9568.

The Editors would like to thank McLeanCopy for printing this newsletter. For quality printing at very reasonable prices,

contact Gregory Lehr, (703) 827-5734 or [email protected].

Page 3: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

McLean Photography Club OCTOBER 2004 Page 3

Image Critiquing Workshop The Critiquing Workshop, October 27, will allow members to obtain constructive feedback on their images, both slides and prints. The purpose of critiques is to allow you to try out your work on other members and obtain their suggestions about technical details, composition, and other aspects of the image. The workshop will provide a supportive, educa-tional environment to improve one’s photography. Novices may bring up to six images; advanced members may bring up to four images. Everyone may bring a few extra images in case time al-lows additional opportunity for critiques. Print pictures should be at least 5” x 7” and preferably matted. The workshop will be held in the McLean Community Center, Maffett Room starting at 7:30 pm. If you have any questions contact Bill Prosser at (703) 821-2670 or [email protected].

5 Categories 50 Finalists 5 Winners

Five winners will be awarded, one in each of the photo contest categories as well as a sixth, grand-prize winner. The win-ners of each category will receive $500. The grand-prize winner, chosen from the 50 finalists, will receive $1,000. All entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2004. Prints may be from digital high-resolution or film originals. Send unmounted 5x7 or 8x10 color or black and white prints by mail to Photo Contest, Smithsonian Magazine, Victor Build-ing, Suite 7100, MRC 951A, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, D.C. 20013. The Categories: Americana—Events, objects or activities connecting the American people to their history or cultural heri-tage. The Natural World—Animals, plants, landscapes, geological, natural or climatological features and scientific proc-esses and endeavors. People—Portraits, both studied and spontaneous, of individuals or groups from all walks of life. Cul-ture & Arts—Depictions of art, sculpture, textiles, etc., and of people interacting with same or in performance. Travel—Images that capture geography, peoples, activities and cultures in the United States and around the world. Get the details at: http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues04/sep04/editorsnote.html.

MPC Wants Your Photo Images - MPC Website and Critique Website -

The MPC’s website, http://www.mcleanphoto.org, is for display of images, The critique website, http://www.pbase.com/mpcva, is for displaying images for critique and comments by club members. To learn how to load images contact Bill Prosser or Minnie Gallman to obtain login name and password. For other details you may also consult the Sep-tember 2004 Newsletter.

Page 4: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

McLean Photography Club OCTOBER 2004 Page 4

October Challenge: “Critters” Bring images of “critters,” defined however you like, to October meeting—7:00 to 7:30 pm, October 13 at McLean Community Center.

