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February 2012 Volume 4, Issue 6

Happy New Year! A Message From President Ron Meyers

The theme for this month's newsletter is the color palette. Just as artists and designers expand their color

palette by mixing colors; It is clearly evident that our club members are expanding their skills and talents by

networking and sharing of tips, techniques and ideas.

LCCC club members use of the Yahoo! group and Facebook page is at an all time high. The Facebook page has

recently become a favorite for sharing photos and photography news. The Yahoo! group continues to be a

great place to have message board discussions and share static information like files, tips, and places to shoot.

We continue to have strong showings at our club excursions. Member ad hoc outings are on the rise with

members using the Yahoo! group and Facebook page to set up meetings at various locations. Also, the once-a-

month "Shutter Cafe" social at Grandma V's continues to average about 20 members a month.

Last but not least member participation in club projects like the website redesign and the June 9 PhotoEXPO project is showing

great results with the mixing of talents and ideas of club members. As we move forward with both projects we continue to receive

needed volunteers and we look forward to adding them to the talent pool.

All in all, with the growth and participation of club members—our "color pallet" continues to grow. With these colors, our future is

being painted and it looks to be very bright.

January 26 Club DPI Due

January 26 CACCA Individual “High Key” DPI Due

January 31 Club “Kitchen Abstracts” Challenge Due

February 2 Club Competition Night

February 2 Club Postcard Submissions Due

February 4 Photo Excursion to Genesee Theater

February 5 PSA Travel DPI Due

February 11 CACCA Competition

February 18 Shutter Café - Please join is!

February 29 Club “Love” Challenge Due

February 29 CACCA Individual Creative DPI Due

February 29 CACCA Individual “Fabulous Flakes” DPI Due

Dates To Remember

The Color Palette 2

Mick’s Picks 3

Using Color To Create Strong

Photo Compositions

4

The Palette 6

Table Top, Food and Model Excursion 7

Who Was Up To The Challenge 9

Accolades and Achievements 9

CACCA Club Competition Results 10

Individual CACCA and PSA Results 11

Lights, Camera, Action! 12

Inside This Issue


Questions or comments about this newsletter?

Please contact Ken Johnson, Newsletter Editor at

[email protected].

We are proud members of the

Photographic Society of America and the

Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association.

Our mission is to promote, teach and share the ideals, skills, techniques and

good practices of the art of photography and the use of cameras and

photographic equipment.

Visit our website

www.lakecountycameraclub.org.

We meet the first Thursday of every month at:

418 N. Prairie Avenue, Mundelein, IL 60060.

Exposures - February 2012 Volume 4, Issue 6

President Ron Meyers

President Elect John Williams

Secretary and Vice President ,

Communications

Margie Hurwich

Vice President, External Operations Jim Ross

Vice President, Internal Operations Bill Sullivan

2011—2012

Board and Committee

Board Members

CACCA Representatives Jim Ross

Bob Kruzic

Linda Kruzic

Ron Meyers

Bill Sullivan

Competition Chair Bob Kruzic

Continuing Education Coordinator Jim Ross

DPI Competition Coordinator John Williams

Facilities Coordinator Bill Sullivan

Hospitality Desk Margie Hurwich

Judge Procurement Mike Jordan

Jim Ross

Pat Turner

Long Term Planning John Williams

Membership Coordinator Terry Ferguson

Newsletter Editor Ken Johnson

Photo Excursion Coordinator Margie Hurwich

Program Coordinator Paul Kurek

PSA Representative Michelle Cox

Treasurer Jim Ross

Webmaster Don Chen

John Rouse

Yahoo Group Moderator Margie Hurwich

Committee Chairperson

The Color Palette By Ken Johnson

Palette sets the mood of a photograph, writes National Graphic author

and photographer, Annie Griffiths. “Palette is symphonic—sometimes

a single clear note, a flash of orange. At other times a cacophony of

sounds, a riot of color. The emotions color can arouse are like notes

in a score: subtle, raucous, muted, drenched, hyper-real or

atmospheric. The way color is used in a photograph can cast the eye

into a major or minor key—discord or harmony. And the

photographer can use palette to compose, to illuminate, to titillate, and

to bless.”

Color palette theory is usually taught to art students in their first year of

school. The primary colors traditionally taught in art school are

YRB (Yellow / Red / Blue).

