With Adobe’s recent change in licensing approach, many photographers have expressed concern that they can’t count on continued use of the latest version of Photoshop unless they agree to pay a monthly fee.  Even before this change, Photoshop was considered an an expensive, if useful, tool.  Are there any viable alternatives to Photoshop that photographers can consider?

For our October Education Night, Dick Miller will be giving us an overview of Fotoxx, a free, open-source Linux program for photo editing and collection management. The goal is to meet most user’s needs while remaining fast and easy to use. Fotoxx upgrades are monthly, and each includes some significant additions.  Did I mention it’s free!

Dick Miller is a recent NELP member, with background in electro-optical physics.  He helps develop Fotoxx, is an enthusiastic Fotoxx user, and will demonstrate some of its speed, power, and ease of use.  To emphasize these points, Dick will demo Fotoxx on an inexpensive computer.

Dick and his wife Jill are owners of Miller Microcomputer Services in Natick.  For those who are interested in FOSS (Free, Open-Source Software), they also lead a free Thursday-afternoon FOSS User Group at the Natick Community-Senior Center.

The meeting will be at 7:30 pm, as usual.  The location is 17 Fox Hill Drive, in Natick.  See you there.

Please join us on Monday (November 24) at 7:30 pm for the next NELP Education Night.  This month we’re having our annual “Book Night”.  Books offer so much by way of inspiration and technique, and this is an opportunity to learn from each other about book’s we’ve found useful.

Our Education Night for November will be our annual “Book Night”.

For this year’s Book Night, please bring a book that says something to you about the concept of Color (or lack thereof).  How has this book helped you, and how might it help us?  (As always, our topics are a suggestion.  You’re welcome to share any book you think we should know about.)

Here’s a link to get you started: http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/color/color.htm 

Tonight’s meeting has been CANCELLED, and will be rescheduled.

I’m pleased to announce that our guest speaker for our January 12th meeting will be Paul Toussaint.  (We’re swapping our Image Review and Education nights this month.)  Paul is among the leaders in the practice of iPhoneography – the use of an iPhone (or other smartphone) to create amazing photographs.

See:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhoneography

IPhoneography has been made possible by the continual improvements in smartphone camera technology, the availability of inexpensive accessories, and the support of software vendors that have created a wide array of exciting applications to support the creative vision of modern photographers.  Among the advantages of using your iPhone to create photographs is the fact that you usually have your phone with you!

Paul will be showing us examples of his work, discussing the plethora of available apps, and offering suggestions on how we can explore the many creative possibilities.  We’re encouraged to download and explore some apps in advance of the meeting if we have time, and Paul welcomes our questions – both general and specific.

Paul usually shoots with the native iPhone camera app.  Some of the other apps Paul has used include: Procamera, Slow Shutter, IcameraHDR, TrueHDR, Filterstorm, Photofx, SnapSeed, ScratchCam, ImageBlender, Pixlromatic+, iColorama, BlurFX, Eraser, DistressedFX, Grunge, ModernGrunger, PhotoSize, iResize, Rainy Daze, Romantic Photo, WordFoto, Rays, Retouch, TiltShiftGen, PhotoToaster, FilterStorm

We’re meeting at 7:30 pm on January 12th, at our usual location: 17 Fox Hill Drive, in Natick.  Please join us for what is sure to be an exciting evening.

From Paul’s Web site:

As a photographer that has completely embraced iphoneography, my artistic visual eye has developed tenfold. I want people to look at everything because EVERYTHING is art.  All the so-called rules should be broken when it comes to taking a picture because with this technology all perspectives can become extraordinary.

I study both lighting and texture.  If an object has potential to be stronger, I’ll bring that element out or if the subject has a calm, soothing look, I like to make the average eye feel calm and relaxed as they view the end result. I also love to use enhanced textured paper to make the image “pop” and to even make the viewer ask the question, “Is this really a photograph?”

As a photographer and artist, iphoneography has changed my life and vision. For over a year now all of my photographs have been taken, processed and completed with only the iPhone. With the iPhone, my artistic vision has allowed me to produce a portfolio that at one time I only dreamed of having.   When I graduated photography school, digital images were in the infant stages of development, and now the most incredible technology is in the palm of my hand.

See: http://www.paultoussaint.com/

This meeting has been rescheduled to March 9 …

I’m pleased to announce that our guest speaker for our February 9th meeting will be Paul Toussaint.  (We’re swapping our Image Review and Education nights this month.)  Paul is among the leaders in the practice of iPhoneography – the use of an iPhone (or other smartphone) to create amazing photographs.

See:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhoneography

IPhoneography has been made possible by the continual improvements in smartphone camera technology, the availability of inexpensive accessories, and the support of software vendors that have created a wide array of exciting applications to support the creative vision of modern photographers.  Among the advantages of using your iPhone to create photographs is the fact that you usually have your phone with you!

Paul will be showing us examples of his work, discussing the plethora of available apps, and offering suggestions on how we can explore the many creative possibilities.  We’re encouraged to download and explore some apps in advance of the meeting if we have time, and Paul welcomes our questions – both general and specific.

Paul usually shoots with the native iPhone camera app.  Some of the other apps Paul has used include: Procamera, Slow Shutter, IcameraHDR, TrueHDR, Filterstorm, Photofx, SnapSeed, ScratchCam, ImageBlender, Pixlromatic+, iColorama, BlurFX, Eraser, DistressedFX, Grunge, ModernGrunger, PhotoSize, iResize, Rainy Daze, Romantic Photo, WordFoto, Rays, Retouch, TiltShiftGen, PhotoToaster, FilterStorm

We’re meeting at 7:30 pm on January 12th, at our usual location: 17 Fox Hill Drive, in Natick.  Please join us for what is sure to be an exciting evening.

From Paul’s Web site:

As a photographer that has completely embraced iphoneography, my artistic visual eye has developed tenfold. I want people to look at everything because EVERYTHING is art.  All the so-called rules should be broken when it comes to taking a picture because with this technology all perspectives can become extraordinary.

I study both lighting and texture.  If an object has potential to be stronger, I’ll bring that element out or if the subject has a calm, soothing look, I like to make the average eye feel calm and relaxed as they view the end result. I also love to use enhanced textured paper to make the image “pop” and to even make the viewer ask the question, “Is this really a photograph?”

As a photographer and artist, iphoneography has changed my life and vision. For over a year now all of my photographs have been taken, processed and completed with only the iPhone. With the iPhone, my artistic vision has allowed me to produce a portfolio that at one time I only dreamed of having.   When I graduated photography school, digital images were in the infant stages of development, and now the most incredible technology is in the palm of my hand.

See: http://www.paultoussaint.com/

Rescheduled from January 12 and February 9 …

I’m pleased to announce that our guest speaker for our March 9th meeting will be Paul Toussaint.  (We’re swapping our Image Review and Education nights this month.)  Paul is among the leaders in the practice of iPhoneography – the use of an iPhone (or other smartphone) to create amazing photographs.

See:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhoneography

IPhoneography has been made possible by the continual improvements in smartphone camera technology, the availability of inexpensive accessories, and the support of software vendors that have created a wide array of exciting applications to support the creative vision of modern photographers.  Among the advantages of using your iPhone to create photographs is the fact that you usually have your phone with you!

Paul will be showing us examples of his work, discussing the plethora of available apps, and offering suggestions on how we can explore the many creative possibilities.  We’re encouraged to download and explore some apps in advance of the meeting if we have time, and Paul welcomes our questions – both general and specific.

Paul usually shoots with the native iPhone camera app.  Some of the other apps Paul has used include: Procamera, Slow Shutter, IcameraHDR, TrueHDR, Filterstorm, Photofx, SnapSeed, ScratchCam, ImageBlender, Pixlromatic+, iColorama, BlurFX, Eraser, DistressedFX, Grunge, ModernGrunger, PhotoSize, iResize, Rainy Daze, Romantic Photo, WordFoto, Rays, Retouch, TiltShiftGen, PhotoToaster, FilterStorm

We’re meeting at 7:30 pm on January 12th, at our usual location: 17 Fox Hill Drive, in Natick.  Please join us for what is sure to be an exciting evening.

From Paul’s Web site:

As a photographer that has completely embraced iphoneography, my artistic visual eye has developed tenfold. I want people to look at everything because EVERYTHING is art.  All the so-called rules should be broken when it comes to taking a picture because with this technology all perspectives can become extraordinary.

I study both lighting and texture.  If an object has potential to be stronger, I’ll bring that element out or if the subject has a calm, soothing look, I like to make the average eye feel calm and relaxed as they view the end result. I also love to use enhanced textured paper to make the image “pop” and to even make the viewer ask the question, “Is this really a photograph?”

As a photographer and artist, iphoneography has changed my life and vision. For over a year now all of my photographs have been taken, processed and completed with only the iPhone. With the iPhone, my artistic vision has allowed me to produce a portfolio that at one time I only dreamed of having.   When I graduated photography school, digital images were in the infant stages of development, and now the most incredible technology is in the palm of my hand.

