FOCUS
Sharing Visual Art
September 2018
The Official Digital Newsletter for Edenvale Photographic Club www.edenvalephotoclub.co.za
Proud Members of the Photographic Society of South Africa www.pssa.co.za
CONTENTS:
Committee Members
Page
3
Chairman’s Chat
Chairman & Website:
Page
6
Winning Images 22 August 2018
David Wolstencroft 083 229 8066 davewol@gmail.com
Vice Chairperson: Scoring & Promotions
Heidi Broschk Page
13
Winning Images 12 September 2018
079 886 8515 heidib@uj.ac.za
Treasurer: Ted Kinsman
Page 8
Page 9
Page 17
Page 19 Page 20
Judging Criteria for One and Two Star Photography Judging Criteria for 3,4 and 5 Star Photography How to Prepare Images for Club Presentation Special Subject Winner Heidi Broschk Magoebaskloof Club Outing
083 461 2350 tkinsman@global.co.za
Secretary: Antoinette Bezuidenhout 072 4426 317
antoinette1949@gmail.com
Salons, Judges and Outings: Page 20 John Coumbias
079 1732 825 jcoumbias@telkomsa.net
Certificates & Awards Des Alexander
083 226 1452 neoncomp@webmail.co.za
Catering: Giulio Cecchi
Page 22 Page 23
Basics on RAW Processing
011 452 2250 cecchi@polka.co.za
Newsletter & Media:
Member Focus Dave Gordon
Hanli Smit
083 253 1034 hanlis54@gmail.com
Chairman’s Chat From my point of view, the club outing to Magoebaskloof went rather well. Eleven club members attended, which was a good turnout compared to other outings of a similar nature. The outing was planned to coincide with the Spring festival the happens every year in the area. This is usually associated with large flowery gardens and trees in blossom. The intention was to capture landscapes and scenes shrouded in mist. Alas, this time, the weather did not play along. Each morning everyone was geared up for the 5am departure into the forest and each morning we were greeted with clear skies and no mist. Sunday morning was bitter cold, overcast and windy. We were hoping that the overcast, cold conditions would create the mist we were looking for, but the wind made sure that our wishes disappeared with the mist. Despite the less than ideal conditions, everyone was keen for photography and spirits were high. In a way, it benefitted the newer members as more time could be spent showing, teaching and educating. I really hope that everyone gained experience and knowledge from this outing which is really the idea behind these trips. In addition to the education perspective, I feel that the team building, camaraderie and social aspect was enjoyed by all. The interaction, laughter and good spirits can attest to this. The fact that we all stayed at the same resort definitely played a role as we were always in the same place, could leave together and arrange things together. These are lessons that will be carried forward to future outings. I would like to thank each and every one of you that attended. I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend away and it would not have been the same without you all. Looking forward to the next one ... hope to see you all there.
Dave
Key West Centre, Shop 8 Van Buuren Rd, Bedfordview Tel: 011 455- 1243 email: robponte@neomail.co.za www.photodigitalprolab.co.za Facebook: facebook.com/photodigitalprolab
www.fotorental.co.za
PICTORIAL Prieska Ford Johanda Oberholzer
NATURE Rhino Brian Kleinwort
NATURE Natures Reflection Bianca Holburn
JUDGING CRITERIA FOR ONE STAR WORKERS 1) CORRECT EXPOSURE 2) IN FOCUS 3) ELEMENT OF COMPOSITION 4) PICTURE CLEAN AND WELL PRESENTED
