Shutterbugs 2010 4th Qtr Meeting

A couple of weeks ago we held our first Shutterbug meeting for the year (must do better next year). The Shutterbugs met at Mill’s Race in Northville, MI to practice our low light photography skills. Five people showed up for the event (including one new comer – welcome Leanne!).

The fun part about a shutterbug gathering is being surrounded by people who have a passion for photography. Here we are on a cold winters night peering through the back of our cameras lining up shots and loving every minute of it.

After a brief discussion about Aperture, Shutter and ISO settings we set off to photograph the beautiful surroundings of the park. Shooting at night brings about its own challenges – such as the need for very slow shutter speeds. Low light photography causes one to really think about what they are doing (assuming they are shooting in manual mode).

You could increase the ISO to speed up the shutter but your photos will be grainy. You want to cause the street lights to have a brilliant star burst which means using a larger aperture but this would slow down the shutter speed. What to do, what to do…

For me – this is the fun of photography – deciding what to do.

Shu was a good sport and and stepped out from the camera in order to pose for us while we practiced taking photos of a person standing under a single light source.

After taking photos of the chapel we headed over to the lake for photographs of the homes that sits across the lake. This time of year the homes are decked out in a full array of Christmas splendor.

We then headed to downtown Northville (which is located right around the corner) for coffee at the Bistro. Before heading to the Bistro I took time to capture some shots of the town.

The bistro provided much need warmth as we took time to talk and listen to the singers that were performing that evening.

The singers were very nice and allowed us to take photos of them while they performed.

It was a great night filled with many opportunities for great night time shots and time spent with shutterbug friends.

Our next meeting will be in March where we will discuss the basics of photo editing.

Welcome to the World Baby K.

This past week I drove out to Manchester, MI to photograph Baby K. She was only one week old.

She did a wonderful job of being patient while momma and her big brother fussed over her and had her pose for numerous photos. In fact, she ended up sleeping through most of the photo shoot.

In my photography I strive to only use available light. I’ve never liked the harsh look of a flash. Baby K’s house had a large window in a room where there was enough space for me to set up my backdrop and begin photographing. Even tough the sky was completely grey there was still enough light to take these wonderful shots.

 

 

Finding Beauty in the Blah

Finding beauty while taking photographs in the spring, summer and early fall is simple. Sometimes you just need to point and shoot. Finding beauty on a cold, dreary fall day - well that is a little more challenging… Sometimes one needs to look just a little harder or from a perspective to find the beauty in a dreary day.

My daughter, Victoria, and I made a date for a photo shoot on a day that turned out to be cold, cloudy and dreary. We made it our goal to find 'find the beauty in the blah'. To our amazement it was everywhere. We just needed to look a little harder.

For me I found beauty in this dreary day in my daughter Victoria. You see, her beauty is not only external but it is also internal. It radiates from her bringing a smile to all those that meet her.

Friday evening I helped some dear friends, Jonathan and Nikki Snyder, pack up their belongings. I was hoping for an opportunity to photograph the event. Not just to chronical this period of life for them but to capture the people of our church in action. I will never cease to be amazed at the number of people who turned out to help.

Thankfully I took tim to ask Nikki for her permission before I took out my camera. I wanted to be sensative to her during this emotional time period. I don't want to be one of those photographers that are always in people's faces.

Photographing the event was challenging. I had to move from inside to outside, tungsten lighting to sunlight. I forgot to bring my lens hood which led to some extra editing time. What was fun was the numerous opportunities to be creative.

I only wish I had taken a moment to clean off the mirror before taking the photo.

Overall the weather was great and the Snyders are now on their way to Columbus, Ohio.

We will miss you dear friends.