3CT Governing Board

President: Jeff Roush

Vice President: Tommy Azbill

Secretary: Sally Edwards

Treasurer: Pat Gordy

Webmaster: Dave Reasons

Education Director: Jeff Roush

Social Media Director: Kay Crick

Activities Director: Sally Edwards

Newsletter Editor: Renee Day

Website: www.3ct.org

Email to: newslettereditor@3ct.org

3CT In Focus Camera Club Council

of Tennessee

Volume 8, Issue 6

June 30, 2019

Inside this Issue

Pg. 1 Issue Contents/Photos Pg. 2-3 Education Article Pg. 4-5 Tech Notes Pg. 6-9 Member Club News Pg. 10-11 Workshops, Expo, Etc. Pg. 12-13 Member Clubs Pg. 14-15 PSA Councils Challenge Pg. 16-18 Photo Locations Pg. 19 Contacts, Extras

Save the date!

3CT Fall Event

The Photographic Society of Chattanooga will host the event

October 4, 5, and 6

https://www.chattanoogafun.com/

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Focus Lock

Jeff Roush / Ed. Dir. Most modern-day digital cameras have a “focus lock” capability. This allows the photographer to lock focus on an object or subject and then change what’s in the viewfinder slightly to create a more interesting composition. Before you try this technique, there is a setting on your camera that you need to change. I might add that learning to use the different "focus points” settings is a huge benefit to the photographer. Take a moment to understand all of these different configurations of the focusing points. To be more descriptive of this feature, know that the focusing points are the small red squares that light up in your viewfinder showing you “what” that camera is focusing on when you frame up a scene. They illuminate when you press the shutter button halfway down. Change the focusing points to the one in the center “only” – leaving all of the other ones turned off. This will now allow you to decide what you want your camera to focus on – not the computer in your camera. When you view a scene, you put the subject you want to be in focus in the small square in the viewfinder and then depress the shutter button slightly. The camera will focus on that subject and stay set at that specific focus distance as long you hold the button partially down. You are free to recompose your photo at that point without risking the autofocus changing to a different subject and distance. Just be sure that you don’t change the “zoom” setting after you lock the focus. Most zoom lenses can’t hold focus if you change the lenses zoom settings. If you re-zoom to a new composition, then you need to start over and re-lock your focus on the subject again. Here are the steps to perform this technique:

1) Frame up your composition - set your crop and zoom the lens to the view you want.

2) Point the camera to the subject and lock the focus by depressing your shutter button

slightly.

3) Go back to your original crop while holding the button (focus is locked) and depress

your shutter button to capture your image.

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The photo to the left of the white flowers with the out of focus, weedy background is an example of how focus lock can work to your advantage. Focus on the flowers with the spot focusing square in the viewfinder. Then while continuing to depress your shutter button, slightly re-frame back to your original photo like you want it to look. The autofocus will remain locked on the flower distance setting and not move to the field of weeds further back in the scene.

The portrait to the left demonstrates the same control as the flower photo above. In this case, as you did before, focus on the face of the person and hold down the shutter release button while you recompose your photo.

This technique takes a little bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself doing it all the time. Determining your OWN focus point in your image is another step towards total camera control and more professional looking images. In our quest to become better photographers, this is just another simple step that allows us to be the artist, and take away the camera controlling where it focuses on our scene. Jeff Roush – Ed. Director / Camera Club Council of Tennessee Questions / Comments – jroush@roushstudios.com

Focus Lock—Continued

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June 2019 Dave Reasons, 3CT Webmaster Neutral Density filters (ND); do you own one (or more) and do you use it? If you don't own an ND, I would recommend you purchase one or more, especially if you enjoy shooting landscapes and water scenes such as waterfalls. There are two types of ND filters. The first type is the one that screws onto your lens, and the second type is the square filter that requires you to have a holder attached your lens. Both will get the basic job done; however, the quality of the shot may suffer if you are using the wrong filters. And when I say the wrong filters, I mean the quality of the filters. Cheapest is not always the best when it comes to ND filters or any filter. My advice is to get the best ND filter you can afford. The issue with variables is that you must turn the variable ring on the filter. It can be difficult to get the precise setting you need. And, if adjusted wrong, you can have an imprecise vignette or dark X in the middle of your image. The variable ND is really two polarizing filters that are stacked one on top of the other. By rotating the outer layer ring, you are changing the variable amount of light-blocking capability. And, if not careful, you'll get the dreaded X on your images as well. If you use a fixed ND, it evenly blocks some of the light so you can reduce the light during the day in order to use a longer exposure time. This type of filter is ideal for shooting moving streams and waterfalls. Additionally, fixed ND's are a must have for sunrise and sunset shots. The fixed neutral density filter evenly blocks some of the light so you can reduce the light during the day and create a longer exposure duration, which is very handy for waterfall images and skies in some cases. Fixed ND filters have a specific density, so you can quickly adjust your exposure settings based on adding the ND filter to the mix. I used the round type for my shots when I could remember to put them on, but now I use the square type filters made by Lee. While Lee filters are expensive, they are also great quality filters. My holder will take two square filters at a time and then a large polarizer filter that fits over the front of the holder. Round ND filters come in many densities, but none of them have graduated densities that are great for sunrises and sunsets. With the square filters, you can purchase ND filters in three types: a soft line graduated that is good where you don't have a hard line separating the sky from the ground, a hard line graduated filter that is great for shooting the sun rising and setting on water or other flat surfaces, and then there is a new one that was released not long ago. It is a reverse graduated filter that is designed to be used for shooting sunsets. It is darkest at the bottom and lighter at the top. This allows you to filter the sun but not the sky, thus giving you true sky colors. And, with a square filter, you can use a large circular polarizer on the front of the filter. It adds about one more stop of light blockage while taking the glare off of wet objects.

