Annual XMAS Photo Walk - Festivus

Where & When:

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 – Meet at the Prince of Wales Hotel (at the corner of Queen/Picton & King) in Olde Towne, Niagara on the Lake – 8:30am

Festivus is a secular holiday,  normally celebrated on December 23rd. It was originally created by American author Daniel O’Keefe. O’Keefe created the day to commemorate his first date with his wife in 1966. The concept of Festivus was mainly meant as an alternative to the pressures and commercialization of the Christmas season.

The event was popularized by O’Keefe’s son, Daniel O’Keefe Jr, who was a writer on the Seinfeld television series. Festivus was featured in a Season 9 episode titled “The Strike”.

The theme of our 2019 Christmas Photo Walk, in Niagara on the Lake will be to exercise our creativity to capture our interpretation of the typical Festivus traditions, O’Keefe and Seinfeld versions, in a photographic challenge.

Seven Festivus Traditions

1) The symbolic Festivus Tree is uniquely different than a traditional XMAS Tree.

2) The O'Keefe Festivus had other uniques traditions, symbols and props.

3) There were no costumes for Festivus, however in the O’Keefe version hats were often worn.

4) Most of the Festivi in the O’Keefe family had a theme. One was, “Is there light at the end of the tunnel”.

5) In both the O’Keefe and Seinfeld versions there is a unique Festivus dinner.

6) In the Seinfeld Festivus, immediately following the Festivus Dinner, the “Airing of Grievances” takes place.

7) The Feats of Strength are the final tradition observed in the celebration of Festivus, celebrated immediately following the Festivus dinner and the Airing of Grievances.

Your Festivus "Artistic Director" (the “outings guy”) has crafted a photographic challenge for those interested in participating in this Festivus Photo Walk. If you are interested see the Artistic Director for the specific challenges.

For those interested we will conclude our walk at the Harp Irish Pub for lunch and refreshments. 

Hope to see you there.

Dave Lindey

Outing - Verneers

Brenda Dennis has organized an outing to Vermeer's Garden Centre for April 6, 2019 at 9:00 am.

This is always a really fun outing.

A friendly reminder that this is a place of business and the owner has graciously allowed us to photograph on the property. PLEASE be respectful of customers!

Bring you tripod and your creativity.

More info about Vermeers Garden Centre
684 South Pelham Rd.
Welland
www.vermeers.ca

We hope you can attend.

Spring Photo Tour - DATE CHANGE

Tupper Lake - Adirondacks Spring Photo Tour

May 30 – Jun. 2, 2019

Leader Contact:  Dave Lindey at 905-325-5254 (cell)

PLEASE NOTE: I have changed the dates of the Spring Photo Tour to the Adirondack Park to May 30 – Jun. 2, 2019.

Please make your arrangements accordingly. Also Please let me know if you are planning to attend with an email.

Thanks

Dave Lindey
Outings

Tupper Lake - Adirondacks Spring Photo Tour

Tupper Lake - Adirondacks Spring Photo Tour

May 31 – Jun. 4, 2019

Leader Contact:  Dave Lindey at 905-325-5254 (cell)

We are planning a Spring Photo Tour to the Adirondack Park for May 31 – Jun. 4, 2019. I’ve purposely scheduled this trip around a new moon to take advantage of the night sky opportunities. In addition to night scenes, this area has plentiful and classical Adirondack scenery, wildlife, wildflowers potentially rewarding us vibrant sunrises and spectacular sunsets. Although this time of year does not present the mystical mist and fog that is experienced in late summer through the fall we may get surprised.

Personally I have photographed in this area however I am not as familiar with it as I am of the Central Lakes region. The High Peaks Region are also within driving distance which provide amazing mountain range possibilities. I’ll do my best to have a flexible bank of opportunities and I’m sure we won’t be disappointed. The Night Sky in the Adirondacks is magical especially with the New Moon happening on June. 3. With clear skies the Milky Way will be very visible. 

Wildlife subjects that we may encounter could be Bear, Turkey, Deer, Otter and Beaver.

Spring birds will be migrating through the area.

Base of Operations:

Shaheen’s Adirondack Inn

314 Park St.

Tupper Lake, NY

1-800-474-2445

www.shaheensmotel.com

Terry & Robyn Doolen

Rates Quoted: One person nightly - $83 plus tax, Two persons nightly - $88 plus tax

If you are interested in joining us please fill in the sign-up sheet and call to book your room.

Dave Lindey

dave.lindey@gmail.com

Outings

NOTL Photo Scavenger Hunt - Dec. 9, 2018, 8:30 am

Welland Camera Club – December NOTL Photo Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 – Meet at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Olde Towne, Niagara on the Lake – 8:30am

Someone asked for a “Photo Scavenger Hunt” Be careful what you wish for!

