Hillcrest Camera Club

New club website

2010-11-01T14:50:00.002+02:00

Hillcrest Camera Club has established a new website which has all the current details including activities, directions to the venue, and all of that. See:

http://www.hillcrestcameraclub.com/

August Meeting

2010-08-02T12:59:00.001+02:00

Hi All

We have a fantastic speaker lined up for this month's meeting! There will be an announcement about the format change of the club meetings, as well as details given about the new website. The new committee will be introduced to us all. Be sure to be at the meeting!

Speaker - SEAN LAURENZ

Sean, based in Durban, is one of South Africa's foremost fashion and beauty photographers. His client list boasts some of the biggest names in the fashion business. He will be showing a selection of his work and will be happy to answer any questions. He shoots in and around Durban, and some of his venues will be familiar to us!See more of Sean's work on www.seanlaurenz.com

Outing - 21 Aug 2010 - African Bird of Prey Sanctuary

OverviewThe African Bird of Prey Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of indigenous raptors and is the base to ongoing research, breeding and rehabilitation projects for birds of prey. The majority of these projects run ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure that the integrity of the wild birds is not compromised, and that a high release success rate is achieved. The sanctuary is, however, also home to a wide selection of captive-bred or ‘non-releasable rehabilitation’ birds. These raptors can be viewed in their ‘micro-environment’ enclosures by anyone who wishes to visit and learn about South Africa’s magnificent aerial predators.

More info : www.africanraptor.co.za 031 785 2981 or cell 082 925 3023

We will meet between 9h30-10h00, take some photos of the birds, and then will proceed to the bird show at 10h30. The Vulture Feeding is at 12pm, so we will continue taking photos in between. There is a restaurant for something to eat either before or after the shows.

Date: 21 Aug 2010
Time: 9h30 - 10h00
Bird Show: 10h30
Vulture Feeding: 12pm

Set Subject for September"We Own The Night" - The movie is about the conflict between a gangster brother and his police brother and father, set in New York. For our purposes, this set subject can be interpreted as night photography, or street photography, or whatever you want it to be. Be creative, and stretch your imagination!

See you all at the meeting!
Vanessa

Summerveld outing - Saturday 17 July

2010-07-16T00:28:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone

Summerveld Outing

1. For those of you who have not taken photos of horses before, care has to be taken when being around the horses.

Horses don't like to be spooked or alarmed, and can react quite badly if they are upset. They don't like crouching forms or creatures, and either want to throw their riders off, or stamp on the offending 'creature'. As such, they won't like us crouching or bending down, which is what we do when we take low angled shots. Try to remain upright, as they recognise that form to be a human, and shouldn't spook.
Do not use your flash.
Don't make sudden movements.

As these horses are highly strung race horses, we need to respect that and not jeopardise their race winning ability!

2. Directions from Durban.
N3 from Durban. After the toll, take the Shongweni turnoff, Exit 32. Turn left into Kassier Road. Pass the t/o to Shongweni Dam. Continue along the road and take the Summerveld t/o to the right, and go up the road a bit. You’ll go through a set of gates and, soon after that, you’ll see a not-very-obvious turn off to the left through the trees (if you go under a bridge, you’ve gone too far). Follow that road and park in the car park.

See you between 5.30am and 6.00am. Bring thermos flasks and coffee if you like, to warm you up, or wake you up!

See you soon.
Vanessa

July 2010: Outing and 2nd Meeting

2010-07-13T17:01:00.002+02:00

Two things:

1) A reminder about our outing to Summerveld on 17 July 2010. We will meet at the car park any time from 5h30am-6h00am and will have breakfast at the nearby club when we've had enough photography. Directions to get there are as follows:

Drive out of Hillcrest along Kassier Road, cross the N3, and pass the t/o to Shongweni Dam. Take the Summerveld t/o and go up the road a bit. You’ll go through a set of gates and, soon after that, you’ll see a not-very-obvious turn off to the left through the trees (if you go under a bridge, you’ve gone too far) follow that road and park in the car park.

2) The next meeting will be held at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm on 20 July, 2010, and is very important because we have got to the stage where we really need a proper committee. The idea is NOT to pick a couple of people and give them all the work but, instead, to share things out so that everyone only has a little bit to do. You are urged not to do the usual 'club' thing and avoid the meeting like the plague. We'll chat and have a few drinks and it should even be fun. We can take the club on into the future as a valuable resource for us all, but only if everyone pulls together. Ideas will most welcome but actions are also needed

&&&&&& IMPORTANT: WILL EVERYONE PLEASE BRING A PLATE OF SNACKS. &&&&&&&&&&&&

More Photo Competitions

2010-07-13T16:21:00.002+02:00

N3 Toll Concession - details and entry form from here.

GetPix - details and entry form from here.

Thanks Mandy.

Vega Photography Club

2010-07-10T00:53:00.003+02:00

Hi all
I recieved an interesting email from Delaine Pillay at Vega Photography School.

They are setting up a Vega Photography Club. They invite all interested photographers to email them to put on their mailing list.

What they say the club will do:
"Our expert lecturer, Lanel Janse Van Vuuren, will spend 30 minutes on a specific topic each month. Thereafter we will have an opportunity to interact, chat and mix, whilst we share our passions around photography. "

When: Every 3rd Thursday of each month
Where: Vega Durban Campus
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Meetings are free to members.

Please email Delaine at dpillay@vegaschool.com or call her on (031) 266 2595 to book your seat!

It sounds interesting, and as it doesn't clash with our Tuesday meetings, should be well attended by all HCC members! Put your name on the list asap!

Regards
Vanessa

Develop a New Angle on Concrete - NPC Photographic Competition

2010-07-08T10:38:00.002+02:00

NPC are running a fantastic photographic competition.

"Develop a New Angle on Concrete.

Using your photographic skills, to capture futuristic images of buildings or structures that feature concrete predominantly in their design, and you could be a winner is a flash!

Amazing cash prizes : 1st - R20 000, 2nd - R10 000, 3rd - R5000.

Get more info and enter online, on www.npcfocus.co.za "

Check it out, it looks like a fun competition. Lets see who can produce the best concrete photo, and do HCC proud!

July Meeting

2010-06-30T19:30:00.004+02:00

Hi all

July Meeting - Tuesday 6 July 2010, 7pm

1. Speaker

Dennis Guichard - Fine Art Architectural Photographer

I have managed to secure a fantastic speaker for July's meeting. He is Dennis Guichard - one of the featured photographers in the FIFA Fine Art Exhibition 2010. Dennis is an architectural photographer, and has been involved with works in SA, the UK and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dennis will discuss his work for the FIFA Fine Art Exhibition, which is a series of 30 shots of the stadiums throughout South Africa. You will see Moses Mabhida look stunning, along with other fine art photos of the other stadiums. His work is on display at the art gallery at Suncoast Casino. I strongly recommend that you go and have a look at his work, as this is where you will see the grand detail in the full size prints. Dennis will also discuss his other work, most recent of which was in Abu Dhabi, where he was Senior Architectural Design Manager on one of the mega projects there.

Dennis has also been featured in the June/July Pix Magazine. Thats his photo on the fold out cover!

Look here for more of Dennis's architectural work.
Look here for info on the FIFA Fine Art Exhibition at Suncoast Casino and Kizo, Gateway.

2. Outings for July

There are TWO outings this month!

Summerveld
-Saturday, 17 July 2010
-Between 5.30am and 6.30am (The horses are out at 5.30am, but arrive whenever you want to. Sunrise is at 6.50am)

The Durban July is being held on 31st July, so all the trainers will be bringing their horses to Summerveld in the prceeding weeks. There is opportunity to get moody shots of the horses training, as well shots of Summerveld. Lots of beautiful trees, grassy fields and hopefully some morning mist. Breakfast somewhere afterwards.

Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk
-Point, Durban
-Saturday 24 July 2010
-3pm - 5pm

This is the third year that this photowalk is being held. The idea is to meet up and take photos for two hours, in the specified area. Submit your best photo, and you could stand a chance of being chosen as the best photo worldwide, as determined by Scott Kelby. Allan Jackson won the best photo of the Durban group last year, so the challenge is on to have another Hillcrest Camera Club member win!

Club member Andrew Roos is organising this year's photowalk. The after-walk gathering and supper will be held at Moyo.
See here for details about the walk.

3. Photo Sharing at the meeting

Sharing your photos and hearing other members' tips and advice is a huge part of growing as a photographer. Participation in this part of the meeting is very important. We had a poor show last month, so please all bring your photos! One photo per catergory.

Set Subject - June is "Step-Up. The Streets". This is an interesting topic as it provides for all kinds of interpretations.
Open catergory - In keeping with the architectural theme of the meeting, please bring your shots of architecture, or buildings, particularly if they have a fine art feel to them. Dennis has said he will comment on them.

Don't forget to stop by the Fine Art Exhibition at Suncoast and view Dennis's work! Its amazing and well worth a visit!

See you the meeting.
Cheers
Vanessa

Meeting Fail!

2010-06-17T01:05:00.000+02:00

Your committee has just noticed that we had an incorrect date in the meeting schedule published on the blog. According to the schedule, the date of the the second meeting this month was 22 June which is the fourth Tuesday of the month.

The meeting took place on the third Tuesday, 15 June, but it seems that some members did not come out because they assumed that it had been postponed. We apologise to anyone who was affected.

The schedule, linked from the right-hand side of the page, has been updated.

Worldwide Photowalk

2010-06-14T21:29:00.001+02:00

Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk is on again on July 24, 2010. Club member Andrew Roos has registered as a walk organiser and full details on his walk will be available at the following website:

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/walk/durban-kwazulu-natal-south-africa/

There are are great prizes on offer and Andrew has apparently organised an after-walk function at Moyo restaurant. Sign up on the web page, only the first 50 will be lucky....

Outing: June 2010

2010-06-08T22:50:00.001+02:00

An unexpected snag came up with our outing this month when the hotel was found to be unsuitable and the original date was found to be too close to a match at the stadium with possible road closures. Instead, it has been decided is to meet in front of the hotel as planned on (but on 12 June) and go on a photo walk along the new promenade.

Directions: The best access would be approach from the N3, go down Dr AB Xuma Street (old Commercial Rd), until it joins Pine Street. Cross over Sylvester Ntuli Road (old Brickhill Rd) into Boscombe Road. The Checkers is on your right. Boscombe Road runs behind all the hotels. Turn right into Serridge Square, then right into OR Thambo Parade (old Marine Parade) and park in front of the hotel. None of these roads were closed yesterday, and the hotel staff say that they don't expect them to be closed at all.

