Lehigh Valley Photography Club

January 19th, 2012 Speaker – Ed Heaton

Brian — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:08:33 +0000

For close to ten years now, Ed has conducted Creative Composition workshops, seminars, and classes on an ongoing basis. Ed’s passion for the outdoors is definitely reflected in his photography. His ability to capture light and make extraordinary images from ordinary subjects is truly a gift. Ed’s combination of traditional and innovated techniques have been instrumental in his success.

October 20th, 2011 Speaker – Kattina Barsik on Patent and IP Law

Brian — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:07:13 +0000

Kattina grew up in the Lehigh Valley and received her Bachelor of Science in Genetic Engineering at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. Upon graduation she accepted a research position at Wake Forest University Medical Hospital where she worked in their Comparative Medicine Department, before deciding to attend law school. She graduated from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois where she received her J.D and L.L.M in Intellectual Property Law. Ms. Barsik is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Ms. Barsik is a member of the New Jersey Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, American Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and a Board member of the Seventh Street Development Committee here in Allentown, PA.

August 18th, 2011 – LVPC Picnic

Brian — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:15:25 +0000

Our picnic will take place on Thursday August 18, 2011 at Wehr’s Dam Recreation Center.

2135 Wehr Mill Road
South Whitehall Township, PA 18104

The club will provide drinks and hot dogs/sausages. We asked that everyone brings something to share. The picnic is open to members and their family. Please RSVP via the website no later than 8/11/2011. There are many photo opportunities so bring your cameras.

Bring your cameras and your walking shoes and challenge yourself with other Lehigh Valley Photography Club members. Use your DSLR, point and shoot or smart phone to capture images. Prizes will be awarded at the September 15th meeting. Our meeting will begin with business followed by a Q&A on camera tips. Handouts with specifications will be handed out and then off you go. There will be an opportunity to share your images via forum as well as presented in the form of a slideshow to members.

July 21st 2001 Meeting – Scavenger Hunt!

Brian — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:53:02 +0000

Photoshop Layers – 16 June 2011 Monthly LVPC Meeting

Brian — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:18:08 +0000

Sandy showed several techniques such as adding text, using textures, how to brighten or darken areas of you photograph and making us laugh and smile along the way. Club members Alex, Buddy and a couple of the women (I am sorry I don’t know everyone’s names yet) who are Photoshop whizzes chimed in with their secret tips, keyboard shortcuts and workflow demonstrations.

I primarily use Apple Aperture, but have had Photoshop Elements installed on my computer for quite some time. I thought the learning curve was too steep for me to get smart on Photoshop quickly enough, to tackle my growing amount of photos. But this meeting has changed my outlook on Photoshop and I plan on using it more to add creative aspects to my pictures.

Sandy did us all a huge favor and put all her class slides, Instructional Photoshop Layer YouTube videos links, and links to different free layers that you can use in you post processing. If you missed the presentation or attended the presentation you can go to the LVPC Forum http://beta.lvphotographyclub.org/forum/index.php/topic,3026.0.html to get all the goodies!!

See you all at the next monthly meeting!

–Scott Nelson

Ahh The Smell of Lavender, The Carousel Lavender Farm, 12 June 2011

Brian — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:21:28 +0000

We linked up with the owner, Niko Christou at 10:00 a.m. for a grand tour of the farm. We were able to visit areas of the farm that are normally off limits to the general public (thank you Rhonda for arranging this). Some of the areas that we were able to see include the wine cellar/spring house, the guest quarters (that looked like something out of a home and garden magazine), and Niko’s photo studio. Niko is a photographer in Manhattan and has a magnificent studio (Carousel Studio) at the farm as well. The studio has some very pleasant but rugged light brown woodwork, accent lighting that added to the mood of the room, and some extraordinary large windows with breathtaking views of the farm. While in the studio, we received an informal quick class on full format cameras (maybe a future LVPC monthly meeting topic) and some of the lighting that Niko uses in his studio. To be honest, I could live in his studio; the only additions I would need are a kitchen and a shower!

As we continued our tour, we were able to see how the farm processes the lavender to extract the oils used in manufacturing soaps, candles, and skin care products that the farm has for sale. Our last stop before another free shoot was the gift shop where Niko showed off his photo book of the awe-inspiring pictures he has composed of the farm, the smaller photos available for purchase, and the large (50 inch wide if I remember correctly) wall mounted photo of the breathtaking purple lavender in full bloom.

After the guided tour, Niko locked the public gate and we had free reign of the farm, minus the house and pool area. Some of the many things there to photograph include cattle, horses, donkeys, barns, the springhouse, a small pond, one of the most amazing private gardens (my favorite), the lavender processing building, chickens, bees, butterflies, alpacas, a vast number of plants and flowers, some very tasteful landscaping, Niko’s studio, wagons, antique farm equipment and of course the lavender. Bottom line is there is no shortage of subject material at the farm.

Around lunchtime we decided to meet at The Cactus Grill to have a bit to eat (the food was excellent), drink some cool beverages, and learn about each other’s interests.

This was a great photo shoot, the lavender wasn’t quite in its purple full splendor but this was one of my favorite shoots so far; thank you Rhonda for putting together some awesome shoots so far this year. If you haven’t been to the lavender farm the following link has information

http://www.carouselfarmlavender.com/index/CAROUSEL_FARM_LAVENDER.html

We hope to see you at the next shoot!

–Scott Nelson

Camp Geiger Civil War Days!

