July 3, 2013 Photo Walk

The July Photo Walk will take place on Cleveland Ave in Squamish.  This is a chance to practice your urban photography.  It is also a great opportunity to hone your seeing skills—what Canadian photographer Freeman Paterson calls ‘the art of seeing’. 

At the Photo Walk we will try and look past the everyday and find some hidden gems.

Here are 52 more examples to inspire you.

http://www.designyourway.net/blog/inspiration/52-great-examples-of-urban-photography/

 

Alternately, we can take pictures of cars and then go for coffee.

July 3  @  7pm

Meet at the corner of Cleveland & Winnipeg

(by the Rotary Club clock)

 

 

SAC - Thanks for the grant!!

Many thanks to Squamish Arts Council and District of Squamish. It was announced our Photo Club had been awarded a SAC/DOS Enhancement Grant of $1,468.00 towards our Squamish Snapshot book project. You will be hearing lots about this project over the next few months but here are the basics –

The District of Squamish will be celebrating its 100^th birthday in 2014.  In honor of that occasion The Squamish Valley Photo Association will be publishing a book that documents Squamish as it looks during this 100^th year – a snapshot if you will.  We are going to collaborate with the historical community and ask them to place themselves as historians 100 years in future and tell us what they would like photographs of.

The idea is to document building, parks, how we live, where we eat and where we play.  A copy of the book, signed by all the contributing photographers will be donate to the District during the birthday celebrations.  We are looking for your ideas and input and if you have some time to work on the committee that is putting this project together send us an email SVPC@shaw.ca

Annual General Meeting - March 6

This is a reminder that our very first AGM as the Squamish Valley Photography Association will be held this coming Wednesday March 6 at the Squamish Arts Club Building on Cleveland Ave.

Because we are a brand new Association, we are required to register all of our new members and ensure that only registered members vote.  This is a very easy process – we will be taking registrations at the door between 7:00 and 7:30pm on the night of the AGM.  We will need your first and last name, your email address and your $10 annual registration fee.

The ten dollars will help us pay for Association filing fees, SAC Annual membership, club events, etc.  With 7 ‘Photo Walks’ a year, 5 ‘Photo Talks’, exhibition opportunities, guest speakers and special events like last year’s Project Sound we hope you agree it is a very good value.

Schedule of AGM:
o   7 pm – registration & sign in
o   7:30 pm – call to order, introduction of board
o   7:40 pm – President’s report
o   7:50 pm – Treasurer report
o   8:00 pm – Election – starting with President, then Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director-at-large
o   Post-election – discussion about opportunities for committees and groups, other club news and upcoming events

We have volunteers for each of the elected positions so don’t worry that we will try and twist your arm when you come in the door.  However, if you are interested in standing for election you are most welcome to do so. 

We very much need your support as we embark on this next phase of our growth.  Please join us on Wednesday March 6.

Doug Hackett – President

PS If you are not able to attend the AGM – we will make separate arrangements to get your membership set up.

Our first AGM

The Squamish Valley Photography Club is officially registered as a Society now and will from now on be known as the Squamish Valley Photography Association. Why did we do this? We've been growing so much in the last 2 years and we wanted to provide our members with more transparency and structure. Our inaugural AGM will take place in March and we will be posting more infos soon. See you there and Happy shooting!
Squamish Valley Photography Association
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, March 6. 2013
Squamish Arts Council Building
Cleveland Ave.
7 pm registration; 7:30pm AGM

February Photo Walk/Talk

Just a reminder that the February meeting is just around the corner.

Wed. Feb. 6 @7pm at the Squamish Arts Council building on Cleveland Ave.

There are three thing on the agenda and all of them are going to be exciting.

1. Travel photography presentation by Jennifer Roberts.

If you are one of the people that stared in awe at Jennifer’s photographs of penguins in the foyer gallery or her icebergs in Pro’ject Sound then wait until you see Jennifer’s other photos.  Jennifer is going to talk about her experiences traveling with a camera so bring your questions.  Jennifer’s bio is attached below.

Jennifer Roberts is an adventurer and nature lover who travels the world in search of new experiences, fresh perspective, interesting people and beautiful views.  She has visited 70 countries on 7 continents, and tries to capture the beauty found in nature, and express her experience through photography. 

2. Bring out your best – bring up to five photographs (on a memory stick or SD card) that you would like other photographers to comment on. They can be submitted anonymously if you wish.

3. Slide show to music – here is another chance to put together a slide show using PhotoStory 3.  If you need some reminders about how PhotoStory 3 works look up our blog entry from last January ( svphotoclub.blogspot.com ).  Again bring your presentation on a memory stick or SD card.

