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Our next meeting is a Showcase Evening on
Monday March 29
in the "Meeting Place" at Pittwater RSL.
Starting time is 7.30 pm

The subject for the evening is

"Open / Creative Concepts"


This is the opportunity to show your skills in creative concepts as per our previous presentation with Jim Crew.

As usual, you may present up to 2 x monochrome prints, 2 x colour prints
and 2 x digital images.
Digital images MUST be correctly sized and submitted to [email protected]
no later than 8.00 pm Saturday March 27.



" Since I am inarticulate, I express myself with images."
Helen Levitt

Showcase Evenings

This year, we are doing things a little differently.
Competitions ( now called showcases to avoid confusion ) will be in the same format where you can present up to 2 x digital images, 2 x colour prints & 2 x monochrome prints.
A total of 6 images.
Showcases will be critiqued in accordance with the subject matter but there will be no points scoring.

55th Annual General Meeting Minutes

The Importance of Storytelling

"A picture tells a 1000 words". However, if we just grab 1000 random words, will those words make an interesting story? Probably not as often as we would like.

A photo is only as interesting as the story it tells.

If we show up without much thought and capture whatever, all we end up with is 1000 jumbled words that no-one wants to read.
If we are not sure of the story ourselves, then how can we expect our viewers to understand what it is we are trying to say?
It's about being aware, being purposeful. Your story might be as simple as; wanting to show your audience the beautiful colours of the river pebbles as the first drops of rain come to rest or how peaceful and calm the reflections on this lake are or how the warmth of the first rays of sunrise lift your soul.

Once you begin pondering the story, then you can ask yourself -

  • Is there a subject to help tell my story via?
 
  • What composition would best suit that subject and the story that I am trying to tell?
 
  • Which shutter speed might best portray that feeling?
 
  • Are there any distractions I should leave out of the frame?

You see, every decision we make in regards to how the photo is to be captured, can help or hinder the story we are trying to tell. The more cohesion within these subtle details, the clearer and more interesting your story will be.
When we edit our photos, the same applies. We should try to edit in a way that complements the feeling or mood we hope to convey in our story.
We might darken down our photo for a more dramatic, heavier feeling or brighten it up for a lighter, more uplifting feeling.
Practice being mindful of the story in the field and then as your skills in visual communication increase, you can begin to express deeper, more personal emotions within your photography.

Keeping a photography diary is perfect to jot down what the moment feels like. What are you hearing, seeing, smelling? Are you feeling calm, uplifted, peaceful, or maybe anxious, stressed or lonely?

Storytelling and Shutter Speed

A great example of how shutter speed can impact the feeling of your photos would be by taking photos on a stormy day by the ocean. If we are trying to tell the story of the wind and the crashing waves, then what shutter speed would help convey that feeling? If we choose 30 seconds, we will capture a very calm peaceful photo with no hint to the turbulence of the waves or the motion of the wind.
However, if we decide on a 1 second shutter speed, we will capture just enough motion to show the turbulence and energy of the wind and the waves.

Take a look at these 2 examples, both mornings had rather large turbulent waves, however, look at the dramatic difference the shutter speed made to the mood of each photo.

1 Second Shutter Speed (below)
Notice the motion, turbulence and drama captured.
Ultra Long Shutter Speed (6 minutes)
Notice how peaceful and calm the below photo is.

Nikon Gear for Sale

Would any of your members be interested in making an offer for the following
Lenses
Nikon Ed AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1.2.8.D
AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1.3.5 - 45
Lens Teleconverter TC-201 2x407561
Cameras
Nikon F301 almost new still in box
F3
F90
Thank you for your help (Avalon Beach)
Eileen Cornielje
Contact Bill for contact details
Facebook
Not a member of our Facebook page yet? You are encouraged to join - this is the place to get lots of tips, advice and help, to see what other members are up to and  be able to stay in touch between meetings.
Just follow this link.
 www.facebook.com/groups/pittcameraclub/

Jim Crew's Creative Presentation

Our last meeting had all in attendance enthralled at the possibilities of what can be achieved with a little thought and planning.
None of the images presented by Jim were out of the capabilities of the average photographer , in fact many were of common kitchen items , however the way they were presented and the thought process behind each image was inspiring to say the least.
Painting over a print with varnish for a painterly feel and breaking many of the so-called rules of photography certainly opened the eyes of many in attendance as to what is achievable in photography.
If you get a chance to hear Jim present at any time, do yourself a favour and don't miss out.
This was a case of those who did not attend, missed out on an educational and interesting evening.

