Fellow Photographers
The first virtual meeting of fStops Photography Basics Group will be held Thursday night November 5 at 6:30 pm.  This is a new option focused on the basic principles of photography and encouraging members to share their images and feedback.  Check it out!

Time: Nov 5, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84386607840?pwd=RDJFQnpuNUdxaTltb3JuQUNpSDlBdz09
Meeting ID: 843 8660 7840    Passcode: 517080

Terry Mendelson and Sharon Sega will be co hosting the meeting.  The subject for discussion will be leading lines, one of the basics of composition.  Anyone interested in participation can present images on this topic.  You may also share other images that do not meet the topic if you wish.  There is no need to just stick to the topic.  Any submission is fine.  There will be no judge but peer review will be encouraged.  As this is geared to the beginner and inclusive to all, we would the review be of a positive nature of each image, rather than picking it apart.  We also encourage discussing how the image can be improved from your perspective.  In that way we can encourage participation by some members who may have been reluctant to participate in the regular fStops meeting before a critical professional judge.  We look forward to your participation.  There are some images that serve as examples attached to this email. Thank you

Other Announcements

Lisa Langell is providing a free webinar on High Key Photography.  The presentation is scheduled for October 29, 2020 at 6:30 pm.  You must register using this link to attend the event: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/photograph-nature-in-high-key-style-fstops-camera-club-tickets-116170720753   
Here is a link to her website: https://www.langellphotography.com/
​
Inglewood Park and Cemetery is hosting a photo contest this fall, “The Angels of Los Angeles”.  There are many statues at the park, so make plans to go for a shooting session soon.  There is plenty of space there for keeping distant from others.  Here is the link to the contest:  http://ipc-photocontest.com

Fellow Photographers
Lesley Krane did another great job judging the high and low key photography assignment at our October meeting.  There were many great images to see.  Below are the award winners.  Go to the assignment page on our website to see all the photos.  The video of the meeting was recorded and can be found there as well.

Photo Pills Webinar with Tim Grey
Here is the link to the webinar that was held last Monday evening featuring Tim Grey going through some of the features of the PhotoPills app.  
https://youtu.be/TN-3Jh-yoz0
Tim runs a website: http://www.timgreyphoto.com   It includes photographic information and learning opportunities.  Ask Tim Grey is a place where he answers a question about photography every day.  He also has a lecture series called
 Grey Learning. Feel free to share the link to the recording with any other photographers who you think might enjoy the presentation.

The Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop User’s Group will be meeting October 15, at 6:30 p.m.  The basic agenda includes social time to start, a demonstration of techniques, and addressing questions from the group.   A link will sent to user group members prior to the meeting.  If you would like to join this group, send an email using the comment section at the bottom of any of the fStop website pages.

Lisa Langell will provide a free webinar on High Key Photography.  The presentation is scheduled for October 29, 2020 at 6:30 pm.  You must register using this link to attend the event: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/photograph-nature-in-high-key-style-fstops-camera-club-tickets-116170720753   
Here is a link to her website: https://www.langellphotography.com/
​
Inglewood Park and Cemetery is hosting a photo contest this fall, “The Angels of Los Angeles”.  There are many statues at the park, so make plans to go for a shooting session soon.  There is plenty of space there for keeping distant from others.  Here is the link to the contest:  http://ipc-photocontest.com

​Fellow Photographers
Lesley Krane will be judging high and low key photography at our meeting this week.  You may submit up to two images by Monday October, 5.  8 p.m. is the cutoff time.
Here is the information to log onto this Thursday’s Zoom Meeting.  You will need to use the passcode shown below to join the meeting.  The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. for informal sharing.  Judging will begin after announcements after 7:00 p.m. 

The Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop User’s Group will be meeting October 15, at 6:30 p.m.  The basic agenda includes social time to start, a demonstration of techniques, and addressing questions from the group.   A link will sent to user group members prior to the meeting.  If you would like to join this group, send an email using the comment section at the bottom of any of the fStop website pages.

Lisa Langell will provide a free webinar on High Key Photography.  The presentation is scheduled for October 29, 2020 at 6:30 pm.  You must register using this link to attend the event: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/photograph-nature-in-high-key-style-fstops-camera-club-tickets-116170720753   
Here is a link to her website: https://www.langellphotography.com/

Inglewood Park and Cemetery is hosting a photo contest this fall, “The Angels of Los Angeles”.  There are many statues at the park, so make plans to go for a shooting session soon.  There is plenty of space there for keeping distant from others.  Here is the link to the contest:  http://ipc-photocontest.com

​Looking into the future
The board put together a steering committee to plan for the coming year.  Here is their report below:

Steering Committee Meeting Report
Attended by Sharon Sega, Lloyd Delaney, Ron Goodman, Terry Mercer , Glyn Sun and Dan Katz
How are we going to meet our goals in the next 12 months?  The goals are to promote socialization, inspiration, education, recognition, and enjoyment.
It was agreed that we need to have two plans because of the pandemic. 
​
Without ability to meet in person as a large group indoors.