Meet at 5h45 am on 12 June in front of large white Holiday Inn Garden Court.

Walk. // Photos

Breakfast. Wimpt, the Deck or whatever.

I will check that all is still in order on Friday evening and will update the blog if anything else crops up. Please visit the blog at http://hillcrestcameraclub.blogspot.com/ before going to bed on friday night, just in case there are any changes.

Tuesday Meeting - 1 June 2010

2010-05-31T12:35:00.004+02:00

Hi all

We had an excellent outing on Saturday to the top of the Old Mutual Building in Durban! There was a stunning sunset, lovely city lights and the full moon made a stunning appearance. We had been waiting for the moon to appear, but low lying clouds delayed it for quite a while. Suddenly it popped out of the clouds, and there was silence as everyone quickly took their shot of the moon in all its glory. Probably one of the few times that we will get everyone in the club to stop talking!

A big thank you to Garry for organising access for the club!

Allen Schultz will be speaking on Tuesday. He was the lucky winner of the Vega Intermediate Course, which he completed a few weeks ago. He will be sharing some of the tips and information he learnt on the course. It should be very interesting, and will give us all an insight into the Vega course.

We will have the usual photo sharing opportunity in the 2nd half of the meeting. The set subject is "Are We There Yet?" - quite a challenging topic this month. Outing photos, and open topic will also be viewed. Three photos per person, one per category, please.

See you at the meeting tomorrow!

Regards
Vanessa

Change of venue for May Outing

2010-05-24T23:10:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone

HCC OUTING - VENUE CHANGE

We have to change the venue for the "Tall Building" outing on Saturday. The lifts are being shut down and worked on at Durban Bay House, which means we can't get to the top.

Thanks to Garry, we can however use the Old Mutual Building. This building is also in Smith Street, and has views of both Smith and West Street, as well sea and inland views.

The only drawback to this venue is that the access to the viewing area on the roof is not that easy. You will be required to crawl under a concrete wall to get to the vantage points. This will mean getting down on your butt, or knees and scooting yourself across to the other side. Its about a half meter scoot. I'm not sure whether everyone can manage this? It was for this reason that we decided to use the other building, which has easier access. Rather than cancelling the shoot altogether, I think we should take advantage of Garry's offer to use the Old Mutual Building, and see how we go. If need be, Garry says we can organise another shoot at Durban Bay House for those who can't, or chose not to, attend this shoot. On the whole, I think most of us will cope fine.

Details:

Venue: Old Mutual Building, Smith Street, Durban. (In the block between Gardiner and Field Street) (Sorry, I don't now the new names.)
Time: 4pm - whenever we all finish

Meetup directions:
* Meet at the entrance to the PARKING GARAGE, in Smith Street, which is after the Gardiner Street intersection, on the right hand side, before the 1st pedestrian crossing.
* Look for the metal roller door.
* Park in the street - we will go in together at 4pm sharp.
* We will park in the parking garage and all enter the building itself from there.
Your car should be safe, there will be no parking or walking in the streets of Durban at all.

Please bring a torch, wear jeans and provide for rain, wind and cold weather.

IMPORTANT : Please remember that this is a fairly dangerous outing, as we will be very high up. The Old Mutual Building has a steel railing around the edge, not a wall, so we advise that you apply caution and be careful. Judge for yourself whether it is safe and secure enough to go close to the edge. Please be careful and responsible.

Bring all your lenses, as you will get varied photographic opportunities. Hold thumbs that the full moon is visible, and that it isn't too cloudy!

If you have any queries, please email Vanessa - sweetd@iafrica.com. If you have any problems on the day, call Vanessa - 083 679 4716.

See you all there!

Regards
Vanessa

Tuesday Meeting - 18 May 2010

2010-05-14T21:40:00.003+02:00

Hi all

1. Art Deco outing. This outing has unfortunately been postponed to another time, possibly June. We'll keep you updated.

2. Second meeting, 18 May. Harry will be giving us a talk - An Introduction to Flash Photography. Should be informative! There will be a demonstration as well.

3. The 2nd Tallest Building in Durban outing is still happening. Saturday 29th May, at 4pm. Please check here for meetup details and directions.

See you on Tuesday!

Vanessa

Lake Kenmo outing

2010-05-05T11:44:00.002+02:00

May Meeting and Outings

2010-05-03T02:08:00.004+02:00

May 1st Meeting

Hi all

The Speaker
Xavier Vahed, young, up and coming Durban photographer will be speaking this Tuesday. He will discuss the work he undertook for his recent exhibition, "Portrait of the People". He will discuss the work in general, and the strobism lighting techniques he used in particular. Not be missed!

Club photos - Please bring one photo for each category:
1. Outing - Rocky Bay
2. Set Subject - "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"
3. Open

May Outings
We are excited to announce that there will be TWO outings this month. They are both architecturally focused, but each outing will offer completely different view points.

Durban's Art Deco Buildings :
Sat 15 May - We've been granted access to some of Durban's Art Deco buildings. We plan to move from building to building, capturing the glory of these beautiful works. We are hoping to end at Surrey Mansions in Currie Road, where we will have a rooftop sunset picnic to end off the day.

You will be required to submit your best photos for the Art Deco Association to make use of, so enjoy the day but also do your best!

If there is enough interest, we will look at hiring a Mynah bus to transport us around, Otherwise, we'll provide a shoot list and directions to each building but that won't be so interesting because it will be harder for the Art Deco people to give us the background to this great architectural style.

Durban Bay House:
Sat 29 May, 4pm. The club has never before done such an outing - a TALL building! We've been allowed access to the very top of one of Durban's tallest building - Durban Bay House. Club member Garry Bodil has very kindly offered to allow us exclusive access into the building.

We will arrive late in the afternoon for the autumn sunset, then move onto shooting the night lights and the city streets. The cherry on the top will be shooting the full moon rising over the city, which is stunning, provided there isn't too much cloud cover! There will be a full moon on the night of our outing.

Tripods, torches and jeans and takkies essential. Please be aware that we will be 32 stories high, so vertigo sufferers may not cope. There is some climbing of stairs to get to the top floor, as well climbing over aircon pipes, so please be prepared for some exercise.

Safety is important. Torches are required to light your way. Please bring rain gear for yourselves and your cameras. We will cancel if there is strong wind and heavy rain, but will attempt to shoot in drizzle.

Meetup details:
Time: 4pm
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010
Place: Durban Bay House
Meet in the side road off Smith Street - Durban Bay Passage. 2nd road to the left, after the Gardiner and Smith Street intersections. Pass the ABSA and Nedbank buildings on your left.
Once we have all arrived, Garry will allow us access into the building's parking, where will have secure parking.
Garry will assemble us together, and take us up to the roof. For security purposes we have to enter and exit the building and the parking together, so the shoot will end when we've all taken our last photos.
For those who are keen, it has been suggested that we meet at Charlie Croft's for dinner, or drinks afterwards.

This opportunity to capture Durban at night is not to be missed!

See you all the meeting.

Regards

Vanessa

2010-04-07T13:22:00.003+02:00

Welcome to all the new members! We have had quite a few new people join the club since January. We hope you will enjoy yourselves!

Please make sure that you have paid your membership fees. R150 per person, R250 per family.

The banking details can be found on the MEMBERSHIP PAGE, for those who promised to pay by EFT. Please email Vanessa with proof of payment at sweetd@iafrica.com.

Please use your full name as the reference.

Thanks to everyone who has paid, and welcome once again to the newbies!

Vanessa

April 2010: Outing

2010-03-21T12:05:00.003+02:00

Click on image to view enlargement.

2nd Meeting - Lenses: Focal Lengths and Their Uses. Tuesday 16 March

2010-03-13T21:03:00.005+02:00

A Note From Vanessa:

Not to be missed!

Have you ever wondered what lens to use? And wondered what effect focal length has on the photo?

Harry Lock, our own pro photographer, will be speaking at Tuesday's meeting!

He will be giving an illustrated talk on the use of lenses, and the effect focal length has on the final image. He will be discussing how to choose which lens to use, and will show us examples of the results.

Harry's presentation promises to be informative, and help us all to get to know lenses and their uses better.

See you all at 7pm, at the Clubhouse.

March 2010 Outing

2010-03-09T01:03:00.003+02:00

You're reminded about the outing this weekend to the butterfly farm in Pietermaritzburg on this Saturday, 13 March 2010. It has been suggested that we get there at 09h15.

Anton has been kind enough to put together the following details and directions:

Admission fees are:

Adults R30

Children (2-16 years) R19

Pensioners R19

Directions:

Butterflies for Africa is located at 37 Willowton Road, just off the N3 in Pietermaritzburg. Those arriving from the coast take the Ohrtmann Road turnoff (exit 79) and turn right (going over the highway) then turn left into Willowton Rd just after the Innoxa factory.

The paths inside the enclosure have been made wheelchair friendly, so anyone can attend.

The Monkey House:

On certain days, between 11:30 and 13:30, there are guided tours of The Monkey House. It costs R11 (all age groups) to enter, but they didn’t specify on the website when this is.

The Painted Lady Coffee Bar:

After the utter frustration of getting the butterflies to sit still (no pins/deep freezers allowed), we can all have something to drink and eat before the long drive home. There is seating inside, or even outside for those whose love to bask in the sun or hunker under an umbrella in the rain.

Please e-mail Anton at d4rkhorse@webafrica.org.za if you are coming to the outing. We just need to see who will be attending.

March 2008 - First Meeting

2010-02-27T18:29:00.000+02:00

The first meeting this month is going to held at the Hillcrest Sports Club on 2 March 2010 at 7pm.

We are having a talk from freelance sports shooter Rory Armstrong, who is is going to do a show and tell. He regularly flies around the country to photograph rugby matches and sells images to newspapers, magazines etc. He was going to speak last year but was called at short notice to shoot a wedding overseas. After the talk, we will view members' pictures as usual.

Meeting: February 2010

2010-01-28T22:29:00.002+02:00

We kick off our year with the first meeting which will be at 7pm on February 2, 2010, at the Hillcrest Sports Club. We will be having a talk on exposure and will then look at members' pictures as usual.

Remember to bring only three pictures. You're encouraged to bring 1 each of set subject, outing and general, but there's no rule about it; suit yourself.

Set subject: On the waterfront.

