Photo Gifts and Gear

I was at a seminar and someone had a coffee mug that looked like a Canon lens. I inquired about where it was purchased, and if it came in Nikon. I was directed to Photojojo an online store that sells unique, useful and weird camera gear and gifts.

The store offered a Nikon version of the coffee mug alongside such items as a Pinhole Lens, a white balance lens cap, a variety of miniature cameras and a lot of novelty items for your favorite photography enthusiast. Some of these items are useful, others just kitschy at best.

Crex Meadows Nature PHotography Seminar

Several twin city area photographers are scheduled as speakers at the Crex Meadows Nature Photography Seminar on August 6-7. Crex Meadows is located in Grantsburg, WI, about 1 ½ hours north of the Twin Cities.

Registration deadline is July 15, 2011. Saturday seminar is $35 per person for Friends of Crex members, or $45 for non-members. Sunday morning field trip is $10. A Men’s and a Woman’s Bunkhouse, bathrooms and showers are available: $10 per person per night. Other lodging available in Grantsburg and Siren, WI.

Program includes:
Dale Bohlke: Basic DSLR Review
Dee Kotaska: A Spirit of Place
Mike Prokosch: Looking at the Small Side of Nature
John Pennoyer: Seeing the Light
Mariann Cyr: Do You See What I See?
Dale Bohlke: Wildflower Explorations
Ron Cleveland: Have a Hoot: Point, Think & Shoot

To learn more about Crex go to: Crex Meadows. To register go to: www.crexmeadows.org/seminarbrochure2011.pdf.

Russ Borud: Butterfly Delights

Interesting things are happening in the internet world. For those with DVD/BluRay players connected to the internet, there is a link to the www.youtube.com that will allow viewers to watch slideshows like Russ' on their television. I connected to Russ Borud's youtube site and my Sony BluRay played each of his slideshows one after the other. Since Russ includes some lovely music with his slideshows, it was a visual and audio delight.

Russ Borud's Sparks Over St Paul - July 4, 2011

Minnesota State Fair Competition

Just a friendly reminder that the 2011 Fine Arts registration deadline is fast approaching! Registration absolutely closes at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 11. Also, all changes to a registered item must be completed by 4:30 p.m. on that date. Changes can be made by calling 651-288-4417, e-mailing competition@mnstatefair.org or in person at the Competition Office. Registration absolutely closes upon this deadline.

Registration is available on-line at - www.mnstatefair.org. Just click on the "Competition & Contests" button and then choose "Fine Arts" from the list that appears.

In addition to on-line registration, the website has a downloadable version of the Fine Arts Rules and Regulations and the Identification Tag, which must be attached to your item. Be sure to read the rules before you submit your registration.

Fireworks Images

Peter Wong is a professional photographer and member of the Crosstown Camera Club. He has been up on assignment at the Grand View Lodge in Northern Minnesota. He captured these images of fireworks on the 4th I am sure you will enjoy.

You can see more of Peter's work at: Peter Wong Photography.

July 1st Storm Pix

A huge storm suddenly appeared last night and quickly rolled threw downtown Minneapolis. I was able to get a few shots from my backdoor before the rains came.








After the clouds and rain swept through the result was a rather dramatic sunset.

Exhibit at Thrivent Building in Minneapolis

There is a group of 14 photographers who belong to the Crosstown Camera Club that meet separately from that club to discuss ideas, techniques, and give critiques of each others work. In addition, the group formed to support each others work through publication and exhibitions.

Currently 5 members of the group have images hanging in an exhibit at the Thrivent Financial building in downtown Minneapolis. The building is a modern looking red glass structure located on 4th Avenue between 6th and 7th Streets across from the Hennepin County courthouse. The images are hung on movable pillars in the first floor main lobby of that building.

The exhibit contains 27 images. Some of the selected images from that exhibit are:


By Liz Ansley

By Mark Karney

By John Olson

By Cynthia Fleury

By Peter Wong

The exhibit will run through the month of July and is open during normal business hours to view. The Thrivent building is located on the Minneapolis skyway for easy access.

You can see other images from Dynolights members at: Dynolights.