HotAirAffair (Hudson, Wisconsin) Feb 5,6,7, 2011

Great opportunity for photographers! http://www.hudsonhotairaffair.com/schedule.htm

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010, 7:30 am: BALLOON LAUNCH, nearly 40 hot air balloons, including special shapes, in competitive flight. E.P. Rock school grounds (13th and Summer, on the Hill).

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2010, 7:30 am: BALLOON LAUNCH, nearly 40 hot air balloons and special shapes in second competitive flight. E.P. Rock school grounds.

"For Kodachrome Fans, Road Ends at Photo Lab in Kansas" says the NYT

The Road ends for Kodachrome, but photography moves on, as it always has. The film was lovely, the experience perhaps a bit intoxicating; but the image, yes, the image, as always, rules in the end. No matter how it is captured the image will always rule.

MATCH COLOR IN PHOTOSHOP

There is a handy little trick you should be aware of in Photoshop that can be used to change the color rendition of an image using the colors from an unrelated image.

I started with the image below. While somewhat dynamic in capture, the color cast is washed out because it was taken on a wet and overcast day.



I admired the color rendition of the image below and thought it might provide the basis for a welcome change to the image above.



In Photoshop I opened both images. Then I went to Image>Adjustments>Match Color while the image I wanted to change was selected. The dialogue box asks to indicate what image to match the colors from. I indicated the source image above. Then another dialogue box with limited controls appeared. There were sliders to change the luminosity, color saturation and fade to the final image. The result is below.


This process does not work for every image, but it can be effective to change the color rendition of images that weren't originally taken in great light.

The Last Kodachrome

The Last Kodachrome film will be processed December 30 by the last lab in the world, Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kanas. So ends an era...

A final exhibition: The Last Kodachrome: Exhibition is on view Jan. 4-21 at Rayko Photo Center, 428 Third St. San Francisco. (415) 495-3773. www.rayko photo.com.

Mark Lissick, professional photographer, and a presenter and judge for our member clubs, has just announced upcoming photo workshops in his December newsletter. You can click on the images below to read more about them, or better yet visit Mark's website to learn more about these and the other workshops Mark puts on around the world. You can also sign up for his e-newsletter that announces upcoming events and showcases some of his great images.

Mark is also publishing his first book titled "The Inner Artistry of Outdoor Photography". It includes a large selection of some of the most amazing outdoor photographs taken by Mark over the years at many of his favorite locations. The unique thing about this book is it is being published as an e-book first (although it will be eventually available in print as well). E books like this are increasing in popularity because they can taken anywhere, are generally less expensive then a printed copy, and the images in it still retain their quality and beauty when viewed on a good quality monitor.

Mark allowed me to preview a copy, and I can attest to the quality of the content and images. You should definitely check out this e-book as it's well worth the price.

Mona Lisa Curse

The Mona Lisa Curse is a YouTube only presentation of great video quality (not the usual YouTube low grade video) on the state of art today, focused on the opinion of art critic Robert Hughes. This is not available on DVD, or I would have it in my collection. Hopefully it will become available one day, but for now it is well worth the time to watch on YouTube. I would very much enjoy hearing your opinion.

Red Wing Holiday Party Rescheduled!

Bad weather has forced our member club in Red Wing to reschedule its holiday meeting. Here is the announcement of the event:

Dear Photo Club Guests,

We're sending a note about the Holiday Party that is CANCELLED for tonight due to weather. We're on for TOMORROW night (Tuesday for our annual party. There will be holiday music and photos celebrating our year at the club.

So, come on by and meet some of the club members. It's always a fun evening at the club and this will be extra special.

Center for Fine Art Photography

The Center for Fine Art Photography is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. It sponsors a number of exhibitions and educational opportunities. Recently there was a call for entries for "Portraits" a juried exhibition judged by Rodney Smith. To view the juror's selection of winning images go to: PORTRAITS.