The year full planner is online. See the link on the righthand side of the page:

Membership fees are due and you will not be eligible to participate in the lucky draw for the Vega photography course if you haven't paid by 14 Feb.

The following points from Vanessa

1. Membership fees - R150 per person, R250 per family
2. Please pay into the BANK ACCOUNT - Standard Bank, Kingsmead, Acc name - Sweet Deal cc, Acc. no.# 050146556. Branch code: 0026
3. Make sure to state you name as reference.
3. Deadline for payment - 14 Feb 2010.
4. Payment can be made at the Feb meeting.

The draw for the Vega course will happen in March, at the meeting on the 2nd and Vanessa has arranged for the Vega representative to give a short talk.

See you there
.

Exhibition 2009

2009-12-12T16:42:00.001+02:00

We had an extremely succesful year-end exhibition and thanks are due to Natalie & Gordon for their hard work, and to Photo World and the centre management for supporting us.

.

Exhibition 2009

2009-11-26T20:53:00.003+02:00

2009: Christmas party

2009-11-23T19:14:00.004+02:00

It's been a bit like drawing teeth but, finally, enough people have paid to enable the Christmas party to go ahead.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Christmas Party: R100 per person
Date: 4 December 2009
Venue: Bhowani Game Lodge - http://www.bhowanigamelodge.co.za.

Directions:
There is a map on the contact page but you basically take the Hammarsdale t/o on the N3 coming from Hillcrest.

You go over the N3 and go about 8km past the Inchanga turnoff and turn right at the Caltex garage. It's the turn off you would take for the Abattoir and Cato ridge airfield. Go for about 5km past airfield, abattoir and so on.

The road turns to dirt a couple of hundred meters past the abbatoir and the game lodge is 800m further on, on the left.

December 2009: Meeting

2009-11-23T19:10:00.002+02:00

Kim from Fuji has agreed to talk to us and give a demo on their INSTORE PHOTOBOOK, it is an interesting concept and ideal for Christmas presents. Fuji are our co-sponsors for the exhibition so we need as many people to attend as possible.
-----
There will also be some sort of workshop and viewing of members' pictures at the meeting on 1 December, which is to be held at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm as usual.
.

Outing: November 2009

2009-11-13T12:36:00.001+02:00

Just as well Gwynne reminded me because I had forgotten about the outing tomorrow. Anyhow, it's still on and you wildlife guys should love it.

It's at the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary located about 4 kms along the road to the Lion Park after you have taken exit 65 on the N3. Details and a map here.

New since I was therelast is a vulture feeding session!!

The feeding will take place just before or after the free flight show at 10h30. So you are advised to be there just before 10 (on the 14th November)to be sure you don't miss anything.

BRING A HAT AND SUNSCREEN because it is in the open. Entrance is R30 each and there is restaurant for a meal afterwards.
.

Meeting: November 2009

2009-10-31T21:23:00.001+02:00

Please Note: There is no meal before the meeting. Procedings start at 7pm sharp. We will view members' pictures as usual, after the talk.

** Don't forget to bring your money for the Christmas dinner, if you haven't paid already.

** Don't forget to bring prints for the end of year exhibition.

TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER @ 7PM

HILLCREST SPORTS CLUB

YOU ARE INVITED TO LISTEN TO

SEAN WISEDALE - MOUNTAIN OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN

...SEAN'S CLIMB OF MT. VINSON, THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN ANTARTICA

Sean Wisedale is the first South African to climb all of the world's seven summits – come and hear how Sean and a team of six set out to climb the most remote mountain on earth. Drama ensues and two turn back even before reaching the continent. An onslaught of bad weather and high winds forces the team leader to return while three of the team push for the top. What makes this life tale so intriguing is that Wisedale as the filmmaker on the expedition loses two cameras to the frost, and is left with only one camera to capture the images – his trusty heavyweight Betacam affectionately known as “Chubby” … The imagery is spectacular, the continent of Antarctica as captivating as ever. A heart-warming story of triumph of the human spirit over adversity and celebration of success”.

Sean's bestseller 'Freeze Frame', the personal story of Sean's life and times as an adventure cameraman to the most hostile and photogenic wildernesses on Earth, will be available for purchase on the night as well as his 8-part DVD documentaries of the 7 summits. Please find more information attached and visit Sean's website www.seanwisedale.co.za.
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PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION 2009!

2009-10-21T14:50:00.000+02:00

As per the HCC AGM of the 20th of January 2009, we have LIGHTS, CAMERA AND ACTION for the annual HILLCREST CAMERA CLUB PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION 2009!

Gordon and I met with Photoworld, Hillcrest and Pick 'n Pay management last week and we managed to secure the Pick 'n Pay, Christian's Centre, centrecourt for our annual HCC photographic exhibition, kindly supported by Photoworld, in the centre, and Fuji.

You are all encouraged to partake in the exhibition to showcase your photographic talent through exhibiting your wonderful photographs that you have taken throughout the year. Details thus far are as follows:

* Saturday 5 Dec: 9.00am - 1.00pm - Exhibition open to the public (setup 8.00-9.00am - Gordon, Natalie & any other volunteers?)
* Sunday 6 Dec: 9.00am - 1.00pm - Exhibition open to the public
* We are being supported by Photoworld and they will be advertising Photoworld throughout the weekend at the exhibition and encourage you to support them for your prints and any other photographic requirements. The Fuji in-store photobook and online printing book, which are avaiable for viewing at Photoworld, are excellent mediums in which to showcase your photographic portoflio for the exhibition as well as prints (also a fantastic Christmas gift) - pop in there and have a look and they will be more than happy to show you more.
* Submit your best prints A4 - A3 in size at the next meeting if possible (as many prints as you like but please be reasonable as we do have limited space), mounted with your name at the back of the mount. If you submit prints later than the next meeting, it is no problem but will be up to you to please get them to Gordon who will select appropriate prints together with other committee members. Fujui photobooks will be accepted.
* Digital prints will also be welcomed as we are hoping to showcase them on a big/flat screen - Gordon will bring his laptop to the November meeting so bring your work on a flash drive or CD please
* We will be needing volunteers to be present on the day to answer any questions and keep an eye on the equipment - please put your names down at the next meeting - it would be nice if we could have a couple of people on 'duty' at any given time
* If you have any connections who would like to place a digital advert on the big screen, please let us know - an ad will cost them R100 and will go towards the cost of the exhibition - ads to be submitted to Gordon at November meeting please

Please come prepared to the November meeting and should you have any further ideas that you would like to share for the exhibition.

Yours in photography

Natalie Knibbs

Hillcrest Camera Club
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October 2009: Model shoot

2009-09-07T10:14:00.003+02:00

Payments

2009-09-01T15:35:00.003+02:00

We have been trying to get the club on a more organised footing and, as one measure, have arranged to have the use of a bank account. This will make it easier for members to pay their dues and for extras such as the forthcoming model shoot and Christmas Party.

Payment instructions

* Transfer the amount owing to the following:

Account name: Sweet Deal cc
Account number: 050146556
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Florida Road

* Send an e-mail to BOTH Allan and Vanessa with the amount paid, date, and what it is for.
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Meeting: September 2009

2009-08-28T09:14:00.002+02:00

NOTE: There will be NO MEAL before the meetings in future!

The Hillcrest Camera Club will be meeting at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. We are encouraging members to bring prints to show at the meeting but, if you want to bring in digital format, please come early so that we can load your pictures onto the laptop.

We will be having a talk from a well-known sports photographer and will then view members' pictures as usual.
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Matters arising

2009-08-13T20:40:00.001+02:00

There is NO second meeting this month. Many of us will be at a photo exhibition at Fat Tuesday Gallery in Kloof on Tuesday 18 August at 5:30 for 6pm. The exhibitiom is running until 6 September if you miss it then.

The outing on Saturday

It has been determined by Heinz that the travelling time from Hillcrest to Tala is about 40 minutes (50 from Waterfall). Make sure to leave enough time to get there at 6 in time for the club discount.

Remember that they don't accept cash at the gate !!!
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Outing: August 2009

2009-08-13T20:36:00.000+02:00

Details of the Tala outing follow below but there are two essentials:

*** You have to be at the gate at 6am SHARP to take advantage of the club discount.

*** Tala does not accept cash. Credit cards only...

____________________________________________________

Tala Game Reserve - 15th AUGUST 6am

.1.Directions: Drive on the N3 towards Pmb and near Camperdown take the R603 left to Umbumbulu Rd/ Eston. Travel approx 16 kms from the off ramp and you will see the sign on your left and we will meet at 6.00am at the thatched entrance to Tala.

2. All those wishing to benefit from the "free car fee", normally R40, must provide their registration of their vehicle by return so we can advise Tala and benefit from this generous offer. I will be requesting a special opening time of 6.00am, which means Tala will ensure there will be someone at the gate specially for us! Don`t be late,as all latecomers expecting the free car only concession will not benefit.You can arrive anytime you like but please don`t expect the "group" benefits at any time other than 6.00am!

3. Costs: R30 per adult and R20 per child under 12 ( + R40 per car if u r late). Al, are we going to ask for a contribution per head for breakfast and we provide 2 eggs, 3 rashers of bacon, 1/2 tomato,2 round rolls, fresh juice and coffee. It would mean us supplying disposable plates & cups as well. Although we would have gas there to cook and heat water it would be advisable for guys to bring their own flasks as well.

4. Breakfast @ 9.30am at the picnic site. From the main entrance keep left and follow the dam/waterhole to the end and then turn left , drive over the dam wall and the picnic spot will be on your right when you get to the end.

5.Assignment!

a) If you have the equipment, a close up of an animal`s hoof or horn ( Watch your exposure when your camera is pointing down)

b) A pic of any flower/leaf (Special attention to angle of light and try to create pic with a very shallow depth of field... f2.8/f4)

c)Early light.Consider direction,the colour and how harsh or soft the light is when taking your pic.

d)Pic of any animal doing something other than just standing/lying down.

The main thing we want to achieve is for all fotogs to enjoy themselves, and to try to be adventurous in creating a "new" picture trying camera settings without being under pressure, in the hope that by sharing with each other what you may have hoped to create, against what was actually achieved,you may learn how to take better pics under similar conditions another time.

NB! TALA DOES NOT ACCEPT CASH AT THE ENTRANCE GATE. YOU CAN ONLY USE CREDIT CARDS!!!!!!!
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Members' Photo Blogs

2009-08-08T22:52:00.003+02:00

A couple of members have established Photo Blogs where they are sharing their pictures, outlook on photography and, who knows, maybe some techniques as well.

