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NEWSLETTERJanuary 31, 2007Hello, fellow photography fans. We're pleased to have a new installment of our newsletter ready for your enjoyment. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Those of you who've been on our workshops know that we're a volunteer organization. Our volunteers help with everything from envelope stuffing to serving on our Board of Directors. Besides the opportunity to assist with workshop planning, volunteers accompany the workshops into the field to make sure logistics are handled. As a trip's escort, they make sure bills get paid, that people get to the bus on time, that equipment is set up, and all the little things that make a trip run smoothly. In exchange, their attendance on the workshop is paid for, and they get unparalleled access to the photographers and intense learning that are possible on our workshops. IF YOU LIVE IN ARIZONA and are interested in becoming one of our volunteers, please call us at 602-712-2004 or toll-free 1-888-790-7042 to request a volunteer application. A background check and interview may be conducted before hiring. CHANGES TO THE NATIONAL PARK PASS Here is a recent article forwarded to us by the Arizona Office of Tourism: "The little piece of plastic that buys 365 days of access to hundreds of national parks for the bargain price of only $50 is being replaced this month. Since 2000, thousands of people have handed their National Parks Pass to rangers at park entrances in exchange for a wave, a map and a schedule of nature talks. Beginning this month, the new "America the Beautiful: National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass" will provide access to all participating federal sites where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged. The new pass will cost $80 annually. It will provide entrance to lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and the Forest Service. At least 80 percent of the revenue will help fund facilities and services where the pass was purchased. All previously issued passes will remain valid until their expiration date. (Page 9, National Parks, Winter)" Golden Age, Golden Access and Golden Eagle passes will no longer be issued. A Senior "America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass" for those age 62 or older will cost $10. See here if you're curious about the changes: TIPS FROM THE PROS "Photographing people can be challenging… but also fun and rewarding" by J. Peter Mortimer If you walk up to someone and say, “Can I take your picture?” there’s a good possibility that they will become self-conscious. At the very least, they’ll probably stop doing the thing you found interesting. They might even look directly into the camera lens and wait for you to ask them to say “Cheese”! People do this because they’ve been conditioned to do it almost from birth, at family gatherings, holidays, birthday parties, etc. People can be captivating to photograph, but many of us find the whole process unnerving. So what little trick can a photographer use to ease the process? I’ve always found that when I see someone doing something that would make a compelling picture it works best to go ahead and capture the spontaneous moment. You can explain after the fact why you took the photograph. The key is to focus on “what the person was doing,” not so much on making a photograph “of” the person. This approach will keep your subject from becoming self-conscious or even possibly angry. Often you can then follow up with some shots that may look more posed but are still pleasing and informative. Be sure to remember that every situation requires its own special way of being handled. In thirty years of shooting pictures of people, I’ve never been punched in the nose. Still, in the back of my mind, I think it could happen! I long ago decided it’s worth the risk because I have so many wonderful people pictures, and I’ve also made so many friends. SHARING PHOTOS Dave Valvo was kind enough to submit a website link this month. You can check it out here: See you again next month, |
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