Call for Entries - Human + Being

There is a call for entries for a juried international show called Human + Being. Entries are due by January 21, 2011. Internationally known photographer Phil Borges will be the sole judge of images submitted to this show. It is sponsored by the Center for Fine Art Photography. For more information click on the image below or go to the Center's website.

Conceptual Photography

Conceptual photography is an art of getting your ‘concept’ to connect with the mind of the viewer using just the contents of a photograph. In it a photographer puts various things in an image to convey a clear idea for the viewer to perceive.



There is a good short article with 50 examples of this type of work at the DPS website.

Ken Sklute - Explorer of LIght

As photographers, we all look at the world and see things uniquely. We often move too fast and miss what is right in front of us. All of us routinely pass magnificent locations without stopping because we are not really seeing what is there. Canon Explorer of Light Ken Sklute will be in Minnesota to share his perspective, teach others to see and help everyone to be more in touch with their creative vision.

He will be here in Minnesota Monday, January 31, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the main auditorium of Edison High School, 700 22nd Avenue NE. Minneapolis, MN 55418. Ken Sklute has been honored as one of Canon's Explorers of Light, a designation shared by only 60 top photographers worldwide. During his 36 year photographic career, Ken has been named Photographer of the Year a total of 27 times between Arizona, New York, and California.

The session will start with photographing a live band in full stage lighting with Ken as your instructor. A 30 minute Rock & Roll performance by the upcoming band "The Johnson Twins" will lead off the evening. You are invited to bring your gear and photograph the band during the performance or just enjoy the music. After a short intermission Ken will give his workshop/demonstration.

At this presentation Ken will explain how he goes about finding locations, subjects and photographic environments that yield award winning results. He will explore creative ways of composing. Attendees will learn to see light that carves a subject with grace, depth and dimension. Ken will motivate and ignite your passion, enabling you to take your craft to a new level of excellence. All levels.

To learn more about this rare opportunity go to this website: Explorer of Light. Click here (Sklute) to learn more about Ken at his website.

セントポールのカメラC.ubからのニュース

The above title translates to: News from the St. Paul Camera Club and it has to do with the country of Japan.

At the recent PSA Conference in Charleston, SC, Gene and Pat Schwope had dinner and several meetings with Yasuko Hashizume, a PSA member from Japan who operates an art gallery in downtown Tokyo. Yasuko extended an invitation for the St. Paul Camera Club to have a photo exhibit in her art gallery at no cost to the club. Her facility is called Gallery La Fleur. The show will be January 26 through February 6, 2011. There will be no awards or sales from this show. It is strictly a photo display. However, SPCC members can say that their work has been shown Internationally.

The title of the show is "My Favorite Print." The subject matter is open and prints can be either color or monochrome. Gene and Pat also made title cards that will be mounted next to each print. Information on the card includes the maker's name, title of the print, and space for the gallery staff to write in Japanese translations.

Gene shipped a box of 30 prints from SPCC members to Tokyo on December 8th. To save money and breakage the prints were shipped unmounted. The staff at Gallery La Fleur will matte and frame each print, again at no cost to the club.

Below is a picture of the gallery La Fleur:



Lets get a Camera Council trip arranged to view this exhibit!

HOSPICE TWIN CITIES

HOSPICE TWIN CITIES


Hi I would like to introduce myself, Niece Nardini and I am representing Hospice of the Twin Cities. We are seeking some volunteers to help us with our Annual Light's & Limo's program. Each year we bundle up our patients and their loved ones tuck them in a Limo and tour the cities looking at beautiful Christmas lights. This year we thought we might add a new element to the occasion to take photos of the rides and put together photo albums for the families. In past years we have taken photos, some turn out good others not so much. This prompted me to contact you. Would you know of anyone I could contact or a place I might drop off a flyer about this? It is a super way to give back and very rewarding. I have attached flyers to support my e mail.

