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March 2017

Welcome

Welcome to the March edition of the Parklands newsletter.

Now Autumn has begun, this is a great season for taking

photographs with its rich, vibrant colours; it provides many perfect

opportunities with shades of gold and red transforming parks,

lakes and cities.

Caterina Fizzano judged the March HIGH KEY competition. It

turned out to be quite an informative session with Caterina

providing many handy hints on taking High Key images

throughout the judging. She also presented a range of her

concept photography and portrait images. If you missed the

competition night and want to see some of Caterina’s

photography you will find her work on: http://www.infizzitive.com/

The High Key winning images are displayed later in this

newsletter.

We had the first Hunt and Shoot outing last

month; and you will find details of the Show and

Tell session from this night which is coming up

on the 23 March.

Charlie also explains how to use your camera’s

Exposure Compensation; Snehargho shares a

powerful compilation of favourite photographs

and there is a display of Airshow 2017

photographs.

You will also find some ideas around town and

surrounds for either taking photographs or

attending exhibitions. Enjoy your month!

Thru The Lens

In this issue:

A word from the President . 2

Dates for your diary ........... 3

Charlie on Photography ..... 5

High Key: Winning images -

Novice ................................ 6

High Key: Winning images -

Experienced ....................... 7

What’s On around town and

surrounds ........................... 8

Parklands

Community ...................... 11

And finally ........................ 13

Members ready to Hunt and Shoot

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A word from the President

Thanks to Gina for another comprehensive and interesting newsletter. Can I add (or

emphasise) a few things.

Some temporary changes

Gail and I will be away for April, May and June (28 March to 24 June to be precise).

While we are away, Matthew La Sala has kindly agreed to fill the role of president and Sharon

McDowall has kindly agreed to take on Gail’s role as print steward. Sharon will be looking after

the May, June and July print entries.

May competition - Macro/close up

Entries are due by 10pm on Sunday 16 April.

Digital uploads are to be lodged through the website (EDI Uploads MAY – MACRO/CLOSEUP)

and print images are to be provided to Sharon McDowall either at the Self-portrait competition

night on 13 April or delivered to her house by the deadline. Address details will be provided by

separate e-mail.

Also, if you put in a print image, please remember to upload a digital version to the website

(bottom of EDI upload page – PRINT ENTRIES).

As indicated above, Sharon will also be looking after the print entries for the June and July

competitions; these are People at Work, and Action/Sport.

Cup weekend

Some spots are still available, presently in the form of a double room and a spot in the 4 bed

room, but the place is large and I am sure some flexibility will be possible. Let me now if you

are interested, and what your preferences are, and we will see what we can do to suit you.

If you have already put your name down, consider yourself confirmed, or if you have had to

change your plans, please let me know.

VAPS competition

The club has entered 15 digital and 15 print entries in the 2017 VAPS competition, which is the

maximum allowed by VAPS.

Thanks to all those who have provided images. I have seen them all, and the Club will be very

well represented. The competition is part of the VAPS Annual Convention at the Monash

University Peninsula Campus on 27 & 28 May.

Ballarat Biennale

Gina has included in the newsletter some information about the 2017 Ballarat International Foto

Biennale. We were able to get up there last time it was on. There were some very interesting

and stimulating exhibitions, and I would expect the same this time. Ballarat is a good place to

spend a day (and quite photogenic).

Phil Crennan

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Dates for your diary

23 March workshop: Show and Tell

Photos from Hunt and Shoot: February outing.

11 members met at Federation square for the Hunt and Shoot. The themes of the evening were: Reflections, Tell a story, Blue and The Letter M. When we met at the pub, people had made some great images. The Tell a Story seemed to get some creative thoughts including an excellent shot where Matt enlisted random people in the street to pose.

(Here are a couple of my photos)

For those who went, please bring 4-6 of your images for the "Show and Tell" workshop on 23rd March. We hope to have an interactive discussion about the images, how you saw them and made them. For others who could not make the Hunt and Shoot, you are welcome to bring 4-6 of your recent images for the Show and Tell.

We also generated a few ideas for future outings including fireworks and Werribee Bird Sanctuary. More details to follow. And if you have any ideas for outings and / or want to co-ordinate a session, please chat.

Jannette (Events Co-ordinator).

26 March: Werribee Treatment Plant

Paul and Nina are planning a trip to the Werribee Wetlands on Sunday 26 March. Details are also on the Parklands Facebook page. If you are interested in going, you can reply to Paul on Facebook or email Jannette at the Events Coordinator email: events@parklandsphotoclub.org.au

There are 12 places altogether. All members will be notified by email with the time and meeting place.

