SNAP_2013_03 Mar - The Westville Camera Club
Transcription
SNAP_2013_03 Mar - The Westville Camera Club
Magazine of the Westville Camera Club Best Nature Rose Douglas Lions Playing Best Open Ciska Venter Oh Honey MARCH 2013 Best SS Ray Bartho Butter Mould CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Hi WCC'ers AGM all done and dusted and a big thank you to all who made the trek out to Amanzimtoti to attend. Before I continue, congratulations once again to all the winners. This club has once again inspired by the quality of images on display. COMPETITION Dedicating this AGM to our heritage and the history of WCC showed that the commitment and enthusiasm that we have in the club today is not new and the founders and early adopters of WCC shared the same passion and enthusiasm. It was great to see Noel Henderson, the founder of WCC (who was our guest speaker) take a trip down memory lane and share on how it all started. Conrad's AV presentation from scanned documents and images tied up nicely with the tales and stories from the past. This club has so much history and character and it is our duty to uphold and live the dreams of the founders. That of sharing and learning the art of photography though constructive feedback. Look out for the little hidden camera somewhere in the magazine. When you find it please email your name and the code on the camera to Colleen (africanice@3i.co.za) by the Tuesday before our Wednesday meeting. All the names will be put into a hat and drawn at our Wednesday meeting. Please note that you have to be present at the meeting to be eligible for the mystery prize. The digital age has created a problem in that the type of records and photo albums that the club had put together has now been replaced by hard disks full of data and images rarely looked at and not shared by all. This we need to correct and create digital photo books to summarise the activities of the club for all to share and view. The message I want to bring across is that backups and the printing of images of family and friends still might be the safest way to ensure memories are kept vivid. It is not a case of if you have a hard disk failure, it is how you recover from it when it happens and it will to all of us at some time or another. ---oooOooo--- Bumper month ahead with loads of outings and do keep an eye on the website for regular updates. Cheers for now and do take care. Pieter Venter CHAIRMAN Nothing is impossible, The word itself says “I’m possible” Audrey Hepburn Page 1 DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS: NOTES: Any image either print or digital entered in a section may not at any time be re-entered in that or any other section or medium for promotional purposes. Previously entered work, either wholly or partially, may not be entered without substantial, content transforming modifications. Proof of originality will rest with the author. All images contained within the image, must be the author’s own work. Exceptions: computer manipulated filters, distortions and textures. Images may not be manufactured using stock material which has previously been entered in promotional competitions without substantial modification. Images taken in consecutive frames representing the same scene or activity will be viewed as the same image and can only be allowed for submission once for judging. -----------------------One extra submission for the MCC/WCC Challenge can be submitted each month until further notice. The subject is “JUXTAPOSITION”. -----------------------Due to time constraints only 1 set subject photo from each member will be shown and judged by the members on the night of submission. When downloading through Photovault the first SS image you download will be the quick judge image. If 2 photos are submitted they will both be judged the following month as normal. Digital images to be done electronically via Photovaultonline as the preferred method or alternatively submitted on a CD and clearly marked with author’s name and the month of submission. File size to be a maximum of 1024 on the widest edge of a landscape image or 768 pixels on the longest edge of a portrait image. File size not to exceed 500kb. No names may be added to the digital images when submitted. Note – thin outlines are allowed but larger frames are discouraged. Images to be named “section – star rating – your name – title.jpg” (e.g. Nature-3-John Smith-Nice picture.jpg) Note: Only the PhotoVaultOnline image name is required when uploading via PRINT SUBMISSIONS: All digital prints shall be printed on “Photo Quality Paper”. Prints may be mounted on board. Minimum size: 6in x 8in (15cm x 20cm) excluding mount. Maximum size 16 in x 20in (40cm x 50cm) including mount. Any intermediate size prints may also be used. No framed prints may be entered. All prints shall have on the reverse side, the following information: Author’s name, star rating and title of print. Position this information on the bottom left hand corner of the reverse of the print, when shown right side up. Place a coloured spot above this information. It is a requirement that a copy of the print still be submitted in electric format for us on the website and inclusion in interclub activities and competitions. WCC MONTHLY MEETING STRUCTURE ON TUESDAY 12 MARCH WE