We do not need professional photographers. Photographers in training would be great.

This is a volunteer opportunity and is about an 1-hour commitment per ride. We usually take the photos at around 5:30 and we tour Mon-Thrs. No weekends. The volunteer can do one night or more. It could be various locations around the cities.

Thanks so much for reading my e mail and I hope to hear from you. [If interested, send us an email and we will forward the documents to you - this would be a great chance to give during the holidays.]

10 ways to take better Portraits

Struggled with getting a good portrait shot? Go to the Digital Photography School and check out their latest tutorial called "10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits". It contains ten ideas for altering your approach to the average portrait shot to come away with something truly memorable and unique.



You can check it out at DPS.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Home tour is requesting proposals/bids for digital photography for its Home Tour Guide publication and website. It involves scheduling and photographing up to 60 families in their homes. It requires a combination of skills with people and architectural photography, often in tight spaces.

You can download the full request for proposals at MSPHometour on the "contact"page and view it below.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR HOME TOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Deadline: Wednesday, January 5, 2011 – early submissions encouraged

Pro Media, Inc., the contractor for coordinating the Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour seeks photography services for the Home Tour Guide and related uses. The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour is sponsored by the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the City of St. Paul.

The Contractor agrees to perform the following services for Pro Media:

1. Provide photography for the 2011 Minneapolis and Saint Paul Home Tour (Home Tour) under the direction of Pro Media’s Home Tour Coordinator. This shall include:

a.) Taking photographs of up to 60 Minneapolis and Saint Paul homes/homeowners that will be included on the 2011 Home Tour through a process agreed upon by the Home Tour Coordinator and Contractor. Making prior arrangements with homeowners to take such photographs.

b.) Submitting to Pro Media for its use, four to six images from each home, at least two of which include the homeowner(s) and others which show features of the home relevant to the remodeling, or if not remodeled, significant to the character of the home.

c.) Providing Pro Media with high-resolution (300 dpi) color digital files of each home on the 2011 Home Tour. Contractor grants Pro Media Inc. and the Home Tour unlimited usage rights for taken photographs with no time restrictions. Contractor may use these same images for their promotional use.

d.) Providing photographs for “neighborhood tours” or other subjects as determined by the Home Tour Coordinator.

e.) Adhering to a production schedule provided by Pro Media and agreed to by the Contractor. This will generally be the six weeks between February 1 and March 15, 2011. Much of the photographing will be done on the weekends and evenings. Photos are to be provided as soon as possible after they are taken, to facilitate various stages of production and tour promotion.

Background Information: To become familiar with the Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home tour, please visit http://www.msphometour.com/. Tour coordinators are open to (but do not require) having different photographers/teams for Minneapolis and for St. Paul. This contract is non-exclusive, i.e. some photographs in the Guide may be provided by others.

Your bid/application should include, in two pages or less (plus samples):

1.) Narrative: Introduce yourself and/or team, discuss how you would approach this contract and manage it with your other time commitments. Many of the photo subjects involved in the home tour are busy families and will need weekend or evening appointments, and sometimes need to reschedule – how flexible can you be? Comment on the amount of time you would allot for each appointment, and any other variables you think would be of interest or concern.

2.) Work Samples: Provide access to between 6 and 12 images (samples of your recent work) that include people and architecture together, preferably in kitchens, bathrooms, or dining rooms. Show how you deal with confined areas, using appropriate lenses to include as much as possible. These may be emailed in jpeg format (keep file sizes to under 1 mb) or you may refer to website galleries.

3.) Pricing Requested: This can be a price per home/location photographed, or an overall flat fee for a predictable range of locations covered. If a flat fee is proposed, provide the amount for 45, 50, 55 and 60 homes, and if desired, a separate rate for non-home locations (item “d” in the description)

4.) Minority/Women-Owned Status: If you meet City of Saint Paul criteria for being a woman-owned or minority-owned business, please provide access to that documentation.

