Top Tips and Training

Last year our members enjoyed the training events so much that they asked for more! Now there is an even greater emphasis on educational and practical evenings to improve photography. In this age of digital cameras and computerised image processing much of the training has tended to be on the new technology, but the skills required to see and take a good photograph have not changed and apply to the photographer, not the equipment they are using. Our new Chairman, Steve Kingswell kicked off the teaching with more of his 'Top Tips for Taking Better Photographs'.

Steve has some great tips such as: 'The best way to improve your work is look at the work of others' and you can do this in many ways.  However probably the best source is books on photography from the many great photographers across such subjects as photojournalism, landscape, travel, etc.
Another tip is: 'research and plan your photograph before you go off to take it'. Try to visualise what you want to achieve, use the previous tip looking at other people’s photographs for inspiration and research your ideas or destination on the internet.

You can find more of Steve’s tips on his web site: www.theimagingroom.com

Project on Portraits

Many people struggle with portraits, choosing the right angles, posing the model and getting the lighting right, so we made this our big training project for the autumn.

First we had a visit from Glyn Dewis, a highly skilled professional portrait photographer who specialises in capturing his subject’s character with a combination of photographic technique and innovative digital retouching. He mostly shoots promotional and commercial material for musicians, bands, physique athletes and actors. See www.glyndewisblog.com.

Glyn did more than talk, he demonstrated some great portrait techniques. The important thing I learned from the session was 'turn your camera to manual and adjust for the flash'. With digital cameras you can check immediately to see if the effect is right, and if not, re-adjust the camera and try again. 

Our own professional photographer and committee member Andrew Dobell organised two follow-up training sessions with an attractive and helpful professional model, Nicky Robinson. Andrew provided a portable studio with remote flash guns so that members could try out what they had learnt. In the first session Andrew showed us how to light the subject and to use our cameras on manual to get great flash shots while Nicky decided how to pose.

The next session taught us about posing the model and this time Nicky waited for the photographer’s instructions, much more difficult! The members enjoyed this somewhat daunting task and even the seasoned portrait shooters learned some new tricks. The photograph of Nicky is by Paul Winstone.

Look out for our annual exhibition, which will be held in the Old Barn Hall on Saturday 14th of April.

Bob Lennox Secretary