WILL BE DOING A WORKSHOP ON JUXTAPOSITION (WCC/PMB CHALLENGE) AS WELL AS HAVING THE LIVE JUDGING TO CHOOSE THE PHOTO’S FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL COMPETITION BETWEEN 3 CLUBS FROM AUSTRALIA, UK AND WCC FROM SOUTH AFRICA. OUR WEDNESDAY MEETING (20 MARCH) WILL BE OUR NORMAL JUDGING MEETING. OUR SET SUBJECT FOR JANUARY IS “PET PORTRAITS” CAN ALL MEMBERS PLEASE UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION IMAGES THROUGH PHOTOVAULT AS THIS SAVES A LOT OF TIME ON OUR JUDGING EVENINGS AS WELL AS MAKING IT EASIER TO GET THE IMAGES TO OUR JUDGES. JUDGING RESULTS PLEASE SEE THE FOR RESULTS. WEBSITE www.westvillecameraclub.co .za Page 2 ALL MEETINGS TO START PROMPTLY AT 19h00 PHOTO SUBMISSIONS TO BE DONE BETWEEN 18h30 AND 19h00 ANNUAL PRIZE GIVING AND AGM Once again our Annual Prize Giving and AGM was well attended by members and their spouses. It was held Moringa Conference Centre, Amanzimtoti. Below is a list of awards handed out for 2012. It was fantastic to have Mr Noel Henderson as our guest speaker. He was one of the founder members of WCC. Noel showed us a slide show on photos from yesteryear at WCC. What a great foundation they set for the success that WCC has today. TOP IMGAGE CONTEMPORARY / ALTERED REALITY: 1-2 STAR 3-4 STAR - 5-HON - Caroline Thomasset – Colouring Book Charles Venter – Model plus Swirls plus Fingers equals Angelic Dianne Abate – Giraffe and Moon TOP IMAGE NATURE: 1-2 STAR 3-4 STAR 5-HON - Allan Bower – Splish Splash I Was Taking A Bath Gary Jones – Down the Hatch Pieter Venter – Push Up Fly TOP IMAGE OPEN: 1-2 STAR 3-4 STAR 5-HON - Kelly Elliott – Desteny Colleen Venter – Umgeni Sunrise Ben Myburgh – Angela TOP IMAGE PHOTO-JOURNALISM: 1-2 STAR 3-4 STAR 5-HON - Elizabeth Cartwright – Airborne Andrew Climpson – 49 Falls Conrad Kelsey – Duzi Hazards TOP IMAGE SET SUBJECT: 1-2 STAR 3-4 STAR 5-HON - Tanya Venter – Purple Breeze Steve Archer – Carpenter Bee Robber Fly Ben Myburgh – Lena OVERALL TOP IMAGES BY STAR RATING: 1-2 STAR: 1) Kelly Elliott 2) Caroline Thomasset 3) Martha Jansen van Rensburg – Desteny – Colouring Book – Fairytales 3-4 STAR: 1) Gary Jones 2) Colleen Venter 3) Pieter Venter – Down the Hatch – Umgeni Sunrise – Calling for Love 5 - HON: 1) Ben Myburgh 2) Ciska Venter 3) Dianne Abate – Angela – Daddys Princess – Giraffe and Moon Page 3 Mr Noel Henderson Founder member of WCC MOST IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHER: Shirley Gillitt BEST OVERALL PICTURE: Gary Jones – Down the Hatch TOP OF THE LOG: POSITION NAME POINTS 1 CISKA VENTER 34.87 2 3 4 5 PIETER VENTER BEN MYBURGH MIKE SAND ANDREW CLIMPSON 34.04 29.5 29.33 28.25 Congratulations to all the winners. I am sure next year we will see a lot of our new members getting awards. It is so great to be a member of a club with such passion. Page 4 KRANZKLOOF NATURE RESERVE OUTING On Saturday the 23 rd March WCC had our club outing to Kranzkloof Nature Reserve. People started arriving at 06h00, some more awake than others. Some even armed with coffee. We started on the trail and did some bundu bashing to get the first falls just below the “dam” wall. It was not long before the shoes came off and people ventured into the water, balancing cameras and tripods and feeling with our feet for the slippery rocks below. Luckily no mishaps occurred but I could just imagine if it did the only thing you would see above the water level was someone’s camera sticking out of the water like the sword Excalibur from the movie of the same name. There were many photo opportunities to be had at this point but others spread out to go and find their own spot for their unique angle. We then moved back to the main parking area and went across the road to find another waterfall further upstream. The path leading to this point was cool and shady most of the way. We saw some deer but we were far too slow to capture them on our sensors. We heard a lot of birds, as well as the babble of the little streams. Well, then we got to what I refer to as the MOUNTAIN. It started gentle enough but by the time we got to the top I was wishing that I had a carbon fibre tripod and that I did not have my whole camera bag on my back. I’m glad to say I was not the only one that felt that way…. When we got to the plateau the climb was worth it. Beautiful pink flowers abound and a view to the sea. Everyone was either on their knees or had cameras on tripods and studying plants and bugs from all angles. We then reached the top of the falls which made the climb even more worth it. We then went down the other side of the gorge to get to the base of the falls. It was spectacular, although damp and misty from the spray coming off the falls. We were even given a bonus in the form of a rainbow at the base of the falls. People were frantically taking photos while trying to keep the spray from their cameras and lenses. Walking back to the car park we went through a “magical” forest following the stream. You could not even see the sky along most of the path meandering along the bank of the stream. We stopped at one of the small bridges and we had a group photo taken. It was then that we realised with shock that we lost one of our group. While we went to the upper falls Ian Damerall thought that w e had gone down to the bottom of the