JUDGING CRITERIA FOR TWO STAR WORKERS 1) CORRECT EXPOSURE 2) IN FOCUS 3) ELEMENTS OF COMPOSITION 4) PICTURE CLEAN AND WELL PRESENTED 5) SOME IMPACT 6)SOME KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN TO CROP
JUDGING CRITERIA FOR A THREE STAR WORKER 1) CORRECT EXPOSURE
JUDGING CRITERIA FOR A FIVE STAR WORKER
2) IN FOCUS 3) COMPOSITION SHOULD BEGIN TO SHOW AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF LINES, SHAPES AND FORM 4) PICTURE CLEAN AND WELL PRESENTED 5) IMPACT NOW A STRONG REQUIREMENT 6) KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN TO CROP NOW NEEDED THE POINT VALUE OF THE CLUB AWARDS BRONZE 1 POINTS SILVER 2 POINTS GOLD 3 POINTS COM 4 POINTS WINNER 1 EXTRA POINT
SHOULD BE OF ENTRY LEVEL NATIONAL SALON STANDARDS JUDGING CRITERIA FOR A FOUR STAR WORKER 1)NATIONAL SALON STANDARD 2) ENTRY LEVEL INTERNATIONAL SALON STANDARD
NATURE Bird Wader Christa Smith
PICTORIAL Scarlet Valerie Sampson
NATURE Reflection Johan Harmse PICTORIAL Just Mud Cecil Mayhew
NATURE Early morning Mist on river PICTORIAL Fishing Boat Captain David Wolstencroft
NATURE Hide and Seek Johanda Oberholzer
PICTORIAL Seaside Portal Andrew Mayes
NATURE Protea Bianca Holburn
PICTORIAL Into the Darkness Bianca Holburn
NATURE Sparring Partners Valerie Sampson
PICTORIAL Imagination Dave Brown
NATURE Tigeress and cubs Mark Koekemoer
PICTORIAL Bloody Battle Mark Koekemoer
NATURE Buffalo Vadivelu PICTORIAL Number 310 Trevor Tyler
Specifications for Submission of High Definition “E” Photography
RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE Maximum Pixel Size = 1080 x 1920 Maximum Data File Size = 2000 Kilobytes (2mb) Jpeg We use 2 Categories at Edenvale for our club submissions 1) NATURE...”na” 2) PICTORIAL....”pi” The image must be named as follows Star Rating_Category_Image Name_Persons Name EXAMPLE:...2_na_hornbill_joe blog (all lowercase)
1. Select Canvas [Frame] Size under the heading “ Image” in Photoshop if you wish to add the border to the image and make your adjustments. If you do not wish to add a border go to step 2 2. Select image size under the heading “Image” in Photoshop – Tick the following boxes : Scale Styles, Constrain Proportions and Resample image. 3. The maximum size of the image must not exceed 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high 4. When resizing a horizontal image ( Landscape ) enter 1920 pixels in the Width box and the vertical size will be adjusted automatically if you have ticked the “ Resample Image” box . If the vertical size is 1080 pixels or less, the resizing is correct. If the vertical adjusts to a value more than 1080 pixels ( say 1096 pixels ) then adjust the vertical size to 1080 pixels and the horizontal size will automatically reduce below 1920 pixels if you have ticked the “ Resample Image” box. 5. When resizing a vertical image (Portrait) enter 1080 pixels in the Height Box . The value in the Width Box will change automatically to match the original image if you have ticked the “ Resample Image “ box 6. The maximum image data file size is 2000 (2MB) Kilobytes in the JPEG format . Note that if a border is added to the image, this must be added before resizing and reducing the file size to a maximum of 2000 Kilobytes to ensure that the image remains within the specified 2000Kb (2MB). 7. It is recommended that the image be displayed in the sRGB Colour Profile. This can be selected in the camera or changed in Photoshop under Edit/ Convert to Profile.
