360º Photo of Angel Falls

I came across a panorama photo of Angel Falls that is both beautiful and a little disorienting at the same time (especially if you don't use the controls properly) because it gives a full 360 degree view of the falls and surrounding area.

NOTE: you can turn off the music and stop the image from rotating using the controls at the bottom of the screen. If you stop the image and then rotate it with your mouse you get better control and less of a feeling that you are flying in space!       

You can check it out at: Falls.

Smartphone Cameras

People take a lot of pictures.  More than one quarter of them are taken with smartphones according to Wired magazine.  This statistic is expected to increase dramatically in coming years as manufacturers improve chip technology and incorporate it into smartphones.

Earlier in this blog the image below appeared to stress the changes in computer technology over the past 10 years, so that a mere handheld device could perform many of the functions of a stand alone computer.

Current technology will not allow a smart phone to compete with a dedicated camera in terms of quality output.  But there is a push to develop new chips, new software, new optics and in the case of the Lytro camera system a new means of capturing light that may result in the same dramatic change in camera size that occurred with computers illustrated above.

To view a discussion of the changes on the horizon go to: WIRED.

Studio Lighting Seminar

Our good friend and frequent contributor Alec Johnson puts on a landscape workshop every August on Lake Superior.  I've attended one and it is first-rate.  While Alec is putting this workshop on again this year he is also offering a studio lighting seminar in April.  This 2 day seminar will be held in his spacious studio in Edina Minnesota.

(Click on image below for larger view)

The Crosstown club held a studio lighting seminar there a year or so back that was very well received.  

To learn more about the lighting seminar go to: AC Johnson Photography.  You can obtain more information about Alec's workshops and subscribe to his blog at: AC Johnson blog. If you are considering the April workshop you may want to sign up quickly as there is very limited space and it should generate a lot of interest.  

New Classes at the Minneapolis Photography Center

New classes have been announced for beginning and intermediate photographers at the MPC.

Click on the image below for more details, or go to MPC. 

Pindelski.org - Photography on the web

http://pindelski.org/Photography/

There are some great sites on the web about photography. My suggestion is to look at photos  on the web, in books, and magazines. Be inspired.

DPS and TCDigi Exhibition

The Digital Photographic Society and Twin Cities Digital have joined together to present a joint photographic exhibition at Colonial Church of Edina, Minnesota. Our artists will be showing 68 of their best images from January 18, 2012 through March 6. Colonial Church is located at 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, Minnesota 55436.

An artist's reception for the Colonial Exhibit has been set for Monday, January 23 from 7pm-9pm at the Colonial Church in Edina. Please stop by and enjoy the Exhibition.

DPS and TCDigi are salon style organizations where artists gather to discuss their latest efforts and to seek advice and support. Although many of the members are serving photo judges for the Camera Council of the Twin Cities, no judging or scoring takes places at the salons. Artistic experimentation is actively encouraged through open discussion. Most members also attend other camera clubs with judging processes.

http://digitalphotographicsociety.com/
www.tcdigi.org

Rick Sammon and Self Publishing (he says you should)

Why I (and you should) Self Publish & Confessions of a Publisher & Please Don't Drown:

About three years ago, I saw the writing on the wall (for writers and photographers): The world of traditional book publishing was changing - thanks (or maybe "no thanks" as some traditional book publishers may say) to on-line training, apps, DVDs and other methods of e-publishing. - rick sammon

Time Lapse Photography

We have featured a few time lapse photo sequences here in past posts.  If you would like to learn the fundamentals of creating a time lapse clip, there is a website that offers advice and tutorials on the subject called "Learn Time Lapse Photography". 

The site offers advice on how to get started, the equipment needed and how to produce a flicker-free time lapse sequence. It also provides a link to other videos on Youtube that reference this type of photography including the one below for beginners.

Epson Panoramic - Epson International

http://www.thepanoawards.com/

Attn:
Twin Cities Area Council of Camera Clubs

We would like to announce a call for entries for The EPSON International Pano Awards 2012, dedicated to the art of panoramic photography.

Please find attached a Press Release for your information and for announcement to your members.

Earlybird entries close 20th April 2012.

This is the third year of the awards, and we are pleased to announce an exhibition of the winners and highest scoring images at the PMA Photo Imaging trade show in Melbourne, May 2012, and more than US$25,000 in cash and prizes.

See the The EPSON International Pano Awards website for more details.

Kind regards,

David Evans
Curator

The International Pano Awards
PO Box 459
Fullarton SA 5063

Photographer's Rights

Stand Your Ground - Six photographers in London were sent out to photograph buildings from public spaces and their interactions with security and police were video taped. 

Call for Photographers

Click Call for Photographers for Current Calls for Photographers: Fading Light
Early Entry Deadline: January 19, 2012

Enter Now to save $10 on submission fee. Lock in at $30 for 5 images then submit your entry no later than Thursday March 15th at 11:59 PST.

Hunt's Specials

Hunt's is a supporter of the Camera Council's Spring Break, and it offers so great specials on cameras, lenses and gear.  For the latest offerings go to: HUNTS.