Vanessa

Allan

Why not go along and have a look?
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Meeting: August 2009

2009-07-30T22:24:00.001+02:00

The Hillcrest Camera Club is meeting this coming Tuesday (4 August) at 7pm at the Hillcrest Sports Club and all are welcome. We will be having a talk from SUPER EXPERT ACE aviation photographer Pier van der Spek, who will be sharing his experiences at this year's airshows in the UK. We'll then take a look at pictures that club members have brought along.

There is a pub right next door...

The meeting starts at 7pm sharp but we do have a meal at 6pm which costs R40 per head; contact me to book if you want a meal. Otherwise just pitch up.

The Sports Club is behind the new Checkers Hillcrest Corner Center off Hospital Road. Turn left at the robots in the center of Hillcrest into Hospital Road (A right turn would take you into Inanda Road and Waterfall) and then take a left into the lttle lane behind the shopping center.
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Galen Rowell links

2009-07-20T21:49:00.002+02:00

Biography on Wikipedia
Mountain Light Gallery (includes his photo articles)
Chasing Galen by Thom Hogan
Nikon Masters Series

Second meeting: July 2009

2009-07-16T15:08:00.002+02:00

We had a really interesting second meeting last month which was enhanced by the power cut which had us all in the bar huddled over Andre’s laptop. Among the issues raised was the fact that members REALLY, REALLY do want more technical stuff to be included as part of these meetings.

The more experienced users said they felt it would be difficult to teach image manipulation (or photography in general) in a couple of minutes a month. Learning photography takes time and effort and is best achieved by reading, watching videos from photo magazine discs and downloading and completing a tutorial or two from the Internet each day.

As far as the club goes, however, it has been suggested that the experienced users get together and bring a technique video along to the meetings for members to copy onto their memory sticks, to take home to watch.

The other suggestion is that some time be set aside at the beginning of the second meeting to help members who are having problems. The more experienced will be happy to share their knowledge but do ask that members submit their pictures and definite question on how to do this or that, before meetings.

Allan will show off a PS technique for non-destructive dodging and burning at the meeting on 21 July but thereafter, members are asked to submit their pictures and questions before meetings.

You are reminded to being the environmental portrait you took as a result of the last meeting and a sample of the work of Galen Rowell. See you on the 21st at 7pm.
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Our Flickr Group Takes Off

2009-07-05T11:31:00.002+02:00

Quite a few members are now sharing their pictures on Flickr. You have no idea how interesting it is to get home after a shoot and see the photos start to go up. It pushes you to get your photos up and you learn an awful lot from how others have seen the same scene.

Our pictures are here.

There has also been the benefit that we have met up with other other Durban photographers active on Flickr and have already been out on a successful joint outing. They are known as the Durban Flickr Meetup Group and some of us have become members of that group and have been submitting pictures to that group as well.
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Worldwide Photowalk comes to Durban

2009-07-05T11:27:00.002+02:00

Exciting news! The second Scott Kelby International Photowalk is being held on Saturday 18th July, at 5.30 for 6am. The walk is going to be held at the harbour, starting at Wilson's Wharf and ending at the Bat Centre. It should take about 2 hours.

The idea is that all across the world, on the 18th, photographers will gather in groups and take photos for two hours. Afterwards there will socialising and a chance to compare photos - at restaurants or coffee shops. Then for those who want to, the photos taken can be put forward and compete for the best photo competition.

Its a chance to firstly meet up again, and hang out with our Flickr group, but secondly also a chance to meet other Durban photographers. Last year, Kathyrn Jackson won the Durban group competition!

Registration is required - follow the steps on the website. The group is limited to 50 people, and as at today, 4 July, there are 13 places free. Hurry up and register before they are taken!!!

Info on the photowalk : http://worldwidephotowalk.com
Info on the Durban walk : worldwidephotowalk.com/durban-nl-za/

The Photowalk is not only an opportunity to take photos (which we love to do) but also a chance to chat and mingle with other photographers, which is an excellent way to learn!

Hope to see you all there!

Vanessa
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Outing: June 2009

2009-06-24T23:15:00.000+02:00

We've run into an unexpected snag with the the outing to the Butterfly Farm in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday. It turns out that they don't have anywhere where we can have breakfast as planned and so we thought that we should stop along the way. The new plan is:
1) Meet at Ultra-city service station just beyond Inchanga for breakfast at 08h30 on Saturday, 27 June 2008.
2) Eat.
3) Travel up to the butterfly farm in Pietermartitzburg, aiming to arrive there at 10 or 10h15 am.
4) Meet up outside to take advantage of group discount.
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Meeting: June 2009

2009-05-31T19:14:00.000+02:00

This is just to remind you that John Hohn is going to be talking at the club on Tuesday night (2 June) and will be bringing along copies of his book on the Drakensberg, which will be on offer at a considerable discount over the bookstore price.

We will view members' pictures as usual, with the the theme being land, sea, and air. There is a prize for the best picture from the theme or from an outing. The meeting is at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm but you're welcome to join us for supper at 6pm as usual.
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Marc Sibler's Photo Show

2009-05-19T16:58:00.002+02:00

Marc Sibler has a wonderful photo blog crammed with videos in which he explains how to take better pictures. HINT: It isn't about equipment. Check out other interesting sites on our growing list.
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SECOND MEETING: May 2009

2009-05-18T18:53:00.001+02:00

A belated reminder about Tuesday's meeting. It is at 7pm at the Hillcrest Sports Club (NOT AT AUGUSTA) and you are reminded to bring the following:

1) The portrait you shot after being inspired by the last meeting.

2) An example of an architectural picture that you like.

Vanessa will be giving us a short lesson on how Flickr works, Allen S. and Harry will be showing us some architectural photos and there will be the usual discussions.
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May 2009 outing

2009-05-07T11:38:00.002+02:00

The outing to Baynesfield Estate is on on Saturday morning. We are due to meet there at 9am and you are advised to bring refreshments because there may be nothing available at the venue.

The Oaks at Byrne suggests itself as possible lunch venue for people wanting to make a day of it.

Directions

Go on N3 towards Pietermaritzburg
Take Umlaas Road turn-off (Harry thinks the road's the R56) and head towards Richmond
Turn left in the direction of Richmond where the road comes to a T-junction
Shortly after this, you'll come to the Baynesfield T/O on the right
Follow the road and and it will take you to the gates of the estate and park as close to the house as you can

Matthew Willman

2009-05-06T09:02:00.001+02:00

Be very sorry if you missed last night's meeting because the talk by Matthew Willman was truly inspirational. His website is here and deserves a closer look.

May 2009 first meeting

2009-05-03T12:15:00.001+02:00

This is a reminder about our meeting on 5 May 2009 at 7pm at Hillcrest Sports Club. There will be a talk by Matthew Willman who has photographed many celebrities, including Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and many others.

We will have a very short break for tea and then view and discuss pictures members have brought with them. The set subject this month is Boys and their Toys.

Remember only 3 pictures per member.
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Interesting photo websites

2009-04-25T12:59:00.005+02:00

This will be a list of interesting photo-related websites including photo blogs kept up by prominent photographers. Club members are welcome to add their favourites to the page by using the comments facility at the bottom of the page. You don't need a Blogger account, just click the Comment link below, type in your message and select the Anonymous option, but be sure to put you name in the body of the message.

Marc Sibler has a wonderful photo blog crammed with videos in which he explains how to take better pictures. HINT: It isn't about equipment.

Joe McNally: One of my favourite current photographers is Joe McNally, who worked for National Geographic, among many other major clients. He keeps a regular blog of his doings and you can learn a lot from it. He is also one of the lecturers on Kelby training: see entry below.

Scott Kelby: Scott is the guru of Photoshop gurus and a pretty mean photographer as well. He has a regular informative blog, does a free weekly Photoshop show at Photoshop User TV, a free weekly TV show for Nikon owners, and runs Kelby Training, an online training facility that costs a flat $19 per month and will allow you to view an unlimited number of video courses on all aspects of photography, including Photoshop, Lightroom and photographic and flash techniques.
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Our Group at Flickr.com

2009-04-25T12:24:00.003+02:00

There are some conspicuous exceptions but some members gave now established online photo albums at Flickr.com. Online albums are good to have to show off your pictures to others and they're free, so why not.

* The first step is create an account at Flickr.com.
* Next, you upload pictures to your album, making sure to say that they are open to viewed by anyone.

Visiting many different members' pages could soon get to be very time-consuming but luckily Flickr provides a way to create Groups (with their own pages) that people can join, and to which they can submit pictures. Our Hillcrest Camera Club Group is at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hcc/.

To use a group, you have to join it and submit pictures to it.

Joining the group

Go to your Flickr page.
Click on the Groups menu option and select Search for a Group from the list.
Type Hillcrest Camera Club into the search box and click Search.
Select our Club from the list that comes up.
Click Join above the rows of picture thumbnails; it might take up to a day or two for the request to be processed

Submitting pictures to the group

Go to your Flickr page.
Click the picture you want to share with the group and an enlargement of the picture appears.
Click the Send to Group button located immediately above the picture.
Click name of the Group you want to send the picture to.

Your picture will now appear on the Club's Flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hcc/.

NOTE: At this time, you can submit one picture per day to the group

Comments

Group members are able to leave comments on any pictures by using the facility at the bottom of the page. You are urged to leave constructive comments on any pictures you like. If you do that, there's a chance that people will do the same for you.

One interesting way of doing this is by using the the Add Note feature which is displayed above most enlarged pictures (unless the photographer has specifically said they don't want notes). Just click the Add Note button at the top of the picture and you will get a dotted box, which you can resize and reposition to cover part of the picture. You also get a space to type in whatever text you want to put in the note. In future, when anyone else looks at the picture, they will be able to read the note. See my picture for an example of what it looks like.

Hint: position the mouse cursor over the picture and the click on the box when it appears.
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Meeting/Outing April 2009

2009-04-15T17:43:00.002+02:00

Hi All

This is your friendly reminder of the two Hillcrest Camera Club happenings this week!

Thursday 16th April , 7.00pm at Augusta (see here for directions! ) There will be coffee and tea and you can either bring other drinks or order from the bar before 7pm.

We will be discussing Portraits – the Headshot!

Your “entrance fee” is the following:-

- Your monochrome print (homework from March’s Thursday night meeting)

- A print or digital file of an image by Yousuf Karsh.