We will follow the theme of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” for our Photo Scavenger Hunt

“The Twelve Photos of the Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”

The “outings guy” challenges you to capture images to achieve each of the themes or techniques quoted within each of the verses below. The challenge will require you to spend some time afterwards in the “Digital Darkroom” to complete the challenge.

So let’s get at it:

For your first challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
1. Make an image where a Christmas Tree ornament is the star OR your capture is turned into a Christmas ornament … think “orb”.

For your second challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
2. An image demonstrating pleasing bokeh.

Bokeh - In photography, bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a lens. Bokeh has been defined as "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light. To blur the image in a way that is pleasing to the eye. Bokeh occurs for parts of the scene that lie outside the depth of field. Photographers sometimes deliberately use a shallow focus technique to

For your third challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”

3. A triptych – a set of 3 associated images organized as 3 panels in a single image (Google Triptych examples). This is a challenge that you will complete in the “Digital Darkroom”. As you are out photography look for and capture images that are, by your interpretation, associated.

For your fourth challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
4. An image with a combination of complementary colors in some fashion.

See The Ultimate Color Combinations Cheat Sheet for some inspiration.

For your fifth challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
5. Compose an image using the “Golden Ratio”

While the rule of thirds is the most widely known composition rule, there’s another principal that plays a big role in composing images with that wow factor; the golden ratio. Google “golden ratio”. Sometimes called the “Golden Spiral”. Place a point of interest on the smallest part of the spiral, the eye will naturally flow through the rest of the image.

For your sixth challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
6. A long exposure depicting movement or motion.

For your seventh challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
7. A multiple exposure image produced in camera or after the fact in post processing.

For your eighth challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
8. Attempt a “festive composite” image … more “Digital Darkroom” work.

For your ninth challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
9. The “Red Rule”. The colour Red will fill your frame.

For your tenth challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
10. Make an image with repeating patterns or shapes.

For your eleventh challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
11. Eleven pipers pipin'. Make an image that contains “pipe” as the main subject.

For your twelfth challenge of “The Annual NOTL XMAS Photo Walk”, “The Outings Guy requests of me”
12. Make an image that bests captures this “Festive Season” in your interpretation

If you are interested we can grab lunch at the Harp Irish Pub after we’ve exhausted our creative spirit.

Photo Scavenger Hunt - XMAS Edition

The Olde Towne in Niagara on the Lake will be the focus of our Photography Scavenger Hunt on Sunday Dec. 9, 2018 in Niagara on the Lake. We will meet at 8:30 am at the corner in the Olde Towne in front of the Price of Wales Hotel. Perhaps hang around for lunch at "The Harp" afterwards. See you there.

Please email if you are planning on joining us

Algonquin Park Fall Colours Photo Tour – 2018

Join us for our annual fall colours photo tour to Algonquin Provincial Park. The dates of the tour will be Thursday Oct. 11 to Sunday Oct. 14, 2018. The fall colours may be slightly past peak at this time however there is always an abundance of sights and wildlife viewing to occupy our time. Our base of operations will be the Algonquin East Gate Motel or the Mew Lake Campground for those choosing to camp.

The tour will be lead by Peter Ferguson and Dave Lindey. As always this is an unguided event. You may choose to join in with one of the leaders or photograph on your own as you take in the beauty that the park offers during this time of the year.

Do not delay in making arrangements as this is a busy time of the year in the park. Visit the Algonquin East Gate Motel website for information regarding the accommodations and rates. We can make further suggestions regarding accommodations if required.

If you are planning on joining us, please send me an email so that I can add you to the mailing list to keep you up to date on our plans for the weekend.

We hope to see you there.

Dave Lindey

Outings - Welland Camera Club

Off Season Events

Off- Season Events

The following are a number of events that you may want to consider over the summer between now and the start of the new club season. I am not formally organizing outings to these events but will consider organizing for some if not all of them. You can email me if you are going and perhaps we can connect.

Thunder of Niagara International Air Show 2018

What: Air Show

When: June 9 – 10, 2018

Where: Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York

Time: see schedule at www.thunderofniagara.com

Cost: Free

Details: In addition to the amazing USAF Thunderbirds and Canadian Forces Snowbirds, you will see some of the best civilian and military pilots in the world – flying for you. Plus, one of the largest displays of civilian & military aircraft in North America (50+ planes).

Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix 

What: Closed wheel sportscar racing

When: July 5th to July 8th.

Where: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport)

Time: see www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com for schedule

Cost: $40 Saturday and $50 Sunday for single tickets.