See you there

I'm trying to say something about Sarah Hagen and the Pro'ject Sound concert that just took place tonight but I'm lacking words to describe how wonderful, how powerful, how inspiring the performance paired with the photographs was. A milestone in the Photo Club's history for sure and I think HSPAA had a memorable season opener to add to their 20 year history. The reception afterwards was also well attended and judging by the smiles on people's faces....I think we did well :)
A big THANK YOU to the co-producers Joanna Schwarz, Petra Walter and Doug Hackett, the participating photographers (Megan Wilson, Deb Wilson, Cindy Watson, Erin Yeo, Jennifer Roberts, Petra Walter, Joanna Shwarz, Peta Hackett, Muff Hackett & Doug Hackett) for all their time and effort over the last year to make this happen. Also thank you to the District of Squamish and the Squamish Arts Council for partly funding this project. - Petra

HOWE SOUND PERFORMING ARTS ASSOCIATION is celebrating its 20th Season.
 

International pianist, Sarah Hagen, performs the music of Debussy while photos taken by the Squamish Valley Photo Club are projected on a giant screen.

At the Soiree after the concert, you will have a chance to meet the artist, the photographers and enjoy the Art Show with numerous images framed for viewing.

I hope you will join us and tell your friends about our special event.

 

DATE: Saturday, September 22, 2012.

ADDRESS: St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 1930 Diamond Road 

Tickets: Adults, $25   Seniors, $20    Students and Children FREE (with a ticket)

Available at Billie's Flower House in downtown Squamish (CASH ONLY).

Brittannia Mine Museum Photo Contest

Over $1000 in prizes!!!

Mineral Images
The Britannia Mine Museum is hosting its first annual amateur photography competition.  The best submissions will become an exhibition at the Museum in the fall.  This is for amateur photographers of all ages and abilities.
The Categories
Each category has two age groups; 15 & under, and 16 & over.
Use of Mined Materials
Show us how people in the sea-to-sky use stuff we get from mines.  Think anything metal, glass, stone, clay ... bikes, binoculars, mirrors and Mack trucks.
Rocks and Lanedscapes
Rocks, minerals, volcanoes, cliffs, mountains, valleys... we are surrounded by some astounding rocks and rocky landscapes.  Show us how they look to you.
Human-Environment Interaction
We have an impact on our environment and it has an impact on us.  We want to see the effects of one on the other; a whiskey jack feeding from a hand; land being cleared or planted; sand between toes of a bare foot.

Submission deadline:  September 7, 2012
More details at www.BritanniaMineMuseum.ca

We are two years old!

Happy Birthday to us!
The club is two years old and we are using the June Photo Walk to throw ourselves a birthday party. The Photo Walk will take place at Murrin park (on Highway 99, on the hill above Britannia Beach). There will be hot dogs, chips and lemonade. If you want to bring some dessert to share it would be appreciated. After dinner there are lots of good photo subjects in the park.

If you want to come a little early, we will have some hot dogs ready by 6:30pm.

If you need directions or to carpool send an email to SVPC@shaw.ca

Wednesday June 6  - see 'ya

 

Pro'ject Sound Submissions

This note is IMPORTANT for any photographer planning on submitting images for Proj'ect Sound*
We are ready to start receiving your images in all categories.  Please review the following criteria for each image.

Image Criteria

Each image you submit must

·         be in 'landscape' orientation

·         be the highest resolution possible

·         contain NO watermarks of text overlays

·         be in JPG format

·         be correctly labeled with group, name and sequence (see label format below)

Image Label/Name

Before sending images, each file must be labeled using the following format.
C_LName_F_seqnbr.jpg
where:
C              is the color category (R, O, Y, G, B, I, V)
LName    is the photographers last name
F               is the photographers first initial
seqnbr    is whatever numbering scheme you want to use
                 each component of the name should be separated with an underscore ( _  )
Example:
An image from Doug Hackett in the green category would be labeled   G_Hackett_D_1579.jpg

Submitting images

When you are ready to submit images please email SVPC@shaw.ca with the number of images you are ready to transfer.  You will be sent instructions on how to transfer the images as well as a transfer date.
Transfers will take place using an online tool called DROPBOX.  This tool works on both Macs and PCs.  It appears as a file folder on your computer so you can just drag and drop your photos into the folder and they will automatically be transferred.

Is this my only opportunity to submit photos?

No, there will be additional opportunities but we need to start to assess any categories that are weak or have too few images.

I have a friend who might would like to participate as well.  Can I send them this info?

By all means, they will need to join the photo club before they submit images but that is the only limitation.

How will I be recognized?

Every photographer whose images are selected will have their name in the program and in the credits.  They will also have an opportunity to display in the gallery show associated with the project
 

Am I giving up my rights to my images?