Yellow is the brightest color and screams for our attention. Yellow

and yellow-orange also are the dominant colors of autumn and as

such have a strong appeal to our emotions. Psychologically, yellow is

a color denoting happiness.

Red is intense. This is particularly so when placed against a dark

background. Red is a universal warning color and is therefore hard to

ignore. A little red goes a long way.

Blue is a cool color and conveys a feeling of restfulness and passivity.

The sky is blue, water is usually blue and this is the color which

defines our planet. In fact from space Earth is seen as a blue planet.

This color palette theory makes sense to art students because

painters create the palette in their images from scratch. Photographers

must make the most with the colors they find in order to paint an

image. Using palette to compose a photographic image is subjective

and is complicated by different kinds of lighting, cultural conditioning

and even our moods. However, it is important for photographers to

understand the basics so that they can appreciate why some color

images “work” and others don't.

So, how should you use color in a photographic image?

The best suggestion is to look for colors which suits the vision or mood

that you wish to convey (happy, warming, cooling). Take time to

discover your surroundings and start to look for unusual colors around

you. Learn from the articles presented in this newsletter and the

infinite wisdom of the web. Think about how color affects an image

and as with anything, practice!

Color palette is one of the ingredients—one of the spices—that can

make your images stand out, illuminate, titillate and bless.

mailto:[email protected]

http://caccaweb.com/

http://psa-photo.org/

http://psa-photo.org/

http://caccaweb.com/

http://www.lakecountycameraclub.org/



Mick’s Picks By Michelle Cox

Fabulous February is here! Time to enjoy photography

with many new challenges. Shooting outdoors gives you

the opportunity to learn more about using your equipment

in the cold as well as white balance. Can you have fun in

the cold with your photography? That answer is YES!

Take a look at the following events for you to get out and

enjoy. Remember to take care of your equipment in the

cold.

It seems that I am always interested the Snow Sculpting

Nationals held in Lake Geneva, WI., but have not been

able to attend. This year is the 16th annual

competition. The building of the snow blocks starts

January 30 with sculpting starting Wednesday, February

1 and ending Friday, February 3. The sculptures are

available for viewing (and of course photographing) the

entire weekend. Besides the sculptures, the town of

Lake Geneva offers many spots to take photos of! For

more info go to http://www.usnationals.org/schedule.cfm

Looking for something fun to do in the winter? Eagle

photography abounds in February. If you'd like to spend

a weekend with your family, while learning about eagles

in a fun-filled activities, head to Prairie Du Chien, WI. for

Bald Eagle Appreciation Days. Prairie Du Chien is a

historic town located along the Mississippi River. Visit

their web page at:

http://www.prairieduchien.org/visitors/events.htm

Take a drive in our rural areas. Snow adds a new look to

old buildings, silos and equipment. Many places still

have horses in the field. I'd also like to encourage you to

visit Lake Michigan. When the ice freezes, it create

interesting geometric shapes. This makes for some fun

photography. The lighthouses take on a new look during

winter. There is usually a warm cafe or restaurant you

can stop in to warm up.

Want to stay indoors during February? Now is a good

time to learn to use your equipment. Learning to use

your equipment will make the next season of

photography much more productive and fun. Take the

lessons learned in our flash training and at the Table

Top, Food and Model Excursion and practice, practice,

practice!

2011 - 2012 CACCA Schedule

Special Category

Individual DPI Competition

February High Key Photo March Fabulous Flakes April Structures of Life May Clouds CACCA conducts seven Special Category competitions during the year as an individual Class of competition. Subject matter of entries in each monthly competition is restricted to the pre-announced category for that competition. Images may not have been previously entered in a CACCA competition. All entries must follow the standard DPI naming and sizing requirements. Submit your entries to: [email protected].

http://www.usnationals.org/schedule.cfm

http://www.prairieduchien.org/visitors/events.htm

mailto:[email protected]



Using Color To Create Strong Photo Compositions By Ron Bigelow

Color is one of the most obvious elements of composition.

Everyone knows that intense colors make people take notice of

your images. Ever wonder why there are so many sunset and

flower shots? Color is the reason.

Color has a couple of functions in photographs. First, color grabs

the attention of the viewer. Perhaps, because this function of color

is so palpable, many photographers miss the more sophisticated,

and in some cases far more powerful, function of color: color sets

the mood of an image. Since color is such an important

compositional ingredient, the experienced photographer will want to

use color to its fullest extend — incorporating both functions of

color into images.

