Club Blog
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Portrait Appraisal - Pain and Pride
I just gotta learn not to put off these things, whatever my reasons. You will have to excuse me for not including names. Although I know a very few I don’t want to get any wrong.
April’s meeting we reviewed the assignment on portrait photos. There were so many and all of the submissions impressed me a great deal. As this was my first assignment I was extremely keen to listen and partake in the criticisms of what went well and not. Others might have found me too self absorbed in the process, and eagerly I awaited the moment when to hear the reviews of my submission. I really wanted to learn what others could see in my photo. Surprisingly, there were few comments. Yet, I left the meeting with so much more.
After the meeting and reviewing what I had learned I realized what incredible effort each person experienced just to submit their assignment. One young lady must have spent many hours creating a self portrait without actually being able to see through the viewfinder what is happening. What struck me was the wonderful inventiveness of many of the portraits. While one person cast interesting shadows from ordinary sunlight another used construction lights which created a unique monochrome subject. Some worked in collaboration, and obviously inspired by one another’s creativity used props such as hats and a scarf. There was someone with a violin in a portrait that reminded me a little bit of a Karsh photo. Clearly, there are some very artistic people here. All this inspired me to be more artistic in the future.
I felt that my portrait submission was very simple in comparison. I chose to do as we were taught, create a straight forward portrait. My wife endured four hours with me as I applied the lessons given and experimented with sunlight and angles and $2 reflectors from Dollarama and other modifications to my flash. It took a few tries just to learn which way the light should come from and what angles make the most flattering (or remove the least unbecoming). And then I had to learn how to direct my subject (when to smile etc.) and remember to constantly converse so as to keep her relaxed. She is so incredibly patient and I think I used up all of my “points” in the effort. I now appreciate the many hours good portrait photographers must have spent practicing such arts.
April Meeting Minutes
Another great meeting for the photography club. Both fun & productive. With an attendance of aprox. 36 people with some new faces as well.
We started off with some important announcements:
1- The college will be raising our rent in Sept. up to $90 a month. We have all been given the assignment to think of ideas for future meeting locations. We will start with putting a list of possible locations together then go through it & start contacting them. Please contact us if you have a suggestion.
2- We have rented space at this years Dandelion Festival. For those interested in helping organize & participate in the event we are gathering for a meeting at Jancy's house (64 Garrison Drive) on Wed the 18th of April at 7pm. For those interested in helping out but can't make the meeting just contact us & we'll be sure to keep you in the loop.
3- Field Trip. A field trip to the orchid show is in the works. Sunday April 22nd 9-11am. Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue, Nepean. Cost of admission is $10. A car pool can be arranged.
4- We had 8 entries to our portraits assignment & I'm sure you are all already busy working on our next contest Water. Judges for this contest are: Caleb, Carole & Dorothea, Thank you!
We also had an amazing guest speaker. Thanks again to Denis Rule for his talk on macro photography. You can check him out at www.rulephoto.com
My 1st Blog 1 Field Trip
Okay. This is my second attempt to create and save a blog. My connection dropped during the first attempt. I was actually quite excited participating in my first field trip after missing the trip to Canada’s Upper Village. There were eight of us to carpool down to the Winterlude site. I felt like a sponge, trying to soak in every detail, people’s names, their unique perspectives, the various levels of equipment and how each person approaches their photography. The day was cold, and although I didn’t mind it I am sure the equipment was challenged. Once we set loose, I began like a madman with an insane mission, clicking at everything around. .jpg)
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Later, I tried to be more discriminating by narrowing my eye-field-of-vision to simulate the camera. It is inconclusive whether either method was successful. I found myself casing the area to later capture a mental picture, without fully understanding how to get what I wanted.
Some of us returned for night photography. It was then I learned about the ghost effect, and I tried zooming in on a timed shot. Those shots require more practice. I think my camera is cursed. It was filled with far too many less-than-good photos with which I am even now left to deal with.
Then, there are the precious few that seem adequate but have no idea what to do with.
Winterlude outing
Here goes.. my first time on a blog. I had a super time with the group even though the cold kind of restricted me and I think the camera complained near the end. Or maybe it was my mitts bumping buttons they shouldn't have. I remember the autofocus quit working and shortly afterwards my jaw started clenching; I wonder why.... I sorted that out to my relief.
Winterlude 2012
I didn't get a chance to meet up with the rest of the gang but was still able to capture some shots of the ice. Here are a few of my favorites
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Winterlude Outing 2012
So with all the mild weather we’ve been experiencing, what the heck were we thinking having an outing on Feb. 12...? It was cccold!!!
Oh well, we still had 8 (?)hardy souls show up to take in some Winterlude sights. There were plenty of photographic opportunities, though I think that I personally would have shot more had it been a bit milder!
The ice carving demos were spectacular, these folks are true artists. The food options were a bit pricey, but I couldn’t resist trying the “pulled pork poutine”. Talk about an overload, carbs, grease, gravy, curds and meaty goodness... poutine heaven!
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e took a break inside the Rideau Centre, and about half the group decided to pack it in... the rest of us stayed to experience the change to night, with the sculptures now bathed in coloured lights, a real visual treat.
I think we all came home with some great shots, and I’m sure most are looking forward to trying again next year, hopefully on a warmer day! Click on the picture of the wolves to see my entire Winterlude set on Flickr.
Welcome, Molly!
Andrew and I welcomed Molly on December 16 2011 at 5:47pm. She weighed 7 lbs 3 oz and was 19 inches long. Our cat is probably happy because we now have a new favorite photo subject. ;)
Thank You Heather for all you have done for us.
I was shocked to hear the sad news.
The best way I can think to express how I feel is to say: Thank you Heather for starting the club that has brought so much hope & happiness to my life. May your friends & family be comforted by all the happy memories you have left for them as well.
you will be missed, but never forgotten.
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In Memory of Heather Hughes
The following is a collection of memories and tributes of our club's founding President who passed away unexpectedly last Friday. If you'd like to see yours included here, please contact us.
From Linda Bridgeman:
I have just read with deep sadness about the passing of Heather. I met her the very first meeting of the NG Photography Club meeting that she and Peter organized at the room over the Independent. She was always smiling, and filled with great enjoyment and enthusiasm. I have been unable to continue going to the monthly meetings, but will always remember Heather with great fondness. My sincere condolences to her family and the club..Linda
From Francine Cross:
I am sending my blessing to Heather and her family. I am so sorry about the news. I only knew her through the club but I think she did an amazing thing by creating this club and she was very generous of her time and her house.
From Moira Law:
Here is a small photographic tribute from me in honour of Heather to post in the blog. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
From Brian MacGillivray:
This was an image taken at one of the meetings when Ken(??) was doing a presentation on posing groups of people. She was a nice lady.
Executive Meeting July 26/11
Another successful executive meeting with 8 members gathering at Heathers house to schedule future events for the NGPC.
Starting the Aug. meeting Tom will kick off his photo editing segments, giving us new tips & tricks throughout the year. The next contest will also be announced at the Aug. meeting, & we will review July's photos from the meeting stations.
Heather has a big announcement to make at the Sept. meeting, just after our Vernissage for The Branch exhibit. Jon will be announcing the start of a special photo challenge that you won't want to miss.
The contest results will be announced in Oct. plus Oct. is membership renewal time. We will be renewing the e-mail list creating a contact list available to all NGPC members. Don't worry you can opt out if you wish, but it would be nice to keep communication going between meetings for when field trip ideas come up etc. Speaking of field trips, we thought Oct. would be the perfect time for a 'Fall Colours' trip to the apple orchard. Stay tuned for more info on that. As well as a possible trip to Henry's in Nov.
We will have a TBD guest speaker in Nov. & are looking into personalized items to present to speakers as a parting gift. It was decided to get bottles of wine with the NGPC logo on it & possibly a mug.
Dec. will be the NGPC annual x-mas party. We will have a slide show of every ones favorite vacations from the year & announce the holiday themed assignment. that will be reviewed in Jan.
Among the scheduling there was also discussion of keeping an eye on the Scott Kelby web site for news of this years photo walk. Some ideas were tossed around for some inter club get togethers & everone agreed that field trips & guest speakers were a thing everyone was interested in.
It looks like the rest of 2011 is going to be a very fun time for the NGPC.
See you Soon
Tracy