Photowalk / Editing Master Class

Land ahead by Marg Jackman.
Land Ahead by Marg Jackman

Henry’s is putting on a two-session course that challenges students to think outside of the class room and put all their knowledge to use in this travel/street photography based event. Three hours of dedicated shooting will be followed later with a 3-hour session to edit, review, and print photos. People can bring their own laptops, or Henry’s can provide computers with the software. As of Thursday August 17th there are only seven of the twelve seats remaining so, if you’re interested, act fast! The $150 fee covers both sessions.

Contact Henry’s 613-836-1016 or by email for more details and to enroll.

Level – Intermediate/Advanced

Two-session time & date:

  • Photowalk
    • MosaïCanada
    • Jacques Cartier Park,
    • September 27th, 4pm-7pm (rain date TBD)
    • 4 Henry’s Instructors
    • map here
  • Editing session
    • Henry’s Kanata, 501 Hazeldean Rd, Kanata, ON K2L 1V6
    • October 1st, 9am-12pm
    • 7 Henry’s Instructors
    • map here

Course Outline, Photowalk:

  • Seeing composition in changing environments
  • Custom white balance
  • Exposure compensation ( + bracketing)
  • Close up & macro photography ( + focus stacking)
  • Techniques to shoot water (use of ND filters, flash)
  • Long exposures
  • Choosing the right lens/creative techniques when limited to one focal length
  • Dealing with shadows and harsh light (Flash photography, bending natural light with reflectors

Course Outline, Editing:

  • Simplifying composition
  • Converting to black and white
  • HDR
  • Smoothing blemishes, removing distracting elements
  • Stitching panoramas
  • Stitching focus stacked and/or bracketed images
  • Lightroom organization
  • Colour correction
  • Optimizing for printing
  • All students leave with one 13×19 print of a photo taken and edited on this course

Who should attend:

Individuals who would like to take their photography to the next level with the guidance of several instructors while learning how to not only think and shoot creatively, but also learn how to optimize their work flow and editing habits.

What to bring to class:

  • Your camera, and lens(es)
  • Fully charged battery + extra batteries
  • Memory card
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather appropriate attire
  • Notebook + pen (editing session)

More Macro Photo Ops at the Pinhey Dunes

Ghost Tiger Beetle 5
Ghost Tiger Beetle by Amy Lo

If you missed the July 16th event at Pinhey Dunes and would like a chance to take some spectacular macro images like Amy Lo shot, here is a list of the remaining 2017 public tours of the Pinhey Sand Dunes put on by Biodiversity Conservancy International:

  • August 06
    Sand Wasps & Macro Photography
    Watch the super sand diggers
  • August 20
    Giant Robber Fly & Macro Photography
    Observe the 4-5 cm voracious hunters catching prey in flight
  • September 03
    Antlions, Doodle Bugs & Macro Photography
    Observe sand swimmers leaving wiggly trails, building pitfall traps and capturing prey
  • September 10
    Antlions and Giant Robber Fly & Macro Photography
    Last glimpse of 2017 dune biodiversity
  • October (date to be determined)
    Ottawa-Gatineau Geo-Heritage
    Pinhey Sand Dunes System is one of Ottawa Gatineau Geoheritage sites
  • November 05
    Dune Walk (6 km) & Season End Dune Maintenance
    Meet the Pinhey Dunes Watch Group at work

All events start at 10:00. For more information email Biodiversity Conservancy International.

Ferocious Looking Bugs!

Amy Lo and Marg Jackman went on the guided tour and came back with some great pictures of Ghost Tiger Beetles and Dune Spiders

Amy said:

It was quite an experience to shoot these critters. First we could hardly see them unless they were pointed out to us by the entomologist, second you had to approach them with caution. We were on our knees most of the time as we couldn’t let the critters see our shadow.

Here are her pictures:

(click to enlarge).

Macro Photography Opportunity

On Saturday July 15th the camera club found out about this event:

Beetles

to be held on Sunday July 16th. Because of the short notice, an email was sent to all club members.

You can see google maps driving directions from the Seniors Centre here.