Obviously if you are coming along for the first time to a Thursday session, then you don’t have to bring your monochrome homework, but you still need to find an image by Yousuf Karsh!

On Thursday we will look at and discuss your monochrome prints/images. Then Geoff Purnell will give a 5min presentation on Yousuf Karsh, and by way of a counterpoint Allan Jackson will give a 5min presentation of images by Annabel Williams.

We will then look at and discuss your images that you brought by Yousuf Karsh. The purpose of this session is to be exposed to portraiture by a “master”, and gain an understanding on why their images work so well and are highly regarded. This can only help one develop one’s own style!

April Outing

Saturday 18th April, 6.00am onwards at Steinbank Nature Reserve at Yellowood Park.

There is a small entrance fee payable at the gate – it is an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Reserve.

Unfortunately we can not get entrance to the Steinbank Castle, but we can walk around the gardens outside! The wildlife in the Reserve is very tame (zebras in particular), and the scenery is spectacular. There are patches of open grassland between Coastal Dune Forest, and even a little dam, so wildlife, landscape and architecture photographic opportunities abound!. There are a few roads to drive on, and one is encouraged to walk…….

Geoff will bring the ingredients for an egg and bacon (and coffee!) on a roll or plate breakfast, some fruit juice, and organise a few skottels and a braai fire. It suggested that you bring your own cutlery, mug and anything special that you may want for breakfast. Geoff will bring a gas stove and large kettle, and limited quantities of real coffee and a plunger, so if you really want coffee maybe bring your own flask or instant coffee!

The idea is that you get to the main gate as soon after 6.00am as possible to capture the magic early morning autumn light. Maybe drive around along the two available roads and then park up at the boma. Wonder around to your heart’s content, and then meet back at the boma at about 9.30. We will then cook and consume breakfast there.

To get to Steinbank – look at your map or GPS! Once through the main gate, you have 3 options. The road going to the right goes down to a picnic site. The road straight ahead goes up to the castle (it says private road, but we are allowed to go up it to the castle, which is on your right about 1km up the road). The road to the left goes to the main car park, which is a nice place to start a few walks from. To get to the boma, you turn left off this road a short distance after leaving the main gate. You then follow this road upwards for approximately 1km – it is pretty, going through forest and along the edge of a grassland. It then turns 90 degrees to the right, by now you are in the forest! Keep your eyes open for a turn off to the left which takes you straight into the boma area. If you carry on straight, you drive along a very beautiful road that is completely covered over by the forest! This road eventually takes you to the castle.

As we cannot book the boma I will try and go straight there and occupy it!

See you there!!

Geoff Purnell
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Cool photo site

2009-04-01T22:44:00.002+02:00

Check out the Life magazine website. It's got pictures from many of the great photographers from the past and new photos too. There are also many Life photos on display at Google; see here.
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Photo sites

2009-03-17T22:48:00.004+02:00

Check out some of Ansell Adams' pictures at the Library of Congress. The tremendously interesting thing about them is that you can download files in various sizes up to 100Mb. Just think of the print you could make from those! Another page at the LOC is the contents page for their other collections.
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SECOND MEETING: March 2009

2009-03-15T21:42:00.001+02:00

The next second meeting of Hillcrest Camera Club will take place at the clubhouse of Augusta Golf Estate at 7p.m. on 19 March 2009.

Directions can be downloaded here.

ASSIGMENTS FOR THIS MEETING

1) To find a picture by Ansel Adams and bring it along in electronic or hard copy format for us to view.

2) To manipulate an image using any image manipulation program and to bring it along (hopefully with a 'before' example) in electronic or hard copy format for us to view.

TALK

Mile Loveridge will give a short demo on how to convert an image into black and white.

NEXT SECOND MEETING

You assignments will be to look for a picture by Yousuf Karsh and to shoot (and convert if necessary) a black and white picture on any subject.

NOTE: Your picture should ideally be taken especially for the assignment not be one from your archives.
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Outing reminder: March 2009

2009-03-09T23:15:00.002+02:00

Hi All

First, check out an incredible photograph. Hint: Try zooming in.

Then, you are reminded about our outing to photograph the architecture of the Point area this coming Saturday morning.

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2008.

Time: 05H30 a.m.

Download a map

Go down Point Road until you get almost to the end. You'll have the blue-roofed Dredging Services on your left as the road takes a sharp left turn at the Cheese Wedge building. We'll meet at the small fenced car park on the left immediately after the turn.

We will go for breakfast eventually but you might like to bring to bring coffee and/or a snack to tide you over.
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Meetings - March 2009

2009-03-02T13:19:00.002+02:00

NOTE ABOUT SECOND MONTHLY MEETINGS

Our first second meeting of the month has come and gone and hopefully these will go from strength to strength. The assignment for the next second meeting (19 March) is to find and bring an Ansel Adams picture to show. Just to remind you that the balance of the assignment is to bring in a picture that you have altered in an image manipulation program - a before and after would be great.

MEETING ON 3 MARCH 2008

This is a reminder about our meeting on 3 March 2009 at 7pm at Hillcrest Sports Club. There will be a talk by commercial photographer Patrick McGee.

We will have a very short break for tea and then view and discuss pictures members have brought with them. The set subject this month is Birds, Bees and Butterfies.

Remember only 3 pictures per member.
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Photo Masters

2009-02-22T20:38:00.003+02:00

Here's a discussion on the Strobist online forum which mentions many famous photographers and provides links to further information about them. Among the links on the page are this excellent one for stuff on Yousuf Karsh and this one which covers many of the great photographers.
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Press photo awards

2009-02-22T11:18:00.002+02:00

Here's a link to a slideshow of the winning photos in the 2008 World Press Awards.
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February 2009 - Harry's talk

2009-02-18T21:04:00.005+02:00

The following are the photographers mentioned in Harry's talk on photo manipulation at the February 2009 meeting. More information about each can be found on the Internet.

Gustave le Gray-19th Century Combination Prints
Reijlander-19th Century Elaborate montage printer
Henry Peach Robinson-19th Century Combination Prints
Alvin Langdon Coburn-19th Century ‘Art’ photographer
Edward Steichen-19th & 20th Century photographer
John Heartfield-Anti-Nazi collage printer
Art Wolfe-Wildlife Photographer
Galen Rowell-Landscape Photographer
Adnan Hajj-Fired for manipulating news photographs
Brian Walski-Fired for manipulating news photographs
Allan Detrich-Fired for manipulating news photographs
Henri Cartier-Bresson-Great Photojournalist
Dorothea Lange-‘Migrant Mother’ series
Arno Rafael Minkkinen-Photographs himself in the landscape
Jerry Uelsmann-Combination prints
Gregory Crewdson-Photographs elaborate set-up scenes
Loretta Lux-Strange portraits of children
Robert & Shana Park-Harrison-Fantasy scenes of man and elaborate ‘machines’
Joel-Peter Witken-Photographs of human subjects that are heavily worked on.

SECOND MEETING: FEBRUARY 2009

2009-02-16T21:40:00.001+02:00

Our very first second monthly meeting is being held in the clubhouse at the Augusta Golf Estate on 19 February 2009 at 7pm.

The bar next door closes at 7pm and you can order until then. Otherwise, the authorities aren't too fussed if you bring a cooler bag with you or even crockery and the makings for tea or coffee. There is an urn available.

Directions
The estate is right next door to the Emberton Driving Range on Ashley Road, which is to the left at the last robot on Old Main Road when you're heading out of Hillcrest towards the M13 and Gillits. The guard will be expecting us and you can find the clubhouse by turning left immediately you pass through the gate and taking the first right at the postboxes. Park in the little parking lot there and go down the path past the nearest building, it's the next one.

Proceedings
1) We are feeling our way a bit with these second meetings but we will have a suggested program to discuss.
2) I will very briefly explain the reciprocal relationship between shutter speed and aperture.
3) We will spend the rest of the time doing a Photoshop clinic. You will be more than welcome to ask questions like: “How do I do X, Y, or Z.” You are asked to bring a sample picture on CD or memory stick to use when we try and answer your question.
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Namesake Club

2009-02-16T21:37:00.002+02:00

Check out our namesake Hillcrest Camera Club based in Phillipsburg, New Jersey in the USA: http://hillcrestcameraclub.tripod.com/. Here are some pics taken at their latest exhibition:
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Interesting websites

2009-02-05T16:01:00.002+02:00

Good photography is not about equipment. It's about the photographer and, for further proof, take a look at Donald Petersen's website. The guy uses a Nikon D40, the company's smallest and cheapest DSLR, and most often, the kit lens. Mind you, I've using a D40 in tandem with my Canon and finding it's a sweet-handling little camera.

Good photography is about composition according to Ken Rockwell. I can't argue with anything he says in the article.

CUMBERLAND WEEKEND - 27 Feb to 1 March

2009-02-05T11:27:00.002+02:00

Basically members have 3 options:-

a.. Day visit on either Saturday 28 Feb, or Sunday 1 March - Entry is R10
per person paid into the honesty box as I described last night. Also see
directions below. Bring your own food, drink and utensils (breakfast , lunch
and supper is you are staying late!), but I am sure you can braai with the
campers or bribe the people staying in the self catering house!
b.. Camping from the Friday night (27 Feb) through to Sunday afternoon (1
March). One could just camp the Saturday night of course. Camping costs
R40/person/night, plus the R10 entry fee on the first day - i.e. R90/person
for the weekend, or R50 for just the Saturday night! The campsite is quite
large well grassed and shady trees, braai area, no electricity and a small
ablution block containing one toilet and shower for each (males and
females! - hot water via an ingenious paraffin heater, and solar powered
(with battery) lights in the ablutions). I think a practical limit would be
about 16 people... Note - there is no cell phone reception in the camp site,
but there is a short walk up a hill.
c.. Self Catering House - there is a house beautifully situated on a ridge
overlooking the Umgeni River. It is basically furnished and linen is
provided. You have to bring your own towels, food and drink. There are two
rooms with double beds and one room with two single beds. The one double bed
room has a room leading off it to another room with 3 single beds -
preferably for children. Costs are R90/person/night, children under 12 are
R45/night. Obviously you must still pay the R10 entrance fee on your first
day.
I have booked the camp site and provisionally booked the self catering
accommodation. Please book by e-mailing me, Geoff Purnell at
PurnellG at sbadbn dotcoza, first come, first served! I will be camping.