Great Reads for Creative Photography

Michael Freeman's book "Fifty Paths to Creative Photography is a book which you can read over and over and still find useful thoughts.
Stuart Spence's book "Yield" proves that sharpness in photography does not necessarily deliver a meaningful image.
I have read these books time and time again and have never grown tired of their commentary.
The Mobile Photography Awards were founded in 2011 to recognize and celebrate the talent and imagery of the mobile photo & art communities. Alongside our annual competition (October-December), we produce themed exhibits with international open calls throughout the year.
If it’s true what Henri Cartier-Bresson says, that our first 10,000 photos will be our worst, then mobile photography has given people an historic opportunity to quickly get past 10,001. The MPA is a showcase for photographers and artists who have embraced this decisive moment.

mobilephotoawards.com/10th-annual-mpa-winners-honorable-mentions/

52Frames Weekly Photography
Challenge .
Frame your week.
Frame your world.

52Frames offers a guided weekly photography challenge, designed to help you improve your skills.
Every week, we send you a new assignment.
You have 7 days to take your shot and share it with the community.
Together, we give feedback and guidance to help you grow. Oh, and it’s totally free.
Thanks to David for this information.
52frames.com/

Up to $10,000 up for grabs in APS Mullins Conceptual Photographic Prize

© Louise Alexander - 'Beige Chair' - Emergent Designs Award winner MCPP 2020
The Australian Photographic Society has just put out a callout for entries for the Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize, a competition designed to celebrate and recognise Australia’s best conceptual photographers.The competition, which is organised annually by the APS, accepts single image entries as well as portfolio-style entries of up to four images.

The overall winner of the competition will take home a cash prize of $8,000. Then, of the APS members who enter, the best entry will be awarded $2,000 in cash. It's also possible that the same person may win both of these awards, meaning the winning entrant would be awarded $10,000 cash.
apsmcpp.myphotoclub.com.au/

The Photography Tutorial eBook The most in-depth eBook on how to capture amazing photography anywhere!

  • Over 250 pages of insider tips & techniques to take better photos in any lighting conditions.
  • Camera settings and gear info to ensure sharp crisp shots with both single exposures or multi-exposure HDR.
  • How to do amazing tricks with long exposure light painting, spherical panoramas, infrared, bokeh and more.
  • Includes extensive tutorials on photo editing and a bundle of presets.
  • Currently 80% off for a limited time!
the-photo-ebook.com/?sc_ref=9KqQbqAdt3PQV4Fn
Don't forget - Momento offer a 30% discount to our financial members off their first order then all subsequent orders will receive an automatic 10% discount.
Hop over to ​http://www.momentopro.com.au/ to sign up.
If you have any items of interest that you would like to share with your fellow members please email Bill at [email protected].

                      Other bits and pieces which should be of interest.


Sydney International Exhibition of Photography  www.siep.org.au  

Adam Williams ( for inspiration and workshops)  www.australianphotographer.com

Luke Tscharke, (for great astrophotography tips and workshops)  luketscharke.com

Pamela Pauline ( local fine art photographic artist ) www.pamelapauline.com  

Alfonso Calero ( for travel photography workshops)   www.alfonso.com.au/sydney-photography-courses/

Photoshop Cafe ( loads of free tutorials )  photoshopcafe.com

For a different perspective and inspiring photography, have a look at Erika Zolli Photography  www.erikazolli.it

Just click on the links or google any of the above for more information.


Other items of interest are also being posted directly to our Facebook page, so please like us and share with your friends.