27 April Workshop: Isolating the subject / creating context

This workshop will deal with the key techniques and a range of ideas for on the one hand

isolating the subject and, on the other hand, creating a sense of the context for a subject.

This will include:

• using depth of field • different focal lengths from very wide angle to long telephoto • prime versus zoom lenses • shutter speed and movement • choosing an environment or setting • lighting • local setting and character • different perspectives - level, distance and up close • a variety of subjects such as landscapes, people and bugs • simplicity versus complexity

The workshop will include practical examples and ideas on choice of equipment. It will finish

with questions and discussion. Bring your thinking caps - there will be a test at the end!

Peter Mollison

This Swan splashed my camera

Urban Gymnastics: A couple of athletic young men

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Dates for your diary

Workshop dates for 2017

May 11: Competition Theme – Macro / Close Up

For the May competition, if you are entering a digital image through the club website, the

deadline is 10pm on Sunday 16 April, to allow time for the images to be prepared for judging.

Print entries can be brought to the previous competition night (13 April) or be delivered to

Sharon McDowall by the deadline 10pm on Sunday 16 April. Late entries will not be accepted.

If you enter a print in any of the competitions, please remember to also lodge a digital copy

through the Club website. This makes it easier to include winning entries in the newsletter. To

do this, go to the “members” section of the website, then click on “EDI upload” at the top of the

page. You will see a box at the bottom of the next page marked PRINT ENTRIES. Just click

on those words and follow the prompts.

The differences between macro and close-up photography: http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/macro-micro-closeup-difference/ Tips on shooting macros: http://www.digital-photography-student.com/top-20-photography-tips-on-shooting-macros/

For ideas on macro and close-up photography: https://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/70-stunning-examples-

of-macro-and-close-up-photography--photo-1717

Images Of The Year – Special judging evening – 16 November 2017

A reminder that this year there will be a special evening for the Images of the Year competition.

The evening is a competition event which is independent to the monthly competitions.

The Images of the Year will be judged in a similar manner as a competition night; however,

points will not be allocated that will contribute the Photographer of the Year.

The Images of the Year winners will be announced on the night.

23 March: Show & Tell (follow up from Hunt and Shoot session)

27 July: to be announced

27 April: Isolating the subject/creating context

24 August: to be announced

25 May: Weather / Landscape photography

28 September: Interclub Competition with Preston Photographic Club

22 June: Sports photography 19 October: to be announced

Image by Macropoulos on

https://digital-photography-

school.com/macro-photography-

for-beginners-part-1/

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Charlie on Photography

Exposure compensation

One of the first setting choices we make when using our cameras is which mode we are going to shoot in. Most of us choose to shoot in Aperture priority, Shutter priority, auto or Manual.

In Aperture priority, the photographer selects the aperture required and the camera selects the corresponding shutter speed to achieve correct exposure. (according to the camera)

In Shutter priority, the photographer selects the shutter speed required and the camera selects the corresponding aperture to achieve correct exposure. (according to the camera)

In Auto, the camera selects both the aperture and shutter speed to achieve correct exposure. (according to the camera) In this mode, the camera makes all the decisions for you and exposure compensation is not possible.

Manual of course is the exception because the photographer chooses both the aperture and shutter speed required. In this mode, the photographer is exercising maximum control and creativity as they are deciding what exposure they desire for the photograph they are about to take.

Most if not all cameras have an integrated light meter that automatically measures the reflected light and determines the optimal exposure.

You would all recognise the image below. It is the way our camera tells us whether our exposure is correct. If the indicator is on the zero, as in the graphic, exposure is correct but if it is to the left or the negative side, the image is under exposed. If, on the other hand, it is to the right or positive side, the image is overexposed. Unfortunately, this meter is not displayed in auto mode, not in my camera anyway. As I said earlier, the camera makes all the decisions for you in auto mode and while for the most part you will generally get good, correctly exposed, safe results your will never explore your creative side in this mode.

Even in manual mode, while the photographer selects both the aperture and shutter speed, the

camera’s light meter still does its job and relays back to us whether it thinks the exposure is correct, under or over exposed.

But at least in manual mode the photographer can choose to ignore the camera’s advice and use the exposure they deem fit. As such, exposure compensation is not required.

This is not an option in the other modes because the camera takes charge.

