One of the most common problems facing new photographers – and some of us OLD photographers – is finding a great composition. Like pizza, it’s a matter of taste, but there are some fairly standard agreed-upon guidelines for a good composition. On March 20 I wrote a piece for the blog called Five Composition Tips. I’ve decided to expand on this. I also want to note these are GUIDELINES, not rules. For each of these points you could make an opposite artistic argument. Go there if you must, but if you do, you miss the point of the list. Concentrate on the basics first, then you have earned the right to get fancy and ignore them.
Composition in Photography: Design Elements
PicturesToExe Deluxe 6.0 | PhotographyBLOG
The standard in our club has always been to use Wings for producing AVs but to move beyond the free version to allow multiple piture and audio tracks is quite costly. PicturesToExe is an alternative that some members might want to take a look at.
WnSoft has released PicturesToExe Deluxe 6.0, a photo slideshow software for Windows. Version 6.0 of the Deluxe edition brings new enhancements to the program, including 3D effects and the capability to create executables for Mac. Other highlights include multi-monitor support, Windows 7 compatibility, and the ability to add your own soundtrack, sound effects and text comments to each slide.The Deluxe edition is available for $75.
A Beginner’s Guide to Flickr
Flickr changed my life. True story.
I am a relatively new Flickr convert and a full fledged Flickr evangelist and my number one message to the masses: Flickr isn’t a dumping ground for ‘pics’. It isn’t a graveyard where millions of images are laid to rest never to be seen again. It is a community where photographers share their latest conquests and view beautiful works by other artists. Of course, there are probably millions of users who merely dump and run but I think Flickr has done something rather clever to prevent too many non-users: they charge a minor yearly fee for accounts who want to upload more than a certain number of images. This might turn off a huge percentage of users who just want a free method of generating a url for their photos to put on Ebay but I think it just weeds out those who don’t intend on doing much with their subscription in the first place.
Lightroom: What is it and When Should You Consider it?
There have been questions posted as comments recently asking about the role of Lightroom in a photographer’s workflow. Many posters who are not currently using Lightroom aren’t sure whether Lightroom it is an alternative to Photoshop or where it fits if you have Photoshop too. I thought it was a good time to look at where Lightroom fits in the Adobe line up and to explain why Lightroom isn’t a Photoshop alternative.
2009 November Competition Winners
Here are the winners of the November competition for which the set subject was Opposites, Yin/Yang, Oestrogen/Testosterone.
Please note that only digital images are available for display.
Prints
Set Subject
- Testing
Irmel Dunaiski - Oestrogen/Testosterone
Paddy Howes
Open
- Overberg Landskap
Neels Beyers - Walker Bay
Neels Beyers - Ready For Action
Irmel Dunaiski
Projected Images
Set Subject
- Pei Pyramid + Louvre Reflections – Paris
James Simpson - Yin Yang Mask
Roger Lee - Big ‘n Small on Watch
Gavin Whiteford
Open
- Ancient Eyes
Steve Crane - Fallen Petals
Marius Swart - Purple Field
Neels Beyers
ND Filter Tip: Creating Special Effects
Using ND Filter to create special effects
In this article, I will discuss on an important topic in photography. Although this can be treated as an intermediate to advanced technique, but I will try to keep it as simple as possible making it seem like a piece of cake to all my readers.
ND Filter Tip: Creating Special Effects – Digital Camera Reviews & Photography Tips
Interclub Results
Saturday evening saw the 2009 Interclub event take place at the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch.
Helderberg took the club honours by a narrow margin. The club scores were as follows.
| Helderberg Photographic Society | 516 |
| Hermanus Photographic Society | 513 |
| Paarl Photographic Club | 508 |
| Cape Town Photographic Society | 503 |
| Fish Hoek Photographic Society | 503 |
| Tygerberg Photographic Society | 502 |
| Tafelberg Afrikaanse Fotografieklub | 490 |
| Creative Camera Club | 486 |
| Weskusfotoklub | 468 |
The winning print was “Holding Hands” by Mark Chipps of Creative Camera Club.
And the winning projected image was “It’s a Big World Out There” by Marthinus Retief of Helderberg Photographic Society.
Marthinus’ image pipped Mark’s by one point to take overall honours.
