Drone photo of photographers tracking the drone (photo by Mark Guinn)
Terry Heggy
Now that the holidays are over, are you looking to keep in touch and strengthen your connection with those you miss the most?
Sharing photos with your smartphone is the easiest way to communicate visually. For even more control over your images, you can use a stand-alone camera. Regardless of how you capture the images, you can easily let others enjoy them with you. There are websites you can upload to, online file sharing, and good ol’ email. And there are now internet-connected picture devices that let you send pictures directly to a frame located anywhere!
Birds? Buildings? Stars? People? Bugs? Opportunities for great photos are all around us! To start an epic adventure with photography, we just need to remember to look around and notice the beauty in all the things we encounter.
For photos that go beyond “snapshots,” it helps to learn more about how to use your camera and how to choose settings that make compelling images. SaddleBrooke is blessed with some amazing photographers, and these folks love to share their passion for visual communication! They also appreciate the good friends they’ve made in the SaddleBrooke Photography Club. The club hosts regular sessions where experts teach a variety of camera-related topics. You don’t have to be a club member to attend. Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience! See www.photosb.org for more information.
In November, Mark Guinn led a Photography Club workshop where participants learned to set up for great bird photography and then practice panning (moving the camera to keep the subject sharp while blurring the background) to freeze motion of flying things by using a drone as a “practice bird.”
In December, astronomy enthusiast Randy Smith explained how to get great shots of our gorgeous night sky, even if you don’t have the fanciest camera or telescope. Another meeting provided more tips on bird photography, discussing how to locate yourself for the best shots.
Every month features more learning opportunities and chances to try new techniques. The guest speaker at our Jan. 10 meeting was Tucson photographer Bob Hills whose photography has evolved from the pursuit of technically perfect, razor-sharp images to a more expressive and poetic approach. Using multiple exposures, intentional blur, and innovative image processing, Bob creates works that evoke imagination and emotion. By embracing photographic imperfection as art, he captures images of creative digital expression. You can view Bob’s work at his website www.bobhillsphoto.com or on Instagram at instagram.com/bobhillsphoto.
Our Jan. 30 meeting featured “macro” photography (taking pictures of very small things) to show a different perspective on tiny beauty we don’t normally notice. Experienced club members shared techniques for overcoming the challenges that come with being so close to your subject.
We meet in the Topaz Room at MountainView on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon, and everyone is welcome. Please stop by or visit our website at www.photosb.org or email photosb.org@gmail.com.