Coastal Camera Club
find us on facebook, flickr, twitter
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meetings
  • Competitions
  • Exhibits
  • The Image
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • Handbook
  • Members
    • Paula Chabot
    • Regina Hausmann
    • Maryann Flick
    • John Gluszak
    • John Lamirande
    • Allison Maltese
    • Anne Mele
    • Rob Nardino
    • Marleen Pacelli
    • Dave Rathbun
    • Janet Rathbun
    • Cynthia Thibault
  • Member Websites
  • Links
  • Peter Chow

Hi-Jinx Night Commentary

1/8/2015

0 Comments

 
Thanks to all the members who braved the cold last night for the Hi-Jinx meeting. It was a great opportunity to interact with other members and help each other. I think everyone had a good time and maybe even learned something. We'll be asking for a few of your best shots to show at a future meeting. Special thanks go to those who created the set-ups and especially to Archie for his well written "lesson plans" on exposure and ISO. Also thanks to Jesse Thompson from Milford Photo http://milfordphoto.com/website/publish/home/homeList.php  for the loan of some very nice professional lights. 
And thanks to those who stayed to help us break down the set-ups and load them back in our cars.

These hands-on type meetings are quite a bit of work to put on. If you want more of this type meeting please volunteer to do some of the work. 
The same kinds of interactions can happen at meet ups if we get enough people involved.
Those who may still be struggling with camera settings can get some one-on-one help when Archie (and others) offers Camera Basics workshops in the Spring.

Observations and tips:
1. I am guilty of this as much as anyone. I tend to use my zoom out to its fullest focal length. If you look at the lens test data for virtually any zoom lens you will see that image quality drops sharply at maximum focal length. It's something to keep in mind. If you can, get closer to the subject rather than zoom to full length.

2. If you paid attention to the set ups you saw that most were put together from non-professional equipment like clamp-on work lights and sheets or tablecloths or poster board backgrounds, cardboard stands for school presentations, a tripod as a light support and even a music stand for a light support. So you can put together these type of set-ups at home. Consider doing your own set up this winter when it's just too cold to get out and shoot. Also, window light is wonderful to use instead of artificial. You might need to soften it with a sheer curtain. Don't forget to try some type of reflector; foil covered cardboard, a shiny pot lid, a pie pan, white poster board or a purchased reflector (small ones are about $10 I think).

3. When working with black backgrounds you would be wise to set up your scene with the background as far as possible from your subject and at an angle where the light doesn't shine on it. You'll get far better deep blacks. 

4. Likewise, when working with a white background, besides light on your subject, you should try to have a strong light hitting the background to blow it out. And the further away the background is, the less likely you'll see any wrinkles or textures if you use only a small enough aperture to keep the subject sharp throughout.

5. Besides using your manual and the help of fellow members, there are books devoted to all the different camera models. They generally go into much more depth on all the functions and features and settings available on your model. If your camera manual leaves you still puzzled, consider getting one of these.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Maryann Flick

    President, Coastal Camera Club

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    February 2022
    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    May 2019
    January 2018
    July 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    November 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed