[Allan Edwin]

Thank-you Kevin Hall for bringing in Danielle Turner for the January club meeting. I certainly enjoyed meeting her and listening to her presentation on core photography concepts.

I knew there were a lot of photography enthusiasts in the club. I just didn’t realize there were so many people who were keen to build their knowledge and skills. I’m curious now how many people would sign up for a day trip or overnight trip in April or May where the primary focus was on photography?

I am also curious how many people would sign up for a workshop on post-processing photos and options for posting them. Not everyone needs Photoshop or even Lightroom. There is a huge array of tools available for image manipulation on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. I would be happy to spend an afternoon sharing what I’ve found.

If there is anyone else in the club who would be willing to co-lead a workshop and talk about their process, that would be great too.

Topic

[Allan Edwin]

Show of hands folks, those of you who are shooting video with action cameras (GoPro, DJI, etc.)?

I’d be willing to explore video as suggested by Randy. However, video is tricky compared to stills photography. It’s mostly due to the fact that pre-production and post-production are much more fiddly and time-consuming — this is even taking into account all the new gadgets that put broadcast video quality tools into the hands of normal people.

I’ve seen Mike’s videos. Like many of my other video producing friends, he makes this complex process look very easy. There are tips and tricks that can be shared for sure. I think people need to understand up front that video versus stills is like rock-gardening versus a summer day trip on a lake.

All of that said, I have 2x GoPro Hero 3+ (one of which tumbled in the surf on the South Brooks for almost a year). I think creating compelling video is a deeply satisfying challenge and worth all the techy fiddling. Game on for anyone who wants to learn more.

[Randy Chatterjee]

I think we need to try to match the amazing videos that Mike McHolm seems to be able to assemble effortlessly.

How about we schedule a trip focussed on kayak photography, capture footage from all manner of “platforms” (aka different cameras, positions, and technologies), edit a story from it, AND THEN hold a show-and-tell like you envision?  This way people can see which tools produced which footage and to what end.  Those on the trip can see the gear in action, and of course be the actors.

I can’t say it will be easy or successful on the first go, but we’ll have to give it a try.

[Randy Chatterjee]

I think we need to try to match the amazing videos that Mike McHolm seems to be able to assemble effortlessly.

How about we schedule a trip focussed on kayak photography, capture footage from all manner of “platforms” (aka different cameras, positions, and technologies), edit a story from it, AND THEN hold a show-and-tell like you envision?  This way people can see which tools produced which footage and to what end.  Those on the trip can see the gear in action, and of course be the actors.

I can’t say it will be easy or successful on the first go, but we’ll have to give it a try.

[Allan Edwin]

Well said Randy. People care about what they have experienced. Photos and video help do that for our remaining wild places.

Would really enjoy having you along for the ride. It would be fun to have a show and tell kind of workshop with a station each for Point & Shoot cameras, Mirrorless cameras and lenses, Action cameras, and one for Drones.

[Randy Chatterjee]

I was sorry to miss Danielle’s presentation.  I believe capturing the beauty of kayaking in photo and/or video is the key to preserving our wilderness.

Photography is a means to share the witnessing of the wild.

In the age of digital and highly-produced YouTube videos, the old photo album is no longer an option.  Luckily, the tools to produce a simple slideshow or even complex video presentation are cheap or free, and for the most part are easy to learn.

Of course, none of that makes it easy to take the pictures in the first place, and moisture is still enemy number one.  Photography and water do not mix well, even with the latest GoPro kit.  The best photos are still taken from the beach (or a drone flying above the mess).  There is no getting away from the instability of a kayak with both hands on a camera and your body twisted whichever way toward the action.  Of course, it can be done, but don’t expect too much, especially when shooting video.

If I am on the Mainland when a photography trip goes out, count me in.  I even have a couple drones.

[Andrea Kovits]

I am very interested in a trip with a focus on photography as well as learning about post-processing photos.

thanks Allan for suggesting this and offering to co-lead.

Cheers,

Andrea

[Author]

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