Details:

Wings of Western New York

What: Air Show

When: July 14 - 15, 2018

Where: National Warplane Museum – Geneseo, NY

Time: see schedule at www.nationalwarplanemuseum.com/airshow Gates open 7:00 am, Airshow begins 10:00 am

Cost: Pre-sale at any Wegmans locations $20 USD, $25 USD at the gateFree

Details: An exciting aircraft lineup this year offers an exciting variety of World War II era bombers, trainers, fighters and troop carriers including: P-63 King Cobra Built by Bell Aircraft Corp in Buffalo, NY (first time in Geneseo); C-46 Commando Built by Curtiss Aircraft in Buffalo, NY; P-40 Kittyhawk Also built by Curtiss Aircraft in Buffalo, NY; P-51 Mustangs; PBY-5A; 3-B-25’s; 2-C-47s including the Museum’s very own D-Day Veteran Whiskey 7.

Grand River Pow Wow

What: Aboriginal Multicultural Event

When: July 27 – 29, 2018

Where: Chiefswood Tent & Trailer Park 

Time: Gates open 10:00 am

Cost: $10 General Admission; $15.00 weekend pass.

Details: Permissible required to bring Cameras and Lawn Chairs per the website. www.grpowwoow.ca

Superbike Double Header

What: super motorcycle racing

When: August 10th to Aug 12^th

Where: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport) 

Time:

Cost: $30 for Saturday and $35 for Sunday.

Details: A major race for both Sat.& Sun for points

Walton TransCan GNC Motocross

What: Motocross Nationals racing

When: Aug. 18, 2018

Where: Walton Raceway

Time: see schedule at www.waltontranscan.ca

Cost: not known at this time

Details:

Chevrolet Silveraldo 250

What: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

When: Aug. 24 - 26, 2018

Where: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park ( Mosport )

Time: see www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com for schedule

Cost: see website for pricing schedule ($40 - $80)

Details:

Mississauga’s of the New Credit

What: Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow

When: Aug. 25-26, 2018

Where: New Credit Indian Reserve; Hagersville, ON

Time: see http://www.newcreditcc.ca/service/pow-wow-schedule-fees/ for schedule

Cost: General Daily $5.00; Parking Free

Details:

IR Season is Coming

Prime Infrared season is coming. There is nothing as vibrant as early spring green foliage in Infrared. Within the next 2 to 3 weeks we will be in what I call the prime Infrared Season.

If you attended the recent CanAm Photo Expo in Niagara Falls this past weekend, you may have witnessed some spectacular Infrared Imagery by Tony Sweet among others.

I have 2 LifePixel Infrared converted Nikon D200’s for sale. One is a super colour (590 nm) conversion and the other is a Deep B&W conversion. These are being sold at a reduced price of $550 each firm including battery and charger. When you consider a cost of $525 to send away a camera body that you may have laying around collecting dust for conversion, this is a hassle free steal of a deal that will get you started in Digital IR photography.

One of the great advantages of the D200 is that it is one of the most efficient Nikon bodies in setting a custom White Balance which is absolutely crucial to Digital IR photography.

As a bonus, I will throw in a day workshop of IR shooting and post processing, at no charge to get you on the path to IR magic.
.
Lenses are extremely critical for IR photography. I also have available a Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens which is a phenomenal lens for both colour and IR photography.

If interested please don’t delay because the prime IR Season is around the corner and I have already sold off 2 other bodies in the past week.

You can contact me here if interested in purchasing one of these gems.

Spring in the Central Adirondacks

We have organized a Spring Photo Tour to the Central Adirondacks Region. for Thursday May 31 through Sunday June 3, 2018.

We have 6 participants signed up to date. If you are interested in joining us please let me know ASAP was we are just 4 weeks away from the start of our tour.

Subjects will include colourful early and late light landscapes, typical spring wildflowers and classic Adirondacks scenes. The lighting at the edges of the day also tend to be clear and vibrant. Although this time of year does not present the mystical mist and fog that is experienced in late summer through the fall we may get surprised.

The Night Sky is magical in this region however with a Full Moon on May 29 the Milky Way will most likely not be visible. While the Milky Way may not be a prime subject, the stars in the West to North to East skies however will be vivid and abundant and when combined with the influence of the bright moon the astro-landscape promises to be compelling ... clear skies permitting. 

Wildlife subjects that we may encounter could be Bear, Turkey, Deer, Otter and Beaver.

Spring birds will be migrating through the area.

If you are interested in joining us please contact me ASAP.

Dave Lindey

dave.lindey@gmail.com

Outings

Butterfly Conservatory Outing - REMINDER

Please contact me ASAP if you have not signed up for this event. We need 5 more people or will be forced to cancel the event.

Due to its popularity we have again arranged a visit to the Butterfly Conservatory for Saturday Mar. 3, 2018. 

