Meeting Notes – August 9 2012

Digital Photography and Imaging – Special Interest Group
of the Naples Free-Net
Naples Digital Photography Club

Meeting Notes of August 9, 2012
To all DPI-SIG members and other interested parties:
A sincere welcome to our three new members!
Rosie Cabrera, Lorri Freedman and Ed Malawskey.

Due to technical difficulties, a.k.a. the computer gremlins, Damaris Gonzalez was not able to
present her slideshow last month for the theme:  “C E L E B R A T E   A M E R I C A”.   As a result, we had a double feature which also included this month’s slideshow “M O R N I N G   S U N” with Jeff Bilyeau at the helm.  Many thanks to both of these volunteers for entertaining us each month with their musical slideshow presentations of our theme images.  It’s always fun to see how everyone interprets the monthly theme.  Remember:  think out of the box!

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS:  Gordon Campbell’s photographs were in the Visitor’s Bureau Magazine; Christine Cook’s cover page article and photographs were featured in the Marco Eagle. 

Laura DePamphilis announced her two new Coordinators for Volunteer Photographers for Non-Profit Organizations. Priscilla McGuire and Diana Reagan will be assisting the various non-profit organizations in their requests for photographers to cover their events.  Many thanks to Laura for her tireless efforts to organize this program and make it such a success.

OUTING NEWS:
Outing Director, Ron Perkins, announced the following outings for the coming weeks.

HDR II: How to Use PHOTOMATIX – Friday, August 10, 2012, Fort Myers Congregational Church of Christ, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  We are the guests of the Fort Myers Camera Club.
You do not need to have attended HDR Part I, to attend HDR II. In this FREE HDR instruction, you will need a set of bracketed shots and Photomatix Software installed on a laptop. Ron will bring several sets of bracketed shots on a memory stick for those of you who arrive without them.
Anyone needing Photomatix software can order and download from www.HDRsoft.com using the coupon
discount code UNDERSTANDPHOTO
DPI-SIG Member, Peggy Farren, has gone to great effort to arrange a 15% discount immediately on purchase
and a $10 Certificate via e-mail towards any Understand Photography course. Soon, she will be offering HDR instruction through Understand Photography.
Note: Peggy offers DPI-SIG, without charge, her Naples office and photo studio for monthly DPI-SIG Lightroom Meetings.
BASEBALL GAME – Sunday, August 12, 2012 Hammond Stadium, 14100 Ben C Pratt, 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers, Directions: From I-75 to exit 136 (Colonial Blvd). Turn west on Colonial to Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Turn left onto Six Mile, travel about 10 miles and Hammond Stadium will be on the right.                                                                              Time: meet at 12:30 PM at stadium for group photo and badge.                                                                                             Cost: $7.50 for General Admission Ticket & $ for parking.                                                                                                     Leader: Joe Fitzpatrick                                                                                                                                                                       Bring: Camera, hat, sunscreen. Tripod use is only from the seats to avoid patrons tripping. Monopole may be better.  Note: According to Joe, shooting is ideal since games are sparsely attended, allowing one to move around and shoot from different locations.                                                                                                                                                                     Car-pooling: Make arrangements at Thursday, August 9, DPI-SIG Meeting.
AUTO-JUNK YARDS – Tuesday, September 18, 2012, meet at Eagle Lake Park for car pooling and badges
Time: 7:30 AM Sharp
J.D’s Auto Ranch (8:00 to 9:30 AM)
Doug, the owner, has 1,000 cars on 20 acres in which customers remove and pay for their own required parts. High entropy!
Auto Recycling (9:30 to 10:30 AM)
Levi, the owner, dismantles, stacking similar car parts together. Low entropy!
Note: This is an excellent opportunity to get HDR photos. As Les Schwartz says: “With HDR, one can make even a parking lot of cars look interesting!” Ron will bring a step-ladder so that wide-angle shots can be obtained of the yard. Both of the owners, Levi and Doug, request digital copies of good photographs for display in their respective offices. So please submit a CD or memory stick of your images to Betty at the October DPI-SIG meeting. Levi and Doug will choose and let us know their favorites.

