Educational Workshops


     In 2016, we developed and conducted educational workshops both in the field and at our library meeting facility, featuring such diverse subjects as portraiture, controlling and managing outdoor and indoor light, architectural photography, wildlife photography and utilizing lens blurring and background.


6 Diffuser copyBill and NancyCCC near Curtis HixonChasco Field Trip 1Joe Lining Up His ShotChasco Field Trip 2Exploring downtownIMG_1813Nancy


 April 4th 2017 Workshop for Photoshop

During our camera club meeting held on April 4th, we had wonderful presentations by Bill and Nancy Lester.  Nancy presented a class on Photoshop and Bill demonstrated various photographic equipment to the club. Nancy had several exellent recommendations when editing photos.  Creating layers for editing a photo, for example, provides the user the ability to go back to a point in time.  This means if you don’t like a modification you’ve made, simply eliminate that layer, which is far better than starting over with your edits. Below is a recap of what Nancy covered during her presentation.

Photoshop Tips and Tricks  Recap



Bill demoDoug and NancyGroup discussionGroup photo


Keyboard Shortcuts

Duplicate Layer                                       Control  j

Undo                                                        Control z

Fit on Screen                                          Control  0

Brush Tool                                                            b    

Clone Stamp Tool                                                  s

Quick select tool                                                   w

Marquis Selection Tool                                         m

Lasso Selection Tool                                               l

Rerun last Filter                                        Control  f

Deselect                                                    Control  d

Reselect                                             Shift Control d

Switch colors to default (black and White)             d

Switch background/foreground colors                    x

Decrease brush size                                                 [

Increase brush size                                                  ]


More keyboard shortcuts

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/default-keyboard-shortcuts.html

These are some of the “toys”, settings, and information which we find useful.    

5 in 1 pop out reflector/diffuser set.  This is the bargain of the lighting world.  A medium sized set will cost less than thirty dollars and has multiple uses.  B & H is probably the best bet for price.  Be sure to get 5 in 1 not 4 in 1.  The diffuser is probably the most important part of the package, and is missing in the 4 in 1 package.  

A quick detach plate on your tripod.  Without a way to quickly attach and removed the camera the tripod will not get used.  If you own a tripod without one, aftermarket plate sets and extra camera/lens plates are available for less than $20 and rugged name brand systems, like Manfroto are not much more.   Note!  Turn off your image stabilization when on tripod.  If the camera finds no vibration, the vr system, like a bored child, will find something to do.  It will create vibration.   Pasco Photo Exchange (5405 Main Street, New Port Richey) has affordable aftermarket plates for under thirty dollars and offers a discount to Chasco members.    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Quick-Release-Systems/ci/15925/N/4232861044

An inexpensive shutter release for your camera.  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/765666-REG/Vello_RS_C2II_RS_C2II_Wired_Remote_Switch.html

Small reliable flashlights, stored with your gear.  In low light situations, a touch of light will allow quick and accurate focus lock.  We use mini-maglights and maglight solitare.  They are scaled down versions of the classic police flashlight, and are almost indestructible.  The LED versions cost a bit more, but very powerful.  http://www.basspro.com/Maglite-AA-Mini-Mag-Flashlight/product/5241/?hvarAID=shopping_connexity

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=32197016&cid=CAPLA:B:Shopping_-_Catch_All&bingpla=bingpla_984550&k_clickid=14a7d991-dd15-4259-8bcd-ecdc5ac215be

Camera settings which work for us.

Back Button Focus.  This is a game changer, and allows you to preset focus and composition for use on tripod or in tracking moving objects.  Many cameras have two settings.  Be sure to use the one which deactivates shutter button focus, otherwise, when you press the shutter, you undo all of the work that you put into composition and focus. 

High speed burst mode for everything except flash.  One image out of a sequence will almost always be better than others because of focus, exposure, composition, action, or expression.

Shoot in Raw.  You have more to work with in post-processing. 

White balance set on “cloudy”

Exposure set slightly “under”

Useful to know.

Tripod, flash, and camera connection hardware almost always uses standard ¼ inch or 3/8 thread.  This allows you to create your own hardware using off the shelf parts from the hardware store. 

B&H Photo  is the go to source for gear purchases if you can’t find it in a local mom and pop store.  Their staff is knowledgeable and very willing to make suggestions if asked.  They value repeat business over one time sales and will give good advice.  They also offer a lot of online training on their website.

 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

877-579-2732

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