GRABBING THE VIEWER’S ATTENTION

Utilizing color to grab attention is often rather straight forward.

Generally, what is required is a saturated or intense color. This

type of color tends to grab the viewer’s attention and focus it on the

area of color. Furthermore, the color tends to keep the viewer’s

attention for an extended period of time. When the viewer’s eyes

do wander, the color tends to bring the attention back.

There are a couple of primary ways to use color to grab a viewer’s

attention. The first way is to use very saturated, bold colors. An

example of this approach would be a dramatic sunset. The second

way of using color to grab a viewer’s attention is to use a mix of

contrasting colors. An example of this approach would be an image

of fall colors where there is a combination of red, orange, and

yellow leaves.

SETTING THE MOOD

Setting the mood through the use of color

tends to be a more subtle application of

color than when color is used to grab the

attention. However, that does not mean that

it is any less powerful.

Different colors elicit different moods. Since

there are a huge number of colors, it is not

possible to cover all of the colors and their

impacts on viewers’ moods in an article

such as this one. Instead, a few colors will

be reviewed in an effort to convey how

colors affect viewers’ feelings.

(continued on next page)

"Serenity" captured by Johnson Zhang

"Doc" captured by jun dacumos



(continued from previous page)

BLUE

Blue tends to bring forth feelings of calm or cold depending on how the color is used. This is a reflection of how we

perceive the color in nature: the deep calm ocean is blue, peaceful cloudless skies are blue, and large amounts of ice

have a blue tint. Therefore, a photographer that wishes to create a feeling of calm in an image should include blue

objects in the image such as a peaceful blue stream or a blue lake.

GREEN

Green often communicates a feeling of lushness and freshness. Again, our feelings about this color are tied up with how

we frequently experience that color in nature. We tend to associate green with spring and new growth. Green is

frequently used in landscape photography. Green meadows, plants, and fields can be used to convey the mood of a

flourishing scene.

YELLOW, ORANGE, AND RED

The last colors to be evaluated are the warm tones: yellow, orange, and red. These colors are associated with feelings of

warmth and comfort (again the colors are tied to how we experience them in nature). Sunsets are a perfect example of

how these warm colors create a comfortable feeling. Photographers that wish to take advantage of these colors can

include, in their photographs, objects such as flowers, plants, food, and rocks that contain these colors.

LIGHT

So far, we have looked at using color to

create mood in photographs by means of

including objects, with the appropriate colors,

in an image. However, there is another way to

use color to create mood in an image – the

use of light. Early morning and evening

provide a photographer with colored light

which can be used to powerful effect in

images. Before sunrise and about twenty

minutes after sunset, everything is bathed in a

soft blue light. This light can be used to create

a calm mood such as an early morning shot

of a beach bathed in the cool, blue light.

Just after sunrise and before sunset, the light

is often very warm with red, orange, or yellow

hues. This light can be used to create feelings

of comfort such as a beautiful mountain peak

bathed in a soft, warm, golden light.

SUMMARY

When properly utilized, color can be one of the most effective methods of conveying mood in an image.

About the Author:

Ron Bigelow has created an extensive resource of free articles to help you develop your photography skills.

Reprinted with permission from PICTURECORRECT Photography Tips & Techniques.

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/using-color-to-create-strong-photo-compositions/

"The Oasis" captured by fady

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/using-color-to-create-strong-photo-compositions/