Directions are as follows:- (I will e-mail a small map to those who want
one)

1.. Take the N3 to Pietermaritzburg.
2.. Take the Ohrtman Road off ramp. At the robots at the end of the
off-ramp turn right.
3.. Travel along Ohrtman Road, past the big Silos on your right, through
one set of robots.
4.. At the second set of robots, turn right into Manning Road (M30), which
becomes Bishopstowe Rd or the M30.
5.. Go through one set of robots, at the second set of robots turn left
(there is a Shell Garage on your right, and I am sure there is a large Table
Mountain sign at the intersection)
6.. Travel for approximately 3km winding up a hill until you see another
sign to Table Mountain, turn right and travel approximately 1,8km.
7.. Turn left onto the gravel district road D408 (there is also a smaller
wooden Cumberland Nature Reserve sign).
8.. Drive down this road for approximately 8 to 10 km, and enjoy the
scenery! Just stay on the road because it takes you right to the entrance of
the Cumberland Nature Reserve. Drive through the entrance (observe the speed
limit!), and after a short drive you will see the tree with the honesty box.
There also should be pamphlets and maps for you to take.
9.. If you are going to the self catering house, drive straight up the
hill.
10.. If you are going to the campsite, turn right at the honesty box tree,
and drive through the picnic sites to the end of the road, cross a small
stream, and you are there!
11.. Day visitors - it may be an idea to meet us at the camp site, or you
will see gangs of evil photographers roaming around on your way in
Look forward to seeing a good turnout at this stunning venue!

Regards

Geoff Purnell

Meeting: February 2009

2009-02-01T21:32:00.001+02:00

Our next meeting will be on 3 February 2009 at 7pm at Hillcrest Sports Club. There will be a talk by Harry Lock who had this to say:

“If you thought image manipulation began with Photoshop, think again. Since the dawn of photography photographers have been altering and manipulating the images they make. Whether it is for artistic reasons, propaganda, persuasion, or just for fun, the impulse to manipulate is as old as photography. I will be sharing with you some of the most famous and controversial examples of image manipulation.”

There is no set subject this month. Remember only 3 pictures per member.
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Calendar for 2009

2009-01-27T23:45:00.002+02:00

Your committee has been hard at work lining up an exciting schedule for 2009. The most noteworthy new development is that we are going to try having a second meeting each month. The second meetings are going to be more workshoppy and participative and everyone will be expected to bring a picture for discussion.

The schedule, including meetings, set subjects and outings, is available if you click the 2009 Planner link on the top right-hand side of the page. Details about the second meetings in the month will be posted here later.

By Allan Jackson

Christmas Party Directions

2008-11-23T08:49:00.003+02:00

The Christmas Party is being held this year at 181h30 on 28 November 2008 at Bhowani Game Lodge. The directions for those who have booked are as follows:

Website: http://www.bhowanigamelodge.co.za/contact_us.php

For the GPS-enabled: S 29.69136 Degrees E 30.64935 Degrees

There is a map on their website but you basically take the Hammarsdale t/o on the N3 coming from Hillcrest.

You go over the N3 and about 8km past Inchanga turnoff and turn right at the Caltex garage. Its the turn off you would take for the Abattoir and Cato ridge airfield. Go for about 5km past airfield, abattoir and so on.

The road turns to dirt and the game lodge is 800m further on.

Any problems, contact me on 082 588 2151.

Christmas party - 2008

2008-11-09T21:32:00.001+02:00

We have made a provisonal booking at Bhowani Bush Lodge near Cato Ridge for our Christmas party on Friday 28th November. People who have been there say it's great and it will only cost R70 per head with all the trimmings and a cash bar available. Would you please contact me at the e-mail address on the right-hand side of the page if you want to come. Once you've booked, you owe us. Directions to follow later.

Meeting/Outing October 2008

2008-10-01T20:34:00.002+02:00

We will be meeting at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm on October 7, 2008. We will have two guest speakers including Canon Rep Justin Fuchs, who is hopefully going to give us a glimpse of what's coming up from Canon, and wedding photographer Brett Florens, who is going to give us a peep at a new video he's made on photographing weddings. The set subject is Still Life and the best picture on that topic will win a gift voucher.

We'll have supper at 6pm at the Sports Club beforehand and you're all welcome to that as usual. It's still only R35 per head and great value.

Our outing this month is at 18h30 on Friday, 17 October, to photograph the night lights around the Suncoast Casino and elsewhere on the beach. We will meet on the walkway between the beach and the hotel, in front of the main entrance. Bring tripods and a healthy appetite for supper afterwards.

Aug outing / Sept meeting

2008-08-16T22:37:00.003+02:00

The outing this month is on Sunday, 31 August, to Inchanga Station, which is the base of the Umgeni Steam Railway. The original thought was to do a club block booking to travel on the steam train from Kloof Station to Inchanga, have lunch and then to travel back to Kloof on the train.

A number of club members have suggested that, instead of riding on the train, we drive and meet up at Inchanga Station which would give us the chance to take pictures of the train at some places along the way.

Riding along with the train

There is no reason why you can't still ride the train if you want to and meet us at Inchanga. The train leaves at 12h30 from Kloof Station but you will have to book your seats in advance. Just go to http://www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za/ and you will find a booking form and online payment facility.

Self-drive

The train leaves Kloof Station at 12h30 and you can meet it at a couple of places along the way. The first good place is on the pedestrian bridge over the railway line opposite the Maytime Centre in Kloof. You have to get onto the road on the other side of the railway line from Shunters Arms in Kloof (the same road that Makaranga Lodge is in). Drive inland from Shunters towards Makaranga and you will see the bridge on your left. The train doesn't take long to reach that spot so you will need to be there promptly.

Head inland again and you soon get a chance to get onto R103. Go into Hillcrest and through the village to the bottom of Botha's Hill. There's a level crossing (Padley's Crossing) on the right just after the Kassier Road intersection.. You should be there not more than 20 minutes after the train has left Koof.

Go up Botha's Hill after the train has passed and you can catch it again at either Botha's Hill Station or at the Alverstone turnoff further along that road. Fast drivers may be able to get in front of the train again but it may be best just to head for Inchanga, where you will probably be able to get the train arriving.

September Meeting

The September meeting will be at 7pm on September 2, 2008 at the Hillcrest Sports Club. We will be having a talk by wedding photographer David Weeks and viewing member's picture after that.

We will have dinner as usual at 6pm before the meeting. Please book your meal by replying to this e-mail.

NEW

You can now submit your images by e-mail to Andre DuToit. Contact Allan at the e-mail address at the top righthand side of this page to get correct the address to use.

PUHLEEZE!! Not more than three pictures per person and please make sure that they are not bigger than 1024 pixels wide and 768 pixels high. Please do not submit after the Sunday before the meeting. Entries sent on Monday or Tuesday will not be shown.

If you don't know how resize and mail pictures:
The easiest way to do this that I've found is to use a free program called FastStone. You can download it from here. Install the program as usual and use it to view the folder containing the pictures you want to send.

Then:
** Select the first picture you want to send by clicking on it.
** Hold down the control key and click on the other pictures.
** Let go the control key and click the Envelope Icon which is third from the right in the strip right under the menu bar.
** A new window will come up with the selected pictures in it.
** Click the box next to Resize Using JPEG Format If Possible so that a tick appears in the box.
** In the boxes next to New Size, enter the values 1024 and 768.
** Click the Send E-mail button on the right and the program will use your default e-mail program to send the pictures. Just enter Andre's address when asked.

It's all a matter of time

2008-08-02T00:12:00.002+02:00

Many newcomers to photography give up when they find out that becoming a photographer is a journey that takes lots of time with plenty of failures along the way. Failure, or 'getting skunked', is all part of learning the craft and should be embraced, according to Mooose Petersen.

Outing: July 2008

2008-07-21T18:24:00.000+02:00

This is a reminder about our model shoot on 26 July 2008 at 8am at Crinkly Bottom. There will be three gorgeous models and everyone will have the opportunity of shooting all three over the course of two hours. Breakfast afterwards at Crinkly at 10h03am.

There is a limit to the number of members who can be accommodated and so you will have to book by replying to this message. The club will take care of some of the cost of the models but there will be a charge of R50, not including breakfast, per person shooting. If you book, you pay, even if you no-show.

Why not bring some props with you and some pictures of poses you like?

We don't have full details of the next meeting on August 1, 2008, but the calendar says that the speaker is going to be David Weeks on wedding photography. The calendar also says that Barrie is organising; I hope this is so… Further details when we know them.

Activities: June 2008

2008-05-27T15:28:00.004+02:00

Natalie Knibbs tells me that two of our members are currently on a trip from Cape To Cairo and beyond. Gordon Battersby and Kyle are keeping a blog of their journey and you're all welcome to visit it to keep up to date and leave messages of support. The blog is at http://safari.blat.co.za and, while I know that the bit about leaving messages is a long shot, you can always try.

Meeting / Outing

We will be meeting at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm on June 3, 2008. We will have see an audio-visual on dragon flies and a talk and pictures by chairman Geoff on his trip up Mt Kilamanjaro in Kenya. We will then view members’ pictures as usual. The set subject is Abstracts and the best picture on that topic will win a gift voucher.

We’ll have supper at 6pm beforehand and you’re all welcome to that as usual. Please send me a message to confirm if you would like supper.

Our outing this month is at 06h30 on 28 June to Summmerveld for the early morning horse training. We will have breakfast there (if John Teece can organise it) or at an alternative venue close by.

Directions

Drive out of Hillcrest along Kassier Road, cross the N3, and pass the t/o to Shongweni Dam. Take the Summerveld t/o and go up the road a bit. You’ll go through a set of gates and, soon after that, you’ll see a turn off to the left (if you go under a bridge, you’ve gone too far) follow that road and park in the car park.

Try not to startle any horses. Part of that is not using flash.

Camera 4 Sale

2008-05-05T21:58:00.003+02:00

Jax Swan has an Olympus E-500 Digital Camera for sale. It has a 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 ED lens and an 8.0 Mega Pixel sensor. Like new, R4000. Contact 082 595 5110. See here for a detailed review on the camera.

Meeting/outing: May 2008

2008-04-30T10:46:00.002+02:00

We will be meeting at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm on May 6, 2008. We will have a talk by Mike Volckman on photo composition and architecture and will then view members' pictures as usual. The set subject is Landscape/farm animals and the best picture on that topic will win a gift voucher.

We'll have supper at 6pm beforehand and you're all welcome to that as usual. Please reply to this message to confirm if you would like supper.

