Waverley Camera Club

WCC Photoshop Classes

Don’t forget…our monthly Photoshop classes will be starting in February (last Wednesday (23^rd) of the month) at Wadham House. Classes will run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

So far we have had 15 members ‘sign up’.  For the beginner, classes will be structured in a way so that they can learn Photoshop from the ground up. Rather than an ad hoc approach where in each class we tackle a multitude of issues that individuals may be having I think a better approach would be to structure the learning from the very basics to more complicated tasks over the course of the year. Hopefully by doing this people can learn at a steady pace and build on their skills over a period of time. Intermediate uses will also gain knowledge when topics such as setting up Photoshop (first session), blending modes, smart objects, and masks (just to name a few) are covered in later sessions.

Other topics that will be covered include image evaluations and how Photoshop can be used to enhance images for competitions which include producing better prints.

Ideally you will have a laptop with Photoshop installed or you could possibly share with someone.  Why? The only way to learn will be to do it yourself therefore these will be hands on classes, so you will be doing as much work in class as me (and at home!).

*** PLEASE NOTE *** You won’t be able to just turn up and attend as numbers are strictly limited so If you want to take part you will have to register your interests with either Pete Davies or myself.

Cheers

Warren

The flash/portrait group will not be running this week.

On Wednesday night members of the Portrait & Flash Group were able to put previously learned portrait and flash theory into practise with some dedicated subjects. Thanks to Teddy Tan, we were graced with three models: Cassie, Jodie and Monica who were all very comfortable at the other side of the camera lens.

Anyone who has ever been in front of a camera at a portrait workshop will know it’s definitely not as easy as it looks, but these women were in their element and made it look so easy (even with limited directing.)

With the Knox Interclub being held on the same night, we were a few members down from past nights but  with a few newbies coming along, there was a cosey ratio of models to photographers.

A special thanks to Cassie, Jodie, Monica and Ted for making the night a success.

The WCC Portrait & Flash Group is held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm. New members are welcome!

Following the excellent talk from David Williams at the last workshop evening, Ross Garner sent through the following:

After the inspiring talk from David Williams last tuesday night I have been doing some research on lenses and remote flash triggers.

I found this site had good information: Strobist: Lighting 101

The following comments are for Canon users, however I think the same price points apply to Nikon and other brand cameras.

Lenses

Canon make two (affordable) 50mm lenses:

• EF 50mm f/1.8 II, costs about $140
• EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, costs about $500

I noticed David was using the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM which costs about $650

Seems the Sigma is recognised as the best lens. However the cheaper Canon does get good review for sharpness on non full frame DSLR cameras.

Remote control

Only the Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter gives TTL contol of the flash. ie the flash intensity controlled by the camera.

Available 3rd party items will trigger the flash, but not control the intensity

There is a limit of about 10m between the camera and the flash

In addition to the Sigma 50mm lens (available for other brands than Nikon, eg Canon), David was also demonstrating using a Nikon D5000 (shows you don’t need the expensive camera to get great results) and was triggering the external flashes with a Nikon SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander.

Both the Canon ST-E2 and Nikon SU-800 use infrared light which is what limits their range. Recently E-TTL compatible radio based remote triggers have become available, however they are quite pricey and are a significant investment (as much or more as your camera).

If you were also inspired and want to learn more, then you should be coming along to the Portrait & Flash Photography group at its second meeting next Wednesday. The site Ross found, Strobist, was also mentioned by David Gilliver at the first meeting and I expect it to be an essential resource for the group.

As Teddy will be away for this month’s Flash Portrait Group meeting he has asked Warren to take the class in his absence. What he would like to cover in this meeting is the following:

• A quick recap of the information presented by David Gilliver in the last meeting. There must be lots of questions now that you have had a few weeks to digest what he had to say.
• A run down on what equipment you will need to get you started with OFF-camera flash on a budget.
• Why OFF camera flash is so useful. Warren will bring some images in so we can dissect them and try to understand how the light has been used to good effect.
• Get some feedback from the group as to what you want to get out of future sessions. These can then be passed on to Teddy so he can tailor future classes accordingly.

It should be an informative night with lots of interactive discussion.