Notes About Resolution by Bill Prosser

The purpose of this note is to explain the concept of resolution as it relates to digital cameras, scanners, & printers. Resolution is defined as the number of pixels (Picture Elements) per inch in the image captured by the device. The term applies to devices such as scanners and digital cameras (and Photoshop.) It has a different meaning when used in connec-tion with printers where it means number of ink drops per inch. Think of pixels as buckets. Each bucket, pixel, does the same thing; it collects data—red, green, and blue light data. The more buckets on the sensing element (CCD or CMOS), the bigger the image and eventually the more information per inch one can have. The term associated with digital cameras, megapixels, is the total pixels, buckets capturing information--sensor length (number of pixels) times the sensor width (number of pixels). For example, a three-megapixel camera has a CCD that is about 1600 pixels by 2200 pixels. The nomenclature most often used with scanner resolution is the number of pixels per inch (ppi). A scanner has a sensing element that gathers information by sweeping a sensor down the page being scanned. The width is a fixed number of pixels, but the length can vary depending on the length of sweep and the mechanics of infor-mation gathering as it sweeps. The digital camera, on the other hand, has a fixed-size sensor like a sandbox full of buckets collecting water dropping from the sky. A computer monitor shows information at a fixed resolution of 72 dots/pixels per inch (ppi), no matter the size of the file being observed. This means that pictures being shared on the Internet or being viewed on the monitor need only to have a resolution of 72 pixels per inch. Higher resolution is wasted. When printing, however, the maximum number of image pixels per inch of file size ever needed is 200 to 300 ppi. (I don’t know why, but any file resolution higher than 300 ppi is wasted, but it is.) This is not true for the printer resolution--dpi, dots per inch. The higher the number of (ink) dots per inch (dpi) the better. The smaller the dot of ink the printer can paint more continuous colors and tones on the paper. That is why printers over time have advertised higher and higher resolu-tions—ink dots per inch. Epson, for example, started with inkjet printers of 360 dpi and are now up to 2880 dpi. A couple of related terms also might be useful to your understanding of this subject—bit depth and dynamic range. Bit depth is the number of tones of red, green, or blue each pixel bucket can capture. The current standard is 8-bits, 256 tones or 24 bits for R, B, and G. When the R, B, and G channels are combined they can produce almost 17 million hues. Photo-shop works with 24-bit pictures. Scanners are now able to scan at 48 bits, 16 bits per R, B, and G. When pictures are scanned at higher than 24 bits they must be converted to 24 bit images within Photoshop for all the tools and other elements to work. Dynamic range is the sensor’s sensitivity to tonal differences between pure black and pure white. Generally, the higher the dynamic range number, the better. (It is expressed in a number like 3.4. This is a logarithmic scale where 4.0 is theoreti-cally the highest possible number; although, Nikon is manufacturing scanners with dynamic ranges reportedly exceeding 4.0.) This is similar to film. Negative film can capture a higher dynamic range, 7 stops, than slides, 5stops. Our eyes can see about 11 stops.

*One Hour Quality Photo Processing and Color Prints *Black & White Processing and Prints *Enlargements from Negatives, Slides, Prints & Digital Files *Copy Negatives, Internegatives & Slide Duplication *Slides from Prints, Negatives, Transparencies & Digital Files *Slides - E-6 Processing, Kodak Services, Medium Format *Viewgraph & Display Transparencies

Website: http://www.McLeanPhotolab.com

*Photo Restoration, Poster Prints, Postcards *Photo on Images, CD's, Diskettes, & Zip Drives *PowerPoint Slides *Personalized Greeting Cards *Pictures on T's, Sweatshirts, Aprons & Mouse Pads *Video Duplication, Movies, Slides & Prints to Video Tape *Instant & Digital Passport, Visa & Immigration Pictures

E-mail: [email protected]

10% discount for MPC members

Tel: (703) 448-7627 or (703) 356-6570 Fax:(703) 448-7668

1320 Old Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101 For Quality Services, all done in-house (since 1975)

Critiquing Website Don’t forget to consider putting pictures on our critique website: http://www.pbase.com/mcleanphotoclub. For assistance in putting images on the site, contact Bill Prosser.

Page 5: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

McLean Photography Club SEPTEMBER 2004 Page 5

United States Botanic Garden Workshop How to Use Your Camera While Photographing Flowers

Josh Taylor, Photographer and Instructor This workshop will emphasize proper techniques for creating images using compositional elements and basic photographic equipment. Sessions will include an illustrated slide lecture, time in the Garden Court to take pic-tures and a formal critique of participants' photographs.

Code: W103004 Dates: Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20 (Saturdays)

Time: 8:00 - 10:00 am Where: US Botanic Gardens, 245 First St. SW, Wash. D.C.

Phone: (202) 226-4082 SONG members: $80; non-members:$90

To register: http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Understanding-Your-Camera.cfm

