Do you find yourself not picking up your camera because you lack motivation or ideas of what to shoot? Consider following The Daily Shoot (@dailyshoot on Twitter) for a new challenge each day. They may just provide the inspiration you need to get shooting again.
Monitor Calibration
We have received a program from PSSA that can be used to confirm your monitor is correctly calibrated. We will be using this to do a quick check of the projector calibration at the start of each meeting.
You will find a link to download the program on our Resources page under the heading Monitor Calibration.
A New Camera Strap
We were sent this release by the manufacturer of a new camera strap who thought our members might be interested.
Hello,
I am sending you this e-mail to announce a new camera support system that may interest your members. I attached a Press Release and a Brochure. Feel free to use any information contained in them in your Newsletters or "What’s New" section on your site.
My new product is called the BosStrap Camera Sling System. My company is BosStrap LLC.
The BosStrap System includes two pieces: a BosStrap™ and a BosTail™. The BosTail replaces the manufacturer’s neck strap. Simply attach the BosTail to the left strap lug or eyelet on the camera body. The BosTail typically remains on the camera. The BosStrap includes a nickel plated metal TriggerLoc™ to connect to a nickel plated ring on the BosTail.
Professional photographers tested the BosStrap System for three months in field and studio environments. They unanimously agree that its unique engineering offered the professional photographer benefits that were unavailable with any other system. The BosStrap System was tested with professional camera setups weighing over six pounds when typically equipped with an 80-200 mm f/2.8 zoom lens.
The adjustable BosStrap is worn across your body, placed over your left shoulder and under your right arm as shown in the photos in the attached Press Release and Brochure. You’ll notice that the BosStrap is wider than a typical camera strap. The wide nylon webbing is sufficient to distribute the weight of a camera without relying on a cumbersome and roaming shoulder pad.
In operation, the TriggerLoc slides along the BosStrap (which does not move) allowing you to effortlessly bring your camera up to your eye to quickly compose and capture the shot. When not in use, your camera remains safely and inconspicuously at your hip.
The web site shows the complete product line and provides more information about the BosStrap Camera Sling System. I hope you take a look. www.BosStrap.com
The BosStrap Camera Sling System features include:
- Camera tripod socket always available
- Fail-safe TriggerLoc lets you disconnect camera from the BosStrap in seconds
- No shoulder pad. The 1½” wide strap prevents neck strain and eliminates a cumbersome and roaming shoulder pad
- BosStrap adjust to 64" long
- Uses extremely smooth and strong nylon seatbelt webbing
- Frees both hands
- Adjustable BosTail length from 2" to 4"
- Light weight at less than 5 ounces
- Engineered with a Safety Factor of 10
- Some photographers have used BosStrap to support a battery pack
- BosStraps and BosTails are also sold separately
- Reasonably priced at $39.95
Try the new BosStrap Camera Sling System. If you are not satisfied, return it with 30 days for a full refund.
Please let your members know about BosStrap.
Thank you,
Tom Fama
P.S. BosStrap is also on Facebook: Facebook Link
P.P.S Shown on Wired: Gadget Lab http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/03/bosstrap-a-shoulder-slung-free-spinning-camera-strap/
Top 50 photography websites
Haje Jan Kamps posted this list of his 50 favourite photography web sites on Pixiq, which is itself one of the nicer photography sites out there.
DSLR Pinhole Photography
With the next Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day coming up on 24 April 2011 I thought some of you might want to try doing pinhole photography with your DSLR cameras. This video shows how.
There are many more resources demonstrating this on the Internet. Some take the technique further, showing how to make improved pinholes using thin aluminium or brass shim stock.
2011 March Competition Winners–Prints
Set Subject
- Paddy Howes – After Freeman
Open
- Paddy Howes – Speed
- Florian Breuer – Peace Symbol
- Florian Breuer – Red Pepper
2011 March Competition Winners–Projected Images
Here are the projected image winners from the January competition for which the set subject was Inspiration, where photographers were to make an image in the style of a photographer they admired.
Set Subject
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Lourensrivier Mono | Moonlight | Karl |
| Chris Joubert | George Frangs | Paddy Howes |
 |  |  |
Open
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Hunting | Flowing Petals | Mist |
| Eric Sumner | Rosie Burton | Denise Whiteford |
 |  |  |
The full list of projected image scores can be found in this PDF document
RC Air Show
As mentioned at our meeting this evening, Helderberg Radio Flyers are hosting a radio-control air show this coming Sunday. Take a look at the poster below and visit their web site for more information.
Wildlife & Nature Photography Workshop
ANITA DE VILLIERS PHOTOGRAPHY
2011 WORKSHOPS
SOUTH AFRICA
MUN-YA-WANA GAME RESERVE
FIELD WORKSHOP
WILDLIFE & NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP PRESENTED BY
GREG DU TOIT &
ANITA DE VILLIERS
Date: 13 – 17 April 2011
Venue: Zuka in the Mun-ya-wana Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal
Information & Registration: Please contact Anita: 082 8737345 OR adevill@iafrica.com
Maximum number of participants: 6
*Please note that Anita’s website is under construction.
Giving a good photo critique
Haje Jan Kamps writes;
Giving feed-back on something is really easy. Giving useful feedback on a subjective matter — such as photography — is, in fact, extremely difficult. That’s why I’ve created sort of a check-list with some tips as to how I like to do critiques.
Helderberg Photographic Society 