Catching up with 2013

Because the main bulk of "members" are on the facebook, I tend to forget to update here.

After meeting Ness garden we also meet up at :-

• Manchester nightscrape - Starflyer at night
• Rusholme - curry social
• Liverpool walk about
• Manchester weekender - Pencils versus Pixels
• Ryland Library
• Cheadle Christmas Market

For 2014, we are looking into Manchester Town Hall tour and some more portraits sessions.

Ness Botanical Gardens - 7th April 2013 10am

Meet at 10am @ front entrance. 

£6.50 for adults though if group booking of more than 20 becomes £5.25!

We are combining the trip with a talk that Ness Gardens is running between 2pm & 3pm on improving your flower photography. Places are free but there is limited tickets! 

So book yourself a place here.

Please let me know you are coming so we can look out for you!

What is RAW? - 18th March 2013 7:30pm

Learning the basics of RAW processing.


Bring your laptop with RAW processing software if you have one will be great.



Location - St Cuthbert's Church, Cheadle SK8 2DT

Parking - NO parking on Cuthbert Road (to keep the neighbors happy ;-), but lots of space at the shops opposite and on Park Road (also opposite).

Drinks - Tea, Coffee provided

Let me know if you are coming !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Northern Quarters Photo Walk - 9th March 2013 1:30pm

A photo walk in Manchester's offbeat and interesting Northern Quarter.

The area has lots of personality, and is great for urban street scenes, not least graffiti and there are usually lots of quirky characters around. 

Will update with details of meeting place etc

Contact me if you want to come along so I know to look out for you.

Closer look at Macros - 18th Feb 2013 7:30pm

If you have macro lens, close up filter or extension tube, bring them along and give each other tips.

Also need stuff to photograph and maybe light source(desk lamp?)

I have canon 100mm macro and also olympus zuiko macro lens with a canon to olympus adaptor.

Also need a tripod!


Location - St Cuthbert's Church, Cheadle SK8 2DT

Parking - NO parking on Cuthbert Road (to keep the neighbors happy ;-), but lots of space at the shops opposite and on Park Road (also opposite).

Drinks - Tea, Coffee provided

Contact Lisa if you are coming or want more info.

Portrait Meet - Ambient Light/Off trigger flash - Sat 19th Jan 11am - 3pm

Max Places 15 (not including Rick and Mark).. no more than 15 (currently at time of writing 2 places left). 

Cost £5 per head to cover model. This way we get to shoot with a professional model and the cost is minimal. 

If you can not longer make it please remove yourself from the going list and post an update in this event thread so people will know we have a space free and please give good notice.

We will cover shooting portraits using ambient light (if enough of it and its not pissing down outside) and with flash. Covering the basic elements and provide tips on getting started. 

Ambient Light will cover finding good light and Exposure (Aperture Shutter Speed and ISO)

Flash will cover the variables of flash exposure and if we have time and people are understanding it combining flash and ambient.

One thing guys, once you learn this stuff (even starting out) go practice... seriously do it! You will fall over, fail just get back up dust off and go again.. mistakes are our best friends.. we learn from them.

I have written a gear advice list for a starting off camera lighting kit which I will post in the group docs. 

*********************************************

You should... know your way round your camera. Read and bring your manual. 

If you don't understand basic none flash exposure at all then these posts may help you, you need to understand this before going to flash.. have to. Please don't take it as me pushing New To Photo on the group, I am not.. just want people to have info needed and if it helps just one person both Myself and Mark are happy. If anyone objects to me posting these links, speak up.. please.. no problem at all.

Exposure Fundamentals - Stops - http://www.newtophoto.com/ntp-blog/2011/8/22/exposure-series-part-1-the-foundations-stops.html

Exposure Nuances - http://www.newtophoto.com/ntp-blog/2011/8/24/exposure-series-part-2-exposure-nuances.html

The flash stuff will be covered on the day, in theory and lots of practical

********************************************

You will need....

• Camera
• Len(s) a kit lens is fine or anything between 50mm and 135mm. You don't need to bring all your lens. 
• Camera Batteries - Bring a spare if you have one, cold kills battery.
• 2 Memory cards - always always bring more than 1 card if one goes bad or you fill it you have a backup.
• No tripods but if you need a steadying device a mono pod will be fine.
• If you have a flash and triggers bring em.

Rick and Mark will provide ...

• Lights (we have plenty last count 10)
• Wireless triggers for Canon, Nikon and other brands - Sony shooters you will need a hot shoe adapter or your own triggers set to work with Sony.. they have a proprietary (menolta) hot shoe.
• Light Stands
• Brackets
• Modifiers (60" Umbrellas, Reflectors) That's it. 
• Background set with white/black sheet. - We most likely wont use this but will throw it in the car incase.

Contact Lisa for more details

Social Meet Up - Manchester Chrimbo Markets - Sat 8th Dec 5pm

Ok.. after a successful first meetup we are running a second, this one is a social meet up. Come walk around the Manchester Christmas markets and sample food and drink, talk about photography or bring a camera if you like.

After taking int he markets we can head to a near by bar for a drink.

Markets are open until 8pm so I suggest meeting at 5pm at St Ann's Square, outside StarBucks.

Bring...
Yourself
A Coat
Empty Stomach
Oh and a camera if you want (recommend a compact)



More information about the markets can be found on the links below.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500241/christmas_markets

Visitor information can be found on the link below, or by contacting the...

Manchester Visitor Information Centre
Piccadilly Plaza
Portland Street
Manchester
M1 4AJ

Opening times
Monday - Saturday: 9.30am - 5:30pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone: +44 (0) 871 222 8223

http://www.visitmanchester.com/home