OffShoot Photography Society We believe that the image is everything!

29th May 2021

News

Last week we had an instructive and inspiring presentation from Peter Gordon. Peter is so well known to the many members who have done a workshop with him and enjoyed his company and knowledge. He has been a friend to OffShoot for many years. If you were inspired by his presentation on planning a photographic trip and want to learn more, his online course, Effective Planning in the Landscape, which covers in detail predicting the weather, tides, and so much more as well as post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop is highly recommended. 

Dare we hope that we are coming out of Covid restrictions? Will we travel in and out of Ireland in 2021? There is still a lot of uncertainty but Outings are back on track and you are encouraged to join us for some photography and craic in equal measure. The outings committee has been busy organising activities for you so join us.

Next Monday Night

On 31st May Andrea Hunt from the Dublin Photography School will judge the competition 'Up Close and Personal'. You will recall that Andrea gave us a talk in February on the wonders of macro photography and on Monday you will be able to see how members rose to the macro challenge. So come along and be entertained. 

Outings

Outings resumed on 10th May with inter-county travel and a limit of 15 people outside. There may still be restrictions but, at last, we are like kids let out of school early! After two enjoyable outings to the National Stud and Gardens in Tully, Co. Kildare and Emo Court and The Rock of Dunamase, on 29th May we go to Russborough House with its parkland and walled garden. 

Thought for the day

Cameras are made for taking photos, not sitting in a drawer in your house! How often has it happened that you’re coming home from work (or wherever), and there is the most amazing light as the sun sets over Dublin Bay? Your mobile phone doesn’t do it justice and your main camera is at home!

If you take more photographs, you'll learn faster what not to do. If you learn a new technique and don't practice it, you can easily forget it. The more photos you take, the bigger percentage of them will be good. And if you always carry a camera, you can improve faster.

Shoot With Me (SWM)

Last week we published a note from George Balmer and Emily Gallagher about the recent SWM showcase and it would be remiss not to respond. As usual, the exuberance and enjoyment of the participants were evident in producing some outstanding images and ingenious ideas in the most difficult of circumstances. Our thanks and congratulations go both to George and Emily, all group leaders, photographers and our fellow club members working ‘behind the scenes' who gave us two most enjoyable evenings. 

Learn With Me (LWM)

On Thursday last Barry Dillon offered us Part 1 of an excellent Crash Course Introduction to Photoshop. The mysteries of Photoshop whereby you can do the same thing in different ways is confusing to most of us. Barry explained in simple language what features are available, how they work and what to do with this fantastic asset to photographers. We will re-join him in a fortnight for the balance of his presentation.  

Our thanks go out to him for his presentation. His Crash Course Introduction to Photoshop is very comprehensive and was recorded for you to view again and again. Access is through the member's page on the website.

Accessing Video Recordings of Meetings

The Video of the second Shoot With Me Showcase is now available in the Member's Area of the website.

You can access this and other recordings of past Zoom meetings in the Videos section of the Member's Area at https://www.offshoot.ie/member-area/. You will need to log in to the website to see the content of this section of the site.

Every member has a log in to the site. If you don't remember your login details go to https://www.offshoot.ie/login/ and select the 'Forgot your password?' link. Enter the email address you received this newsletter with and reset your password. Once you've reset your password you can log in and catch up on speakers you missed. Happy catching up!

This Week's Flickr Theme

Frame within a Frame

 

Frame within a frame is a composition technique that uses a "frame" area in your photo to emphasise the subject and lead the eye to it. Frequently the frame is in the foreground so problem, dull or distracting backgrounds are avoided. Typical frame examples are windows, doorways, tree branches, rocky outcrops, gates, arches, bridges, tunnels and mirrors. If using a mirror make sure to focus on the subject in the mirror, not the mirror itself. 

 

Links

 

Frame within a Frame - a guide

Frame within a Frame - tips

Frame within a Frame - a short video

 

Google "Frame within a frame image"

 

Remember to include the Project Name at the start of the image title.

 

See more about how the OffShoot Weekly Flickr Theme works by clicking here.

 

Future weekly projects are:

 

04/06/2021 - Low Light

11/06/2021 - Liquid

18/06/2021 - Hands

 

Club Competitions

Our next competition has as its theme 'Anything Man-made'. From a screw to a skyscraper; from a ball to a bucket or a hamburger to a house, just about anything can become a subject for Anything Man-made so you can interpret the theme as broadly as you like. You can use almost any lens from a Macro to a Zoom so there’s something for everybody. 

Judging of your images is on 26th July with a final entry on 19th July so get out there and start shooting. We’ll publish the judge details shortly.

Please upload your entries before Monday 19th July to:

https://www.dropbox.com/request/x0VNfQbzh2ETDLxkxzWw

Make sure to name your images in the following way Level - Membership number - Title

e.g. "L2-987-The Towers.jpg"

What's On

Speakers and Outings

Here are the next scheduled meetings and events for the Society:

Members will be able to attend our outings by registering for specific outings. Keep up to date with the latest events at https://www.offshoot.ie/whats-on/.

Member's Photo of the Week

Just a note for new members – if you want any of your pictures considered for the photo of the week, you just have to post them to the OffShoot Flickr group at:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/offshoot_society.

There’s also the latest images published on Flickr that are displayed on the OffShoot home page.

 [Note. To join the Offshoot Flickr group, you must first be a Flickr member. Then send the email address used to join Flickr to webmaster@offshoot.ie. You will get an email when you have been added to the group. Please be patient as this is a manual process.]

Theme: Nightime - Full Moon by Paul O'Brien

Peacock by Alan Oman

From the OffShoot Website
Shoot With Me - Spring 2021 Showcase 2
The Spring 2021 Shoot With Me time came and we were still in Covid-19 lockdown. The topics for this Shoot With Me were selected on the basis that the photographs…
Read more...
Shoot With Me - Spring 2021 Showcase 1
The Spring 2021 Shoot With Me time came and we were still in Covid-19 lockdown. The topics for this Shoot With Me were selected on the basis that the photographs…
Read more...
Interesting Videos

If you come across one you want to share let us know at newsletter@offshoot.ie.

Nigel Dansen - 7 PHOTOGRAPHY MISTAKES I see all the time

Attilio RuffoLong Exposure Seascape Photography

IPF Links & Events

Irish Photographic Federation Web Site:

https://irishphoto.ie/

Most recent news and articles posted:

https://irishphoto.ie/news/

Distinction Sittings and Availability:

https://irishphoto.ie/distinctions/assessment-dates/

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