• Until we are able to meet in person, we continue to use zoom for our monthly meetings and for the Adobe User Group.  Based on the survey results from our members, the current format is working and is improving as we gain experience with online meetings.
• fStops will pay for a basic Zoom package (~$15/month).  This way we can have several hosts and expand our User Group options.  This is about the same cost as our annual rent for the Village.
• Create a private Facebook Group for the membership.
  • Participation requires that members have created a Facebook page.  Some people may not want to do this.  We need to see how this progresses.
  • Members can post their images and receive feedback from their peers.
  • Members can state their intention to go for a shoot and see who would like to meet them there.  They can work out the time, date, and other details.
  • We need to explore how this platform can work for us.

When we are able to meet as a large group indoors.

• Find a new location for meeting.
  • The Encino Community Center is an option.  I have made contact and there is a chance that it will be both available and rent free
  • Ron is checking on another option for a possible meeting site.
• A majority of people responding to the survey said they would like to continue having about half of our meetings online.  They go faster, there is no need to drive/park.  However, they want to be able to be together in person as well.
• Offer events that include mini workshops on techniques and places to shoot for assignments.

What Else?

• Dues primarily cover the cost of the judges and our few operating costs.  Keep them at $40 and if need be ask members for more if location expense is an issue.
• People are really pleased with the low cost classes offered by Natasha Calzatti.  Many people have taken the classes because they are inexpensive and have benefited from them.
• Webinars are an option.  We have now had one with Kah-Wai Lin and the attendance was over 30 and included people from VPC.  There is another scheduled for October.
• Keep the Adobe Users Group meeting on line and work to improve how it works for the members.
• There is a feature using Zoom where people who can watch a video together and then have a discussion.  It seems worth pursuing.
• It was suggested that we have a forum for members to present a limited portfolio of their images and provide a commentary.  There could be a sign up and then do a meeting devoted to this.  One member said another group does this with up to 12 images on a topic chosen by the presenter and they are able to do several portfolios in an hour.
• Until we can have in person meetings the printed image is going to have to be on “hold”.  The logistics of getting prints to a judge and back again is too difficult.
• I have added our current roster of judges to the MailChimp mailing list.  It is good to keep them informed and engaged with us.

Survey Response 
20/40 members responded to the first mailing and an additional 10 to the second mailing.

• 70% have attended at least one zoom meeting.  Those not attending mostly said they were busy doing other things.
• 80% of those attending rated the meeting with a 7 or higher on a 10 point scale.  What they liked best was the quality of the judging and the insights, the convenience of meeting online and being able to see friends during the pandemic.  Their suggestions  for improvement included better coordination with the judge, eliminate scoring because the comments are enough, and offer time for social interaction.
• What format should the meetings be in when the pandemic ends?  44% said in person only.  1 person online only and 52% said half online and half in person.  There were a couple of suggestions to have the meetings in person with an online option.
• Other feedback included thank you for the classes with Natasha, don’t lose the printed presentation, and thank to the board for what we are doing.

Take Care,
Lloyd Delaney

Fellow Photographers
Tim Grey ~ Photo Planning with PhotoPills
October 5th @ 5:00 pm PDT
A 45-minute presentation followed by a 15 minute Q & A
As long as you sign up you will have access to the recording to view at a later time, even if you somehow could not make the presentation.

This is a free lecture by Tim Grey Monday night recommended by Terry Mendelson.  Terry says, “I have known him for more than 20 years.  He worked for the famous photographer, George Lepp and was his print master and jack of all trades. He taught numerous classes on Photoshop and Lightroom.  His lectures are clear and concise, and easily understood.  I highly recommend attending this event.”
Here is the link to sign up for the webinar:  https://www.meetup.com/Nature-Photography-Group-of-the-Central-Coast-of-CA/events/273320364/

Tim runs a website: http://www.timgreyphoto.com   It includes a lot of photographic information and learning opportunities.  Ask Tim Grey is a place where he answers a question about photography every day.  He also has a lecture series called Grey learning. 
Happy viewing!