As in the past, we have been granted exclusive access to the facility from 8:00 am until 10:00 am. During this time we can use our tripods. At 10:00 am the Conservatory opens to the general public and they ask that we put our tripods away. An added bonus is that we are welcome to spend the day at the conservatory after it is opened to the general public. Another bonus as a result of changes to image entry rules, your butterfly photos can be entered in the Nature Category as well as any of the open or special competition categories.

We are committed to have a minimum of 20 participants so the cost is the same as in the past at $20 per person.even though the Niagara Parks Commission have increased then cost. If you intend to participate it is very important that you let me know ASAP via email or by adding your name to the sign-up sheet that will be available at the club meeting.

NOTE: If you have signed up and have not paid please make arrangements to pay John at the welcome desk on Wed. Feb. 28, 2018

On the date of the event, we will meet in behind the main conservatory parking area which is designated as the Buses and Overflow Parking Area at 7:45 am SHARP. Once inside we can store our gear and winter clothing is an area provided for our use by the Conservatory.

Members of other local camera clubs are welcome and we will accommodate as space is available. If you are interested please send me an email with your intentions.

We look forward to you joining us for this fun event.

NOTL - Shoot Like Richard Martin Outing

On Sat. Nov. 25 please join me for a walk-about in Niagara on the Lake. We will focus on trying to "shoot like Richard Martin". We will concentrate on in-camera image design and the minimalist and abstract style that Richard Martin attempts to capture.

If you are interested in joining us, we will meet at the corner in front of the Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara on the Lake at 9:00 am. For those interested we can grab a quick lunch at the Harp Irish Pub afterwords in the "Olde Towne".

Hope to see you there.

Dave

Outings

Welland Motorcycle Club Races

Dan Ritz has been in contact with the folks at the Welland Motorcycle Club to get access to areas of the track not accessible to the public. We are limited to 5 to a maximum of 10 photographers and as such will be offered on a first come first served basis. Please email me if you plan to attend.

This date was chosen to coincide with the longest day of the year to take advantage of longer light.

DATE: Saturday June 24th ( July 1st rain date )

COST: $12 BASIC / $10 Seniors

Gates open to the public at 2:30 pm 

Riders Meeting at 4:45 pm

Practice at 5:00 pm

Kids heat races at 6:00 pm

Main show and regular heat races start at 7:00 pm

Plan to meet there at 4:00 pm, to get trough the gates, sign our waivers and try to attend the drivers meeting. Once at the meeting we can ask if there are any objections in using flash for photography for at least the Pro riders.

Remember this is first come first served to get track access so email me if interested.

McLeans Auto Museum Invitation

I received the following message from Pat VanHell:

 

The Port Colborne Camera Club has arranged an outing to McLeans Auto Wreckers in Rockwood and would like to invite members of the Welland club to join us.

 

Date: Sat June 3, 2017

Time: Opens at 10 AM, closes at 4 PM

 

Cost: $10 donation per person.

Outing Address: 12584 Fourth Line Nassagaweya, Rockwood

Street or field parking. No washrooms.  Good sturdy footwear recommended.

 

Please email pccameraclub@gmail.com by May 31 to register.

 

Rain date TBD.

 

Thanks

Pat VanHell

If you are interesting in joining the Pt. Colborne members please send an email to Pat.

Dave Lindey

Outings

Spring Wildflowers Weekend

The Niagara spring wildflowers are well on their way.

This weekend we will attempt to capture these spring beauties as well as some waterfall action. You are welcome to join me in search of what Nature shares with us this weekend in 2 popular locations. The subject matter we hope to capture will add to your Nature-Botany and Nature-General portfolios.

I look forward to you joining me.

Saturday April 29, 2017 – Louth Conservation Area. Meet at the Staff Rd. Parking Lot at 8:00 am. The flowers are well along and we will also check out water scenes along Sixteen Mile Creek. Depending on conditions we may try creating a time lapse sequence for those interested.

GPS Co-ordinates

Latitude 43.1216
Longitude -79.3512

Sunday April 30, 2017 - Shorthills Provincial Park. Meet at the Wylie Rd. entrance at 8:00 am. Time permitting we will also swing over to the Rolland Rd. entranceAlways a great spot for early spring wildflowers and of course water scenes.

GPS Co-ordinates

Wiley Rd. Entrance
Latitude 43.103752
Longitude -79.272317


Rolland Rd. Entrance
Latitude 43.09079
Longitude -79.304928

Outing - Vermeer's Garden Centre

Once again, Brenda Dennis has arranged for us to visit Vermeer's Garden Centre at 684 S Pelham Rd, Welland.

There will be many interesting opportunities BUT please remember this is a business – respecting their ‘wares’ and the customers is very important.

Bring your gear, tripods, creativity and enthusiasm.The outing is scheduled for Saturday March 25^th beginning at  9:00 a.m. and you can stay as long as you like.

Thank you Brenda!

See you then.