5

So, whichever system you choose to invest in, you'll find that it ups your photography game. You'll be amazed at how much better your waterfall, sunset, and sunrise images will look. These are four of my images shot using the Lee Filter System:

Tech Notes—Continued

6

Club and Council News and Events

Jackson Photo Club June 2019 The Jackson Photo Club held the monthly photo competition at the meeting on June 11. The theme was “Color.”

The club is planning the annual picnic at Reelfoot Lake and a fall visit to Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville. https://cheekwood.org/

Stan Kozlowitz —1st Place

Lisa Renner Tooloose—2nd Place Brandon Blankenship—3rd Place

JPC meeting Location:

Pleasant Plains Baptist Church, 331 Pleasant Plains Jackson, TN 38305

Second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm

7

Club and Council News and Events

PSC results of the 2nd quarterly contest on "Flowers.”

Photographic Society of Chattanooga June 2019

1st Place - Gayle Domanski “Deep Purple”

2nd Place - Louann Smith “Tulipa Lustra 1” 3rd Place - Louann Smith “Rosa Lady of Shalott”

8

Club and Council News and Events

Photographic Society of Chattanooga June 2019

Continued — results of the 2nd quarterly contest on "Flowers.”

HM - Jim Mears “Yellow Iris”

HM - Gayle Domanski “One Pretty Petal”

HM - Jim Pierson “Still Life 54”

HM - Margaret Jones “Rising Above The Norm”

HM - Mary Jane Fish “Light Pink Lotus”

HM - Randy Ware “Orange Tulips 2”

HM - Rosemary Williams “Single Lotus Bloom”

9

Club and Council News and Events

Photographic Society of Chattanooga June 2019

Colby McLemore, of Colby’s Photography in Knoxville, will present "Portrait Lighting"

https://www.colbysphotography.com/event/portraits-101/ July 18 at 7:00 PM. St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37416

Colby McLemore is the owner and visual storyteller of Colby’s Photography. He is a full-time professional whose work revolves around advertising photography as well as portrait photography. He is known for his caring, fun, and easy-going demeanor, as well as for being professional, customer-oriented, and detailed-oriented. His work is often described as creative, clean, and fresh.

He has received many accolades, including the Knoxville News Sentinel’s Readers Choice award as Best Photographer, as well as Cityview’s Best of the Best photographer for years in a row. He is most proud of the awards given to him by his professional peers, including being voted into the Top Ten Professional Commercial Photographers and into Tennessee’s Top Ten Professional Photographers. He has also been voted Tennessee’s Professional Photographer of the Year and has won a Kodak Gallery Award and Fuji’s Excellence Award, as well as many others.

Colby is known for his selfless giving to the entire photographic community, doing presentations and workshop for enthusiast groups as well as for professional photography organizations throughout the region. He worked at UT’s Photography Certificate program for over seven years.

To learn more about Colby and to see examples of his work, visit his website at www.colbysphotography.com

Portrait Lighting

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Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop

October 18–21, 2019 $688 (Includes instruction, meals AND lodging at one great price.) Live and learn inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park Unlike many photography workshops, our price includes meals, lodging and instruction by one of the finest teams of photography instructors anywhere in the country. Combine that with the location inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it is a real steal.

There will be demonstrations on Photoshop techniques, close-up techniques, and wildlife photog-raphy. And, of course, the concluding critique session of work completed during the workshop. In ad-dition to the presentations and demonstrations, there will be an emphasis on photographing in the field, one-on-one interactions with instructors, free-time for those who want to do some work on their own, and an optional photographic trip to Cades Cove. The workshop is designed for all levels of expertise, from serious beginners and beyond. Program lasts from Friday afternoon to Monday mid-morning.