Our outing in May is to World's View in Pietermaritzburg and the railway museum in Hilton Road. I suggest we meet at around 06h15 (dawn) on May 17, 2008, at World's View. Be sure to bring some some coffee.

We will then proceed to breakfast and the railway museum in Hilton.

Directions

Drive straight into PMB along what used to be Durban Road (I think it's Alan Paton now) and go straight through the centre of town. The road becomes Chief Albert Luthuli Road (R103) - continue straight, past the Royal Showgrounds. Continue until you get to a traffic circle at Athlone Primary School ( 4 kms further) and turn left towards Howick (Hilton). Continue up Town Hill, ( Old Howick Road ) for about 4 kms. There are 5 'rumble strips' on the road to warn you of the turning. Take a left into Worlds View Road and go straight to the view site at the end.

Hilton and the railway museum / station is further along Old Howick Road. Go into Hilton and turn right at the Crossways Hotel. After a bit you will see the Quarry Centre on your right. We'll meet there for breakfast in Bustle's Café (breakfasts from R27) when it opens at 08h30.

After eating, we'll proceed to the museum/station, which is a bit further along the road past the Quarry Centre.

Bush Hill Stud

2008-04-29T07:31:00.004+02:00

For those of you who did not make it on Saturday, here is a sample of what you missed.

Thanks to Ondine for organising the trip!

Outing: April 2008

2008-04-09T20:48:00.002+02:00

This is a reminder about our outing to Bush Hill Stud Farm on 26 April 2008. We are going to make our way there individually, meeting at around 7am, whereafter we will shoot whatever there is to shoot and have breakfast. The owners of the stud will provide breakfast and we will be expected to contribute to the cost.

*** WE NEED TO HAVE PRIOR NOTICE OF NUMBERS SO YOU MUST RSVP BY 20 APRIL IF YOU ARE GOING TO COME. THIS APPLIES EVEN TO PEOPLE WHO THINK IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THEM. ****

The directions from Ondine are as follows:

Take the N3 from Durban heading north to Jhb.
Pass Pietermaritzburg.
Pass Howick
Pass Nottingham Road
Take the 1st Mooi River off-ramp through toll (R19.00)
Once through the toll turn left - you will find yourself at a T-junction looking at Engen Garage/Wimpy.
At this T-Junction turn right towards Mooi River.
Cross over the Mooi River, you will pass two garages - i.e. Caltex on left and Engen on right. At traffic circle turn left. If you follow the Giants Castle / Summerhill Stud signs you will head in the right direction, but the detailed account of where to go is thus : After you have turned left at the traffic circle do the following :
At the next stop street with Pep Stores in front of you, turn right and follow this road up and over the railway line. Road curves sharply to left and at this stage you will have Standard Bank on your right.
At the next stop street turn right onto the Giants Castle Road. This will take you past the Argyle Hotel on your left and you will climb a long hill out of Mooi River. Continue for approx 2km until you come to a left turn - Hlatikulu Road.
Turn left at this Hlatikulu Road (very important otherwise you will head off to Giants Castle). Continue on the Hlatikulu Road for approx 7 km until the road changes to dirt (ignore the left turn to Connington). Once on the dirt you will travel a further 300m's and Bush Hill Stud is the first farm entrance on your right. Bush Hill Stud is approx 10k's from the traffic circle - if you go much further, stop, as you have missed a turn!

By Allan Jackson

April 2008 meeting

2008-03-30T10:28:00.004+02:00

We will be meeting at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm on April 1, 2008. We will have a talk on a topic as yet to be confirmed, and then view members’ pictures as usual. The set subject is Architecture/Gardens and the best picture on that topic will win a gift voucher.

Another thing is that the automated e-mail system isn’t working for us and so we’ve gone back to the old manual system. Damn!!!

We have a great outing lined up for April to the Bush Hill Stud Farm but it is going to have to be on 26 April instead of the 19^th as previously stated. Ondine will bring more details and directions to the meeting. She suggests that we take a couple of skottels and do ourselves a breakfast when we get there.

Andew Begg

We've heard from former member Andrew Begg who has been in the UK for a year. By the looks of things, he's been keeping up the good work over there.

March 2008 outing

2008-03-12T08:57:00.001+02:00

You are reminded about our outing to La Domaine on Saturday, March 15, 2008. We are to meet at the main gate in Acutt Road (NOT INANDA ROAD) at 7am and then we'll drive through to the clubhouse where we will park. Breakfast is at 9:30 and compliments of La Domaine but we are required to provide a couple of prints each in return.

Historic milestone

2008-03-07T11:36:00.004+02:00

We had a very interesting meeting last Tuesday in which Peter Duffy shared many stories of his time as a press phographer in Durban. As a club, we try and encourage members to go out and shoot new stuff rather than relying on their archives for pictures to bring along to meetings.

By Natalie Knibbs

We decided to award a monthly prize for the best set subject or picture taken on an outing. The set subject was Transport and the winner, by popular acclamation, of the first prize ever awarded by the club was Natalie Knibbs with her atmospheric picture of a Makoro canoe. Well done Natalie.

Year planner at last!

2008-03-06T11:07:00.002+02:00

Click on the link at the right-hand side of this page to view the 2008 activities planner.

March 2008 Meeting

2008-02-28T12:33:00.001+02:00

Our next meeting is at the Hillcrest Sports Club on 4 March 2008 at 7pm. We look set to have a very interesting meeting with Peter Duffy as the ‘guest of honour’. Peter has been a photographer in Durban for many years, having specialised in news and social photography. Adding spice to his talk will be the fact that he has served under Major Mike Hoare on a number of occasions, including the ill-fated trip to Seychelles.

We will also view and discuss members’ pictures as usual. The set subject for the evening is Transport and there’ll be a voucher up for grabs for the best set subject or outing picture.

Out and About in March 2008

2008-02-21T10:14:00.004+02:00

Bat Watch at Umbilo Ponds (phone Carol 031 572 3479) - 8th March
NWJ Bridal Exhibition at Durban Exhibition Centre - 7 - 9th March
Guided Nature Trail through New Germany Nature Reserve - 15th March (031 262 8239)
Open gardens - 15 - 16th March (031 763 4435)
Easter Pageant (take picnic baskets) - 16th/21st March (083 286 2155)
St Patricks Day Celebration at Nottingham Road - 17th March (033 266 6151)
Splashy Fen 20 - 24th March (www.splashyfen.co.za)
Grape Crushing Festival 21 - 23rd March, Nottingham Road
Festival of Chariots 21 - 24 th March - North Beach (082 824 2203)
South Coast Airshow - 22nd March, Margate

If you have any other information or great ideas for outings to share, please contact us, we will add to the list. Here's hoping this helps you take interesting photo's whilst enjoying a day out and about at the same time !

December Meeting ? Party

2007-12-02T22:23:00.001+02:00

These notices were also sent out on our mailing list. If you didn't get the message, you need to register for our newsletter by filling out the form on the right-hand side of this page.

December Meeting:
We will be meeting at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm on 4 December 2007. We will view members’ pictures as usual and, if we can organise it, we might have a short Photoshop demonstration as well. We’ll have supper at 6pm beforehand and you’re all welcome to that as usual. Please reply to this message to confirm if you would like supper.

Christmas Party:
We are having a braai at Barrie and Tish Walsh’s home on 7 December at 6pm. They live at 39 Howick Drive in Waterfall which is your second turning to the right [going North towards Inanda] after the robot in the middle of Waterfall.

Bring your meat, drinks, snacks and a folding chair, if you have one. Anyone who can bring a salad as well is asked to contact Tish on 083 357 8378 to coordinate things so that we don’t end up with 19 bean salads.

By Allan Jackson

Outing and other things

2007-10-15T23:09:00.000+02:00

All members must please join the mailing list by filling in the form to the right.

Outing:

We have a model shoot going on at the deserted house overlooking Inanda dam this weekend with a number of models sourced by Barrie. We meet in the parking lot at Crinkly Bottom at 6:30pm on Saturday, October 20, 2007. Members with trucks and 4x4s will give lifts to those without. The shoot probably won't take more than a couple of hours and then we'll have breakfast at Crinkly.

WHY NOT TAKE A LOOK THROUGH SOME OLD MAGAZINES AND TEAR OUT A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF MODELS IN POSES THAT YOU LIKE? BRING THEM ALONG ON SATURDAY AND IT'LL GIVE YOU A STARTING POINT FOR YOUR SHOOT.

By Leanne Mackenzie

Lighting with small flashes

2007-10-01T23:47:00.000+02:00

These are the details of the site mentioned in Allan's talk at the October meeting. Inspiring stuff indeed!

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Where to go first (links on right side of page)

§ What is Strobist?

§ Lighting 101

§ On Assignment

Readers’ discussion and photos at http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/ – most photos have explanation of how they were done.

Strobist will help you go from thisto this

August outing

2007-08-19T21:07:00.000+02:00

We had intended to go on a bay cruise on 31 August as our outing for the month but, unfortunately, the whole boat has been booked out from under us and so that will no longer be possible. We thought, instead, that we might just shoot nightlights around the bay and then go for supper somewhere afterwards.

The plan is that we still meet on 31 August as soon after 5pm as possible in front of the BAT centre. You get there by going to the Yacht Mole and turning immediately left after crossing the railway line behind the large white building (PYC??). Go on for a couple of hundred yards (you'll go past the maritime museum) and park when you can't get any further. The small craft harbour is there and BAT Centre is there and, on the way back, we'll also have the opportunity of photographing at the yacht mole itself, and at Wilson's Wharf if we want to.

Don't forget your tripods!

Summerveld at dawn by Natalie Knibbs

August 2007 meeting

2007-08-04T18:20:00.000+02:00

** All who attended the Summerveld outing are reminded to please bring a picture to hand in to the racing authorities.

Our meeting this month is on Tuesday, 7 August at 7pm at the Hillcrest Sports Club. We will be hearing a presentation from professional photographer Roy Reed on his experiences. We will also view pictures brought in by members and guests and will ask Roy to comment on them. Two or three pictures each, please.

We will be having supper at 6pm before the meeting as usual and you are all invited to come. It's only R30 a skull but please e-mail Allan to make your booking.

The outing this month is still undecided but an evening trip on the bay and nightlights and supper afterwards have been suggested.

Reader's picture reply

2007-08-04T17:42:00.001+02:00

A couple of posts below this one is a black and white picture of trees at Summerveld by Gwynne Gosher. Harry Lock didn't quite agree with the comments that were made on it and submitted his own along with an altered version of the picture.

