Welcome to the PG Photo Group!

I had so much fun last night at out first PG Photo Group meeting! I hope I didn't scare any of you off with so much information. If you didn't understand something, we can review it and go over it again. Also, I'll be e-mailing everyone the powerpoint presentation so you can print it for study. Next month will be more "technical" stuff as we learn how to use aperture, shutter speed and ISO together. I think I'll also add some general helpful hints and tips as well. Don't worry - only the first 2 months includes the super technical stuff - we'll continue with the fun stuff too.


So, here's a review from last night.

* Your camera has an opening (lens) that opens and closes every time you take a picture.

* How for open the lens is is called "aperture"

* How fast the lens opens is called "shutter speed" - more on that next month.

* The wider the lens opens, the smaller the f/stop number.



1.4 is WIDE open
22 is CLOSED down



* The WIDER (more open), the least amount of your picture will be in focus.
* The more CLOSED (less open) the most amount of your picture will be in focus.

LESS FOCUS----------------------------------------------> MORE FOCUS

So the question you want to ask yourself when thinking of aperture: How much of my picture do I want in focus?

CHALLENGE:

1. Set your camera to "A" or "Av"

2. Look in your view finder and push your button down half way.

3. Use the dial to find the lowest number (2.8, 4.5, 5) next to the little "f"

4. Take a picture focusing on one object.

5. Turn the dial until you get to 8 or 9. Take the same picture focusing on the same object.

6. Turn the dial to 22. Take the same picture focusing on the same object.

7. Look at the pictures in your viewfinder. What do you notice?

For those of you with a point and shoot camera. Take one picture in "Auto" mode. Take the next in the scenic mode (the little mountains) - this is just like taking a picture with f22. Take the next picture in the portrait mode/kid mode - this is just like taking a picture with f4 or f5.

This picture was take with an aperture of 2.8 (WIDE open) - notice that everything in front of and behind the rock is out of focus.

This picture was taken at f8 - notice that it's still out of focus, but not nearly as much.

This picture was taken at f22. Everything is in focus.

Also, the lessons I am using (kinda) are from this site:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/cg_vend_seeds.asp?vendor_id=270

They are really great lessons. I take the general idea from these and then tweak them to be my own.

Also, I'll be e-mailing you the 10 ways to improve your pictures, but I thought I'd post the ideas here too.

1. Get closer

2. Avoid cluttered backgrounds

3. Rule of thirds

4. Get down on their level

5. Know your flash

6. Frame your subject

7. Try unusual angles

8. Watch the light

9. Look for interesting lines

10. Be a picture director

Here's how the blog will work. I will invite each of you to be an author. You can post your pictures/challenges/homework/questions/concerns here. I still haven't decided if I should make it private and we are the only ones allowed to see it? Any thoughts?

Also, I didn't exactly do a very good job of letting people know about our group. I only sent an e-mail via facebook. I'm not sure if there are others who would be interested, but I think if we just let people know word of mouth, we'll make sure we're not leaving anyone out.

Our next meeting will be: March 26 at 8:30 pm at my house. Nadine will bring treats and if you don't do your challenge, we'll be expecting treats from you too :) Be thinking of places we can go when it gets warmer outside for our "photowalks." Bring questions/ideas as well.