focal point feb-10

The Focal Point February 2010

Northern California Professional Photographers

Officers Committee Chairs and Coordinators

Miscellaneous

President Randy Cazinha 925-249-1999 [email protected]

Website Tom O’Connor 925-586-2745 [email protected]

NCPP Sustaining Members receive a 40% discount on advertising rates, and a complimentary link on our NCPP website in addition to other special benefits.

1st Vice President Programs Wayne Miller 925-330-8737 [email protected]

Newsletter - Focal Point Graphics and Layout Editor Tom O’Connor 925-586-2745 [email protected] Coordinator and Copy Editor Denny Weigand 925-336-7994 [email protected]

Send Newsletter information to: Denny Weigand. [email protected] Deadline for submission of articles and ad copy for the February issue is January 22nd. Information received after the deadline cannot be guaranteed publication.

2nd Vice President Print Competition Denny Weigand 925-336-7994 [email protected] 3rd Vice President Membership Ken Johnson 925-487-2279 [email protected]

Hospitality Lisa Duncan 925-284-3878 [email protected]

Classified Ads Per issue, $18 includes up to size lines ($3 each add’l line). Classified ads free to NCPP members, up to three issues.

Treasurer Malcolm Slight 925-330-8737 [email protected]

Membership Ken Johnson 925-336-7994 [email protected]

Newsletter Advertising Annual Rates Back Cover $1000 Page 1 $900 Full Page $800 Half Page $600 Quarter Page $400

Secretary Michael “Mack” McNamara 510-384-5535 [email protected]

Apprentice Membership Ann Gordon 510-222-4115 [email protected]

Night School

Focal Point is published by Northern California Professional Photographers. Articles and comments are invited; publication is subject to space available and editorial approval. Note: Articles are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of NCPP. Ads and flyers may or may not have the endorsement of NCPP or its Board of Directors.

2 Northern California Professional Photographers

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The Focal Point February 2010 Presidents Message 4 Treasurer's Report 5 Ramblings from 1st VP 6 - 7 February Program - Robert Evans 8 - 9 Print Competition 10 Best of Show - January "Masters Only" 11 Marketing, Sales and Business 12 Review of the January Meeting - "Masters Night" 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 Giving Back by Cheryl Bigman 17 - 18 - 19 Membership 20 Photo de Tour Gang 21 Yahoo Group Discussions 22 - 23 - 24 Hire our Members 25 - 26 - 27 NCPP Sustaining Members 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 Educational Opportunities 32 - 33 Our Neighboring Affiliates 34 Coming in February - Paul Tsang 35 Calendar - Important Dates 36 Sunset Chart 37

NCPP meeting this month

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH


Table of Contents


Welcome NCPP members, Well it’s a new year for NCPP, and it’s off to a good start. We just had Masters night at our January meeting. It was great to see so many of our friends. Hope you all come and join us more often. Thank you to Paul Tumason for his wonderful presentation on classical portraiture, he truly is a master of his craft. I especially appreciated his relaxed style of presenting. It was nice to see everyone feel comfortable enough to make comments whenever they wanted. Thank you Paul. I always enjoy coming to our monthly meetings. I enjoy the camaraderie, sharing of information, and meeting up with friends. We have a great group of people that I feel proud to be a part of. I want to remind members that the Board of Directors meets at 4:30 at the Marriott before our monthly meetings to discuss various subjects. Some of the topics this month will be: Night School, Focal Point (whether we should print quarterly), student members, awards banquet, and Night School Chair. We would love to have you join us and hear your comments. (The board meets in the room behind the bar on the lobby level.) At our February meeting all members current on their dues will have a chance to win $150. For the lucky winner, it’s like having a free year membership with NCPP – you can’t beat that! All you have to do to participate is be present and paid up on your dues. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting. Randy Cazinha


Presidents Message


Available to any NCPP member is a copy of the Treasurer's Report for 2009.

If you would like a copy, contact Malcolm at [email protected] and he will email you a copy.