See: http://www.paultoussaint.com/

Tonight’s topic: Movie Night

Please join us for our annual Movie Night—we’ll be streaming a movie via Netflix.  You’re welcome to bring some refreshments to share with the group.  I’ll provide cups and paper goods.  You’re also welcome to bring your dinner with you if you wish.

The following movies feature the theme of photography in some way.  I’ve added some new movies that I recently became aware of, and removed ones that are no longer available.  Feel free to bring any other suggestions to the meeting.  We’ll choose one of the available options, based on a consensus of those who are attending.

• Monk with a Camera (2014)
• Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers (2014)
• Bettie Page Reveals All (2012)
• Time Zero: The Last Year of Polaroid Film (2012)
• Bill Cunningham New York (2010)
• Smash His Camera (2010)
• In Robert Frank’s Footsteps (2009)

On previous Movie Nights we’ve watched Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus and Public Eye.  Please join us for an enjoyable evening.

There will be no Education Night meeting tonight, May 25th, due to the Memorial Day holiday.

Our member Brad Orner showed us some of his recent forays into time lapse video at a recent image review night, and we were intrigued by the results.  Time lapse videos are an interesting way to present the changes in a scene over time, and much of the same equipment we already use can be applied to this end.  Please join us on June 8 for an informal presentation where Brad will show us some of the time lapse videos he’s created and explain the tools he used to create them.  He’ll also share some tips and techniques to guide our own exploration into this arena.

Tonight’s topic:  Photography Goals

We’ve done this for the past two years, and have had a great discussion!  It is a great way to start the year.  (Credit for the original idea came from the Worcester Photography Meetup group)

The topic for our next Education Night on September 28, 2014 will be a discussion about our individual artistic goals for the coming year  This meeting will start at 7:30 pm and take place at 17 Fox Hill Drive in Natick as usual.

I’m starting with the assumption that we all have our own ideas and our own pace.  We don’t all work the same way, and different approaches help each of us be productive.  That said, it is generally helpful to envision where you’d like to be in a year’s time and to express it in your own words.  This will be an open-ended discussion, including:

• What type of goals do you want to set for yourself?  Will you have succeeded if you produce a certain number of pieces, if you complete a specific project, or if you spend the desired number of hours each week.  How will you decide that your goal has been achieved?

• How much detail to you want and/or need?  Is it enough for you to just state your goal, or would it be helpful for you to identify some interim steps (milestones) in the direction of your goal?

• Would it help you to put your goals down in writing, or are you more comfortable just discussing them?  Would you be comfortable sharing your written goals with the group?  Would this help you?

• What can NELP do to support you and encourage you?  What can you do to support and encourage the rest of us?

• How often would you like to discuss progress towards your goals?  Annually?  Quarterly?  Monthly?

Please give a little thought to the above, and come prepared to discuss your goals (if you have any) for the coming year and how NELP can support you.  Please come even if you’re not sure what you want to set as goals (spectators welcome).  I’d like to have as many different perspectives represented at the meeting as possible.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Tonight’s topic:  Urban Night Photography

This is a visual introduction to urban night photography by local fine art photographer Jürgen Lobert. Jürgen will show how to create urban nightscapes, hauntingly beautiful views of captured time and deepened colors. Night photography transforms the familiar and can create exciting cityscapes, revealing beauty in the mundane. Night images relay a profound serenity by capturing time, where clouds and cars become streaks, water ripples smooth over and stars form trails in the sky. Urban night photos require balancing highlights of a multitude of sources, which becomes a rewarding challenge needing different approaches compared to naturally moonlit scenes. Jürgen will show many examples of waterfront images, motion, different vantage points and, yes, even urban startrails! The presentation will also touch on equipment, basic camera settings, white balance, sources of light and how to process the outcome.

About the speaker:

Jürgen Lobert is a Massachusetts-based fine art photographer born and raised in Germany. He received a Ph.D. in atmospheric chemistry from Gutenberg University in Mainz before moving to the US in 1991. Jürgen is a self-taught photographer who specializes in night photography, daytime long exposures as well as Urban Exploration. According to Jürgen, there is a profound peace in roaming the nights in remote places, capturing the element of time to create other-worldly, serene and hauntingly beautiful photos.

Jürgen is an executive member of the Boston Camera Club and the founder and organizer of the Greater Boston Night Photographers Meetup group. He has organized more than 100 photo excursions and he is a lecturer, instructor and judge for regional camera clubs.

Jürgen can be found online at:

• LeyeTscapes.com
• facebook.com/JurgenLobertPhoto
• jmlobert.blogspot.com
• meetup.com/GBNight
• flickr.com/photos/brom-productions/