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.