The Palette By Mike Wilson

We are all familiar with the artist's palette - a board that artistic painters put dabs of paint on when they are ready to begin painting. The artist will squeeze out different colors of paint from tubes on the palette board and then mix colors of different paint to create the working colors and tones. Amazingly, in that palette of colors, the painter has light, shadow, and a rainbow of colors. With the brush, the eye and imagination, the painter transforms the palette of colors into an amazing image! It is almost magical how thin layers of paint can be transformed into an image of shadow, light, and color. Photographers create images, too. But does the photographer have a palette? Photographers use shadow, light, color and tone in the images they produce, but not through the use of a palette of paint. Certainly, photographers traditionally have not used the term "palette" in photographic lexicon. The painter "creates" shadow, light, tone and color from the "palette" with nothing more than some paint and a brush and perhaps a palette knife. As photographers, we "capture" shadow, light, color and tone that is presented to us. While the photographer does not have a palette in the traditional sense, a number of tools and resources are used to create images just as with the painter. The camera is certainly the most basic of tools used by the photographer, but there are other tools such as techniques for adding some control to tone, contrast and color in photography. Could these tools be consider the "palette" of the photographer? The term "color palette" has been introduced into the photographic lexicon through digital photo editing tools such as Photoshop. Those who practice traditional black and white film photography have a "palette" (or range) of tones that can control the outcome of a scene through a combination of exposure and development. Ansel Adams packaged these control techniques into what has come to be known as The Zone System. In digital photography, the photographer has a wide range of control over hues, color, grayscale, light, shadow - much as the painter does. Advancing technology has brought the photographer and the painter closer in terms of control over the finished image. Painters become better as they gain more experience and greater knowledge of tools and technique of the palette. The photographer does have a "palette" just as does the painter. And, just as with the painter, the photographer's "palette" is composed of those tools that allow the artist to create the type of image desired. As photographers, we should take inventory of the "palette" we have and determine what we need or would like to add. This could be anything from a new camera to a class to learn a new technique. Most importantly, keep making images using the "palettes" we have at our disposal!

Artist's Palette in Death Valley

© Mike Wilson



Table Top, Food, Model Shoot and Lessons Excursion By Ken Johnson

The January 7, Excursion was a resounding success. This has been and continues to be the most attended photo excursion we have during the year. In total we had 34 members attending, with many others volunteering. Terry Ferguson provided some Table Top macro opportunities. Don Chen was in the kitchen with the food photography. Paul Kurek and Ron Hahn provided studio lighting for the model shoot. Jim Ross and Ralph Durham were at the beginners table, which turned into more of a help desk. Of course, we can’t forget Margie Hurwich, whom made sure this excursion was organized.

Many members expressed thanks and sent very favorable comments. This is especially gratifying to all of the volunteers.

© Debra Olson

© Linda O’Rourke

© Leslie Harris

Debra Olson writes, “This was my first time working with table

top / light box items. I appreciated the variety of boxes that

were on display. I was especially happy to see the homemade

cardboard box version! Now that was in my price range! I went

home and made one that very weekend!”

Leslie Harris sent a nice response, “Don (Chen) showed me how

to use the grey card as well as the white balance filter that goes

over the lens. I also learned about putting a little oil on food

before taking the photo. The entire photo shoot was a

wonderful educational experience. I really appreciate the club

members who are willing to show you alternative ways of doing

things - that those of us who are financially challenged can still

learn to take good pictures without buying the "latest and

greatest". I just love taking pictures and try to do the best I can

with what I have and concentrate on my individuality and

creativity. “

Linda O’Rourke said, “ I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. It

was the first time I did something like this. Everyone was so

helpful.”

(continued on next page) © Rick Myslinski



(continued from previous page)

On this page, I have attached a variety of images from members whom sent in images from the model shoot. I wanted to be sure I included one image of every model for the hard work they each provided. My own images where used only when I did not receive another input. Thanks to all whom submitted images.

Tarrance Williams

© Margie Hurwich

© Tom Biegalski

Liz Devereaux

© Linda O’Rourke

Ryan Mengel

© Ken Johnson

Grace Reband

© Egon Schein

Andrea Shen Alexandra Zupec

© Ken Johnson

© Ken Johnson

Egon Schein

© Linda O’Rourke

Kelly McInerney Aga Hanusiak

© Quintin McGrath



Who Was Up To The Challenge By Margie Hurwich

Tis the season! I do hope you all had a great holiday season and a great start to your new year. I couldn't pass December without challenging you with "Holidays". The images submitted were a great representation of what you see during the holiday season. Fun, beautiful, whimsical and even abstract images were submitted. And I do hope Ken didn't really receive the lens kit as a gift. I think he might want to return that!

Are you up to our next Challenge? Images for the January Challenge, "Kitchen Abstracts", are due by Tuesday,

January 31. And then get ready for our February Challenge, "Love" due on Wednesday, February 29.

© John Rouse © Bill Sullivan

© Debra Olson

© Joan Farrell © Ron Sheade © Ken Johnson

Accolades and Achievements

Bill Jackel was pleased to have three silver gelatin prints accepted into the Gallery Show at the Bloomingdale Museum

and Gallery. The exhibition runs until February 18 and is open to the public at 108 S. Bloomingdale Road,

Bloomingdale, IL 60108.