OUTINGS IN THE WORKS
October
Boat ride to capture a photo of driftwood at sunset, in the spirit of Clyde Butcher.
October 13: Scott Kelby World-Wide Photowalk in Ft. Myers & Naples.  Walk will be led by Joe Fitzpatrick.  You must register with Scott Kelby (free).  There is a 50 person limit per city.
November – March
1. All day Miami birding trip led by Damaris & Juan Gonzalez, DPI-SIG Members
2. Night photography techniques with Larry Richardson, DPI-SIG Member
3, Early morning birding at Little Estero Lagoon

VENDOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM

We are embarking on a vendor discount program.  Don Fischer has volunteered to organize and coordinate it.
The purpose of the program is to provide DPI-SIG members with the benefit of group discount purchasing from appropriate photography industry vendors.  Vendors will be limited to those who provide specific products and services that relate to the photographic needs and interests of DPI-SIG’s members.  Vendors might include, but not be limited to:
Camera equipment manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, etc.)
Photography equipment retailers (Adorama, B&H Photo, etc.)
Software companies and distributors (Adobe, Photodex, Photomatix, etc.)
Industry training vendors (KelbyTraining.com, etc.)
Photography magazine subscriptions (Outdoor Photography, etc.)

The program will not promote general interest vendors whose products or services are not specific to the photographic interests of DPI-SIG members.

Since the program is just beginning, we have no idea how many vendors might agree to provide us with discounts but we are hoping it will be a significant number and cross-section of popular products and services.

Vendors must agree to process orders directly from members.  DPI-SIG will not process orders or collect/handle membership money or credit card transactions.  Any necessary post-sale service and support shall transpire between the vendor and DPI-SIG member; DPI-SIG will not participate in post-sale relations.  We will be focusing on discount programs that are open-ended with no time limit restrictions but we will consider time-limited promotions when appropriate to our member’s needs.

As we get this up and running, we will communicate more information to you about participating vendors and products as well as the procedures for ordering to obtain a discount.  We will also establish a special DPI-SIG discount e-mail address where you can ask questions about the program and make suggestions regarding vendors you would like us to contact.  We are excited about the possibilities.  We hope you are too.  Contact Don at  doncfischer@mac.com with your questions.  More info will follow.

Now we know why Nic Provenzo hears the beat of a different drummer.  He explained that he doesn’t follow the rules and is influenced by several photographers who are always on the cutting edge of photography.  He isn’t interested in the formal, standard way of taking photos such as landscapes or portraits, but instead thinks of himself as depicting “social documentation” in his images.  Many of his examples were from his trips to Guatemala.  As an aside, he has requested that you bring  any used cameras that you aren’t using to the next meeting, as a donation, and he will see that they are delivered to the girls’ schools in Guatemala.

Sandra Yanish, freelance writer, said you can pick up a free copy of the August/September issue of the Marco Magazine at the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, or the Marco Island Library.  This issue has an article she wrote about DPI-SIG.  Sandra will also bring copies of the magazine to the September meeting.

Awards ribbons from DPI-SIG’s 2nd Annual Competition were distributed by Harold Kurzman.  The list of winners was posted in last month’s Meeting Notes.  The DPI-SIG 3rd Annual Competition will be held in October.  Watch for upcoming details from Harold.

Ready to put together your own computer?  Talk to Harry Hanbury first!  He will be your computer guru and look over your shoulder while you master the assembly.  He can help you buy the right equipment to ensure that you have a high powered computer for photography.  Harry has built over 2,000 computers and likes to order parts from New Egg.  If you aren’t into building your own, he will be happy to build it for you.  Contact Harry at (239) 514-0693 or assist@naples.net.

Ladies Roundtable: The first meeting is on Thursday, September 6, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 1055 Pine Ridge Rd., just west of Goodlette-Frank Rd.  This group is organized and run by women, but all members are welcome, including men. Agenda includes a presentation on a selected topic, photo critiquing, and sharing of ideas. Contact Christine Cook at cliffchristine@gmail.com or Jennifer Semro at jennifer@crittersitters.net with questions.