Treasurer's Report


The Focal Point February 2010 Well 2010 looks like an interesting year and NCPP has a few opportunities (one might say challenges) ahead. One is to fill the spot of CE Continuous Education Chair (Night School) and the other is to grow our membership. This can only happen if NCPP members step forward to lend a hand. This is a volunteer origination so help from members makes it a great group. So if you want to make this organization the best in California step up to the plate guys. Growth takes effort and sweat so we need your help… There is an old saying that I really like “When you are green you’re growing and when you are not you’re rotting”. I recently got an iPhone (for Christmas from my loving wife) and I am quite frankly blown away by the technology. The camera and video is amazing and I have just scratched the tip of its power. My top picks for photography apps is: Best Camera (Chase Jarvis), Camera Zoom, Pro HDR (yes it takes two images, blends/aligns and creates a fairly cool HDR) Tilt Shift, Pano (take up to a dozen images and it stitches in the iPhone). For Video I like ReelMoments and Slowmo and Reel Director. If you have an iPhone check out these apps. Most are $.99 to $2.99 and Best Camera is $6.99. You can snap, apply affects and upload to Facebook or several others all within one app….very cool. Check out the iTunes application store for these and a ton more. I always read the reviews on the apps before picking them and if they have too much negative on to the others. Speaking of education and technology are you ‘Technophobia or a Technophilia?

• Technophobia is the fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices, especially computers.

• Technophile refers generally to a strong enthusiasm for technology, especially new technologies such as personal computers, the Internet, mobile phones and home cinema.

I would put myself in the Technophile group. Like my friend Denny (aka “Gadget Guy”) I love the emerging technology and changes on the horizon for us photographers. I am also a Podcast junkie. These podcasts are a great way to learn what is new in the photography world and the techno world. My list of favorite podcasts (iTunes store, check them out or download from the websites): Camera Dojo http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/396-camera-dojo ProPhoto Show http://www.prophotoshow.net/blog/ TWIP http://www.twiplog.com/ Each show runs for 30-60 minutes and covers what is new, tips, equipment use and interviews with some of the top photographers in the world. So if you have an iPod, iTouch, or iPhone use it for this great learning opportunity. I listen while I am working out, or other times when reading is not convenient. Our next speaker for Feb. 9th is Robert Evans “Fusion and the Wedding Timetable”. Check him out at http://www.robertevans.com/ and be sure to attend the meeting. You will learn about Fusion and if you pay your membership by Jan 31st you are in the free dues drawing…. FYI Robert has shot Tom Cruise & Katie Homes and Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston Weddings. Also check out Roberts videos http://www.robertevans.com/gallery/7218932_Phjui


Ramblings from the 1st Vice President (aka PdTG guy)

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The Focal Point February 2010 Some images taken with my iPhone.

This is a hand held Pano of 4 images stitched together in the iPhone.

This image was captured and used the Tilt-Shift app all done in the iPhone.


Ramblings from the 1st Vice President (aka PdTG guy)


“Fusion and the Wedding Timetable”

Robert will be giving a presentation on Fusion and getting more time with the bride and groom on the wedding day. Robert will show some of his Fusion samples and give the basics on how and what one needs to do to start making their own Fusion videos and demos. Then he will explain how he get three hours with the couples to do their pictures prior to ceremony, and how to get their family and friends to be on time and in the right place for photographs.

Check him out at http://www.robertevans.com/ and be sure to attend the meeting. You will learn about Fusion FYI Robert has shot Tom Cruise & Katie Homes and Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston Weddings. Also check out Roberts videos http://www.robertevans.com/gallery/7218932_Phjui


ROBERT EVANS February 9th Program

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ROBERT EVANS

The Focal Point February 2010 This month we are having PPC style print competition. Bring your images and register them with Denny Weigand. You may enter up to two images. There will be a total of only 20 images allowed in the competition. They need to be registered before 6:58pm. Images entered after that time will not be allowed in their respective competitions. Good luck to all!! If you are interested in volunteering with print comp, please contact Denny Weigand at 925-336-7994 or E-mail him.