McKnight Fellowships for Photographers

The Timeless Genius of Kodak’s George Eastman

Over at the Atlantic, Alexis Madrigal has an exceptionally good post with an exceptionally good title: “The Triumph of Kodakery.” Inspired by the sad news that Eastman Kodak may be on the verge of bankruptcy, he points out that the dream the company was built on–making photography so effortless that it’s everywhere, and enjoyed by everybody–is hardly in trouble. It’s just that its purest expression today is the camera phone, not a Kodak camera that takes Kodak film that’s processed by a Kodak lab.
read the rest here..... By Harry McCracken

MIniaturization

Cameras are next?

Something Completely Different: Street Art

In addition to the usual graffiti and murals on the outsides of buildings there is street art that is created directly on city streets.  The Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis features its version of this art form with brass impressionistic shapes that contain words or quotes embedded in the sidewalks.

Eduardo Relero is a street artist known world-wide for creating realistic 3-D artwork.  His surreal images invite viewers to be part of the scenes he creates.  As the images below illustrate, the images are remarkably realistic and allow viewers to photograph each other as they "interact" with the fantasy scenes he paints. 

You can see more of this artist's work at: Street Art and on Facebook at: Relero.

Water Proof Your Camera

There is a new revolutionary product out called Liquipel that can waterproof electronic devices.  It coats both the inside and outside of any electronic device with a nano-coating of a water repellant material.  If the device accidentally comes into contact with water, or even if submerged (see video below) the device will not be ruined and continue to work.

The video below shows how the product waterproofs an I-phone, but it probably will be offered on other electronic devices such as cameras in the near future.

New Studio Space for Rent

NEW BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA

Inside The Frame Studios Now Open

Inside The Frame Studios is a studio rental facility for Photographers, Film Makers, Musicians or Artists.  It is available to rent to Professionals and Amateurs alike.  The studio is located in Downtown Lakeville, MN.   It is 1 ½ blocks behind the new Ace Hardware Store in the McGuire Mechanical Building.  The entrance faces 208th Street.

^{Becky McGuire is one of the owners of Miracole’s Candy Shoppe that is located next door to the studio.  There are three studios, a conference room & secure storage lockers available for rent.}

^{Studio 33A is 13 feet wide and 16 feet long with 11 foot ceiling.  It has a variety of fabric backgrounds and continuous studio lights.  This studio is well suited for Amatuer as well as Professional shooters.}

^{Studio 33B is 13 feet wide and 16 feet long with 11 foot ceiling.  It has a pull down paper backdrop system and professional lights that sync to your SLR camera.  This studio is well suited for Professional Photographers as well Advanced Amatuers.}

^{Studio 11 is 10 feet wide and 11 feet long with a window for natural light.  It comes equiped with a product table, reflector and light.  It is best suited for Product Photophers and Natural Light Photographers.} 

^{Each studio space rents for $40.00 per hour plus tax or $300.00 for a 10 hour day. The rate includes the use of studio equipment, lights and props.  There are twelve secure storage lockers that are for rent for $40.00 per month.  The storage locker area is heated.}

^{There is a Grand Opening Open House scheduled for Saturday, January 21st from 10:00AM to 5PM. Please RSVP to insidetheframestudios@hotmail.com, or call 612-490-0359.
 
If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview with Becky McGuire, Please call 612-490-0359, or email insidetheframestudios@hotmail.com.}

Florida Camera Council Conference

Its not cold now, but it will be!  And probably will be in March.  So you may want to consider a weekend or longer in lovely and warm Naples, Florida.  

The Florida Camera Council is offering a great line-up of speakers at its annual conference and promises one more thing in addition: The weather will be warmer than in Minnesota.    The Florida council said that because many of our members winter in Florida they would like to extend member privileges to all of us.

Below is the information about this event.

The Florida Camera Club Council

Announces its annual conference

March 23-25, 2012

Hilton Hotel

Naples, Florida

A partial list of world class speakers and presenters:

George Lepp Canon Explorer of Light and Editor of Outdoor Photographer

Arthur Morris Canon Explorer of Light, Master Photographer and Author

Connie Bransilver National Geographic Contributor and Conservation Photographer

Bill Fortney Nikon Master Photographer, Author of several photographic books

Go to: www.f3c.org to see the complete lineup of speakers and events.

Three days of education, camaraderie, photo ops, entertainment, outings (join our speakers in the everglades for hands-on opportunities to learn from the experts).

Trade Show will be open all three days of the conference!

For more information call:

Eric Hansen, President

Florida Camera Club Council

1-800-891-3258

NOTE: the weather in Naples is currently in the 70's.  

To see the yearly forecasts go to : Weather

Ice Dive 2012

Each year on New Years Day the ALARC fitness club puts on an event at Lake Minnetonka called the Ice Dive.  Participants put on swim suits and/or costumes, jump into the lake, swim a short distance and then quickly get out.  The event can be extremely cold making it a real challenge to participate.  This year's event was warmer than most recent ones temperature wise, but there was a biting wind chill that made it nasty to stand around on the dock waiting in line to jump-in.  Below are some images taken by Forrest Pearson and myself, members of the Crosstown Camera Club.

(Click on each image to enlarge the view)