McLean Photography Club OCTOBER 2004 Page 5

“I Am a Photographer” by Joseph Miller

Words mean something. I believe that “Photographer” is an honorable word. More than half a century ago I was drafted into the Army and assigned to Heidelberg, Germany. There I purchased my first 35 mm cam-era at the base PX. In order to record my experiences in that part of the world unknown to me, I used Ko-dachrome slide film, then the standard for color film. What I liked then (and now) about being a photographer was what appeared through the lens appeared on the slide, or, if I chose to have a print made from the slide, then what appeared through the lens appeared as a print. I felt I was always being tested as a photographer. Often I failed. If I was careless as a photographer and didn't notice unsightly objects that somehow intruded into my picture space, my image reminded me of my neglect. If I was impatient and wouldn't wait for clouds to appear, then my image reported a bald sky. I was content then (and now) to let my abilities as an image maker depend on my skill, or lack thereof, as a photogra-pher. Now the photographer is a vanishing species. With the rapid explosion of technology, image making is no longer the do-main of the photographer, but has become the domain of the user of electronic devices and software programs. The final image is the result of a bit of cloning here, some layering there, importing this or that, all often far removed from what the lens saw, if indeed a camera lens ever saw any of the image. This is not to say that the final result may not be visually excellent. Wonderful images can be produced by the gifted and talented sitting at a computer. But they are not photographers. They are synthesizers. The result is not photography. The result is imagery. Words do, indeed, mean something. Photographers are dead. Long live photographers.

CALL FOR NEWSLETTER ITEMS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

All members are invited to send photography related articles, tips, quotations, want-ads, and/or technical or artistic questions to be included in the Newsletter. Contributions should reach the edi-tors no latter than the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication.

E-mail, US mail or call either co-editor, Gary Oddi or Bill Prosser, if you have submissions or questions.

Attention Rail Fans and Shutterbugs! The First Annual Aviation Photography Competition, part of the 10th Annual Festival of Freedom sponsored by the Freedom Mu-seum in Manassas, VA, will be held on October 16 and 17, 2004 at the Manassas Regional Airport. All entries must have an avia-tion theme and the competition is open to the public. Entries may be submitted via mail to: Aviation Photography Contest., Attn: Mr. Gene Wells, 12914 Canova Drive, Manassas, VA 20112. Mailed in entries must be accompanied by a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope for return Mailing. Entries may be hand delivered to the Manassas Regional Airport between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Friday, October 15, 2004. Please submit only mat-ted, unframed prints. Prints not on a solid backing will not be judged. Categories for entry are: Professional—Anyone who regularly sells their work; Amateur—21 years of age and older; Amateur—16 to 21 years of age; and Amateur—15 years of age and younger. First, Second, and Third place winners will be awarded in each category. The winning photographs will be displayed in the Passenger Waiting Room of the Manassas Regional Airport from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM on Saturday, Oct 16th and Sunday, Oct. 17th. All entries must be picked up before 4:00 PM on Sunday, Oct. 17, if they are not accompanied with a Self-addressed Stamped Envelope. We encourage you to stop by the 10th Annual Festival of Freedom to vote for your favorite entry for the People's Choice Compe-tition! The winner will be announced at 3:00 PM on Sunday. For more information on how to enter contact Gordon Tassi of the Ma-nassas Warrenton Camera Club at [email protected], or visit http://www.mwcc-photo.org.

Page 6: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

McLean Photography Club OCTOBER 2004 Page 6

Lessons From The Field by George D. Lepp

(Editors’ Note: This was excerpted from Outdoor Photographer, September 2004.)