JANUARY MASTERS WINNERS

1st Paul Tsang "Battlefield" 2nd Melinda Hughes "Moonlight Run" 3rd Melinda Hughes "White Thunder"


Print Competition ... PPC Style



"Battlefield"

During a photo session, my client ask me if I would take some action shots for his Polo team, without any dull, I said of course. At that time I really don’t know anything about the game; other than it involve horses and it is a very fast action game. To better educate myself, I did some research via internet and spend couple nights in the book store to help me get to know the game. I arrived to the field at game day, steering at the open area, than I realize I still had no idea what to do. Looked around and saw a guy with a big lens and seams that he knows what he is doing, so I approach him and asked him what is the best way to take picture of the game. His answer was chase one player at a time. After 300 shots or so, I think I got something useful. At the studio I review the entire images, they are great, prefect lighting with a lot of actions, but none of them really excite me. Then I remember the shot where my client was chasing the ball and a lot of players were trying to catch up with him, at that moment I can fell the excitement of the game. So I play around with Photoshop to enhance the image to create the excitement of the game.


Masters Only PPC style competition Print of the Month by Paul Tsang

The Focal Point January 2010

by Tod Gomes, CPP

Don’t Forget To Back Up Those Files!

The first thing I do when I return from a job is make at least 2 backups of my files immediately! First, I download them from my cards to my hard drive (working files), then I copy them to an external drive (some software will do this at the same time). The next day, I will burn 2 copies on to DVD (I’m up to 5 at this point (including the cards)). One of them is kept at my home office and the other DVD is kept at an offsite location. I also

use both a Raid system (Buffalo Terastation) as well as the DROBO to store files. This way if one drive fails (they ALWAYS do), I can just pop another in and it rebuilds itself. You can never be too safe with digital files since I (as I KNOW many others) have lost a hard drive as well as put a CD or DVD in that came up with all red X’s. As far as keeping a copy off site, this is in the case of theft, fire, flooding or other disasters of this nature. There are also a few places that will store your files for you off site. You can either do a search online to find them or better yet, give PPA a call and I would bet they may have some recommendations on who to use for these services. As for the rare film user still out there… Scan your negatives and do the same. Along the same lines as backing up your files, it would be a good idea to get a battery backup so you don’t have to restore when the power goes out, avoiding major headaches as well as saving precious time and files.


Marketing, Sales and Business


Standing from left to right: Tom Dawdy, Hansen Fong, Linda Johnson, Jim Fidelibus, Lisa Evans, Melinda Hughes, Zee Bezabeh, Paul Tsang, Allen Stross, Larry Loth. Seated: Paul Tumason Photos Tom O'Connor


The Masters


Photos Tom O'Connor


Review of the January Master's Night


Photos Tom O'Connor 15 Northern California Professional Photographers



Photos Tom O'Connor




I’ll never forget one of my very first NCPP meetings. The guest speaker was Kersti Malvre. She had just wrapped up a personal project creating images of some of the worst areas in east LA. She captured both the heartache and the hope in the faces of the families who lived there. Her work was used to help raise funds for an organization called the Dream Center and the project culminated in a fundraising event showcasing her work. Kersti encouraged all of us to find personal projects of our own to keep us inspired. The thought of using my photography for something good really struck a nerve with me. I just could not get it out of my head. I had no idea what cause I wanted to work

