Monday, October 4, 2021
WORLD PHOTOGRAPHIC CUP (WPC) - WHAT IS IT, AND HOW CAN IT HELP YOU?
Submitted by Gerald (Gerry) David In 2019, I was approached with the unique opportunity to be Team Captain for the team that Canada enters into the World Photographic Cup. I didn’t know anything about it, but the person who approached me had an enthusiasm that was rather infectious. Maybe it was the delta variant of enthusiasm. So I agreed to be part of it, with help. And that is how I became Co-Captain of Team Canada! Joining me on my journey was the inimitable Jillian Chateauneuf, well known to many at PPOC. You can call us Gerr-illian.
Friday, September 24, 2021
WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG?
Submitted by Gerald (Gerry) David Photographers think about this a lot. As a matter of fact, I have lists of what needs to be in my bag for different types of off-site sessions. I can usually remember everything important without the list… and then I get dust on my lens. And I forgot the cleaning kit. Or I find a cat hair on my sensor. And I forgot my blower. You get the idea. I did the same thing as a musician. Lists. They work.
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
DON'T BRING YOUR CAMERA
Submitted by Mona D’Amours. Summer is over. Back to school. Lessons to learn. NEVER BRING A CAMERA if you go white water rafting. I survived Class 5 rapids on the Thompson River, BC after our zodiac flipped on the "Frog" August 15, 2021. I was trapped under the boat with no air pocket. The only man beside me who was also caught under the zodiac, but had an air pocket, grabbed my life jacket. We were both swept underwater by the rapids, and ended up 50 metres away from the zodiac. That was the longest 6 seconds of my life. Feeling helpless underwater with rapids swirling in all directions was terrifying even though I was a lifeguard and qualified scuba diver in my youth. My buddy and I held on to our oars, and tried to swim to our zodiac, but couldn’t. The current was too strong. We had no choice, but to succumb to the rapids until we were pulled on board by a motorized zodiac further downstream. Without the rescue, I wouldn’t be here writing this story since I would have been swallowed up by 18 rapids. It was the perfect storm with low water levels exposing more rocks than normal, compounded by the heat wave, drought conditions, and fierce winds that literally flipped the boat upside down, not once, but almost twice.
Friday, August 20, 2021
CATALOGS - CAPTURE ONE - GET ORGANIZED!
Submitted by Bill Booth How many times have you asked yourself "Where is that image? I know it is on some drive or other, but exactly where?" Since the advent of digital photography, a huge issue has been the DAM - Digital Asset Management. Programs have come and gone. DAM systems have consumed hours of setup. Computer operating systems have changed, and files have grown larger by several magnitudes. My Nikon D3 files are 12 MPX, while my new Nikon D7II produces 45 MPX files.
Monday, August 9, 2021
PIXEL ENVY
Submitted by Richard Cooper Why do you need more pixels? Before you run out, and buy a camera with more pixels you should ask yourself, “What do I want to photograph?” and “What is my market?” I hope this blog helps you come to a decision.
Sunday, July 18, 2021
PPOC PHOTOGRAPHERS - CALL TO ACTION
Submitted by Mona D’Amours I am writing to all PPOC photographers with the intent to encourage each of you to share your stories on our News feed. I look forward to meeting each of you face to face one day, and when I do, I will most likely approach you with three questions. What is your name? What do you do? Where do you live? It is strange that most of us can answer these questions easily under normal circumstances. However, we have been living in abnormal times, but I would still like to know the answers to these questions. Therefore, I am presenting a challenge for each of you. I would like to know more about YOU. First, introduce yourself. Then . . .
Thursday, July 1, 2021
The True North Strong and Free
Submitted by Mona D'Amours Regardless of whether we agree or disagree with the restrictions for the past sixteen months during the pandemic, the truth is that we have all been impacted. We lost our Canadian Rights and Freedoms, such as freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, freedom of worship, and countless other freedoms which we took for granted. The first image that reflects this reality is LOCKDOWN. It was a provocative emotionally charged image I entered for the National Salon competition 2021. This was my first time submitting since my accreditation in February 2020. I did not know how the judges would respond to it. They could have easily dismissed it without comment, and a result of “not accepted”. However, the image was judged three times for 12 minutes 33 seconds, and two of the five judges gave it a score of “excellence”. I also wrote the poem though it was not part of the image for adjudication. What impressed me with the judges is that they were thoughtful, honest, and open-minded to my message. I am sharing the judges critiques with you to understand how it reflected the loss we have all experienced. As a former psychology professor, the comments of the judges reminded me of the defence mechanisms we use during times of stress and anxiety such as denial, intellectualization, and rationalization.