No, absolutely not! Photographers will retain the rights to their own images – you are giving permission for your images to be used for this specific performance.

I have more questions

Send any questions, thoughts, concerns to Doug Hackett   ( SVPC@shaw.ca )

* Pro'ject Sound

Pro’ject Sound (as in pro’jector)  We have an opportunity to be part of a very unique production in collaboration with the Howe Sound Performing Arts Association.    The presentation will combine the pianist Sarah Hagen playing live with a continuous stream of appropriate photographs that will be coming from local photographers (that’s our part).

After an initial meeting we decided to go with the COLOUR theme which features the colours of the rainbow. Sarah likes to begin with violet and end with RED!  (violet-indigo-blue-green-yellow-orange-red)
The MUSIC will be Claude Debussy and the concert will run approximately 45 minutes.

PhotoStory3 - Create a slide show with music

In preparation for the February meeting, here is a short refresher on PhotoStory 3 software.  This is FREE software that you can download from Microsoft and it allows you to prepare slideshows of your photographs complete with music track, special effects and titles.  There are lots of slideshow tools available but if you have never used one then PhotoStory 3 is a great place to start because it walks you through the process step by step.

Download from:   http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=11132      OR search Google for Photostory3.  Make sure you download from the actual Microsoft site.  The software will indicate it is PhotoStory3 for XP but it runs fine in Windows Vista and Windows 7.  There is an Apple version as well.

Step 1: Begin a new PhotoStory

Import your pictures.  The software will assist in removing black borders and resizing the photographs for a data projector.  In this step you can reorder your photographs,  adjust color levels, rotate and add special effects (like pencil sketch and washout for title slides).

Step 2: Add titles

You can add titles or credits to you slide show or even add captions to each slide.

Step 3: Narrate & customize motion

If you have a microphone attached to your computer you can narrate your slide show.  I this step you can also change the panning motion selected for each slide, the length of time each slide is displayed and the type and duration of the transitions between slides.

Step 4: Add music

The software will recognize any .MP3 song.  If the music is longer than your slide set, the software will take care of fading the sound at the end of the slide show.  Just select the slide you want the music to start on and PhotoStory3 does the rest.

Step 5: Produce your show.

This is the last step.  The software will format your show and create a .WMV video file that can be shown on any computer (you can even upload it to YouTube).
 
Remember to save your PhotoStory work so you can go back and make edits and tune-ups if you want to.

January Photo Club Meeting

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and found photo equipment under their tree.

Our next meeting will be held on

Wed. January 4 2012 at 7pm. 

We will be meeting at the Squamish Arts Council building on Cleveland Ave. 

Agenda:

1.  Jim Hegan presents Sports Photography

I can’t think of a sporting event in Squamish / Whistler / Callaghan that Jim has not photographed - from Test of Metal through the Loggers Sports Show, ski jumping through wind sports.  Recently Jim was an accredited photographer at the Whistler Sliding Centre and had some unique experiences both preparing for a sport he had not photographed before and dealing with press photographers that were there to work.  Jim’s photos are always spectacular and he is a great resource for your questions on sport photography.

2. PhotoStory3 software

In preparation for our February meeting (details immediately below) I am going to be doing a short refresher on PhotoStory 3 software.  This is FREE software that you can download from Microsoft and it allows you to prepare slideshows of your photographs complete with music track, special effects and titles.  There are lots of slideshow tools available but if you have never used one then PhotoStory is a great place to start because it walks you through the process step by step.

At the February meeting we are inviting club members to prepare and show off their best slide show.  The slide show can be up to 5 minutes long and on any topic you choose.  We encourage you to include music but it is not a requirement.

On the February meeting night we will be viewing all of the slide shows that are submitted.

Photography Showcase - Quest University

What you Play

Where you Play

How you Play

The Right to Play Club at Quest will be hosting a silent auction with photos taken by the Quest Photography Club and members of the Squamish community depicting scenes of playing.  All proceeds from the event will go towards Right to Play - an international humanitarian organization based in Canada dedicated to empowering children through sport and playing.
7:30 - 9:30 December 10th 2011
Quest University Canada, 3rd Floor Library
for more details, contact Olenka at right.toplay@questu.ca

Light Painting

On Wednesday October 19   7pm at the Squamish Arts Council building be are going to try Light Painting.

You don't need much to experiment with this kind of shot, just make sure you have the following items:

1. A camera capable of long exposures - use a digital camera, you will be able to see the results in "real time" and make corrections as you go.

2. A tripod. Since you will be doing some long exposures you want to make sure your camera sits still.

3. A light source – flashlight, glow stick, sparkler, etc.

4. A dark location.

Here is how it's done:

Set your camera on the tripod and take a sample shot with the flash on. This will help you verify that your composition and focus is OK.