for, but I knew it was something I had to do. Browsing the internet one day – oh ok, I’ll be totally honest, I was googling my ex’s name - up came Chelsea’s Hope (ex was on a list of donors). Being the curious person I am, I clicked on the link and at that moment, my life changed forever. I realized that the Chelsea in Chelsea’s Hope was the same Chelsea I had read about a few years ago in my synagogue’s list of people who were ill. I remembered reading that she had an undiagnosed illness that kept her home from school, and in and out of Children’s Hospital with uncontrollable seizures and difficulty walking. After awhile, the updates stopped and I never knew what happened to her. I literally scoured every page of that website, tears streaming down my face. I read Chelsea’s Parents’ Diary, journaling their unbelievable grief after receiving a diagnosis no parent ever wants to hear. Chelsea had an extremely rare form of epilepsy called Lafora. Lafora is a genetic disorder striking kids in adolescence and slowly taking away their cognitive and physical abilities. There is no treatment and no cure. Lafora children typically do not live past their second decade of life. With little government funding for research and just 200 documented cases worldwide, Chelsea’s Hope desperately needed to find a way to raise awareness and funds. Having some fundraising experience, a marketing background, and a passion for telling a powerful story through pictures, my mind was spinning with ideas. I had to contact Chelsea’s parents and see how I could help.

I sent an email briefly describing my idea for a fundraiser similar to Kersti’s. Chelsea’s mom replied, gratefully accepting any help she could get. It took about 3 months of emails, but we finally met for coffee and Linda told me Chelsea’s heartbreaking story in great detail. That’s when I found out that there were only (8) other children known to be diagnosed with Lafora in the United States. These families felt completely hopeless and alone, not knowing one other living soul who had experience with Lafora until Linda created Chelsea’s Hope. On Feb. 6th, 2009, with my camera in hand, I met Chelsea for

the first time. She sat at the kitchen table playing with a preschool toy as best she could with her tremoring hands. It was clear that this once athletic, outgoing 17-year old girl had been dealt a terrible fate. I was more determined than ever to create a documentary project on Chelsea and as many of the other Lafora kids as possible. (continued)


Giving Back - The Project that Changed My Life by Cheryl Bigman


As the minutes passed without much response from Chelsea, Linda decided to put on some Justin Timberlake music, one of Chelsea’s favorites. At that moment, Chelsea’s eyes lit up, her smile brightened, and she attempted to get up and dance! I grabbed my camera and clicked away as Chelsea rocked it to Justin. Linda and I clapped with excitement just the way you would watching your toddler take those first steps. Chelsea used to love to dance - the moment was both joyous and bittersweet. Linda and I spoke many more times and the ball started rolling. We decided to do a fundraiser in May with the goal of photographing all of the Lafora kids in the US and creating an exhibit at the fundraiser featuring portraits of each one of them. Since most people had never heard of Lafora, we wanted to put real faces to this disease. We received donations of frequent flyer miles and I used some of my own to finance my travels. During the first 4 months of 2009, I traveled across the country meeting with and photographing all (8) Lafora children and their families. When Linda could get away, she came with me. I even brought my daughter to visit two families back east. All of the families were extremely grateful, and the portraits I was able to

capture told the story in a way only pictures can. On May 19th, the big day finally arrived and all our hard work was about to pay off. I set up the exhibit, which included one large 20x30 portrait of each of the kids and a 16x20 collage of moments with their families. Each family had written a little bio of their child’s story, which we displayed next to their pictures. I also created a moving slideshow set to music to be played at the end of the event. People mingled, bid on silent auction items, and got to know all the Lafora families through their pictures. Two of the children's’ parents, one from Dallas, and the other from Seattle, came as well. Leading Lafora researchers from UCLA came to share their hopes for a viable treatment and cure. Chelsea’s parents, Linda and Howard, spoke of their very personal experience and expressed their gratitude to everyone for supporting them. Even Captain “Sully” Sullenberger was there with his wife! The evening culminated with my slideshow. The venue provided a large screen, I brought my projector, and I borrowed an amplifier for the music. There was not a dry eye in the house. I felt so honored and proud to be able to share my experience with these families through my work. It was a night I will never forget. From the day the fundraiser ended, Chelsea’s Hope began getting more exposure in our community. Several articles were written in local newspapers and magazines, all using my photos. ABC News came out to Chelsea’s house to interview her parents, and show my portraits of the other kids. I created a Chelsea’s Hope Facebook page that is approaching 400 members. Some of the other Lafora families I visited have done fundraisers of their own. Chelsea’s Hope received official non-profit status last month and donations are being distributed to the top Lafora researchers both here and in Canada. Best of all, UCLA researchers just sent an update that they’re getting very close to being approved for the first clinical trials of a treatment to halt the progression of Lafora and possibly even reverse the damage it causes. (continued)