The Golden Apple award for the highest scoring photographer went to Max Leipold of Hermanus Photographic Society.
A spreadsheet listing the detailed scores has been sent to each of the participating clubs.
A workshop in Kirstenbosch
I received this e-mail about a workshop that might interest those members not making the trek to Bredasdorp for the air show on that day.
Dear Photography Enthusiasts,
Below please find information on the next course that we will be offering. Please do circulate amongst your club members as we would be delighted to have them join us!
DISCOVER DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
14th Nov 2009 – Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Newlands
National Geographic and Getaway bring you Discover Digital, a one day photography workshop
which will not only leave you inspired but will teach you the necessary skills and knowledge
required to take that perfect picture!
The workshops have something for everyone whether you are a beginner or someone with
a little more experience.
Dave Rogers, who will be presenting the course, is a good friend of Getaway. Prior to setting up his own business in 2000, David spent seven years as assistant editor at Getaway magazine writing and photographing more than 100 features including 20 cover stories for which he won several awards.
Dave is adding a practical element to the course, which we are very excited about!
The outline of the day is as follows:
1. Introduction to ways of seeing
2. A short slide show of bird, macro, landscapes, animals, etc.
3. My top tips for great photography
4. Making the most of your camera
5. Work flow using Lightroom
6. Processing images using Lightroom and Photoshop
7. Short listing and analysing images
Join us and be inspired!COST
R700 per person (Getaway subscribers pay R630)
Cost includes tuition, course notes, meals, refreshments and a complimentary three-month subscription to Getaway magazine.
For more information, please contact Tracy-Lee Behr on tracy-lee@ramsaymedia.co.za or 021 530 3379.
Kind regards,
Tracy-Lee
Judges for Interclub 2009
WESTERN CAPE INTERCLUB 2009 : JUDGES
Helderberg Photographic Society is honoured to have gained the services of the following Judges, who will judge at Interclub 2009 in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch on Saturday 31st October.
David Rogers
David Rogers loves Africa! He spent 9 years with Getaway as assistant editor, and during this time wrote over 100 features including 20 cover stories for which he won several awards. He has started his own business and has photographed more than 150 lodges for a series called Safari in Style. As well as being called on by commercial clients such as Land Rover USA, Samara Lodges, and many more, David also offers workshops in various parts of the country. He lives with his wife and two young sons, in Cape Town.
Clients include Steenberg Hotel, Garonga Safari Camp, Jacis Safari Camp, Wolwedans, Onguma, and many other top camps and hotels.
Preview Classic Safari Camps of Africa at http://www.davidrogers.co.za/docs/publishing.html
Join a Digital Photographic Safari on http://www.davidrogers.co.za/docs/workshops.htm
Journey through some exquisite lodges at http://www.davidrogers.co.za/docs/lodges.html
He is the author of the following recent titles: Southern Africa in Style (Africa Geographic 2004); Zambia in Style (Africa Geographic, 2005); East Africa in Style (Africa Geographic, 2006); Living Landscapes of Southern Africa (Struik, 2006); Indian Ocean Islands in Style (Africa Geographic, 2007); South Africa in Style (Africa Geographic, 2007); Classic Safari Camps of Africa (Hornbill Press, 2008); Winelands in Style (Africa Geographic, 2009).
Paddy Bouma
Paddy Bouma studied Fine Art at the University of Cape Town (BA 1967) and Lithography at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, (1968-69). She is an internationally published writer and illustrator, and recently illustrated the official picture book version of Nelson Mandela’s Long Road to Freedom for Macmillan Children’s Books (UK). Until recently she taught illustration and printmaking at the University of Stellenbosch.
She lives with her husband, Raymond, in Stellenbosch.
Diane Skinner
Diane Skinner started photography at an early age, learning from her father. She is widely traveled, and from her home in Quebec, Canada, she has ventured across the Americas, Europe, Africa and beyond. She counts among her favourite places to visit
the dunes of Namibia, and the volcanoes on the Hawaiian Islands. She holds an APSSA from the PSSA and is a member of the Canadian Association for Photographic Art. Whilst in South Africa this month, she lectured at the PSSA Congress held in Hermanus.
Helderberg Photographic Society 