OR IS IT?

ENTER “EXPOSURE COMPENSATION”

Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value selected by the camera, making photographs brighter or darker. In modes P (program), S, Tv (shutter), and A, Av (aperture) the camera automatically adjusts settings for optimal exposure, but this may not always produce the exposure the photographer intended.

So I have stressed the point that the camera selects correct exposure (according to the camera) and now I will explain why. Because the camera is not always correct. There are many instances where the image needs to be darker or brighter than how the camera wants to expose it.

For those of you who were at our last meeting (high key) you might recall Caterina, the judge talking about how some images had areas that were too light or too dark but the fact of the matter is that for most of those images, the camera probably selected the exposure.

So with exposure compensation, the user can choose to override the camera’s setting and to exercise their creativity by under or over exposing. Personally, I don’t like the terms “under and over exposing” in this instance because it implies that it is a variation from what is correct

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exposure. I like to think of it as improving the exposure by making it lighter or darker. None-the-less, that is the terminology used so for consistency, we will stick with it.

Let me take you back to the graphic again.

Zero is correct exposure (according to the camera) the numbers represent stops, 1 – one stop, 2 – two stops and 3 – three stops. Minus (left) is under exposed and plus (right) is over exposed. Each dot or increment represents a third of a stop. So you can adjust your exposure, under or over by one third increments.

So while we might not all be confident enough to shoot in manual, we can shoot in Aperture or shutter priority and still choose to under or over expose our photos as we please. In my opinion, this is nearly as good as shooting in manual but we have the safety net of using the camera’s recommended values as a starting point.

In my camera, the exposure compensation is very easy to use but with all the different makes and models, I expect that our cameras will have different controls and settings to manage exposure compensation. As such, I can’t tell you how to manage it in your camera but I encourage you to read your manuals. Check out whatever resources you have at your disposal. (e.g. the internet, google and YouTube)

Learn it for your camera, practice it and use it. It will improve your photography.

HIGH KEY: Novice winners (March)

1st Place: Incoming Nina Zuccolo

2nd Place: Ladybird

Jannette Blennerhassett

3rd Place: Stories of time

Snehargho Ghosh

If you see something that moves you,

and then snap it, you keep a moment

Linda McCartney

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HIGH KEY: Experienced winners (March)

1st Place: Mac and Teddy

Nerissa Turner 1st Place: Self with straw hat

Peter Mollison

2nd Place: Horror show

Ben Lippa

3rd Place: Broken but standing

Clyde Scorgie

HC:

Emi portrait age 4

Ben Lippa

A portrait is not made in the camera

but on either side of it

Edward Steichen

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What’s on around town and surrounds….

Magnet Galleries Melbourne - GAIA

Level 2, 640 Bourke Street Melbourne

7TH Annual Women Photographer’s exhibition to celebrate

International Women’s Day.

A fundraiser for UN women. Until March 25th

Open:

Tuesday to Friday 11am to 6pm

Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm

http://magnet.org.au/exhibitions

Photography 130 - Behind the Lens: 130 years of RMIT Photography

10 March – 13 April

344 Swanston Street Melbourne

Open: Mon-Wed 11am – 5pm, Thurs 11am – 7pm, Sat 12 – 5pm. Closed Sun and Public Holidays. Cost: free

RMIT University’s photography students and staff

have captured and contributed to the shifting

cultural and political climate over the last 130 years. ‘Photography 130’ presents a fresh

perspective on the history of photography through the lens of the University’s photographic

history, legacy and culture.

From the University’s beginning in 1887 as the Working Men’s College, RMIT students took to

photography with great enthusiasm, making important connections and contributions to the

growth of Melbourne as a city as part of the world’s longest running photographic school.

Featuring over 100 photographs created by RMIT staff and alumni between 1887 and 2017

sourced from RMIT Archives, the National Gallery of Victoria, the State Library of Victoria,

Monash Gallery of Art, and private collections, the exhibition showcases work by photographers

and artists whose images have reflected the changing social landscape of Melbourne in the

service of art, politics, news, entertainment, commerce, science and discovery.

http://www.rmit.edu.au/events/all-events/exhibitions/2017/march/photography-130

Image from

http://magnet.org.au/exhibitions

Photo from: http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/behind-

the-lens#.WMPlw4VOJPY

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Darebin Community and Kite Festival 2017