This article is was written to summarize 10 lessons George learned when leading a workshop this summer for 12 photographers. Know Your Gear: Know how to use your gear before you go out in the field so that you can spend your time learn-ing from the instructor and maximizing your creativity rather than features of your equipment. Attitude: When using digital cameras don’t go into the field that you can fix it using Photoshop (or some other soft-ware) when you get home. Remember, “garbage in, garbage out.” Image-editing software can help you maximize the image not fix it. Bull’s-Eye: Student photographers often concentrate so much on the main subject that they place it in the dead center of the picture space. It is often better composition, visual design, when you place the main subject off-center. Composition rules are guidelines, however, and not to be followed blindly. Distill the Subject: A mistake of beginning photographers is to try to cram in too much stuff—the image is too busy. Less is more. If it doesn’t add, it subtracts. Try to emphasize, isolate, the main subject and eliminate unimportant dis-tracting surrounding areas. Watch out for busy, distracting backgrounds. Be Prepared: There is nothing worse than running out of power, batteries, or recording media just when the action or lighting is peak. Plan ahead and bring plenty of extra batteries, film, and Compact Flash (or other) cards. If you are using digital, make sure you have something to download and store your images in between shoots. Or, at least edit out your marginal pictures to leave you more storage room. Exposure Clues: There are three rules that help tip you off toe proper exposure: The Sunny 16 Rule: In a normal, sunny day, the exposure is f/16 with a shutter speed of 1/the ISO setting. (If you digital camera only goes to f/8, then use 1/(4 times the ISO.) The LCD: With digital cameras you should look at your LCD to make sure you are not grossly over- or underexposed. (Note from Bill Prosser: It is better to overexpose digital as long as you don’t blow out your highlights.) Histograms: If your digital camera shows you the histogram for the image, use it. Look to see if the tails of the histogram go out to, but don’t bunch, at the black and white ends of the tonal scale. The RAW Factor: Not everyone needs to shoot RAW-digital files. The RAW format gives the knowledgeable pho-tographer more flexibility to adjust exposure after-the-fact. Beginners who what for proper exposure clues, mentioned above, usually can be satisfied with JPG files. Strive for Sharpness: Know what shutter speeds are necessary to get sharp images. (Generally, you need to shoot at a speed faster than 1/the focal length of the lens you are using; e.g., 300 mm lens you have to shoot at least 1/250th second and better at > 1/500th second) Use a tripod whenever possible. Viewfinder Focus: Most modern cameras have diopter dials to adjust the viewfinder for eyeglass correction. Use autofocus to set a sharp focus and then dial the diopter until the image focus subject in the viewfinder is sharp. Sometimes We Need to Wait: A good photograph is seldom made at the moment you arrive at a scene. Some-times you need to give yourself time to check out the scene and the light even if it means waiting a few minutes before you start exposing.

Page 7: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

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McLean Photography Club OCTOBER 2004 Page 7

Many thanks to our sponsors.

Café Tatti Since 1981

A real French bistro in the heart of McLean

Intimate Dining Room Fine Cuisine

Excellent Wine Cellar Cocktails

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See us on the web at:

Page 8: Newsletter of the McLean Photography Club · McLean Photography Club Page 2 OCTOBER 2004 Upcoming Activities For the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) The “Alliance”

Gary Oddi Newsletter Co-Editor McLean Photography Club 11891 Fawn Ridge Lane Reston, VA 20194

McLean Photography Club OCTOBER 2004 Page 8

MPC meetings are held on the second Wed. of each month from Sept. through June, at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. Meet & greet from 7:00–7:30 pm. Programs start at 7:30 pm. Directions: The McLean Community Center can be reached from the major intersection of Old Dominion Dr. and Dolly Madison Blvd. (Rt. 123). Go east one block to Ingleside Ave. & turn left.

Visitors are always welcome!

Address Correction Requested

See our web site at:

http://www.mcleanphoto.org

DEADLINE FOR MATERIAL FOR NOVEMBER’S NEWSLETTER IS

OCTOBER 15th

(the sooner the better)

McLean Photography Club’s Executive Board

Elected Officers

Appointed Board Members

Annual dues are $25 for individuals and families; $10 for full time students.

Bill Prosser Minnie Gallman Sue Teunis

(703) 821-2670 (703) 356-0865 (703) 536-9873

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

President Vice-President Treasurer

Mona Smith Margaret Huddy Sue Teunis Gary Oddi & Bill Prosser Rosemarie Bowie & Minnie Gallman Tony Hathaway Bruce Copping Bill Prosser Rosemarie Bowie Lucille Renola Vacant Vacant Dave Clem Bill Prosser

(703) 442-8029 (703) 356-2363 (703) 536-9873 (703) 437-8316 (703) 821-2670 (703) 522-0648 (703) 356-0865 (703) 281-9127 (703) 264-8873 (703) 821-2670 (703) 522-0648 (703) 920-7788

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All members are invited to send photography related articles, tips, quotations, and/or technical or artis-tic questions to be included in the Newsletter. Contributions should reach the editor no latter than the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication. E-mail, US mail or call either co-editor, Gary Oddi or Bill Prosser, if you have submissions or questions.