Digital Cameras Have Come a Long Way

From the IEEE Spectrum article 25 Microchips That Shook the World

Kodak KAF-1300 Image Sensor (1986)

Launched in 1991, the Kodak DCS 100 digital camera cost as much as US $13 000 and required a 5-kilogram external data storage unit that users had to carry on a shoulder strap. The sight of a person lugging the contraption? Not a Kodak moment. Still, the camera’s electronics—housed inside a Nikon F3 body—included one impressive piece of hardware: a thumbnail-size chip that could capture images at a resolution of 1.3 megapixels, enough for sharp 5-by-7-inch prints. “At the time, 1 megapixel was a magic number,” says Eric Stevens, the chip’s lead designer, who still works for Kodak. The chip—a true two-phase charge-coupled device—became the basis for future CCD sensors, helping to kick-start the digital photography revolution. What, by the way, was the very first photo made with the KAF-1300? “Uh,” says Stevens, “we just pointed the sensor at the wall of the laboratory.”

Canadian Camera Conference 2017 Field Trips

The Canadian Camera Conference has invited all Ottawa area camera club members to join CCC2017 by participating in some of the events open to the public and to which you can bring family and friends:

  1. CCC2017 Field Trips: There are still places available for the following Field Trips:
    1. CCCFT01:  Behind-the-Scenes Tour – Photography at Library and Archives Canada’s Gatineau Preservation Centre — June 27th, 2017, 12:30 to 4:30pm – Transportation by Chauffeured bus – $15 +HST.
    2. CCCFT13:  Natural Light Portrait Photography Workshop (with models) – Rideau Locks — June 29th, 2017, 5:30 to 9:00pm – Car-pooling – $60 +HST.
    3. CCCFT04:  Wild in the City – Central Experimental Farm, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Arboretum & Mud Lake — July 02, 2017, 9:00am to 4:30 pm – Transportation by van – $37.00 +HST.
    4. CCCFT05:  Urban Meets Nature – Canadian War Museum, Pumphouse, Royal Canadian Navy Museum, Canadian Museum of History, MosaiCanada150 & Outdoor Arts Exhibit (Gatineau) — July 02, 2017, 8:30am to 5:30pm – $13 + HST (Incl. transit pass)
    5. CCCFT06:  The Urban Heart of Ottawa – Parliament Hill, Rideau Locks, War Memorial, North of Wellington & Byward Market, Rideau Canal & South of Wellington — July 02, 2017, 8:30am to 6:00pm – $13 + HST (Incl. transit pass)
    6. CCCFT07:   Heron Rookery & Ospreys (Rideau River Valley), July 2nd, 2017, extended ½ day – Transportation by van $42 (+HST)
    7. CCCFT08:  Purdon Lady Slippers & Historic Perth, July 3rd, 2017 – 8:00am-5:15pm – Transportation by van $43 (+HST)
    8. CCCFT10:  Upper Canada Village, Cooper Marsh & Osprey Nest, July 3rd, 2017 – Full Day – Transportation by van $70 (+HST)
    9. CCCFT11:  Rideau Canal – Jones Falls, Merrickville, Nicholson Locks & Burritts Rapids – Led by renowned Historian & Photographer — July 3rd, 2017, 4:30am to 4:45pm – Transportation by van $45 (+HST)
    10. CCCFT12:  Algonquin Park Landscapes & Wildlife, July 2-4, 2017. Car-pooling $150 + HST (includes 2-night camping, water taxis, some food & other costs)

You have until June 20th to register.  Don’t wait until it’s too late! For more information and to register, please visit their website.

  1. Canada Wild, June 30th, 8pm @ Algonquin College’s Algonquin Commons Theatre

Canada Wild is the closing presentation of CCC2017 and features three outstanding new slide shows (Yukon, Algonquin Park, Arctic) by photographer Bill Pratt, complemented by original scores performed live by Ian Douglas and the Raintree Earth Ensemble.  The performance is open to the public and is an ideal way for families to kick off Canada’s 150th birthday celebration! Tickets are just $25 for adults and $15 for students or children under 18.

For on-line purchasing of tickets, a ‘Show Sampler’ and directions to the Theatre, please visit their website.