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Sunday 31 January 2010

Photography Courses at TAFE

Know your Digital Camera - Sunday 21st Feb 9:30-4:30pm

Digital Photograhpy Introductory Level - Wednesday 6:00pm - 9:00pm Commencing 21st April for 16 weeks

Portrait Photography - Sat 22nd and 29th May 9:00am - 4:00pm

Digital Photgraphy and Image Manipulation Intermediate Level - Tues 6:00pm-9:00pm Commencing 9th Feb for 16 weeks

For more information phone South West TAFE Ph: 55648799 or email: info@swtafe.vic.edu.au

South Western Interclub - Slide/EDI section

This section combines projected digital images and slides and is open to all members.

Digital images
  • Images may be created with a digital camera of a conventional camera and scanned into electronic format
  • Any subject is acceptable
  • Images may be enhanced or manipulated using editing software, but the original image must have been made by the entrant
  • The maximum horizontal dimension is 1024 pixels and the maximum vertical dimension is 768 pixels
  • Each image file must be in RGB JPEG format and a maximum of 500 kilobytes in size.
  • Images must be untagged (no ICC profile) or tagged with the sRGB profile.

Due to the size restrictions, landscape oriented photos general work better than portrait orientation images. Look at the different images on the blog banner and you will see what I mean.

If you are having problems or questions about resizing your image etc, don't be put off entering it, we can help you with that.

Remember entries for South Western Interclub are due in on Thursday.

Saturday 16 January 2010

NEW COMPETITION SECTION - Novice Small print

This year we are introducing a new section to the monthly competition.

NOVICE SMALL PRINT.

Who can enter this section?
This section is open to any new or less experienced members of the club. Those who have won an IOTY section or aggregate are not eligible to enter the Novice Section.

What is the maximum print size?
As for small print open the print must be no larger than 5 x 7 inches.

Do the prints have to be mounted and what is the maximum mount size?
For handling purposes it is better if your prints are mounted. There will be some club loan mounts available if you do not have your own. The maximum mount size is 8 x10 inches. Mount no thicker than 6mm.

Can I enter the Novice Section and the Open Sections in the same month?
Yes. The more the merrier.

Is this replacing the current Small Print Section?
No, The current Open Small Print Section will remain.

The main aim of the new section is to encourage more members to enter the monthly competition and display their work. Feedback from competitions is a great way to improve your photography and it is always really nice to see a wide range of work on display.

If you have any questions or suggestions please leave a comment here or contact one of the committee members.

THERE WILL BE NO SLIDE SECTION THIS YEAR

Friday 15 January 2010

Set Subject Feb 2010 - Action

There are several ways to capture a sense of action in a photograph. Action photography is a really good way to learn about shutter speed and how it affects the look of your image.

Freeze the Motion
To freeze motion in a photography you need a fast shutter speed. The faster the object is moving the faster shutter speed you will need.
If your camera allows for manual adjustment of shutter speed shoot in either full manual or Shutter Priority and set the shutter speed at about 1/250th second. This will give you a good starting point. If you are still getting blur in the shot you will need to increase the speed.
If you your camera doesn't allow for manual adjustments, try the sports mode.
This sort of shot works particularly well if you can catch an object when it is airborne, ie a motorbike going over a jump or a jump shot in basketball.
Use the continuous shooting mode (paparazzi mode) increases your chances of capturing the perfect shot
You can also use your flash to stop the motion. You will of course have to be relatively close to the action.

Blurred Action
Motion blur in am image can certainly give a sense of movement to an image. It can work well, or turn into a bit of a mess. The trick is to make sure the viewer gets the idea that you intended to image to have blur, not just that it is a blurry shot. One of the ways to do this is to ensure that part of the image is clear and sharp (the non-moving objects) and the moving things are blurred.
A blurred action shot will require a longer shutter speed and possibly a tripod.
If your camera doesn't have manual mode have a read of your manual and you might find a mode that has a longer shutter speed, for example the fireworks mode. If you don't have a suitable mode, but you can adjust things such as the ISO and/or the aperture, go for a low ISO (low number) and a small aperture (larger number). This will force the camera to use a longer shutter speed.

Panning Action
This is probably the most effective way to capture action, and the most difficult.
With panning you follow the motion of the object as you take the photo. Gives gives an image where the moving object remains in focus, but the background shows the motion blur. This really creates the sensation of movement like no other technique can. However, it is rather difficult to get perfect panned action shots every time.
Set your camera in the normal mode, focus on your subject by pressing halfway down on the shutter as you normally would. As you are pressing halfway down to focus, physically move your camera sideways, following the subject and press the shutter all the way, while still moving your camera. This may feel or seem a little strange at first, but it does work. If you don't get enough blur adjust your camera to give a slower shutter speed, if there is too much blur, increase the shutter speed. Keep experimenting until you get the desired effect.


A few other hints and tips.
  • Plan ahead, find the best spot - watch your background, and practice, practice, practice
  • When photographing people, remember to capture emotion as well as motion.
  • Pre-focus on something else of equal distance where the subject will come into view. Press the shutter button half way down to lock focus and exposure. Fully depress the button when the subject appears. Alternatively use set the focus on auto-tracking mode (AI Servo for Canon, Continuous Focus for Nikon).

Examples of Action photography (Click the links below)

Google

DP Challenge

The first two images in the DP Challenge link show excellent examples of blurred action and freezing motion.

Panning

Thursday 14 January 2010

Jetstar Photo Competition

Jetstar is celebrating Australia Day by giving away 150 Jetstar Flight Vouchers worth $300 each! Use it to visit family and friends interstate, or visit a part of our big backyard that you've never seen. Just get some family and friends together, take a photo of them doing a Jetstar 'Star Jump' and upload your photo at www.jetstar.com/australiaday along with your full name, email address, contact phone number and date of birth by midday (12:00pm AEDT) Tuesday 19 January 2010

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Tyrendarra Show

click image to enlarge
Saturday 13th February. Entries accepted up until 10am on Show Day

Saturday 2 January 2010

South Western Interclub 2010 Reminder

When is it?
Saturday 20th March 2010

Where?
Warrnambool

What will be happening?
Afternoon workshop hosted by Perry Cho “Getting to know Adobe Lightroom”
Dinner
Competition judging and Presentations.

Who can enter?
All members are invited and encouraged to enter work.

What sections are there?
Small Print Novice section
Large Print Open Colour
Large Print Set Subject Colour (Low Light)
Large Print Open Monochromatic
Large Print Set Subject Monochromatic (Industrial)
Projected Image (Slide/EDI)

Who can enter the novice section?
The novice section is open to anyone who has not had an acceptance in a National competition. You cannot enter both the Large Print and the novice section.

What are the size restrictions?
Small Print: max size print 5”X7” (12.5x18cm). Mount size 8”x10” (20x20.5cm)
Large Print: any print size, max mount size 16”x20” (40x50cm)
All prints must be mounted. Mount no more than 5mm thick.

Set subject definitions?
Colour - “Low Light”: Any photograph taken under low illumination, without any additional light added by the photographer i.e. flash or torch light. Artificial light that is already part of the scene i.e. a street light, candle, car lights is acceptable.
Monochromatic – “Industrial”: A photograph of something that has an "industrial" feeling. Including, but not limited to manufacturing, mining, freight, utilities and the factories, tools and people involved in these areas.

What is a projected image?
This section encompasses Slides and also Electronic Digital Images. The formatting specifications for EDI’s can be found on the VAPS site, but we can go over them later.

When do I need to have my work in by?
Please bring any images you wish to enter along to the February 2010 meeting. Selections will them be made and the clubs work sent off for judging.