November 10, 2014
We are pleased this month to have exhibited the stunning photos of hummingbirds taken by our own Keith McCanless who took advantage of the latest technologies to photograph these elusive birds. He used exceptionally high ISO settings at high speed and frame rates allowing for the elimination of the use of flash which provided for very natural images. The photographs were very well received and Keith was good enough to provide technical tables to enhance his presentation. Thanks Keith for participating in this month’s S&T! Click on images below to enlarge:
Additionally, at this Month’s S&T, Susan and Matt Schmitz were kind enough to provide precut (by them) aluminum bubble foil ideal for transporting framed photos for exhibits and displays. They disappeared very quickly. Thanks much for doing this!
October 13, 2014
This evening we had a Show & Tell from our very own Carlee Bettler who featured modern art images created from common household ingredients. It was a real treat to have such an unusual topic for our pre-program demonstration. Carlee had won a highest ranking in her H.S. Advanced Art class with her creativity and photographic skills and we were glad to have her (and her father, John) set up and discuss the photos with many interested members. Thanks Carlee for participating!
September 8, 2014
Today we enjoyed the dramatic images from Neil Buchelt and his assistants Jake and Adam, demonstrating that with all of the printing choices available to us, there is still room, and plenty of it, for silver halide (film) prints. The depth of color and the ability to print large gave no doubt that this is an enduring technology and the strong interest of attendees attested to that fact. Neil operates his business (Advanced Imaging, Inc.) from Nearby Lisle. Thanks for participating in our Show & Tell program!
August 11, 2014
Tonight we had a special treat when our program presenter Alan Cox was kind enough to also do our Show & Tell. His photos, some discussed in his program, emphasized the importance of post processing to complete the artist’s vision. The images of birds, exotic animals and even architecture demonstrated just how much one can achieve with a computer, patience and imagination. The prints were stunning to say the least. Please click to enlarge.
July 14, 2014
Tonight’s Show & Tell consisted of a slide show taken from a recent visit to a forest preserve (Johnson’s Mound – Elburn IL) along with a message board encouraging members to participate in one of the most rewarding and educational benefits of belonging to MAPS, that is, to attend our outings. The signboard proclaimed “Fotos, Friends, Food, Fun”. Hopefully, members, especially newer ones, will be more motivated to grab their cameras and attend an upcoming outing after viewing the lovely images. Check the MAPS calendar for these events!
June 9, 2014
David Schooley was kind enough to lead June’s Show & Tell session with a demonstration of perspective control lenses also known as tilt-shift lenses. These special optics add more control to reduce the convergence of parallel lines and to provide a sharp focus for near and far objects beyond the typical purview of conventional lenses.
David took the trouble to set up a performance table along with an easeled exhibit of several images that showed the efficacy of these lenses. Although they are expensive, they have many uses in the professional world as well as those for amateur photographers. Additionally, David employed our large TV for easier following and even provided handouts as well. Thanks David for such an interesting and thorough presentation.
May 12, 2014
This month’s Show & Tell featured our own Mary Mehl demonstrating the proper methods of preparing to hang and display an exhibit photo… very timely and related to our MAPS exhibit recently at the Arboretum. The presentation included a video detailing wiring dimensions and slack (although the video omitted Mary’s taping the ends to avoid scratching other pictures). Here is the YouTube link:
April 14, 2014
We would very much like to thank Kristin Lauman for providing her beautiful “Images of Spring”. These full sized and well matted photos were a welcome harbinger of spring although ironically Chicago’s winter weather reared its ugly head with yet another snowfall (and associated black ice) that very evening! Thanks again Kristin for making the effort on MAPS’ behalf.
March 10, 2014
Today’s Show & Tell was a little different. MAPS had invited local students from the Arboretum’s Summer Science Camp photography class to display their images. Some were run through the TV monitor and two were displayed on easels. Thanks to Gianmarco and Karissa for their beautiful tree and flower images (see photo below) as well as the other participants for the slide show.
February 10, 2014
Thank you to Jon Kinney for providing his stunning images all taken at the beautiful Chicago Botanic Gardens. For the few of you who might not as yet had the chance to photograph there, the Gardens offer the best synergism of hand-of-man and nature. The opportunities for a wide variety of images are endless as seen in Jon’s photos. Here are two examples:
January 13, 2014
Thank you to Lyn Whiston and his wife Debbie for sharing some of their vintage camera equipment from the Golden Age of photography. It was fun to have a hands-on demonstration where I, for one, could once again enjoy looking down through a ground glass viewfinder. Good stuff!