5.) Address & Contact Info: Address of Company and city of residence for the individual(s) working on the project. List all individuals who would work on the project (photographers, and any assistants who might be involved in scheduling). Include all other available contact information for the project lead.

6.) References: Email and phone numbers for up to three recent references.

Questions: Margo Ashmore, link@nrp.org

Submit your application materials by email by January 5, 2011 to link@nrp.org, attention Margo Ashmore.

Photo Webinar

Many photo sites such as NAPP have been producing short "Webinars" or "Webcasts" on various topics related to photography and Photoshop. Below is one that showcases images from Venezuela by photographer Ron Brinkmann and pointers on the use of Apple's Aperture software. It's free and showcases images from a country that is both beautiful and relatively unknown photgraphically. Check it out at: PEACHPIT

Photo Sale by Wing Young Huie

The Twin Cities photography Group will be hosting a Photo Sale by Wing Young Huie to support the University Ave Project

Friday , December 10, 5pm – 8pm

Saturday December 11, 1pm – 5pm

Sunday, December 12, 12pm – 3pm

2500 University Ave West

Suite S8

St. Paul MN 55114

651-528-8431

Silent Auction of the installation photos order any of the project 500 Images meet the artist

http://www.theuniversityaveproject.com/

Aurora Borealis

If you've ever been lucky enough you can sometimes see the Aurora Borealis here in Minnesota. Photographing it can result is some beautiful surreal landscape shots. In Norway above the artic circle this phenomena is a common sight. Below is a short video of one such view over time.

Aurora Borealis timelapse HD - Tromsø 2010 from Tor Even Mathisen on Vimeo.

Basic Camera Control

The website "Digital Photography School" publishes free tips and tutorials on photography. The most current one is aimed at new camera owners and those starting out in the photography field. It's called "21 setting, techniques and rules all camera owners should know". It is a very basic, but very useful short-course in how to use a digital camera effectively.

You can go to the DPS website to view this and other tutorials online.

Nature Photographer Mark Lissick

Mark Lissick is a professional nature photographer currently based out of Edina Minnesota. However, he has conducted photography workshops in various locations around the world for many years. He also has made presentations to some of our member clubs and acted as a judge for their salons. If you attend one of Mark's presentations, you quickly learn to appreciate the great quality of his work.

The latest edition of Outdoor Photographer ran an article titled the "25 top locations for nature photography". In it many well-known photographers talk about their favorite locations and show an image of their work from it. Mark has two images in that article. One on page 69 from Oxbow Bend in the Grand Tetons and one on page 80-81 taken in Yellowstone. He also offered a Pro tip on Long Low-Light exposures contained on page 89.

The one featuring Yellowstone has been a national award winning image for Mark. I was happy to see it because I sat in the exact same spot Mark was at when it was taken just a year before. I was on Mark's Yellowstone workshop at the time. Unfortunately the Elk that happened by in his image didn't make an appearance for the participants of our workshop.



If you want to view more of Mark's fine work, or review his workshop offerings, check out his website here: Wildlight Nature Photography.

Adobe Software on Sale at Hunt's

Hunt's New England's largest photo retailer is having a software sale on Adobe Photoshop CS5 full, extended and upgrade versions.

You can check out the prices on this software and other photo related items at: Hunts online.

They are also offering a full version of Lightroom 3 for $100.00 off until December 4, 2010! If you've heard of the great new features in this version now is the time to get a full version at a huge discount.

And on the subject of discounts NAPP is offering its own software deal as well. You can purchase a full version of onOne's new software called Perfect Photo Suite 5.5 for $399.99 (retail price is $499.99). It contains 7 programs to improve your images including its award winning resizing software and the ability to add layers to Lightroom with Perfect Layers. In addition to this savings a purchase also provides a free one year membership to NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals). The total savings are $250.00. You can see all the details at onOne.

Happy bargain hunting!