The VBPC Strobist Focus Group meets monthly every fourth Thursday from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The group is still growing, as is the concept of strobism itself. Last night, although we lacked a formal instruction or lesson plan, we had a great time working with shoot-through umbrellas in various positions around the model and gels to achieve interesting lighting. Six of us showed for the meeting, each of us having slightly different off-camera flash setups, but all of us capable of achieving similar results. Skip Morrow and Chris Bautista were great instructors, showing those of us less-informed some key tricks. The last forty-five minutes of the meeting, we went downstairs to the lobby of the ECPI building to shoot using the plants as a nice setting and the ambiant lighting of the fountains for added interest.

Here's a shot I caught of Skip modeling with our setup as a flash popped.  

If you're interested in learning more about VBPC Strobists, check out the Strobist Focus Group folder in the forum (the oldest posts will guide you to various sources for learning and equipment). You can see more images from this meeting in this forum post.

We hope to see greater attendance and interest in the Strobist Focus Group this year. Strobism (inexpensive, creative lighting using off-camera and other alternative lighting) is a new and exciting concept in photography that we each can afford and learn from.

Happy Shooting!

Halie Hovenga, VBPC Special Events Coordinator
757-763-0971
halie@haliehovenga.com
www.haliehovenga.com

Download it here

Images of Faith Photography Exhibit
Virginia Beach United Methodist Church at the Oceanfront
Mid February - April 2009

All photographic images must be Christian in nature: architecture; spirituality in nature; people exhibiting acts of kindness, compassion, or participating in sacraments such as baptism, marriage, confirmation, ordination; Christian elements or artifacts; any photograph portraying facets of the Christian faith will be considered for the exhibit.

A brochure will be available for onlookers to "guide" them through the exhibit. Each photograph will be assigned a scripture passage depending on its subject matter and title. Photographers may submit their own scripture verse to accompany each photograph.
In the booklet, each photographer's name will be listed with phone contact.

An "Opening Night" will be held, date TBA, with light refreshments provided. Open to all VBPC Club members, their families, and VBUMC church members and residents.

Please submit digital photos for review to sclever@vbumc.org before the deadline of Sunday, January 31, 2009

Photographs must be submitted matted/framed to the church by February 11 for hanging.

Only 5 images from any one photographer will be accepted for display but you may submit as many as you choose for review before the deadline.

Questions? Contact Susan Clever, 757-428-7727, sclever@vbumc.org, ext 228.

Complete details for submissions is available here in PDF format.

It’s that time again! You guessed it, the annual Awards Banquet. Reserve the evening of January 24, 2009, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, and you’re in for a treat this year. We’re going to have singing and dancing…okay, no dancing. But we will have singing. Singers from the Barber Shop Chorus will be entertaining us during the dinner hour. We will have a verrrry special guest joining us for the evening; Bill McIntosh of McIntosh Portraits will be speaking and showing a presentation of his work. Did I mention where we will be having this soiree? Bubba’s BBQ in the Farmer’s Market off Dam Neck. Be prepared for some of the best bbq and brisquet you’ve ever tasted. Our number 1 photos of the year will be on display to show off the accomplishments of our fellow photographers, we’ll have awards, and door prizes. At the end of the banquet, if anyone has been swept away with the excitement, they can try their hand at karaoke (we promise not to laugh…too much.). So everyone mark your calendars, make your reservations, pay the nominal banquet fee ($3.00 for members and $7.00 for guests), and we’ll see you Saturday night, January 24^th. And to make things extra easy for you, we have set up a registration and PayPal page where you can use your credit card to pay online. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use it--just a credit card.  If you want to pay with cash, you may pay in person at the Jan 6th Membership meeting.  Go to the registration page here (must be logged into the website).   UPDATE:  Registration is CLOSED.  There are no more seats.

November 3, 2008

My fellow members:

You often hear me joking around about the upcoming elections.  However, this really is something serious, as we will be living history tomorrow.  Regardless of the outcome, or who you vote for, one of two things will happen tomorrow; we will either have the first woman vice-president, or we will have the first black president.

I urge all of you to get to the polls early.  And, once you have voted, grab that camera.  Record the polling places..the people...whatever you feel will make a great photograph.  Like I said, this is history in the making.  And as photographers, it is not only our right BUT OUR DUTY to record history.

I look forward to seeing some great photographs tomorrow!  And remember the most important thing....TO VOTE!

-- Tom 

This one's a no-brainer. If you haven't heard, alkaline batteries are EXPENSIVE. But there's an alternative. And a good one. No, make that a great one. Nickel Metal-Hydride, or NiMH batteries. They cost just a bit more than the old-fashioned alkaline batteries, but they last forever, and your flash will love them.  Click here to read more.