The next DPI-SIG Photography Round Table discussion for members only will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Location is upstairs at 5029 Tamiami Trail East in the Village Falls complex.  You must make a reservation because space is limited.
Lightroom User’s Group will meet on Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Peggy Farren’s studio, 2383 Linwood Ave., #302. You will be receiving an email of the meeting.  This discussion group is for members only and, due to limited space, is on a first-come basis.  Please do not respond until after you receive your email invitation. 
This month’s Glossary term:  “OLED”
(Organic Light-Emitting Diode) Is a light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic material that emits light in response to an electric current. An OLED display works without a backlight and can display deep black level and offers a screen that looks like an LCD (Liquid Quarts Display) only updates quicker, uses less power and is brighter, sharper, more vibrant and readable from the sides, even at an angle of 165 degrees off center.
Last month’s Glossary term:  “Noise”
Image artifacts caused by complex variations with color that manifest themselves as grain on an image. Excessive noise, which is most often seen first in shadows, usually results in an objectionable-looking image. High-resolution digital cameras with small image sensors, where more pixels are forced to live in a smaller space and have physically smaller photodiodes are more subject to noise than sensors with larger photodiodes. High ISO (light sensitivity) also generates image noise. Most digital cameras are equipped with some form of noise reduction that is either automatically triggered with high ISOs or long exposures or, in higher-end cameras, can be turned on and off manually. When noise reduction is applied in camera (or via image-editing software), it can result in softened or blurred details to lessen the visibility of the noise.
Please check the glossary on our web site for more digital photography terms!
Next month’s theme is: “C O L O R”   Members are eligible to submit 6 pictures or a 2 minute video to:    dpi-theme@naples.net.   Please follow the procedure for renaming and resizing photos.  Refer to:  dpi-sig.org and click on “Topic of the Month”.   Please follow these guidelines:  Use your name only and the order number you want the images shown.  Title is NOT needed!  E.g., John Doe_01, John Doe_02, etc.  If you like to plan ahead, theme topics for the entire year are listed on our web site.
COMPETITIONS, EXHIBITIONS & PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Competition:  Lee County Parks & Recreation is sponsoring its Calusa Blueway Photo Contest for boaters, kayakers and nature enthusiasts.  Amateur photographers may submit photos taken along a Lee County waterway and include the photographer’s name, address, phone number, email address, title of photo and location of image through October 5 at: www.calusabluewaypaddling-festival.com.  Click on activities and then photo contest to upload photos and complete an entry form.  For questions, call: (239) 533-7474.

Competition:  Costco International Photo Contest 2012 is accepting entries until September 30, 2012.  You must be a member of Costco to enter.  Check out the details and prizes at: www.costcophotocontest.com.
The Fifth Annual Non-Juried All Artist Members Show of Shows Exhibition is on view from Aug. 27 – Oct. 5, 2012 in The von Liebig Art Center, 525 Park Street, Naples FL 34102.  This exhibit features artwork in all media by Naples Art Association members. The exhibition gives artists at all skill levels an opportunity to exhibit and share their artwork with a larger audience. Awards were generously sponsored by the Naples Art Association and Blick Art Materials.  DPI–SIG members with images in this exhibit are: Art David and Ron Perkins.  https://www.naplesart.org/content/fifth-annual-non-juried-all-artists-members-show-shows-exhibition
Exhibit: The Everglades Gallery’s exhibit by John Brady, “Reflections of Florida” features a large collection of photographs from the Panhandle to Florida Bay, in color & black/white.  Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Florida’s many landscapes.  The exhibit will run through the summer.  Everglades Gallery is located at 15505 Tamiami Trail North, Naples FL 34110 (located inside the Floorz Factory Outlet at the Audubon Plaza). (239) 273-5813.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Check Peggy Farren’s classes, guided tours and events:  http://www.understandphotography.com/.  Her classes range from the beginner to the advanced photographer’s needs.  Classes sell out quickly – sign up early!  There are discounts on class prices for early registration. (239) 263-7001.  Check her web site for directions, prices, and class descriptions.  
 Aug 11 The Outdoor Portrait – Lighting $69/89
 Aug 15 Studio Model Shoot $29/49
 August 16 Lightroom for Beginners $69/$89
 Aug 17 DSLR Beginner FORT MYERS $45/60
 Aug 18 Lightroom – Basics & Beyond for Beginners FORT MYERS $69/89      Aug 25 “Trash the Dress” Model Shoot FORT MYERS $69/89 FOUND THE PERFECT LOCATION!! 8 models!
 Aug 30 The Outdoor Portrait $69/89
 Sept 8 Still life lighting and Photoshop Techniques “Create your own masterpiece” $149/169
 Sept 12 Basic Studio Lighting $79/99

Carmen Schettino is conducting a photo workshop in the Smoky Mountains, November 26 – 30, 2012.  Learn how to capture those Blue Ribbon images! For reservation information, call Carmen at (941) 356-9229.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Have you seen Clyde Butchers first magazine?  http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/4c332b63#/4c332b63/1
FOR SALE:
Nikon D2HS body only, battery charger, strap, book , extra battery. Tutorial c/d . Excellent condition. $650.00
Nikon D200, body only, optional mb-200 grip, battery charger, strap , book. Tutorial c/d. Excellent condition $600.00
Contact: Joe Parisi. 781-864-2392 Vet4scuba@aol.com
THE NEXT DPI-SIG MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012, AT 7 P.M.
at Edison State College in Building J, at the Conference Center.

NOTICE:  Our membership dues are $30.00 per year. Recently, we initiated a student rate for membership at $20.00, for age 18 and under.  You will be notified by email when your dues need to be paid.  We request that you also continue to make a donation at each meeting in the receptacle provided at the entry table to help offset the rental cost.  Many thanks to all who contribute each month.