main falls. When he got there he realised we were not there, but decided that he would continue taking photos there. It just goes to show that we need to be vigilant and look out for each other to ensure our safety. When we got back to the car park we arranged to meet at Bellevue Café in Kloof for coffee and breakfast. Everyone agreed that it was amazing outing. When you see what there is on offer it makes you realize that there is beauty right on our doorstep and we must just make the time and effort to go and find it. Page 5 JUST FOR LAUGHS AMAZING GRACE As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Corryong back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived over an hour late and saw that the funeral bloke had evi dently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already i n place and earth covered most of it. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this poor, homeless man. And as I played Amazing Grace, the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full. As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I ain't never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years." TOP TEN RESONS TO DATE A PHOTOGRAPHER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. They work well in the dark They are used to funny smells They make things develop They work well on many settings They know how to foucs They can make big things look small and small things look big They work well from many different angles They zoom in and out. And in and out and in and out…….. They shoot in many different locations They can find the beauty in anything. A photographer took a self portrait in the park. Due to lighting conditions he used the built in flash on the camera. He quickly got arrested for flashing and exposing himself in the park. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NIKON AND CANON PHOTOGRAPHER Two photographers are in the men’s room at the urinal. One guy is a Canonian and the other a Nikonian. The Nikon guy finishes his business first, He simply zips his fly and heads for the door. As he was leaving, the Canon guy turns his head towards him and says “Excuse me, Canon photographers wash our hands when we are finished urinating”. The Nikon guy says “I understand, but us Nikon guys don’t pee on our hands. Page 6 PMB/WCC ANNUAL INTERCLUB COMPETITION SUBJECT: JUXTAPOSITION Description: Juxtaposition; When two objects are positioned next to or near each other with the intention of comparing or contrasting the objects. Editing and Limitations: Juxtaposition is considered to be an Open category and digital manipulation is therefore allowed. The only limitation is that all the content in the image must be the respective Author?s own work and imagery. The objective is still to get most of the work done in camera and that this does not merely become a Photoshop skills showcase. It is going to be an interesting competition. Check out the website for a full description and some sample photographs. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday to the following members who celebrate their birthdays during March 2013 1/3 2/3 23/3 24/3 24/3 29/3 Andrew Climpson Thelma Ramalhao Candy Dennis Pieter Venter M003 Justin Wright Tammy Seaman PLEASE CAN THE MEMBERS WHOSE BIRTHDAYS ARE IN MARCH SUPPLY EATS FOR OUR MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH 2013 Page 7 OUTINGS - MARCH 17 March – Barn Swallows 21 March – Hare Krishna Temple Check the website and your email for times and directions. We will also keep you updated by email on other interesting things happening so keep checking your inboxes. Please can all members give some ideas of interesting places that we can add to our outings list. WESTVILLE CAMERA CLUB WEB SITE Please check it out. If any members have anything interesting for the web site please contact any of the committee. To access the site go to: www.westvillecameraclub.co.za No images can be downloaded through the web site anymore. You will need to download your photos through Photo Vault Online. If any members need help please feel free to contact any of the committee members. OUTING SAFETY TIPS / RULES Westville Camera Club believes in “safety in numbers” and are really happy that to date none of our members have had any “incidents” while on club outings, and we would like to keep it that way! In this light, the Committee would like to encourage all those who participate in the outings to please observe some basic house rules: We suggest that everyone meet in a pre-determined place and at a pre-determined time - you will be advised when the outing notification goes out where the meet-point will be We encourage members not to wander off on their own – you carry expensive equipment and can be watched without even knowing it! If you do leave the group, try to do so with some other people from the group If you do leave the group, even with someone else, please tell someone else which direction you are heading in, so we know where to start looking if we need to We would then like for everyone to meet again at the predetermined place and time after the shoot – just to ensure that everyone is OK If you do decide to leave before the final meet, please tell someone who is staying - again, just so that we know you are safe and have chosen