Welcome to the Photo Escapes Blog for the Fargo Moorhead Camera Club.

This is a place for news, learning, and just all around love of photography. 

Feel free to comment on the posts and add pertinent information as long as you keep it on topic and friendly.  If you wouldn't say it to mother, don't say it here... :). 

On to the fun. 

For each Blog I will try to have one Philosophical question, some news and a tip of the Blog to help folks.  If you have suggestions or questions, for the tips portion, or the news part, please feel free to comment with questions that I can try to answer for you.

What draws us to photography?

First and foremost, I think that photography is the capturing of life in tiny snippets.  An impactful photograph can bring tears to your eyes, make you smile, or make you cheer.  Irving Penn said, "A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it."

So how do we change people with a photograph?  Is it the technical aspects such as the composition or the lighting, color or black and white, or is it the subject of the photograph?  It's not necessarily any one thing.  I've seen some very poorly lit, out of focus, blah photo's that were thought of as incredibly impactful.  I've also seen some incredibly well lit and composed photos that did nothing for me at all. 

That being said, it is usually the well lit, compositionally correct photo's with an impactful subject that catch our eye, but much of what makes a good photograph is telling a story.  This impact can be very subjective depending on where we are emotionally and photographically. 

So back to the question.  How do we change people with a photograph? 

First, they have to see it. 

Getting your photography in front of others is the goal.  Printing photographs, sharing on social media, sharing with friends, having a website, showing your photo's, etc...

Also getting feedback on your photography is essential. 

We need to get a read on where we are and where we are going. 

Being a part of the camera club is a good start.  Entering the Salon's and seeing what wins is one part of it.  Then taking the feedback and trying to improve by coming to the education nights and getting out and shooting.

Lastly, learn from everyone, and everywhere.  Take the feedback you get with a grain of salt, but take it.  Then take a photo class.  Watch a You Tube video.  Subscribe to a blog or call or email a friend from the club and have them help you with something.  Always strive to improve and you will never get bored with photography. 

Now, in the news front, there's been a ton of information coming out on the new mirror-less cameras from Nikon and Canon.  I'm glad that you Nikon and Canon folks now have an option for mirror-less, full frame cameras and it will make all the manufacturers up their game on lighter and better products that help us photographers improve our images. 

The key advantages to mirror-less cameras are:
1.  No mirror so no shutter shake, and the ability for silent shooting.
2.  Electronic View finder to see your exposure prior to taking the shot so no chimping necessary.
3.  Eye Auto Focus - Sorry Nikon users, you might have to wait on this one for a bit.  Also, the Canon offering seems not to have eye tracking, so if you're shooting a lot of sports or action where the people are moving, Sony might still be your option. 
4.  Light weight and ability to use other companies lenses (Sony) or your current glass, (Nikon and Canon). 

At present, the only mirror-less with Dual Card Slots are the Sony A73, A7R3 and A9, but I'm sure that will be changing soon.

Tip of the Blog:  How to get a stuck filter off your lens.  There have been quite a few times when I've screwed a filter onto my lens and had a difficult time getting it off.  The difficulty comes because when you put pressure on specific spots on the filter, you cause it to distort and "grab" in the threads.  Always carry a thick rubber band in your camera bag and just take the rubber band and wrap it around the entire edge of the filter.  Grab the rubber band gripping it between your thumb and forefinger and pull on it with your other hand until very tight around the filter, then just twist the whole assembly to loosen.   It works...

Well, I hope you all like the info and the discussion.  Feel free to add your two cents and I will try to answer questions as soon as possible, or at least in the next blog. 

Thanks and Good Shooting.
Gordon Court
Kings Court Creative Photography
Former President, FM Camera Club.