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2010 SCHEDULES FOR YOU TO REVIEW
WE HAVE POSTED OUR 2010 CLASS AND WORKSHOP SCHEDULES SO YOU COULD REVIEW WHAT IS COMING.
You will note that we have added quite a few VIDEO classes and workshops. We work in an ever changing art, and DSLR HD VIDEO, is now in many Digital Slr Cameras and producing wonderful quality videos. It has started to become a part of our multimedia landscape and is growing and as the tools are being placed in your hands it will become very important that you know how to use them in conjunction with your cameras still image capability. Learn how to combine your videos and stills for on screen presentations.
We shall also be offering once again a Canon specific workshop as well as several Olympus Camera specific workshops. PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK FOR FURTHER DETAILS
__________________________________________________________________ I COULD HAVE SWORN AND YOU COULD HAVE TOO!!!!!!!!!!
Do you know what you own? Do you know what you took with you today to take pictures? Do you know EVERYTHING you took with you today to take pictures? I mean, tripods, lens hoods, filters, remote releases, plates for mounting, lenses, bodies, jackets, and the list just goes on and on.
Why do we forget stuff? When do we forget stuff? When is it too late? Do you have extra insurance ON YOUR STUFF IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR THEFT OR BEING ABSENT MINDED? Who is guilty of putting stuff down and not picking it up? Who is guilty of putting equipment on the edge of a rock or bench or on the ground or on a not so balanced tripod? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER. Who has lost, damaged, soaked, left behind a piece of gear? A LOT OF US. So, do as I say and not as I do. You have heard that one before. Know what is in your bag, on your shoulder, in the car trunk, on the back seat and always keep an inventory in your head when hiking or moving around, on a drive, etc. No item is too trivial to keep track of.
What can make you forget or have an accident? 1- You spot a great shot. 2- It has begun to rain and you are running for cover. 3- Someone you are with is rushing you away for something else. (It's always great to pin the blame. Just kidding) 4- Your cell phone went off while you were changing lenses and you answered it and forgot you put one of the lenses on the ground. 5- You urgently need to go to the bathroom and you left stuff where it was. 6- You are out shooting, and walk away from your bag with a camera, lens, and tripod. The bag or backpack is sitting on the ground wide open. 7- You are following that beautiful butterfly and decide that you cannot keep up or shoot fast enough, so you take your camera off your tripod and walk and run about 2000 feet to get the shot. Now in your excitement you continue to walk. Where did I put that tripod? Hmmm!
What rule are you going to follow? You realize that you are back in the car, pulled into your driveway, and suddenly the light in your head comes on and it dawns on you that you left something behind. A hot flush comes over you and your heart races. How many miles are you going to travel and then turn back around to retrieve what you lost? Only you can know that. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR GEAR BEFORE LEAVING A LOCATION. PERIOD. ______________________________________________________________
HERE IS A SIDE NOTE: We just finished our Chincoteauge workshop. Here is what was left behind: a-Nikon D90 with grip and lens b-An expensive long lens lens hood c-A Hoodman Loupe 3 inch d-A memory card and card reader e-Tripod and ball head, expensive
Everyone had their gear put back in their hands. We know as workshop leaders to always have one of our instructors double check after everyone has left the shooting site or classroom. ______________________________________________________________ Getting an Emotional Reaction to Your Prints: Picking the Perfect Paper - by Brian Zwit
Getting an Emotional Reaction to Your Prints: Picking the Perfect Paper Last month, we began a discussion on how to print the perfect print and focused on how to choose a printer. This month, I am going to discuss how to choose the appropriate “paper” for your image and will finish up next month with how to present your image.