Do you know of any family, friends, co-workers, or anyone with an interest in photography?  Please feel free to bring them to our meeting and encourage them to join us!  Most of our new members are referrals.  Remember to use our DPI-SIG business cards and new DPI-SIG brochures to invite potential members to our meetings.   AND, don’t forget to welcome new people at our meetings.  Those of you who attend regularly know familiar faces, but don’t forget the people who are at our meetings for the first time.  We all like to feel welcome!  Extend your hand and start talking photography!

Reminder:  All Meeting Previews and Meeting Notes are posted on the website:                                        http://www.dpi-sig.org/breaking-news.
Reminder: If you want information posted on these Meeting Notes, please give the information in writing, either at the meeting, or by email before or immediately after the meeting, to Betty Saunders , saunders@naples.net.
A RECAP OF IMPORTANT DATES…MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
August 10 – Outing…HDR II-How to Use Photomatix, 7:00 p.m.
August 12 – Baseball Game outing, 12:30 p.m.
August 16 – DPI-SIG Roundtable @ 6 p.m., by reservation only
August 23 – Lightroom Users Group @ 6 p.m., by reservation only
September 6 – Ladies Roundtable @ 6 p.m., by reservation only
September 11 – Deadline to submit Monthly Theme photos  “C O L O R”
September 13 – DPI-SIG Meeting @ 7 p.m., Building J, Conference Center
September 18 – Auto Junk Yards outing, 7:30 a.m.

Betty Saunders (for Sonny Saunders & Bill Coakley)
A special thanks to all our DPI-SIG & FCCC volunteers:
 Jeff Bilyeau:  Monthly Theme Slide Show Producer
 Gordon Campbell:  Assistant Meeting Photographer
 Christine Cook:  DPI-SIG Representative to FCCC
 Pam Costa:  Public Relations Director; FCCC PR Director
 Art David:  Liaison, Naples Art Association; FCCC Competition Director 
 Laura DePamphilis:  FCCC Awards Director
 Peggy Farren:  DPI-SIG Print Facilitator to FCCC
 Don Fischer:  Vendor Relations Coordinator
 Nancy Garrison:  Liaison, Art League of Marco Island
 Tim Gibbons:  Meeting Photographer
 Damaris Gonzalez: Monthly Theme Slide Show Producer/Assistant; Assistant Meeting Photographer
 Eric Hansen:  FCCC Executive Director, 2010 & 2012 Convention Chairman, Past President  
 Mark Helfgott:  Sound Consultant
 Harold Kurzman:  Club Competition Director
 Priscilla McGuire: Coordinator, Volunteer Photographers for Non-Profit Organizations
 Chuck McKinney:  DPI-SIG Logo, Brochure & Business Card Designer
 Ron Perkins:  Outing Director
 Nic Provenzo:  Art Show Director
 Diana Reagan: Coordinator, Volunteer Photographers for Non-Profit Organizations
 Larry Richardson:  FCCC Vice President
 Marcel Seamples:  FCCC Treasurer
 Nancy Springer:  FCCC Southwest Florida Area Representative 
 Orlando Vargas:  Assistant Meeting Photographer
 
 Betty Saunders:  Membership Registrar; FCCC Secretary
  
 Bill Coakley:  Co-Founder; Webmaster
 Sonny Saunders:  Co-Founder; FCCC President; FCCC Librarian

Remember, our camera club functions because of our volunteers.  Please let us know what you are willing to do to help keep this a very active, thriving, energetic and fun group of photographers!

A very special thanks to Edison State College for the use of their great facility.
The following email addresses are  for use by club members:
 
dpi-compete@naples.net    For members to email entries for DPI-SIG competitions
 
dpi-theme@naples.net       For members to email images for Monthly Theme shows

dpi-outing@naples.net       For members to email pictures from Outings 
 
dpi-pr@naples.net             For members to send Publicity/Promotion items to the dpi publicity director

dpi-npphoto@naples.net      For members to photograph  Non-Profit Organization events
 
dpi-sig@naples.net           For members (or anyone) to send anything to the Club Founders 

dpi-artshow@naples.net For members to contact the Art Show Director

dpi-askexpert@naples.net For members to ask questions online

Web sites:

http://www.f3c.org  FCCC Web site

https://dpi-sig.org  DPI-SIG Web site

 
DPI-SIG is a special interest group of the Naples Free-Net, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization providing education and internet services to over 4,000 registered members and the public at-large.  The Naples Free-Net is entirely run by volunteers and the only remaining Free-Net in the country. 

DPI-SIG meetings are held, unless published otherwise, at 7 p.m. each second Thursday of the month at the Conference Center, Building J, of Edison State College, Lely Campus.  Turn west onto Lely Cultural Drive, at the first traffic light south of Rattlesnake Hammock Road on Route 951 (Collier Blvd.).