I could write for days about this experience, and in fact, may just have to put it all into a book one day! It was not always easy, especially with the older kids in more advanced stages of Lafora. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I could handle it. Now I realize how important it was for all these families to connect not only with Chelsea’s Hope, but also with each other. They no longer feel so hopeless and alone. I consider Chelsea and her family my very good friends, and I continue to document Chelsea’s life in pictures. While her disease progresses, her strength and that of her parents constantly inspire me. If you’d like to use your work for a good cause, find something you can

be passionate about, develop a vision, and persistently go for it. Once you find that passion, you’ll be absolutely amazed by what you can accomplish, and you’ll be surprised by all of the unexpected gifts that come your way! To see more images from the Chelsea’s Hope Project, please visit my website at: www.cherylbigmanphoto.com (look under the Portfolio tab). To learn more about Chelsea and Lafora, please visit: http://www.chelseashope.org



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MEMBERSHIP NEWS Congratulations to Craig Hudson, new Professional Active member!

At the January meeting of the NCPP Board, Craig Hudson (Craig Hudson Photography) was voted in as the newest member of NCPP.. Craig is sponsored by Denny Weigand. Craig is a high school senior in Pacifica with an impressive portfolio (www.craighudsonphoto.com). Of note, he was featured in the August 2009 issue of Shutterbug and has been accepted to Corcoran College of Art and Design: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Journalism program. Please join me in welcoming Craig to our association.

Other membership news:

Thanks to all who have paid their 2010 membership dues in January. We had a good turnout, prompted in part by the chance to win $150 in cash at the February meeting. The drawing is open to all returning members who have paid their dues before February 1, 2010 AND who are in attendance at the February meeting. We want to put that cold hard cash into a warm receptive hand! If you missed the deadline for the contest, there is still time to submit your dues before or at the meeting. Nearly half of our renewing members have used the new PayPal option found online at www.ncpponline.org (go to the membership page and select payment options). If you haven’t made payment arrangements by the next meeting you will be charged a guest fee for the February meeting and at each subsequent meeting until your full 2010 annual dues are submitted. So, for those procrastinators out there, pick up a pen or log on to the website and pay those dues. In this economy none of us need the extra expense of monthly guest fees! We have an exciting and inspiring year of speakers and events planned and you won’t want to miss a single one.

APPRENTICE NEWS Contact: An Gordon @ 510-222-4115


Membership Information

If you have comments or information regarding new applicants, please send them to: Ken Johnson, NCPP Membership Chair: [email protected]

NCPP is in need of two positions to be filled. We are a volunteer organization and it takes participation by everyone to keep it going strong. Ken Johnson, our esteemed Membership Chair and 3rd VP is moving to Arizona. So we need someone who is interested in getting involved more with NCPP to come forward and volunteer. Call or E-mail Ken Johnson if you are interested. Charles Anderson our Night School Chair has had to take a step back for personal reasons. This is a great time to get involved. Night School will be taking on a new format. You can be part of the team that establishes how it will run going forward.

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Photo de Tour Gang Photographic Reportage


The Evolution of An Idea or

How to Raise Awareness and Make a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill

Recently I had occasion to paraphrase an article on the differences between the types of file formats we use as photographers. I posted this on our Yahoo Group line (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ncppmembers) for all the NCPP photographers to take a look. Wow! I certainly did stir up a baby hornet’s nest! I was pleasantly surprised that our friend Brent Walton chose to challenge some of the terminology, explaining some of the idiosyncrasies of jpeg. Then Mike Kirwan chimed in with his views, followed by Rick Konlon who re-clarified the issue. All of these comments are reproduced below for your bedtime reading. The point of posting them in The Focal Point is to illustrate the value of cross-pollination of ideas. We do this in many ways, formal and informal, with meetings, conferences, photo de tour gang outings, etc.. The Yahoo Group offers this advantage free of charge. Just like a newspaper article, you can take it or leave it, absorb it, or hit the delete button. My sense is that every person’s opinion is invaluable as a learning experience. What we do with it is up to us.

