Shutterbugs Visit Noah’s Ark

On Saturday, March 17, 2012, eleven Shutterbugs plus 4 of their guests visited Noah’s Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center in Locust Grove. Members attending were: Allen Ellerbee, Anna Mary Ellerbee, Brenda Fayard, Carlotta VanHouten, Dianne Kelly, Francis Hauke, Glenda VanHouten, Johnnie Ann Gaskill, Marcia Fisher, Margie Lentini, and Mary Wagner.

A good time was had by the Shutterbugs, even though the double chain link fences surrounding some of the animals (bears, tigers, etc.) often prevented them from getting the images they wanted. However, they had good success in photographing buffaloes, turkeys, emus, ostriches, llamas, etc. in their pastures/pens, as well as animals strolling around: peacocks, ducks, and so forth.

Congratulations

Fawne DeRosia, former officer of Shutterbugs, has opened the “Fawne DeRosia Studio and Gallery,” located at 210 West Gordon Street (between TUAC and Specialties). The new business is open by appointment only. Contact Fawne at fawnederosia@gmail.com.

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Vol. 4, Issue 2 of Kitchen Drawer Magazine listed Brenda Fayard as one of the contributing photographers. (Her photos have appeared in past issues, as well.) That same issue announced that Fawne DeRosia’s photo “Mazzy and Dexter” won 2^nd place in the “People with Pets” contest that the magazine hosted for a couple of weeks on Facebook.

What is Kitchen Drawer? According to their website, “Kitchen Drawer Online is a social network and community blog where everyday people, artists and businesses share modern day experiences as well as reminisce about the days past. At our core, we focus on history, culture and good livin' in the south….Our long-term goal is to create a centralized and local platform for Citizen Journalists, Historians, and Artists with a focus on “Preserving History; Promoting the Now”…The products of this effort will comprise our website, various publications (including a bi-monthly magazine), and social events….We are actively recruiting individuals to help in our cause. Bloggers, Photographers, Artists, Musicians, Poets, Programmers, Historians, Writers who want to contribute to our collective – reach out to us at stuff@kitchendrawer.net, or call 770-412-0441, our stop by 120 E Taylor St, Griffin, GA.”

Bonnie Gehling to Present Program on March 13th

During her presentation, she will teach attendees how to become the “boss” of their cameras, rather than having to rely on the camera to make decisions for them. She will show how the photographer’s choices of the three elements in the “Exposure Triangle” (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) dramatically impact images. Understanding such settings, along with depth of field, helps photographers create the images they envision, while feeling at ease as they make decisions that result in more creative photos.

Bonnie is very committed to teaching, having spent the last 37 years teaching at the elementary, high school, and university level before retiring in 2008. She spent the last 17 years teaching in Houston County and the last four years creating a photography curriculum and teaching photography classes in Byron and Perry. For information, visit her website:www.BeginningPhotoClinicS.com and/or contact her at bonniesworkshops@gmail.com.

She’s very passionate about photography and thinks shooting for fun is very relaxing and can be a neat “get-a-way.” Although she has won awards with her photography, that is not her goal. “I just want to enjoy the photo shoots, to teach others to enjoy photography, and to share with my new friends what I know about cameras.”

Shutterbugs Hold Meet Up

On Thursday, February 9, 2012, these nine Shutterbugs participated in a meet up at the Village Photography Shoppe in Barnesville: Carlotta VanHouten, Charles Dukes, Glenda VanHouten, Frank Tarpley, Johnnie Ann Gaskill, Harvey Melvin, Melba Brown, Phyllis Dyche, and Yvette Tolson. They enjoyed getting acquainted with Bill Hallada and his son Will and hearing them explain about the different kinds of printers and equipment used to print images on paper, as well as various other surfaces, such as: ceramic tiles, auto tags, buttons, T-shirts, etc. The Halladas also answered questions asked by the Shutterbugs. Of particular interest to some of the attendees was the well-equipped portrait studio that can be rented by portrait photographers.

This meet up was the first one held by the Shutterbugs, but there will be more! Watch for details! Meet ups, held at various places and hosted by various members, provide lots of benefits, including:

(1)    An opportunity for members to get to know each other better during these informal meet ups

(2)    An opportunity to go places together and to photograph subjects that may or may not be of interest to the entire club. (Ex. Going to a sports event to take “action shots” or to a restaurant to practice “food photography,” etc.)

(3)    An opportunity to learn more about cameras and gear (and photography, in general) while shooting alongside more experienced shooters.

Photos by Johnnie Ann Gaskill, convener of the meet up

Picasa and Picnik Workshop

In response to members’ request for help in using Picasa and Picnik to edit photos, a mini-workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) Gallery and Gift Shop, located on the courthouse square in Thomaston. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will conclude around 8 p.m. The newest version of Picasa (3.9) will be used during the demonstration. Laptops are not required, but if you have one and would like to bring it so that you can have a “hands on” experience, feel free to do so. (Be sure to download Picasa before coming to the workshop. It’s FREE and is available at www.picasa.com.) There is no charge for the workshop, and membership in Shutterbugs is not required. Photographers of all skill levels are invited. For more info, contact Johnnie Ann Gaskill.