Outing: November 2009

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.
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Meeting: November 2009

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!

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

Payments

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

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

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

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...

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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

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

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

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

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Second meeting: July 2009

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

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

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

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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