The Original Article: "As a photographer you shoot in Raw or Jpeg, or sometimes both. Then you edit. You may start in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw, but eventually you may end up in Photoshop doing more detailed editing of your photographs. In time, you come up with the "perfect" edit. Now it is time to save. What do you do? Do you save as a PSD, Tiff, Jpeg, Gif, Png or something else? Here are a few of the most common formats and why you may or may not want to use them:" PSD ▪ You will want to save as a Photoshop PSD when you have many layers that you want to preserve. ▪ Saving this way will retain adjustment layers, your masks, shapes, clipping paths, layer styles, blending

modes. ▪ Useful if you need to maintain transparency. ▪ The downsides to PSDs the large size and the compatibility. ▪ Only those with Photoshop will be able to view them, and you will need to save another way for printing. ▪ You cannot share on the web as a PSD. TIFF ▪ This targeted file format is the highest quality and is excellent for print as there is no loss in quality ▪ Retains information in layers, depending how you save it. ▪ The downsides are the extremely large file size and you cannot display on the web in this format. ▪ Lossless format so you will retain information from your images as you re-open and re-save. JPEG ▪ The Joint Photographic Experts Group format is the most common type. It is viewable by all and can be

used for print and the web. ▪ When saving as a jpg, you decide what quality you desire from a 1-12. ▪ The biggest downsize is that the jpeg format is lossy. Each time you open and save, the image

compresses and you lose a small amount of information. ▪ Another downside is that layers are flattened upon saving so you lose the ability to go back to past edits

to tweak. (continued next page)


Yahoo Group Discussions by Denny Weigand

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The Focal Point February 2010 (continued from previous page) GIF ▪ The Graphics Interchange Format is great for web graphics with animation. ▪ The file size is very small so these files load fast on the web. ▪ The downsides are limited colors and do not handle photographs well. Not recommended for print work. ▪ Lossless format so you will retain information from your images as you re-open and re-save. PNG ▪ The Portable Network Graphics format also creates smaller file size but without the quality loss of a GIF. ▪ Often used for graphics instead of GIF. ▪ Lossless format so you will retain information from your images as you re-open and re-save. ▪ You can share on the web. Hopefully after reading this you have a better idea on which suits your style best. There is no right or wrong per say. Much of this is personal preference." Brent Walton Added: I watched Will Crocket do an experiment where he opened, changed, and saved on the same jpeg repeatedly. There is no loss experienced if you set your compression level to 12 in Photoshop. Anyone who has doubts should try it. Open a TIFF, save it as a jpeg with the quality setting at 12 (highest) in Photoshop. Make a mark on the image with the pencil tool. Save it. Re-open it. Make another mark. Save it. Re-open it. Do this 10 times. Each time, saving it with that compression level at 12. You won't see any degrading. Oh... and, look at the file size each time. Malcolm Slight asked: Thanks; very informative! One comment/question re jpeg: It is my understanding that according to some recent tests, there is no jpeg loss if shot at the highest resolution. Any comments would be appreciated! Wayne Miller threw in: Jpeg is a compressed format. If you shoot JPEG you are throwing away information (that is why the file is smaller via compression). RAW is all the image information from the capture. Bottom line : RAW is best, and yes, you can shoot JPEG but if you do not nail exposure and color balance you have no latitude, dude/dudettes. Rick Konlon concluded: Re: Format Information Yeah, you had to go and kick the hornet's nest, didn't you Denny. ;-) I was only commenting on the opening and saving of jpegs. Wayne's right that RAW has more latitude - mostly because it has more "depth" (24-bits in many cases vs. 8-bits in the case of a jpeg). However, if you save an 8-bit TIFF as an 8-bit jpeg, at the highest quality level (lowest loss), you will not lose any pixel data in the process of the compression. The file will get smaller, but you won't have less pixel data. (continued next page)