Set the exposure to a relatively long value (+1 sec. or ‘B’ if your camera has that).

Stop down the aperture as much as you need (f8 – f16).

Press the shutter. Once the shutter is open, move in front of the camera to the location you focused on and use your light source to "paint".

You can use the light source as a brush, and "smear" the light, just like you would have done with brush and paper. Or, you can use the light as a pen, and do precise work. Areas where you go slowly will be more lit then others.  

Inspect your image and make corrections.  

If your photo is too dark – increase your ISO

If your photo is too light – stop down your aperture (f16, f22 +) or decrease your ISO

Try spinning your light source on a string while you turn yourself in a circle – you draw a sphere.

Experiment!  Once you have the setting you like you can concentrate on your light painting.

What if my camera does not take long exposures?

Please come anyway.  We need both photographers AND light painters.  Team up with a photographer and do the in-front of camera painting.

At the end of the evening we are going to try a photograph that involves outlining a whole group of people standing around the park.

Need more tips, inspirations, great examples.  Google “Light Painting”

Vote for a new meeting date

Hi Everyone

We would like you to help us decide on a new meeting date.

The story so far ….

Early this year we settled on the third Thursday of every month as our meeting date.  This was done so that our meetings were predictable and everyone could write them on their calendars.  In the spring, the club joined the Squamish Arts Council (SAC).  Among the many benefits of this membership is the option for the photo club to use the SAC building for meetings once a month. While we meet outdoors for most of the year, we need an indoor location for the winter months and the SAC building would save us about $75.00 year even after the SAC membership fee.  Since we try not to charge our members ANYTHING, this savings is a big deal for us.

Here is the problem;  another group already uses the SAC building on the third Thursday of each month.  We need to pick a new date.

After a little discussion we are ruling out meeting on Mondays or Fridays because people are too busy on those days.  The options remaining are:

 

1.       First Tuesday of every month
2.       First Wednesday of every month
3.       First Thursday of every month
4.       Third Tuesday of every month

You can vote by replying to the email sent to club members on September 20th or send an email to SVPC@shaw.ca

Voting closes on Saturday October 1.  Thanks for your help

September Photo Walk - Thursday September 15 @ 7pm

West Coast Railway Heritage Park
Trains, machinery, flowers, insects, probably some fish.
Come and see what you can take a photo of.

August Photo Walk - Aug. 18 @ 7pm

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: To capture photographic evidence of climbers participating in the sport of bouldering with your guide Megan Booth.

A Brief History: Bouldering is a style of climbing undertaken with little to no equipment. A climber will practice agility and strength in a series of individual movements usually no more than 3-5 meters from the ground. Each route is referred to as a ‘problem’ as the nature of the climb is much like problem solving. Bouldering’s history goes back to the last quarter of the 19th century when informal bouldering challenges were a playful training
activity for climbers.

To succeed in your mission: Prepare yourself with a tripod, sturdy walking shoes, and possibly a screen for reflecting light – the Bouldering Forest is quite dense but late afternoon/early evening light does filter through the trees and light up the mossy rocks. Oh yes…and a camera or two…

Meet: In the parking lot on the right hand side of the highway going South. We will convene and cross the bridge together to the forest opening.
 
Due to the farther-than-normal-from-S​tarbucks nature of our photo walk, Megan will be bringing coffee, tea and treats for afterwards.
 
This message will self-destruct in 10 seconds. Good luck.

Thursday August 18   7 - 9 pm
Meet at the Malamute parking lot (south-bound side of the highway)
Everyone welcome!

I'm in heaven!!

Last week a friend gave me a 'Vest Pocket Kodak - Model B' circa 1906.  He knew that I collected old Kodak cameras and this had been his grandfathers.  I did not know much about the 'Vest Pocket' series so I thought I would troll the internet for information.  That is where I stumbled upon a gold mine.
The CAMERAPEDIA website is a wiki for camera information.  Any make, model and obscure version of camera you can think of is listed on the site along with information on how it worked, what type of film it used and trivia about its design, marketing etc.
If you are looking for information on an old camera or you just love to look up old camera models this is the site for you.
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Camerapedia
Got'ta go now - I want to look up my old Pentax K2!

An opportunity to showcase your work!

Here is an opportunity for all of you to participate in the "Into the Woods with Red Riding Hood" exhibit, created by the Squamish Arts Council. It will coincide with the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival and will run for 3 months.

If you would like to enter some of your photos all you need is a SAC membership which starts at $15 for an individual. I know, we have a group membership with SAC now but this exhibit is for individuals only and is not representing any groups.

So it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work as a solo artist!

You can contact Petra at SquamishPhotography@gmail.com if you're interested.

Thanks and I hope to see a strong presence of our Club members!