52/52 Photo Challenge 2013

For the last 52-weeks, a group of Boyle Camera Club members have been actively contributing to a 52/52 photo challenge that began in February 2012 generating 1300 photos! Registered members submitted ONE PHOTO EACH WEEK for 52 weeks. This proved to be no mean task and has been the subject of many conversations among participants! Twenty-six members registered but only 11 members have succeeded in meeting the criteria for a full portfolio submission. The challenge finished last Friday 25th January.

Individual portfolios will now be reviewed by a very prestigious judging panel and the winner will be announced at the next club meeting on Tuesday 12th February. View submissions in the 52/52 Group Pool HERE.

A NEW 52/52 challenge will now commence and members can register their interest by paying the €5.00 entry fee at the meeting.

First photos for 52/52 2013 will be submitted by Friday 15th February. Participating members must have their own Flickr account set up as submissions are made through a Flickr Group. Read the rules carefully on the club FORUM.

We look forward with great anticipation to your participation!

This is the NEW Boyle Camera Club 52/52 Group Pool for 2013.

Investing in Wireless Triggers?

At the recent club photo shoot, some members were using wireless triggers to fire the club's studio lights. As many members cameras do not have a sync-cord socket, wireless triggers are a very effective substitute, some would even say a better solution to the sync cable as they offer greater flexibility for movement when shooting.

Brian and Donal have passed on the following information for members consideration if interested in investing in wireless triggers.

Solution One

During the shoot, Brian was using a set of Yongnuo triggers purchased on ebay. They work out at about €35 for a set of 2. In this case, both units are the same and can be used as transmitter or receicver. They include a shutter release cable, which enables you to use the triggers as a remote shutter release. They are available in sets of 3 and 4 also.

The triggers in the link are specifically for Nikon. There are also Canon versions available.

Go to ebay and search for; ‘Yongnuo RF-603 wireless flash triggers’. Make sure you specify Canon or Nikon, Brian is not sure if there are models available for other makes of camera. (NB PC sync cable NOT supplied, this will need to be purchased separately).

Brian says "I have found these triggers to be great for the price as in they rarely misfire. They are not professional grade such as Skyport Transmitter and Receivers or Pocket Wizards (which are much more expensive) by any means, but they are great for starting out and are probably one of the better 'ebay triggers' available. I would recommend picking up a PC Sync Cable also. It should only cost about €13. This will enable the triggers to be used with Studio lights – as we did on Saturday Morning. The description is: Yongnuo RF-603 Screwlock PC Sync Cable 6.35mm + 3.5mm adapter for Studio Strobe."

Thanks for that Brian.

Solution Two.

Donal showed a cheaper solution to using triggers in the form of a Hot-Shoe Adaptor, also available on ebay. This carries a price tag of £11.99 STG. Cheers Donal.

Solution Three

For what it's worth, some members also use the Hahnel Combi TF wireless remote triggers. These are a bit more expensive than Brian's solution but are similar in build and very reliable. I would add that I have often used these at distances up to 100 meters apart. The related PC sync cable, like Brian's triggers, must be purchased separately.

We hope you all find this helpful.

Photo Shoot - 20th January

 

Dermot and Geoff in a Soft-box v White Brolly challenge.

Boyle Camera Club events are as much about fun and learning as they are about getting good photos and today was no exception. The indoor shoot at St. Joseph's Resource Centre in Boyle was well attended, the craic was good too and nobody thought to take the customary roll-call group shot!

Members had a chance to test the club's studio lights in a fun, informal portraiture session. Members were very generous in sharing advice and equipment. Later, the Beginners Group attended a presentation on Shutter Speed in preparation for this month's Motivation - 'Action'. Participants were unanimous in their agreement that we should do this kind of shoot more often.

Jumping-Jack models for a Shutter Speed demonstration.

During the shoot, some members were made aware of the usefulness of a set of radio triggers to remotely fire the studio lights. These are a very welcome addition to any aspiring photographer's kit bag. As many members cameras do not have a 'sync-lead' input socket, a radio trigger is an effective substitute. It was proposed that the club enquire into the cost of a suitable set of triggers and take names of those interested in purchasing at the next club meeting.

Club Photo Shoot this Sunday 20th January

This month's club photo shoot will take place at St. Joseph's Resource Centre 9.00am - 12.00. Members are advised that the car park may fill up in advance of 9.30am mass. The emphasis of this shoot will focus on using the club's lighting system (inside and outside if weather permits) which is available for loan to all members.

What you need - Members should bring a selection of objects (flowers, vases, various pieces appropriate to a themed still-life) and/or interesting costume items, hats, scarfs, etc .. to drape a model. If members have tripods, speed-lights (flash units) and triggers, these will be useful.

Tony Murphy will work with the beginners group and concentrate on using Shutter Speed for the purpose of generating ideas for the February Motivation - Action!

We look forward to see you all.

Club Meeting - Tuesday 8th January

Club Chairperson, Andy Rimmer, welcomed members and introduced Mark Capilitan who gave a presentation about the various aspects of his work as a photographer.

Presentation

Mark is a self-taught photographer and native of Sligo. He works in various photographic genres but he talked about his experience as a touring F-1 photographer and his decision to come home and focus on weddings. Living beside the sea in Strandhill, he has recently developed an impressive portfolio of panoramic landscapes using a Hasselblad XPan camera. Mark's panoramic landscape can be viewed HERE. Our gratitude to Mark for making the trip to Boyle and for his very informative presentation.

Motivation
Desmond O'Dwyer presented this month's Motivation. The theme for January was "Portraiture". Jason Mallard judged the entries and gave a personal critique on selected shots.