26 March 11am – 5pm

Held throughout the picturesque Edwardes Lake Park in

Reservoir, the Festival is an outdoor cultural and community

celebration. Fun, free and immersive, it offers a broad range of

performances, kids’ art and craft activities, storytelling,

community and food stalls, a pet expo, and of course, kite

flying!

http://www.darebinarts.com.au/whats-on/darebin-community-kite-festival/

Benalla Street Art - Wall to Wall Festival 2017

6 to 9 April

An ensemble of the world’s most respected street artists will converge in Benalla in early April to wow onlookers. Street artists from around the world will paint on bare walls, some over 3 stories high, over the weekend.

http://www.benallastreetart.com.au/

Challenge Melbourne

Sunday 9 April 2017

Catani Gardens, St Kilda

This picturesque beach side venue in

Melbourne Australia is the perfect location to

stage an event of this calibre.

The expo will be open on Saturday 8th April (10:00am – 2.00pm) and

Sunday 9th April/Race Day (4:30am – 3:00pm).

http://www.challengemelbourne.com.au/

Photo from http://www.challengemelbourne.com.au/gallery/

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Festival of Colours

9 April

11am – 4pm

Barwon Park Mansion 105 Inverleigh-Winchelse Rd, Winchelsea

Festival of Colours is a celebration of the human spirit

where you throw coloured powder into the air with

friends and family.

http://www.festivalofcolours.com.au/#home

The 2017 Ballarat International Foto Biennale

19 August — 17 September 2017

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is a month-long festival comprising of a Core Program,

Fringe Program, seminars and workshops. The Foto Biennale Exhibition Program features

artist floor talks, seminars, lectures, portfolio reviews and workshops. The Ballarat International

Foto Biennale attracts significant International and Australian photographers as one of

Australia’s pre-eminent photographic festivals. It is a not-for-profit event that immerses the

historic town of Ballarat in photographic art.

http://ballaratfoto.org/

There are two photographic competitions in the lead up to this event:

1. The Inaugural Ballarat International Foto Biennale - Martin Kantor Portrait Prize

This is open to all photographers and photo media artists and gives you the chance to have

your work displayed and viewed at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. It will be awarded

to the work judged to be an exceptional photographic portrait of a significant Australian.

Applications open: NOW

Applications close: 31st May 2017

http://ballaratfoto.org/portrait-prize/

2. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale presents the Athletic Club Brewery Ballarat

Icons Prize entry

This year the Ballarat International Foto Biennale is teaming up with the Athletic Club Brewery

in Ballarat for a unique and exciting initiative – The Athletic Club Brewery Ballarat Icons Prize.

The winning 3 photographs will become the labels for the Athletic club beer company during the

2017 Biennale!

This prize is open to all photographers and photo media artists and the focus is the iconic

people and landscapes in and around Ballarat.

All photographers must be 18 years or older as at the closing date of the Athletic Club Brewery

Ballarat Icons Prize 31 May 2017

http://ballaratfoto.org/icons-prize/

Photo taken from:

http://www.festivalofcolours.com.au/#home

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Parklands community

My favourite photos…..

by

Snehargho Ghosh

These photos celebrate women's creation as mothers and artists for the

International Women's Day.

A weaver in Lepchaka

Polycarbonate queen

Twins

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Parklands community

Australian International Airshow 2017

The 2017 Australian International Airshow was held from 28 February to 5 March with the latest

military jet fighters, bombers, vintage war aircraft on display and featuring aerobatic performers.

This year hosted the largest attendance to date, with more than 210,000 people going to the

event. A few of our club members were lucky enough to attend the Airshow and have posted a

variety of images on Facebook. Here are a few examples of their amazing photographs from the

Airshow 2017.

Photo by Paul Scacco

Photo by Simon Haber

Photo by Nerissa Turner

Photo by Charlie Scicluna

F-18 Hornet - photo by Clyde Scorgie

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Looking for ideas and some good websites or blogs?

Take a look at these suggestions from Peter.

1. PetaPixel is a leading blog covering the wonderful world of photography. It is a good

source of information and links. Their goal is to inform, educate, and inspire in all things

photography-related.

https://petapixel.com

2. Thomas Heaton Landscape, Travel and Outdoor Photography.

Around the Lake District and Northern UK. Whimsical.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasheaton/

And finally….

Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.

Peter Adams

Keep smiling…

and happy snapping!

Contributions to Thru The Lens are very welcome and a great opportunity to share with the Parklands

Photo Club community. Please send any details, photographs and articles to Gina at:

thruthelens@parklandsphotoclub.org.au