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Gadgets and Planning
Fresh Start Meet-up
Meeting Notes for 9/21/2016
Fresh Start Photography Meet Up Ideas & Local Events
Meet Up Ideas (anyone can lead, guide, host, teach a meet up):
1. Meet up to calibrate lenses using Spyder Lenscale tool.
2. October Night/Low Light photo shoot Downtown - walk about and light paint. John Cooner may host this meet-up.
3. Freelance Star speaker? Barbara Ellison knows a photo journalist who may want to speak to our group.
4. The Freelance Star speaker is Robert Martin?
5. Big Meadows to photograph deer, meadow flower and a sunset in the Spring, Summer or Fall.
http://www.guidetosnp.com/web/Extras/BigMeadows.aspx
6. Ginko Trees with Fall color.
http://www.blandy.virginia.edu
7. Graffiti House
http://www.brandystationfoundation.com
8. Alum Springs is a good local place to practice landscape and moving water photography, especially in the Fall.
http://www.fredericksburgva.gov/facilities/facility/details/Alum-Spring-Park-2
9. Maymont Park. Cary may do a meet-up at this location.
https://maymont.org
10. Caledon State Park – sunset shoot in early October. Ed will look into this.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/caledon#general_information
11. Westmoreland State Park - beach access. We could set up a night shoot there in Nov. Ed will look into this.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/westmoreland#general_information
12. Architecture theme’d shoot. This was suggested by Barbara Ellison.
13. Chatham Manor
https://www.nps.gov/frsp/learn/historyculture/chatham.htm
14. Great Falls National ParkMaryland side – Ed will look into setting up a meet-up for this in early Dec.
https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
15. Civil War Re-enactments. It was suggested by Barbara that this might be good for a meet-up event.
http://www.virginia.org/battlereenactments/
16. Huntley Meadows - egrets in early Winter for migratory birds, or in Summer. Ed will look into this.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park/
17. Ashland - Bikes (& Night Train like before). This may have been suggested by Cary or Barbara.
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/ashland/collection_31c97ed4-45f3-11e5-93ec-83c4062f1ebc.html
Upcoming Events:
1. September 24th - (Richmond) - Louis Ginter Botanical Gardens’ Day of DLSR Photography in the Gardens ($78 non-members) http://www.lewisginter.org/event/a-day-of-digital-slr-photography-in-the-garden/, recommended by Barbara Ellison.
2. September 24th & 25th - (Nokesville) - Tank Farm Open House ($10 suggested donation)
http://www.nmaw.org/news/events/
4. September 27th 10am - (25 30 Espresso - Downtown Fredericksburg) - Sensor Cleaning Class @ Photographer’s Coffee (aka: the Circle of Confusion meet up)
http://www.meetup.com/CreatePhotographics/events/234153983/?rv=me2&_af=event&_af_eid=234153983&https=off
5. October 1st & 2nd - (Montepelier) - Fall Fiber Festival & Montpelier Sheep Dog Trials ($5)
http://fallfiberfestival.org
6. October 1st - (Mosby House) - Civil War Reenactment by Sons of the Confederacy ?
Others: http://www.virginia.org/battlereenactments/
7. Don’t forget the ‘Photo Scavenger Hunt’ on Oct. 1, hosted by Michele Kendsie.
Photo Tips, Tricks, & Gadgets
Gadgets:
1. Lens Flipper by GoWing (transport a 2nd lens and easily swap lenses on the fly)
http://lensflipper.com (recommended by Barbara)
2. Zone Plate (replicates a pinhole camera)
https://www.pinholeresource.com/index.php/all-products/canon-eos-zone-plate-body-cap-detail (recommended by Barbara)
3. Cheap Lighting equipment from Lowes & JoAnn’s
- White foam board for reflectors
- Crinkled Tinfoil spray mounted on cardboard for reflector (crinkle to avoid hotspots)
- Frosted mylar for light diffuser
- Black Felt loose bulk use for backdrop absorbs light (all recommended by John Cooner)
4. Spyder Lenscale (use to save off focus lenses)
http://spyder.datacolor.com/portfolio-view/spyderlenscal/ (recommended by Cary)
5. Flash Diffusers (fit over flash unit)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/On-Flash-Light-Controls/ci/655/N/4168864814 (recommended by Cary)
6. Pocket Wizard remote flash triggers & controllers
http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/ (Recommended by Cary)
7. Flip-it Pop up flash diffuser (fits over camera flash)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=911255&gclid=CMXd46LRpM8CFYwmhgodYskA9A&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C91438732682%2C&A=details&Q= (Recommended by John Cooner)
8. Moment Lenses for cell phone photography (checkout examples: HeatherOnTheGo - Instagram)
https://momentlens.co (recommended by Heather)
9. Lens Pen (easy way to clean your lens)
http://www.lenspen.com On Sale now at Best Buy for $5.99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenspen-ultrapro-lens-cleaner/3325029.p?skuId=3325029 (recommended by Cary)
10. Rain Sleeve (for shooting in the rain)
http://www.adorama.com/l/Bags-and-Cases/Rain-Covers/Still-Camera-Rain-Covers (recommended by John Cooner)
Cheaper alternatives:
http://improvephotography.com/10390/protect-camera-rain/
11. High Density Knee pads (for crawling around on the ground)
http://www.armedworkwear.com/products/knee-pads/high-density-knee-pads.php (recommended by Ed)
12. Flat Rubberband (use to grip stuck filters on lenses)
http://kk.org/cooltools/rubber-band-len/ (recommended by Ed)
or you can buy Filter Wrenches:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/807009-REG/Sensei_FW6277_62_77mm_Filter_Wrench_Set.html
13. Wimberly Sidekick (light weight tripod mount with a smooth gimble head action)
http://www.tripodhead.com/products/sidekick-main.cfm (recommended by Ed)
14. Hot Shoe Bubble Level (fits on camera to ensure level shots)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=263729&gclid=CLax5_7cpM8CFYpZhgodyYgGug&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C92051677562%2C&Q=&A=details
Tips:
Q: How can I learn more about Photoshop?
A: Free Online Training Videos (search 1344 videos and filter by application and skill level) - http://www.photoshop.com/tutorials
or Purchase Training Videos ($29 month) - https://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/279-0.html (recommended by Raymie)
Q: How to test for a dirty sensor?
A: Photograph a bright flat solid object like a clear blue sky or a white wall at F22. This will allow any water marks or dust specks on your sensor to show up in your image.(recommended by Ed)
Q: Where to get sensor cleaned?
A: You can clean it yourself with a kit and youtube video or send it directly to manufacture. Avoid middle men who’ll just ship it to manufacture for you. Camera shops are hit and miss. Not worth the risk.(recommended by John Cooner)
http://www.adorama.com/alc/0013666/article/The-Secret-of-Effectively-and-Safely-Cleaning-Your-Digital-Camera-Sensor-Yourself
Q: How to care for wet equipment?
A: If.. just rained on, then wipe and put in plastic bag to collect condensation.
If.. dropped in river, then TURN OFF and remove all electronic components (battery and card), put in bag of rice until dry (replace with dry rice as needed).
If.. oh crap I think I killed it what have I got to lose, then try baking in oven 150 degrees for 15 minutes.(recommended by John Cooner)
Q: Can I shoot after hours in State Parks?
A: Park Rangers are usually pretty happy to accommodate photographers. Just call ahead.