I don't think the fences in the foreground are the problem, as everyone suggests, I think it is the gap between the front fences and the one in front of the trees in the background.

Taking the picture from a lower camera angle would have the effect of reducing the gap and thus bringing together the foreground and background elements in the picture. See my edited example.

If the picture was taken from the balcony at Summerveld - which I suspect it was- there is no way of getting the exact camera angle - but there is always Photoshop, which it what I used here!

I like the black and white treatment as it gives the picture a sense of atmosphere. Harry.

Rogue's gallery

2007-08-04T17:30:00.000+02:00

This very nice picture of two fillies was taken by Gwynne Gosher on the recent visit to Summerveld. The less pleasant picture below was taken by Allan on the same outing.

Reader's picture

2007-06-22T12:03:00.000+02:00

By Gwynne Gosher

Gwynne wonders if this makes it as a black and white picture. I think it works very well and conveys a real sense of atmosphere. I think the pic could do with a slight contrast boost to whiten the sky and maybe the fences. I might also have chosen to crop off the fences at the bottom, putting the horizon line on the third, but that''s just nit picking.

What do you think?

Reader's picture

2007-05-30T17:59:00.000+02:00

By Barrie Walsh

A great rally picture. The car's movement is frozen, which can lead to a static picture, but there is plenty of speed in this pic; the car doesn't look as though was parked at the time. The bonus, for me, is the dust which adds to the impression of movement and masks what might have been a distracting background.

Comments please ...

Reminder: click any picture on this blog to view an enlargement.

Reader's picture

2007-05-30T17:34:00.000+02:00

By Natalie Knibbs

A great picture of this animal tap-dancing on a hot rock at Loteni. It has a nice blurred background and, although parts of the animal are starting to go a tad soft, I think the pic gets away with it. A square crop might have improved the picture by removing some of the empty space at the top and the tiny blurred bit at the bottom. I also think it would benefit from a slightly warmer tone, which could be achieved by increasing the saturation or colour temperature.

Comments please...

NB. Out of interest, Photo World at Pick 'n Pay Centre now offers 8-inch square prints. I've been doing some square pictures here's a chance to get them printed.

Reader's picture

2007-05-23T21:26:00.000+02:00

Unknown bug by Allan Gosher

Clicking on this picture, and others in the blog, will show you an enlargement so you can take a closer look. Allan's picture ticks almost all the boxes when it comes to macro/ close-up photography. The subject is well positioned, sharp, colourful, and interesting to look at. The background is not too obtrusive, being nicely blurred.

I have no idea how small this bug is in real life, or whether it would have been possible to fill more of the frame with it. I think that it is a little small in the frame but cropping would definitely help. Another little niggle is the out-of-focus portion on the bit of wood that it's sitting on; it tends to draw my eye a bit but I realise that, with such a narrow depth of field, it might not have been possible to get it in focus as well.

Unofficial outing - May 2007

2007-05-23T21:22:00.000+02:00

Just a note about an interesting photo opportunity coming up this weekend in our area. The Zulu rally hurtles through Inanda on Saturday morning, May 26, and I, for one, intend to be there. The first car is due through the spectator points at 09H20.

Full details are available at http://www.rallysouthafrica.com/ but I have downloaded the spectator guide and have included the details of how to get to Spectator Points A & B. I hope this means I will be able to find them ;-)

I suggest we meet at Point A initially.

Spectator Point A
Exit DURBAN on the N3 PIETERMARITZBURG.
Take the off-ramp at Exit 43 INCHANGA/HAMMERSDALE/MPUMALANGA.
After 400 m, crossroads, turn right towards INCHANGA.
After +- 100 m, turn right towards DRUMMOND/PEACEVALE/CLIFFDALE. At this point, zero your odo.
1,9 Crossroads, turn left towards DRUMMOND 2.
2,8 Keep left.
4,7 Proceed over railway lines.
4,75 “T” junction, turn right towards BOTHAS HILL/R103.
10,3 Turn left towards VALLEY TRUST/SANTA.
17,6 Turn right just after galvanised hut on RHS. (Power pole marked 357 on your LHS).
18,3 Proceed onto gravel road, thereafter swing round to the left.
19,2 Ignore road on LHS, proceed straight on.
19,6 Swing round to the left, keep on main gravel road.
21,5 “Y” junction, bear right.
22,8 Junction. Spectator Point A is at junction. GPS S29o40.416’. E030o47.708’
Stage Distance: 30,19 kms First car due: 09h20 and at 12h17

The cars will come past twice but it may be that that once will be enough and we go off and find brunch. Or we could move on to point B for the second lap.

Spectator Point B
Exit DURBAN on the N3 PIETERMARITZBURG.
Take the off-ramp at Exit R606 UMLAAS ROAD/HAMMERSDALE/MPUMALANGA.
After 400 m, crossroads, turn right towards INCHANGA.
After +- 100 m, turn right towards DRUMMOND/PEACEVALE/CLIFFDALE. At this point, zero your odo.
1,9 Crossroads, turn left towards DRUMMOND 2.
2,8 Keep left.
4,7 Proceed over railway lines.
4,75 “T” junction, turn right towards BOTHAS HILL/R103.
10,3 Turn left towards VALLEY TRUST/SANTA.
17,6 Ignore road on RHS (leads to Spectator Point A), proceed straight on.
18,7 Turn right next to sign ZIBAMBELE MAINTAINED ROAD.
18,8 Proceed onto gravel road.
23,1 Spectator Point B is at junction. GPS S29o40.257’. E030o46.999’.
Stage Distance: 30,19 kms First car due: 09h20 and at 12h17

Pictures / Reminder

2007-05-17T21:31:00.000+02:00

By Leanne Mackenzie

A nice pic of this flower. The exposure is spot-on, with no blown highlight on the white petals, and it is nicely framed. The thing that sets it apart from many other flower pictures, in my opinion, is the very unobtrusive background which doesn't detract from the subject at all. The background is dark, for a start, and a narrow depth of field ensures that the bits and pieces in it, that are visible, are nice and blurred. I did sharpen the pic a little for display; it's quite often needed when a picture is resized to send by e-mail.

By Leanne Mackenzie

This is a great picture of this light fitting. The rich red of the wall contrasts nicely with the slightly time-worn fitting. Again, the exposure is good, with no blown highlights on the metal. The shadow really adds some class to the picture. The relatively tight framing of the subject does contribute to the success of the pic. The shadow leading off down to the right is intriguing and I wonder what effect including more of it would have had.

REMINDER

This is a reminder about our outing to Tala game reserve on Saturday, 19 May. We meet at the gate at 6:15am to take advantage of the reduced group rate. You'll have to pay the full price if you arrive after we go in.

Programme: May 2007

2007-05-02T11:37:00.000+02:00

The meeting is on 8 May at the Hillcrest Sports Club at 7pm. There will be supper at 6pm as usual for those that want it. It is still R30 per head and some of the best value in town.

There will be a talk on developing RAW camera files and we will then look at member’s pictures. The set subject for the month is macro/closeup.

-----------------------------------------------

The official outing for the month is to Tala Game Reserve on 19 May. Barrie is the organiser and will let us have all the details at the meeting.

-----------------------------------------------

An unofficial outing, which sounds very interesting, is to the Baynesfield Estate on 13 May. A tourist web site has this to say about it:

Baynesfield Estate Museum & Baynes House
Farm Nel's Rust 849, north of Richmond.
The display focuses on Joseph Baynes and his great contribution to farming in Natal. The house was built in about 1887, and declared a national monument in September 1994. There is a dairy, piggery, and agricultural section. Has two dams , mountain bike trails and birdwatching.
Telephone: 033 251 0001

They are having an open day for Mother’s Day and there will be all sorts of displays, market, music, food, and beer to occupy the time. The whole place is very picturesque and we had a pretty good time last year. To make matters more interesting, Umgeni Steam Rail are doing a trip from Maritzburg to Baynesfield and back on the day. The train leaves PMB station at 10am and returns at 4pm. Doubtless, John will give us all the details at the meeting and take names for a booking. The train is R90 for adults and R60 for children.
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By Allan Jackson

EOS Roadshow

2007-04-17T11:06:00.000+02:00

All you Canoniers might be pleased to know of a Canon EOS Roadshow being organised for 05 and 06 May 2007 in Durban. You can go to Roadshow section of their website at http://www.eosroadshow.co.za to check the exact details of what's on offer. The courses on offer are Course 3 (which covers the more advanced camera features) and Course 4 on Photoshop. Courses are held at the Elangeni and the costs are R600 per person per day although you get a discount if you book both. The contact e-mail is info@eosroadshow.co.za and the phone number is o13 744-9527.

Outing: March 2007

2007-03-21T21:15:00.000+02:00

24-3-2007: Outing cancelled. Steam engine broken. Sorry.

Just a reminder of our outing on the Inchanga Choo Choo steam train on Sunday, March 25, 2007. We have booked seats for those who put their names down but other members are still welcome to come along; you'll have to book your seats yourself (on 031 3033003), or take a chance that there'll be some left on Sunday.

The people who put their names down, and who must pay even if they don't pitch, are John T, Allan J, Zoe, Allan and Gwynne, Cathy and Craig, Kevin and family, Barrie, and Geoff . Get tickets from John at the station and pay him.

We meet at Kloof Station at 08h00.

by Allan Jackson

Photo opportunity

2007-03-02T17:38:00.000+02:00

There is going to be a great photo opportunity at the Cato Ridge Airfield. They are having open days on 3&4 March, from 7am to 5pm, with plenty of interest including skydivers and flips. With a case of tick bite fever acquired on the last outing, Allan isn't sure if he'll make it but will try.

Meeting: March 2007

2007-03-02T17:31:00.000+02:00

Our next meeting will be at Hillcrest Sports Club on March 6, 2007. Speaking will be some or all of the celebrated wildlife photography family, the Van Den Bergs. The meeting begins at 7 pm and, after the speakers, we will show members' pictures as usual.

Special meeting

2007-02-13T22:41:00.001+02:00

We are holding a special meeting for new members and people who have so far been too shy to bring their pictures to our monthly meetings. It will be held on Tuesday, February 27, at 7pm at the usual venue at Hillcrest Sports Club.

The aim is to get to know other members in less threatening circumstances than a full-blown meeting. Experienced members of the club will be on hand to answer any questions you might have and comment on your pictures. You’re welcome to bring you camera if you need anything explained. Depending on how things go, we might end up with a little talk on composition and then again, we might not.