Brian — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:02:48 +0000

Image Copyright LVPC Member Scott Nelson

The newly elected LVPC VP-Buddy, Stephanie, new member-Rich, my lovely wife, and I homesteaded out a spot on a grassy knoll in order to photograph the impending battle.

As we waited photographic opportunities were abundant such as; artillery cannons, cavalry soldiers riding by, soldiers practicing their battle drills, and men, women, and children in period costume wandering by. As we waited and photographed, we compared notes on post processing our photographs, tripod ball heads (I was admiring Buddy’s tripod and ball head), and Stephanie and Rich engaged in a long conversation about Olympus cameras.

We thought that because of rain the battle was delayed, so the group split up to photograph the many other interesting sites at the camp. Most were able to photograph President Lincoln and his wife as the President inspected the Union troops.

As my wife and I had made our way back down to the Union tents and were learning about 1860’s weather technology from the Union Hospital Steward, the roar of rifles filled the air. I rushed back up the hill to see and photograph a demonstration of the Union and Confederate armies slugging it out on the field of battle!

The photo opportunities were plentiful, but I must say that there was no shortage on interesting period actors to speak with. One in particular stood out, and I hope he sees this article. He is a 12-year-old boy who is the assistant to the Union Surgeon. He could explain the surgical procedures of the day, the equipment and medicine they used, and he was very polite. I was very impressed!

I think all of us had a great time; we learned from each other and were able to take some unique photographs as well! Applause to Rhonda for setting up another great event, we all hope your ankle feels better soon.

We hope to see you on a future shoot!!

–Scott Nelson

Mid-Atlantic Regional Aerial Show Photo Shoot – 4 June 2011

Brian — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:31:16 +0000

Photo copyright LVPC member Scott Nelson

We arrived early; about 7:50 a.m. and after about 20 minutes in stop and go traffic from the exit ramp to the parking lot we secured a parking spot and walked 40 feet to the bus stop (free buses took people to and from the parking lots and the venue). We were dropped off at the main entrance, got our tickets, and went inside. We were suddenly walking through a mock French village that was occupied by American and German forces; well, they were really “actors” in period clothing, but interesting all the same.

We worked our way around to the “flight line” where the many aircraft such as a B-17 bomber, a P-51 Mustang, bi-planes, a Japanese Zero, and the only flying B-29 bomber in existence were on display! I used my Canon 18-135mm kit lens to photograph the parked aircraft, focusing on the artwork the servicemen painted on the sides of the aircraft.

I moved closer to the runway, switched to a Canon 70-200mm lens to photograph airplanes that were refueling, taking off, and landing. This was a very exciting time for me; growing up with the many WWII based TV shows I have always fantasized about being aboard these great aircraft. Something I also love is the sound of finely tuned engines, and the odor of oil and aviation fuel, it just pleases my nose!

Photo copyright LVPC member Scott Nelson

I was able to speak with some of the owners and pilots as well. I learned some interesting facts such as when the mechanics used to rebuild the airplane engines they would place a penny in the recessed area visible to anyone who walked by. I asked why they would do this? Wouldn’t an unfastened penny work its way free and cause damage? The owner told me, “No, they would use a wire to hold the penny in and the reason for the penny is the penny’s date indicated what year the engine was rebuilt (records were often destroyed in combat).”

We departed the airfield edge after starting to hear gunfire in the distance from the massive historically correct tent cities and hard buildings that housed the re-enactors. I even bumped into FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt), his secret service detachment, and some MPs guarding the ex-president and his car along the way.

I took several photos of weapons, antique cars, combat vehicles, and the most cool photos were of a field war photography unit’s tent. Inside was all the period photo gear and they even had a working dark room tent in the rear of the photo office tent!

Photo copyright LVPC member Scott Nelson

All in all it was an AWESOME morning! I think my photo count is in the 2000 range (three and a half 8 GB cards full, shooting in RAW), lots of interesting things to photograph and people to talk with! If you missed the show this year, I highly recommend attending next year. Lastly, for all who are curious, yes my wife found a vendor who made funnel cake!

–Scott Nelson

Mayfair 2011 Photo Shoot – Music, Artwork, Crafts, Animals, and Elephant Ears!

Brian — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:41:28 +0000

After about 30 minutes at the dog obstacle/agility course, the smell of deep fat fried elephant ears drew my lovely wife (with me in tow) toward the concession stands, where she scored a large elephant ear! I was feeling a rumble in my stomach as well and my nose directed me toward the cheese steak vendor. I must say this was one of the best sandwiches I have ever had, in fact it went down so fast, I failed to get a photograph of the culinary work of art.

Once our tummies were full we wandered down the main walkway, taking in the sights of all the hand made crafts, jewelry, the graffiti artists artwork, and the sounds of music coming from the various stages, snapping a few photos along the way.

I was drawn to a shade tree along side the pond where the ducks were hanging out. I spent almost an hour there photographing the ducks and the people in the paddle boats. As the heat of the day and the fatigue of walking built up we decided to head home to the air conditioning and a comfortable sofa.

All in all this was a pretty unique photo shoot with animals, art work from the park, kids playing at the playground, still life art work, water features, and musical performers; really there is something for everyone!

–Scott Nelson

Dues for 2011-2012 Membership Year Now Due

Brian — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:24:38 +0000

Current members wishing to renew their memberships have several options for paying their dues. You may pay in person at a meeting or other club event or on line via credit card using PayPal.

New members are welcome as well! Simply fill out our on-line application!