Member Picks - Sept & Oct 2021
It all begins with an idea.
KEVIN
Better Natural Light Portraits.
I would much prefer to use natural light when ever possible. No hassle with aiming just right or figuring out the right power setting to use.
Member Picks - July & Aug 2021
It all begins with an idea.
KEVIN
Manual Mode
A recent email was looking for someone to teach a basic camera class. (Almost volunteered but too slow) Here is an excellent site that teaches how to shoot in manual mode. You will learn the basics of camera operations, ISO, Aperture and shutter Speed, when and how to achieve effects you want. Check out this site for many other good tips and tutorials also.
TARA
EXPOSURE
Looking for a fun reality competition show to watch and be inspired by? Hulu has a new competition show called EXPOSURE. It’s a photography competition show! The photographers were given new Samsung smart phones and had to shoot each challenge with only the phone as their camera. If you don’t think today’s smart phones can take amazing photos, you need to watch this show.
Member Picks - May & June
It all begins with an idea.
KEVIN
Outdoor Portraits
As I write this it is National Walk Day. Warmer temperatures will arrive and we all want to be outside more. Beautiful colors abound around us. This is one of my favorite photographers. Andrew Boey gives 10 tips for outdoor portraits.
Top 10 Tricks for Outdoor Portraits
TARA
Worth Every Penny
Back in February I attended an 3day online event hosted by Sarah Petty. Award winning, PPA honored, top portrait business photographer out of Chicago. I wasn’t sure what to expect of the event and figured it would be a lot of educational information, but it was so much more than that. It was a community building, learning, and motivational event for photographers who just want to succeed in portrait business. She has a book called WORTH EVERY PENNY, and a podcast of the same name. I recommend both the book and podcast.
KATHI
Digital Photography School
Digital Photography School is a free newsletter that has a lot of great photography tips. They also offer classes as well — check them out!
Link to Digital Photography School
Member Picks - Mar & Apr
It all begins with an idea.
LISA
Just a reminder this month to watch our YouTube channel. See the links found under the Exhibits page. Watch the resizing/formatting video to submit your pictures for local and N4C contests.
KEVIN
Artificial Intelligence and Photography
If you use photo editing software on your computer, you are probably seeing ads for artificial intelligence add-ins. Here is one that works from a webpage and has a free to try version that does image sharpening and re-sizing. It has some photo size limitations and interface is a little clunky, but it works. Works better on some pictures than others. Go to the web link below and look under the dropdown for products to try various tools. www.imglarger.com
TARA
Phone Apps
Let’s talk about apps. I don’t mean the ones you order at a restaurant before a meal (although I love a good recipe swap if you have any). I want to talk about phone apps.
There is an app for just about anything these days, all you have to do is search for them. There are especially a lot apps out there that are useful for photographers. I use several apps when I’m planning an outdoor shoot, when I’m out in the field photographing, and for learning and/or getting inspired. Here are some of the apps I frequent most and a few I cannot wait to use and learn more about myself.
The biggies I think everyone should have: The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) and Photo Pills:
Both apps do have an initial cost, both are $9.99 each, but it’s a one-time cost, and I know I’ve gotten my money’s worth for these apps, with only using the bare minimum from them.
TPE
This is a map based app that you could pin locations, see rise/set data, moon fullness, horizon data, azimuth/altitude, geodetics, twilight times, even dark sky information. You can change location and date to plan ahead, it gives you the pinned locations elevation and latitude/longitude. There is so much information in this app, I know I don’t utilize it to the full extent, but I use it every time I want to plan a sunrise or sunset photoshoot and figure out best day for Milky Way photography based on the moonrise/set and fullness.
PhotoPills
This is a relatively new app for me to use. It has a lot of the same rise/set data that that TPE has, but it also has SO MUCH MORE! There is so much content in this app, it has a PhotoPills academy that has tutorials and videos on how to use all the features of the app.
It tells you galactic center rise and set and degree of angle. Golden hour, blue hour, twilight. I plan on really digging into all the features of this app, so I am ready to fully use it for my summer hikes.
All Trails & Avenza Maps
For maps, I use two apps, depending on the type of trip I am making. All Trails is just as it sounds. It shows you all the trails in your surround area, or you can move the pinpoint location on the map to search for trails in other areas.
When you select a trail, it shows you pictures from the trail that other users have submitted, user star-rated reviews of the trail and their feedback. If you’re looking for an easy hike, or something more challenging, it also gives you a difficulty level on each trail.
When I moved here a few years ago, this app really helped me figure out all the trails in the Black Hills.
Avenza Maps is an app you can download US geological maps from all the parks. Some maps you do have to pay for, a lot are free. Once you’ve downloaded a map, you can use it to record your gps location to see how many miles you travel, you can plan ahead and trace a path to see how many miles the trail roughly is. I used this app when I was backpacking in the Big Horns last summer. It was great tracking where all we went to see how many miles we travelled each day.
There are a lot of night sky apps out there. You just have to find one you like the best for you. Star Walk, Star Walk2, Starlight, Star Tracker. I have used all of these; they all feel about the same to me. They show you the constellations, locations of meteor showers (if applicable). It even showed me where to look for Neowise during the summer.
Member Picks - Jan & Feb
It all begins with an idea.
LISA
With COVID-19 stubbornly hanging around, I thought I would share two videos that are very helpful when using Zoom. I like both of these videos because they are straightforward and easy to follow. Believe me when I say that I watched several long and boring how-to use Zoom videos. These are both short, sweet and to the point.
How to use Zoom Meeting controls on PCs and mobile devices
Join a Zoom Meeting without Downloading Zoom
This month I also am picking PiXimperfect on YouTube. There has been mention within the club about wanting a workshop on portrait retouching. Unmesh Dinda’s processing videos will teach you everything from getting those perfect skin tones to frequency separation… the way high-end photographers retouch skin in Photoshop.
TARA
With winter setting in, what better time to brush up on some educational YouTube videos. I’ve enjoyed the following two channels, especially the episodes that feature locations in our own backyards. These videos have inspired me to start planning some future photo trips.
KEVIN
Laws of Light: 5 Portrait Lighting Setups
If you have ever wanted to shoot portraits but didn’t know how to light them, this video makes a one light setup easy to understand and use. Learn the basics of all lighting setups. The instructor does a very good job of teaching and showing how to use five different lighting techniques.