to leave Thanks and look forward to seeing you all on the next outing. MEMBERSHIP 2013 CLUB MEETINGS Membership fees for 2013 will be: R250.00 Full member R125.00 Student, Scholar or Pensioner R100.00 Joining fee for new members TUESDAY 12 MARCH WORKSHOP ON JUXTAPOSITION JUDGING FOR INTER-CONTINENTAL COMPETITION Banking Details: WESTVILLE CAMERA CLUB STANDARD BANK : WESTVILLE ACCOUNT NO.: 054950651 WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH THIS WILL BE OUR NORMAL JUDGING MEETING. SET SUBJECT IS: “PET PORTRAITS” REF: Page 8 Please use your name as a reference. SET SUBJECTS 2013 March 2013 – Pet Portraits April 2013 – Juxtaposition Formal portraiture of your pet, i.e. sitting, standing. Lying down, etc. Not a pic of your pet romping across the lawn. How about your prize dairy cow with a blue ribbon or your race horse or your Japanese Fighting Fis or a family photo of your ants in their ant farm. Landscape or portrait orientation. No limitations on processing. Be creative. Juxtaposition; When two objects are positioned next to or near each other with the intention of comparing or contrasting the objects. Editing and Limitations: Juxtaposition is considered to be an Open category and digital manipulation is therefore allowed. The only limitation is that all the content in the image must be the respective Author’s own work and imagery. The objective is still to get most of the work done in camera and that this does not merely become a Photoshop skills showcase. May 2013 – Something Ugly Ugly being the operative word here. The sky is the limit, as we see ugly stuff every day. Do not be nasty with the ugly things you find funny as you may be accountable for the images you submit. No limitations on image orientation or processing. July 2013 – Moonlight Magic This is not just about images taken at night, these are long exposures to the point that you could illuminate the night scene to that of daytime. Feel free to use supplementary light sources to fill in and highlight aspects of the composed image. Try to keep stars and the moon in the image. If the moon is being used as a primary light source from behind the photographer then it will not be in the shot. No limitation on image orientation or processing. Refer below for exposure limitations. You can add other light sources or elements of light into your image – be creative. Limitations: Long exposure images required, that is more than 1 second in exposure length – try to get 30 seconds or use bulb mode and a remote/shutter cable release. June 2013 – Power Portray power in any way it may be perceived. The power of a executive, of the sun or the wind or perhaps even the power of the body builder’s perseverance to attain a particular look. Look for power in other places. There are many forms of power. No limitations on image orientation or processing. Moonlight Magic (Cont) Page 9 August 2013 - Bridges September 2013 – Save the Rhino Portray the beauty, form and function of bridges. Do not make this a record shot of a bridge in the distance. Try do something different with your approach in this regard. Go for low angles to emphasis the angular perspective of the bridge. Perhaps you can abstract the structure of the bridge with close up shots of the supporting forms. Try using High Dynamic Range (HDR) to alter the atmosphere fo the bridge and the sky. No limitations on image orientation or processing. 22 September is World Rhino Day. Raise awareness of the Rhino’s plight in this worldwide war on Rhino poaching. This topic is wide and emotions run deep. Capture the good work being done by passionate people and organisations as they try their best to stem the further loss of our Rhino’s. Perhaps capture images of these majestic animals as we would like to see them, and as we would like our grandchildren to see them. Be respectful and careful with the sensitive nature of this topic and refrain from submitting gory images. No limitations on image orientation or processing. October 2013 - Maritime Anything and everything relating ot the sea. We live in the largest harbour port on the African continent. Capture the boats, yachts, ships, liners, tugs and all the activity surrounding them. No limitation on image orientation or processing. January 2014 – Churches, Places of Worship Building structure, religious leaders, congregations, followers, practices or any other aspect related to the place of worship. Look out for the exciting outings planned for this year and start collecting your submissions for this set subject from March 2013. No limitation on image orientation. November 2013 – Old Age This does not necessarily pertain to images of old people, man things get old and also exhibit their age by virtue of their antiquity or sad process of decay. It could be a building, locomotive or a tree. Limitations: Keep this image subdued and low in saturation. Perhaps try for pure black and white, sepia, halftone or duotone. The more adventurous can use dodge and burn tools to highlight and/or darken areas of the image. No limitation on image orientation. February 2014 - Perspective You can emphasis the scale, volume or size of an object in your image, or you may show the image from a different point of view as a play on perspective as we generally see it. No limitation on