When printing, we generally think of paper. However, the choices today are much broader than just paper and include canvas, silk, vinyl, plastic, wood, and metal with matte, glossy, luster, pearl, and satin finishes. These materials are available from a variety of manufacturers, including the printer manufacturers, HP, Canon, Kodak, and Epson, and third-parties, such as Moab, Hahnemuhle, Ilford, Inkpress, and others. So, how do you decide among all the possible choices? First, you have to consider the technical aspects of the material, including the following: •
Gamut: The gamut is the range of colors that can be reproduced using the paper on your printer. •
Pigment or Dye Inks: Pigment and dye inks are different and some papers shouldn’t be used with one type of ink. Check with the paper’s manufacturer. •
Brightness: The whitest white a paper can reproduce depends entirely on the brightness of the paper. The brighter the paper, the whiter the whitest white. •
Surface: When ink hits the surface of a paper, it spreads out. The less the ink spreads, the sharper the print. Glossy papers generally maintain detail better than matte papers because the ink dries faster on glossy paper so the ink has less spread. •
Dmax: The ability to reproduce black is different for each paper and those with a higher Dmax can print a blacker black. •
Longevity: Some papers fade faster than others and generally, you want to use a paper with a longevity appropriate for the purpose of the image. •
Durability: Some papers resist flaking and scratching better than others and the more durable a paper the more resistant the paper is to flaking and scratching. Because many papers are going to fulfill your technical requirements, the aesthetic characteristics of the papers are often going to be more important. These include the following: •
General Characteristics: Every paper will strike the viewer different. For example, some will seem “organic,” many fine art papers, and others seen as “plastic,” resin coated “photographic” paper. •
Surface: Some surfaces are shinier than others. Generally, the shiniest surface is glossy and then, in decreasing order of shininess, luster, matte, and fine art papers. •
Warmth/Coolness: Some papers will add some warmth to your images because of their underlying color. This color tends to vary from a warm color, i.e., yellow, to a cool color, i.e., blue. •
Texture: A paper can have a smooth or heavily textured surface or any level of texture in between and canvas will have the greatest amount of texture. A textured surface will provide some depth to an image. •
Weight: Papers are available in many “weights,” usually expressed in grams per square meter or pounds per ream of 500 sheets. (Photographic paper is generally expressed in grams per square meter.) The higher the weight, the thicker the paper. I have printed hundreds of images and spent a significant amount of money on paper and have come to some general, subjective conclusions. They are as follows:
However, these general conclusions work for ME. You can use this as a starting point but if you aren’t happy with the results, try something else. Many paper manufacturers offer sample packs containing a variety of their papers. Take advantage of these sample packs to save money while you are testing papers. Every photographer develops some favorite papers over time and my current favorites are: •
Polished Rag from Canon (my favorite paper but extremely expensive); •
Colorado Fiber (glossy and luster finishes) from Moab (good general paper for color and black and white images); •
Bamboo from Hahnemulle (great for warm toned and textured black and white images); and •
Rag Cool Tone from Inkpress (great paper for color and black and white images). The bottom line is test and carefully choose a paper. Picking a paper or other material to print on is an important artistic and creative decision and can make or break your image’s impact. Next month, I will discuss the final step in getting a “wow” from your viewer: Displaying your images in an appropriate way. LIGHTING MADE SIMPLE WITH LOWEL PRODUCTS 
We have been using the Lowel Ego at the workshops for some time now for Macro Lighting. Easy set up as well as controllable light. ______________________________________________________________
WHEN IS BEING TOO LIGHT A DETRIMENT TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY 
No, No! This is not about exposure. At least not the way you would normally think about light. We have had a very successful year of workshops and classes, and have been blessed by exceptional students and have seen some incredible photography produced by our students. We helped them, watched them, reviewed their equipment, and as always we too learn as we move forward.
I don't think it is a secret that I love camera bags, and it probably is no secret that I love tripods and tripod heads maybe even more. One of my favorite style of tripods has been the fold up travel type tripod offered by Gitzo, Benro, Feisol etc. They can hold a reasonable amount of weight, take up very little room, are light weight, and very functional. They are great as a second tripod when one wants to travel through the city, get on an airplane, pack light for the day, etc.
