Photographic Basics (Special Interest Group)

Contact: Gary Ford

SIGN up For Sig

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In this special interest group, hosted by Gary Ford, members come together to build their basic photographic skills. The meeting is open to new photographers or those looking to boost their confidence. It runs the third Monday of the month, September through May. 

Video with overview of SIG (members only)
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​Why Photographic Basics? 
Learn the basics so you build a strong foundation for your current and future photographic work. In this SIG, we cover:  

• basic terms in photography
• common mistakes
• knowing your camera
• the ISO/shutter speed/sperture triangle
• the histogram
• composition guidelines
• basic photo editing, and more.

See the example participants' photographs from this SIG.

​Meeting Format
Meeting are conducted digitally via Zoom. To participate you will need a computer with a microphone and camera, or a smart tablet. You must pre-register to receive the link to the Zoom meetings.

What to expect

Meetings have two segments:

• A presentation by the Special Interest Group host on one aspect of photography. The topics we cover through the course of the year will depend on the interests and abilities of the SIG members. 
• A constructive viewing and discussion of member images with a focus on what each photographer wanted to achieve with the photos, any concerns they might have about the outcome, and positive comments about each image by group members.​

meeting times & TOPICS

We meet the third Monday of the month (except for December) at 7:00 p.m., for approximately 75-90 minutes.
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The order of topics and the schedule below is tentative.

• Sep 19, 2022, Monday – Introduction, Basic Terms and Know Your Camera 
• Oct 17, 2022, Monday – The Histogram - What it means and How to use It
• Nov 21, 2022, Monday – Basic Tips
• Dec 19, 2022, Monday – Common Mistakes To Avoid (Sometimes Creative) 
• Jan 16, 2023, Monday – Composition Guidelines Pt 1
• Feb 20, 2023, Monday – Composition Guidelines Pt 2
• Mar 20, 2023, Monday – Tips for Enhancing Your Landscape, Wildlife, Macro, Abstract, Black & White, Flower, Portraiture, and Low Light images
• Apr 17, 2023, Monday - Basic Photo Editing and Software Pt 1 (Lightroom and Camera RAW/Photoshop, Topaz Studio)
•  May 15, 2022, Monday - Basic Photo Editing and Software Pt 2  (Lightroom and Camera RAW/Photoshop, Topaz Studio)

​See recordings of 2021-2022 meetings (members only)

past meetings: Sep 2021 to Jun 2022

Generally, we will meet via Zoom on the second Monday of a month except in September (third Monday)

• Mon, September 20, 2021 – Introduction, Basic Terms, Light and Basic Tips
• Mon, October 18, 2021 – Know Your Camera (Auto vs Manual, ISO, Exposure and Exposure compensation settings, Focusing, Image Stabilization, RAW vs JPG, Shutter settings, On camera flash vs Flash Units)
• Mon, November 22, 2021 – Common Mistakes To Avoid (Sometimes Creative)
  • recording (members only)
• Mon, December 13, 2021 – The Histogram - What it means and How to use It
  • recording (members only)
• Mon, January 24, 2022 – Composition Guidelines Pt 1
  • recording (members only)
• Mon, February 14, 2022 – Composition Guidelines Pt 2
  • recording (members only)
• Mon, March 14, 2022 – Tips for Enhancing Your Landscape, Wildlife, Macro, Abstract, Black & White, Flower, Portraiture, and Low Light images
  • ​recording (members only)
• Mon, April 18, 2022 - Basic Photo Editing and Software Pt 1(Lightroom and Camera RAW/Photoshop, Topaz Studio)
  • ​ recording (members only)
• Mon, May 16, 2022 (note new date) - Basic Photo Editing and Software Pt 2(Lightroom and Camera RAW/Photoshop, Topaz Studio)