image orientation. We have previously had Lines and Curves and other set subjects pertaining to linear perspective. This set subject is about seeing things from a different perspective. WCC NOTE: Example images selected from Google images and remain the property of their respective own ers. These thumbnails merely serve as visual inspiration. Page 10 10 TIPS TO CAPTURING EXPRESSIVE PET PORTRAITS 1. Know your subject. This may be one of the most important steps to capturing expressive images that showcase the personality of the animal being photographed. It’s extremely important to know general dog (or cat) behaviour so that you can gauge the comfort level of the subject throughout the session. The natural history of the breed that you are working with is also critical, as a herding dog will act very different then a sight hound. 2. Get on the pets level. This simple technique can take an average snapshot to captivating portrait very quickly! By photographing the pet on their level you are inviting the viewer into their world. The perspective of the world looks wildly different at 18 inches then it does at 6 feet! 3. It’s all about speed. These animals are on the move and will need a fast shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second or more. Keeping your shutter speed fast will freeze any movement and keep your images nice and sharp. 4. Pick the right glass. Its’ important to have a variety of lenses in your bag for a variety of situations. A good fast lens that shoots wide open at 2.8 or larger is essential for photographing cats or dogs indoors in low light situations. A high-quality medium range zoom lens is my most used lens, the 24-70 2.8. A good quality long zoom lens, such as the 70-200 2.8, is also essential to carry in your bag as occasionally a dog is terrified of the camera. Those sessions will require that you sit off to t he side and capture the action photojournalism style. 5. Burst it. Shooting in burst mode allows you to capture funny expressions, especially when the animal is yawning or chewing. This is also great for when the dog is running towards the camera. 6. Variety is the spice of life. Capture variety in your sessions. Don’t be afraid to convince the humans that you are working with to jump in a few frames. If they are especially shy, zoom in and focus on their hands petting the dog or the dog standing near their legs. 7. Let the dog lead. While it’s definitely great to set the dog up in the perfect light or in front of a really interesting background, don’t forget to spend some time just following the animal around and capturing them doing their thing. 8. Flash, just say no. Animals have big beautiful eyes that quickly turn into red demon eyes if the flash is pointed directly towards them. If you are in a situation that you must use flash, bounce it off of a window to give it the look of soft natural light. 9. Pavlov’s Dogs. Do you remember that classical conditioning thing from your college psychology class? Having a base knowledge of animal training is definitely beneficial for coaxing the animals to do what you want them to do. Animals don’t work for free, make sure you have lots of reinforcement to work with. These can be yummy and stinky treats, favourite toys, or even belly rubs. 10. Patience. It’s important to have a plan for every session, but then be able to improvise at each session as they never go as planned. If you are stressed or anxious the animals will sense it. Courtesy of http://www.photo-collective.com/2011/08/11/10-tips-for-capturing-expressive-pet-portraits/ Page 11 COMMITTEE OF 2013 / 14 Chairman : Pieter Venter 083 458 8373 pieter.venter@westvilleca meraclub.co.za Vice Chairman : Conrad Kelsey 083 570 0217 conrad.kelsey@westvillecameraclub.co.za Secretary : Colleen Venter 082 460 7632 colleen.venter@westvillecameraclub.co.za Treasurer : Karen Fischer 084 707 9090 karen.fischer@westvilleca meraclub.co.za Entries Steward : Des Porter 082 576 1551 des.porter@westvillecameraclub.co.za SNAP Editor : Colleen Venter 082 460 7632 colleen.venter@westvillecameraclub.co.za Web Master : Charles Venter 074 266 0432 charles.venter@westvilleca meraclub.co.za Outings Stewards : Kierran Allen Andrew Climpson Agustin Ritacco 082 228 5410 082 827 0112 083 651 9608 kierran.allen@westvillecameraclub.co.za andrew.climpson@westvillecameraclub.co.za aritacco@gmail.com Membership : Jeffrey Govender Di Abate Ben Myburgh 081 406 7157 083 454 7574 082 454 2679 jeffrey.govender@westvillecameraclub.co.za dianne.abate@westvillecameraclub.co.za ben.myburgh@westvillecameraclub.co.za New email addresses also created for chairman@westvillecameraclub.co.za vicechairman@westvilleca meraclub.co.za info@westvillecameraclub.co.za NOTICE FROM THE EDITOR Articles and letters addressed to the editor are always appreciated. Anonymous submissions however, will not be published under any circumstances. If you do not wish your name to appear in SNAP, a nom-de-plume may be used. No exceptions will be made. Articles sourced from publications or the Internet must bear a credit line to that publication or webpage, otherwise authorship will be assumed as the submitters. The contents of SNAP do not necessarily express the views of the Westville Camera Club, it's committee, members or editor. Page 12