But for the photographer who wants to do serious landscape, wildlife, or macro/closeup photography IT IS SIMPLY TO LIGHT A PLATFORM TO BE WORKING WITH. As good as these wonderful little tripods are, they will not always provide you with a sufficient amount of STEADY support under many conditions you might be shooting. So as a primary tripod you want to have a LARGER TRIPOD and a better BALL HEAD. When photographing on a MOUNTAIN TOP, and WINDS AND MAYBE RAIN kick up, or down on the shore and OCEAN WINDS OR POUNDING SURF, IF YOU ARE BRAVE, cause your tripod legs shake, move and shift even a little bit you can probably kiss that great composition good-bye. Every manufacturer makes tripods in different classifications for different purposes and if you haven't already done so you should check these out at your camera stores. I mean go into your store, physically play with, and then make the purchase if the tripod fits your needs. Think about the gear you will mount on it, think about the kinds of shooting you do, the places you will shoot at, and have the sales person help you make the right choice. LOOK FOR THESE BRANDS:
These are brands that stores carry and you should be able to put hands on. It is essential that you put hands on and work with it in the store to make sure it is right for you. IF YOU ARE VERY TALL MAKE SURE THAT THE SALESPERSON IS SHOWING THE L AND XL MODELS, otherwise you will always be humped over and uncomfortable when you are shooting. As for ball heads, you do not always have the choice of playing with them in the stores because they may only be available on line. IN STORE LOOK FOR THE ACRATECH click here for Penn Camera and Acratech
ON LINE LOOK FOR: REALLY RIGHT STUFF KIRK PHOTO
IF BLUE RIDGE WORKSHOPS CAN BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE IN MAKING A DECISION, PLEASE EMAIL US WITH VIDEO NOW ENTERING THE REALM OF DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS AND MAKING USE OF THE LARGER SENSORS THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE INTERESTED MIGHT FIND THIS LINK INTERESTING
A QUICK LOOK AT SOME IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DIGITAL SLR VIDEO
WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR INSTRUCTORS AT ANY WORKSHOP
WE TEACH. WHEN YOU TAKE A BLUE RIDGE WORKSHOP YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT WE ARE THEIR TO TEACH YOU AND ASSIST YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CLASS OR WORKSHOP. OUR INSTRUCTORS DO NOT SHOOT PICTURES AT ANY OF OUR WORKSHOPS UNLESS IT IS TO SHOW THE STUDENTS HOW AN EXPOSURE OR COMPOSITION COULD LOOK, OR TO SHOW THE USE OF THE HISTOGRAM OR CREATIVE DEPTH OF CONTROL AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.
YOUR EDUCATION AND RESULTS ARE OUR PRIMARY CONCERNS. JOIN US AT OUR CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL DEVICES FOR THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER INCLUDING BOTH STILL AND VIDEO 
There is not a lot to say about this wonderful device except that if you are shooting digital and do not already own it, then it must be moved to the top of your must buy today list. It allows you to comfortably view your images on your LCD screen in full detail, especially when you are in bright sunlight. We all know that the LCD on your cameras even though they have gotten better over the years still do not provide you with a large enough image for close examination. The hoodman does this for you. BILL WALLEN, LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER WILL BE HAVING A SHOW AT THE WARD MUSEME IN SALISBURY MARYLAND ON DECEMBER 4TH 2
One of our own, Bill Wallen
will be having a special photography exhibition at the WARD MUSEUM in Salisbury Maryland on DECEMBER 4TH. Mark your calendars and be sure to attend. THIS PHOTOGRAPHIC ART SHOW WILL DEPICT THE WILDLIFE AND SCENERY OF THE EASTERN SHORE. BILL WALLEN IS AN INCREDIBLE PHOTOGRAPHER AND MASTER PRINTER AND FRAMER.
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Welcome to the November, 2009 newsletter. In this Issue THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT!
OLYMPUS MICRO FOUR THIRDS EP-2 ANNOUNCED OLYMPUS ANNOUNCES NEW MICRO FOUR THIRDS LENSES
TENBA BAGS STEP BACK TO YESTERDAY TO BRING AN UPDATE TO A NEAT CARRYING SOLUTION
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