SPECIAL SUBJECT WINNER Heidi Broschk These are the following steps it took to create this composite image: Step 1: Plan the shoot – bought this beautiful mirror, which inspired the idea. Also brought along apples, which I polished to a shine before handing it over to the model. Step 2: I specifically asked the model at the EPC Modderfontein shoot to hold out an apple – which I photographed in portrait format. I chose this format to allow enough background and space on the mirror image, so the apple image had to be in the same format: Step 3: I asked the model to hold the mirror, trying to get as little of her hands on the mirror as possible – did not work too well, lol: Step 4: I edited both photos, by applying the following to them – • Sharpening, • Cropping’ • Increasing the saturation slightly. Whilst editing these photos – I made sure that what I did in the one photo was copied exactly in the other photo – to ensure synchronicity. Step 5: I rotated both photos to a portrait position. I then started cloning out the fence background in the apple photo, as well as the mirror photo. This was easy for the apple photo, and rather tricky for the mirror, as the mirror had various little decorations around the rim that I had to consider, as well as the hands of the model to clone out. To ensure neat work, I greatly enlarged the mirror, and worked the cloning through the decorative patterns. Step 6: Important step - I extended the photo width of the mirror photo, to have enough space to add the ‘hand’ to it. Step 7: I then worked on the apple photo and straightened the horizon. Then I very carefully selected the arm – right up to the edge of the photo, and then cut it out. I used the magnetic selection tool for this. And then pasted it onto the mirror photo, moving it around until it literally ‘popped’ out of the mirror. See the representation below, but please also note that this is a brief example – I have not removed or cloned out the background in this photo:
SPECIAL SUBJECT WINNING IMAGE
THE OFFER By Heidi B
Step 8: I then selected only the mirror surface, on the first layer – the mirror. I darkened it to a stronger green, in tune with the forest behind it, and the element of magic which is often depicted in green. Step 9: I burnt out the sky of the tree tops, as the brightness distracted from the focus of the photo. Step 10: I blew the photo up to 400 pixels, and then I drew tiny little shapes, which I copied and then pasted around the upper part of the hand peeking out from the mirror. I also used a twirl brush, chose the same colour, and brushed across the mirror surface twice. This gave the photo the impression that the hand was ‘in pieces’ in the mirror, but as soon as it showed through the mirror, it started solidifying. Step 11: I then flattened all layers, gave a slight vignette around the photo with the burning tool set to 5% for medium, and also gave this photo a slight border to emphasize the photo.
I then took off my Harry Potter hat and saved this photo for club! đ&#x;˜Š
Magoebaskloof Edenvale Club Outing
THE BASICS OF RAW PROCESSING HOW TO PROCESS YOUR IMAGES IN PHOTOSHOP RAW, WITH NO NEED FOR FURTHER EDITING IN PHOTOSHOP
Keep this reference to the features you will use the most in the basic Raw panel
TEMPERATURE
CONTRAST
Use this slider to warm or cool an image if the White Balance tool fails to correct a colour cast
Makes the light pixels brighter and the dark pixels darker
TINT
Controls the brightness of the lightest pixels
This slider enables you to correct a green or magenta cast, again if the White Balance tool fails
EXPOSURE
This slider enables you to correct your overall brightness
BLACKS
Set the point on the tonal range at wich pixels should be pure black
SATURATION
Controls the overall color intensity of the image
HIGHLIGHTS SHADOWS
Controls the brightness of the darkest pixels
WHITES
Sets a point on the tonal range at which pixels should be pure white
CLARITY
Controls the amount of midtone contrast
VIBRANCE
Adjust the intencity of the less-saturated colours
This image was taken by Trevor at the Electrothread Rally in Bronkhorstspruit using the following equipment and settings: Canon 70D mark II ISO 200 Shutter speed 1/320 sec f/stop f/13 Focal length 24mm
MEMBER FOCUS
Dave Gordon My introduction to photography was with a 10th birthday present Kodak Brownie 620 box camera. My parents (and I) were on a day trip to the Clyde coast when we drove close by the Butlins Camp at Ayr. Butlins staff were walking an elephant along a busy road as part of their publicity campaign – and there was my very first ‘nature’ shot (before you take me to task about the use of the nature category, this was in Scotland, many, many years ago and I have learned a little bit since then). Decades later in SA, as a keen birder who, like many before and since, had great trouble identifying LBJ’s (little brown jobs) I purchased an early model Canon DSLR camera. This was to allow me to better ID the many birds that were beyond my limited knowledge. Unsurprisingly and certainly not uniquely, I found that photography was more enjoyable than pure birding and thereafter I became a ‘photographer’. I still rank nature photography as my favourite genre with birds being right up there. However, I also enjoy landscape work which I rate as often being even more challenging than nature. Nature photography (to me) is often, technique aside, being at the right place at the right time whereas in landscape the author must ‘make the subject work’. Photography has brought Barbara and I many happy times travelling this beautiful country of ours in pursuit of the perfect photograph as well as meeting many great people including fellow photographers and strangers in lots of nearby and far out places. Some say that soccer is the “beautiful game”, for me photography is the “beautiful hobby” and long may I have the energy to practice it.
Words and Images by Dave