The winners in each category were;

Advanced

1. “Laughter” - Mick Nolan
2. "Ayda” - Brian Munnelly
3. “The Brother” - Des O'Dwyer

Intermediate

1. “John-Paul and Missy” - Martina Morris
2. “Martina” - Margaret Dolan
3. “Portrait” - Catherine Mullarkey

Beginners

1. “I'm Singing” - Noreen McNamara

The Beginners category was not well represented this month. We wish to encourage greater participation in the coming year and intend to support this with more 'Group' specific photo shoots.
Many members brought print versions of their portraits to the meeting which was very useful to determine the often notable differences between digital and printed image. This will be a feature of every third motivation henceforth.
Mark Capilitan set the motivation theme for next month - ACTION. Photos should reflect a sense of action, drama or movement.

Submit photos to info@boylecameraclub.com on or before Friday 8th February.
Members are once again reminded that digital entries must be appropriately formatted;

• Resized to 1024 pixels wide.
• Titled with Membership Number - Image Title - Category

Group Sessions
Jason Mallard elaborated on the issue of White Balance with the Intermediate and Advanced Groups. Tony Murphy did similar with the Beginners group. Beginners are asked to bring their cameras to the next meeting where Tony will address camera specific settings for critical photographic situations.

Photo Shoot
Date to be confirmed - This month's photo shoot will take place at St. Joseph's Resource Centre and focus on using the club's studio lighting and related equipment. All members are welcome to attend. Bring your camera flash and related accessories.

Other Items
Members are advised that annual subscription is now due. All members should download and complete the application form HERE and present it to the Treasurer at the next meeting. Full Membership - €45.00, Unwaged, OAP, Students - €15.00.

Members are asked to consider giving a brief 5-minute presentation on one of their images during future club meetings. Names to club secretary or email -  info@boylecameraclub.com This may be a feature of the main meeting or Group sessions.

Boyle Camera Club will host a photography exhibition in Boyle this March. The venue will be one of the vacant retail premises in the town. Images will be printed and mounted (not framed with glass) by individual participants. Full details at the next club meeting.

Next Committee meeting Tuesday 15th January.
Next club meeting will take place on Tuseday 12th February at 8pm in St. Joseph's Resource Centre, Boyle.

Agenda - Club Meeting Tuesday 8th January

The agenda for our January meeting is as follows;

• Chairperson address
• Presentation - Sligo based photographer, Mark Capilitan will discuss his work.
• Break
• Motivation - Presented by Des O'Dwyer. This month's Motivation, set by Jason Mallard, is 'Portraiture'. Jason will also judge and critique entries. Members submit images to info@boylecameraclub.com before Friday 4th January. View digital entries HERE soon. Don't forget, ONE image must be printed and brought to the meeting!
• Group Sessions - The meeting will conclude with Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced groups to discuss some of the issues and concerns highlighted in our recent survey.

Other Issues

52/52 Club Competition closing soon. Consider registering for the 2013 competition?

Members 5-minute presentations - volunteers?

Print Motivations - every third month henceforth.

Club Photo Shoot January - Studio Lighting at Boyle Resource Centre.

Club Exhibitions - MARCH and APRIL 2013.

Monitor Calibration Service available to members.

Meeting takes place at 8pm in St. Joseph's Resource Centre, Boyle.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Club Meeting - Tuesday 11th December

Chairperson, Andy Rimmer, opened the meeting and thanked everyone for making the recent Christmas Party night a success. Andy referred to the new year and the club's proposal to present a number of photography exhibitions at different venues in the region. The first such exhibition will take place in Boyle during March and Carrick-on-Shannon in April. In preparation for this and to encourage members to be more proactive regarding printing their photos, there will be a 'print' requirement to next month's Motivation. 

Presentation

Jason Mallard discussed the often complex area of digital White Balance and Colour Management. This is of great importance when it comes to editing and printing images and having a basic understanding of the relevant principles is advantageous. Not a subject to cover in a single sitting, Jason will revisit certain aspects of WB and CM in future presentations and during Group sessions.

Motivation

Desmond O'Dwyer presented this month's Motivation. The theme for December was "Repetition". Joe Kennedy judged the entries and gave a personal critique on selected shots. Entries can be viewed HERE.

The winners in each category were;

Advanced

1. “The Woods” - Jason Mallard
2. "Guitar” - Peter Kelly
3. “Fashion Repeats Itself” - Matthew Gammon

Intermediate

1. “Round and Round” - Margaret Dolan
2. “Repetition” - Debbie McCormack
3. “January Again” - Mary Lane and "Coke Cans" - Martin Cooke

Beginners

1. “Multi-colour” - Noreen McNamara
2. “The Arches” - Lexie Monaghan

The motivation theme for our January meeting, chosen by Jason Mallard, is 'Portraiture'. Portraits must be in colour and convey an emotion. Members can submit 3-photos in the usual way, however participants are required to PRINT one of the photos and present it at the January meeting. Full details on the Forum HERE.

Jason has also provided a detailed description of portrait photography and tips that will be helpful to members. See Forum HERE.

Submit photos to info@boylecameraclub.com on or before Friday 4th January.

Other Items

 

Santa took some time-out of his busy schedule to visit the meeting courtesy of Norman Little.

Members are advised that annual subscription fee is due in January. All members should download and complete the application form HERE and present it to the Treasurer at the next meeting. Full Membership - €45.00, Unwaged, OAP, Students - €15.00.

Next club meeting will take place on Tuseday 8th January at 8pm in St. Joseph's Resource Centre, Boyle.