For more information and to register: http://gsmit.org/event/autumn-brilliance-photography-workshop/

“Smokies” by Conrad Tinney

11

Bedford Camera & Video Bedford Camera & Video (Little Rock, AR)

August 2-3, 2019

The Photo Expo Memphis at Graceland is a unique experience in an iconic city, at a venue that would make the KING proud. We are looking forward to a jam-packed weekend with hands-on training, keynote speakers, model shoots, an interactive trade show, and incredible networking opportunities. This will be a rocking photography experience for everyone involved at the Birthplace of Rock and Roll and Home of the Blues.

This year's keynote speakers include: Rick Sammon, Canon Explorer of Light Dave Black, Nikon Ambassador Matt Kloskowski, Sony Artisan Erik Valind, Fuji X Photographer

Save $20 at registration for a limited time using coupon code: VIP20OFF

https://www.bedfords.com/memphisexpo19-lr

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3CT Member Clubs

If you are not a member of any of the clubs listed

below, sign up for a 3CT Individual Lifetime

Membership for $25.00 and be eligible to

participate in all of 3CT’s events, contests and to

receive the award-winning monthly newsletter.

https://3ct.org/membership/individual-

membership-details/

Camera Club Council of Tennessee:

https://3ct.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cameraclubcounciloftennessee/ Instagram — 3ctorg Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?text=3ct

Camera Club of Oak Ridge:

http://oakridgecameraclub.org/

http://www.facebook.com/groups/

cameraclubOR/

Clarksville Friends of Photography:

https://www.facebook.com/clarksvillefop/

Cookeville Camera Club:

https://www.cookevillecameraclub.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Cookeville-Camera-

Club-182373583284/

Crossville Camera Club

https://www.facebook.com/crossvillecamclub/

crossvillecameraclub@gmail.com

Digital Lunch Bunch:

Email Larry Perry - larryperry11@comcast.net

Dyersburg Photographic Society:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/ DyersburgPhotographicSociety/ Giles County Camera Club:

http://gilescountycameraclub.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/

GilesCountyCameraClub/

https://www.flickr.com/groups/gccc/ Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont:

http://gsmit.org/

https://www.facebook.com/GSMITremont/

Huntsville Photographic Society:

http://www.huntsvillephotographicsociety.org/

https://www.facebook.com/

HuntsvillePhotographicSociety/

Jackson Photo Club:

http://www.jacksonphotoclub.org/

https://m.facebook.com/groups/155119344018

Lawrenceburg Photographic Society:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/365370508658

Life Through The Lens Photo Club

Columbia, TN, Maury County

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3CT Member Clubs

LeConte Photographic Society:

http://www.lecontephotographic.com/

https://m.facebook.com/groups/150834268285095

Memphis Camera Club:

http://www.memphiscameraclub.org/ https://www.facebook.com/MemphisCameraClub/ Nashville Photography Club:

https://www.nashvillephotographyclub.com/ https://www.facebook.com/nashvillephotographyclub/ Northwest Tennessee Photography Club

http://nwtnphotoclub.com/ https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestTennesseePhotographyClub/

Paris Photography Club:

https://sites.google.com/view/paristnphoto/home https://m.facebook.com/groups/408318365955275

Photographic Society of Chattanooga:

http://chattanoogaphoto.org/ https://www.facebook.com/chattanoogaphoto/ Email: info@chattanoogaphoto.org

Plateau Photography Club:

http://www.ppcuginc.com/PhotoClub/2015/home.htm https://www.facebook.com/Plateau-Photography-45015157860/ https://www.flickr.com/groups/2700169@N25/

Southern Appalachian Nature Photographers:

http://sanp.net

Twin Cities Photo Club

https://www.facebook.com/TWIN-CITY-PHOTO-CLUB-103987542210/

Virginia Highlands Camera Club

West Tennessee Photographers Guild:

http://www.westtennesseephotographersguild.org/ https://www.facebook.com/WestTennesseePhotographersGuild/

West Tennessee Shutterbugs:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/wtnshutterbugs

We would love to get updates about your club events

and information about your next club meeting. Does

your club sponsor an annual event/contest? We will

let the rest of the clubs and lifetime members know

about your club’s local events and happenings.