© Bill Jackel

“Barn Detail” “Prison Barber Chair”

© Bill Jackel © Bill Jackel

“Old Montana Prison”



LCCC CLUB Awards and Honorable Mentions from CACCA Competition (score)

SMALL COLOR AWARD

“The Rookery Stairs” (24)

© Bill Sullivan © Linda Kruzic

SMALL COLOR HM

“Sunset at Zion National Park” (23)

© Ron Sheade

LARGE COLOR HM

“Look To The Heavens” (23)

© Jeff Bott

LARGE MONOCHROME HM

“View From The Bridge” (23)

LARGE MONOCHROME HM

“Jones Island Fog” (23)

© Dick Navarre

© Don Chen

DPI AWARD

“Dancers in Black” (24)

© Doreen Miller

DPI HM

“Wind Point Lighthouse” (23)



Individual Awards and Honorable Mentions From CACCA and PSA CACCA Individual Creative DPI Competition Award and HM images (score).

© Ken Johnson

© Ron Sheade

Award - “Dream Castle” (24) HM - “Ready For Takeoff” (23) HM - “Proud Parents” (23)

© Ken Johnson

CACCA Individual Portraits Competition Award and HM images (score).

© Linda Kurzic

BEST IN SHOW Award - “Master Craftsman” (24)

© Linda Kurzic

Award - “The Blacksmith “ (24)

© Linda Kurzic

Award - “Looking To The Future” (23)

PSA Individual Photojournalism Competition Award and HM images (score).

© Linda Kruzic

HM - “My First Rifle “ (12)

© Bob Kruzic

HM - “Purple Heart Homecoming” (12)


Lights, Camera, Action! By Ken Johnson

A movie director may issue these words at the start of every

scene. When the lighting is right and the camera is rolling the

action in the scene can start. These words also apply to

photographers but the action part is slightly different.

We may plan the scene in advance or we may come across a

scene where the lighting is right. Our camera is set correctly

for the scene we are about to capture. Now there may be

action in front of the lens, but the important action in this case

is depressing the shutter button. This simple action may make

a simply beautify photograph and change a persons life

forever. Perhaps our own.

The instant we depress the shutter button, we capture a

moment, a piece of the puzzle and create an image or a story

that is uniquely ours. So much of good photography is timing.

If we can press the shutter at the critical moment, when the

light is perfect, the subject is framed perfectly in our

viewfinder, the colors are just right, our camera settings are

correct and our subject is at the peak of emotional expression

we’ll get the shot. If we doubt any one of the technicalities we

may wind up a second to late.

To get where we want to be as a photographer, we need to

learn how to relax and trust our instincts. This requires

practice.

Musicians know that the only road to proficiency, both

technical and artistic, is through practice. The world famous

violinist Jascha Heifetz is reputed to have practiced at least 3-

hours a day, even into his 80's. Many famous artists sit down

to sketch or paint at a fixed time each day, whether they feel

like it or not, because art is what they do. Musicians play.

Artists paint. Photographers must depress the shutter button

and shoot, shoot, shoot.

If we are truly passionate about our art and or craft we should

be out photographing - often. We must push ourselves to

take pictures of different subjects. We must then sit down in

front of the computer and analyze what we’ve shot. What did

we see just before we took the shoot? How did we feel? Did

we manage to capture the image in a manner that

communicates our vision to others? What technical errors did

we make?

Month after month I encourage practice. Practice is both

intent and action and a key to becoming good at whatever we

choose to do. Practice allows us to relax, to be much more

confident and comfortable when its time make a simply

beautiful photograph.

Practice often! Shoot often! Lights, camera, action, action

action!


This is a draft copy of the front page of the brochure

the Marketing Sub-Committee is putting together for

the upcoming years Photography Exposition.

Registration will open soon.

A one day learning seminar for Beginner,

Intermediate, and Advanced

Photographers

Registration

www.lcccphotoexpo.com

Saturday

June 9, 2012

University Center of Lake County

1200 University Center Drive

Grayslake, IL 60030

Featuring Two Canon Explorers of Light:

George Lepp

Hanson Fong

Activities feature dual educational tracks of

Nature/Landscape and Wedding/Portrait

Photography including classroom instruction,

workshops, computer labs, vendor showcase,

and a chance for some excellent networking.

happy new year! - lakecountycameraclub.org · happy new year! a message from president ron meyers...

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