Email articles, updates, and photos to the

3CT Newsletter Editor:

newslettereditor@3ct.org

Club Membership

Send your $40.00 to:

Pat Gordy, Treasurer 3CT

7424 Edgefield Dr.

Chattanooga, TN 37421

14

3CT Photos for PSA Councils Challenge

Dorothy Baxter Volcanic Sunset

Dorothy Baxter A Winter Day in Cades Cove

Gayle Domanski Green Leaf

Gayle Domanski Coastal Boats at Dock Bob Ellis

Toroweap Dawn

Bob Ellis Nature's Stark Beauty

Mary Jane Fish Burrowing Owl in the Wind

Bob Ellis Tree Frog

Jeanette Ellis Lone Oak

Jeannette Ellis Daffodil

Mary Jane Fish Inside the Badlands National Park Lori Gibbs

Working Woman

Wendell Gordy Autumn Waters

Wendell Gordy Egret Seeking Mate Wendell Gordy

One for the Nest

15

3CT Photos for PSA Councils Challenge—Continued

Jim Jennings Old Town Street

Jim Jennings City Skyline

Jim Jennings Tree in the Fog

Martha Kinel Pelicans migrating, stop at

Duck River Nature Preserve Jeff Levine

Surviving the Storm Jeff Levine

Eve of Battle

Jeff Levine Big Creek

Jim Mears Cabin Corner

Mickey Rountree Purple Iris

Mickey Rountree Old Tree

Mickey Rountree Snow Leopard

Anina Stewart Fly See You

Brent Wright Ancient Temples, Beautiful Light

Brent Wright 40 Degrees Below Zero

Brent Wright Flightless Cormorant

16

478 Happy Hollow Lane Sevierville, TN 37876 http://deerfarmzoo.com/

Murfree Spring Wetlands https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/187/Murfree-Spring-Wetlands

Ijams Nature Center https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g55138-d146693-Reviews-Ijams_Nature_Center-Knoxville_Tennessee.html

Seven Islands State Birding Park https://tnstateparks.com/parks/seven-islands

The diverse natural landscape of aquatic and grassland habitats makes Seven Islands State Birding Park a premier birding destination with more than 190 species of birds sighted. The park encompasses 416 acres along the French Broad River in Knox County, approximately 19 miles east of Knoxville. This peninsula of land features more than eight miles of natural trails, rolling hills and views of the Smoky Mountains. In addition to being a wildlife refuge popular for hiking and wildlife observation, the park is a research and educational facility for schools and other groups and a demonstration area for land use and habitat management techniques. Songbirds, hawks and waterfowl can be seen along the meadow trails and several old barns are a favorite refuge for Barn Owls. For paddlers and anglers, there is a small canoe/kayak launch that provides access to the French Broad River.

Cannonsburgh Village

312 S Front St, Murfreesboro, TN http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/164/Cannonsburgh-Village

17

Renaissance Park

100 Manufacturers Road

Chattanooga, TN 37405

https://www.chattanoogafun.com/listing/renaissance-park/1133/

Stones River National Battlefield

3501 Old Nashville Hwy

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

https://www.nps.gov/stri/index.htm

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens 1200 Forrest Park Drive

Nashville, TN 37205

https://cheekwood.org/

Old Stone Fort State

Archaeological Park

732 Stone Fort Drive

Manchester, TN 37355

https://tnstateparks.com/parks/old-stone-fort

Tennessee Safari Park Open Year Round

618 Conley Road

Alamo, TN 38001

https://www.tennesseesafaripark.com/

The Museum of Appalachia

A living history museum — a pioneer mountain farm-village that lends voice to the people of Southern Appalachia through the artifacts and stories they left behind. Founded in 1969 by John Rice Irwin, the Museum is now a non-profit organization, and a Smithsonian Affiliate museum. We offer self-guided tours, and are open every day of the week.

Location: 2819 Andersonville Hwy. Clinton, TN 37716

http://www.museumofappalachia.org/

18

Photo by Latta Johnson

Photographic Society of Chattanooga

https://www.fs.usda.gov/generalinfo/cherokee/recreation/generalinfo/?groupid=71012&recid=35096

Ocoee Whitewater Center

The Ocoee Whitewater Center, near Ducktown, Tennessee, United States, was the canoe slalom venue for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and is the only in-river course to be used for Olympic slalom competition.Wikipedia

Address: 4400 US-64, Copperhill, TN 37317

Email ideas for photo locations to newslettereditor@3ct.org

19

Let us Hear From You!

Have suggestions? Drop us a line!

Email articles, updates, and photos to the

3CT Newsletter Editor:

newslettereditor@3ct.org

https://3ct.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cameraclubcounciloftennessee/

www.psa-photo.org/

National Park Foundation

“Share The Experience Photo

Contest”

https://www.nationalparks.org/our-work/

campaigns-initiatives/share-experience-

photo-contest

Calling all 3CT Clubs

Send us your Facebook or website group cover photo to have it featured here.

Save the date!

3CT Fall Event

The Photographic Society of Chattanooga

will host the event

October 4, 5, and 6

https://www.chattanoogafun.com/