Yahoo Group Discussions

The Focal Point February 2010 (continued from previous page) An example of how jpeg compresses might be explained like this... Suppose you have 8 pixels that have an RGB values of 255 255 255 (that is, all 8 pixels are white). In the TIFF file, you would see 255 255 255 repeated 8 times. In the JPEG file you would see something analogous to 8(255 255 255) meaning that the 255 255 255 is repeated 8 times. So, which is shorter smaller? 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 or 8(255 255 255) In Photoshop, they would both look identical in every way. And, when the JPEG is saved as a TIFF, it would create the same file. Did the JPEG lose any? This is over simplified, and I'm not suggesting someone shoot in JPEG over RAW. Just be aware that a JPEG at its highest quality, once opened in Photoshop decompresses back to a full-res image. (This is NOT the case if you save you jpeg at any other compression setting.) 24-bit RAW is best, but when saved as an 8-bit flattened TIFF is no better than an 8-bit JPEG saved at Quality setting of 12. (8-bit and flattened being the governing factors.) Does this matter? Only if you are saving 8-bit flattened TIFFs for backup purposes. You might as well save 8-bit JPEGs at 12. You'll use less DVDs. That's my 8-bits worth. :) Ladies and Gentlemen! This is cross-pollination at its’ best! Keep it up! I personally love this kind of stuff…don’t you? Denny


Yahoo Group Discussions


NEED A RETOUCH SPECIALIST ???

Tired of Retouching? Tired of Wedding Edits? Tired of Enhancing Your Images? Just Plain Tired of Spending Time Behind the Computer? Printing Quality Less Than Desired? Administrative Details Got You Down? Call the Expert!

Call Denny at (925) 336-7994

For Reasonable Pricing and Solutions

Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.digitalwhims.com Member: PPA NAPP AIDG NCPP Telephone: (925) 336-7994


http://www.digitalwhims.com/�


Jill Heller (Hager), CPP – Photography by Jill Photographer, Photoshopper and sales-gal extraordinaire!

Great with all aspects of studio work.

Photoshop CS4, ProShow, ProSelect and SuccessWare trained.

Available for your studio work assistance.

Call 925-286-2097 or email [email protected].



The Focal Point February 2010 Sustaining Members are companies that manufacture or distribute photographic equipment, laboratories, publishers or firms providing services to photographers. These Sustaining Members also contribute to the welfare of NCPP, with monetary and technical support. Sustaining Members may participate in all NCPP events, however they may not vote or hold office. We encourage our NCPP members to support our Sustaining Members. If you are interested in becoming a Sustaining Member, contact Rick Konlon. 925-253-6079 or E-mail @ [email protected] -Listed Alphabetically- THE ART OF PICTURE FRAMING APF is a full-service wholesale custom framing facility. We work closely with Fine Art and Framing Galleries, Interior Designers, Professional Photographers, Art Consultants, Retailers and others in need of custom framing at wholesale prices. APF specializes in creating custom programs or packages to your individual business or market needs. We offer superior quality with flexible pricing to fit your individual needs. Contact: Mike Moretti 1084 Shary Circle, #B Concord, CA 94518 (Located behind Costco) E-mail: [email protected] 925-689-5177 web: http://stores.apfwholesale.com/StoreFront.bok


NCPP Sustaining Members



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The Focal Point February 2010 BAY PHOTO LAB Contact: Debbie Thomas E-mail: [email protected] 510-585-7049 web: http://www.bayphoto.com/ 2161 Delaware Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 800-435-6686 fax: 931-475-5257




http://www.bayphoto.com/�


Like most other color labs we turn your images into true works of art, images that your customers will appreciate and always treasure. Our industry hallmark has been, and always will be, that of a marketing and service company that also happens to produce beautiful images from your photo sessions. We have Business Consultants in the field available to work one-on-one with you at your studio to help grow your business.

Burrell Colour Imaging 800-348-8732

Jay Yogan 925-381-9925

Business Consultant [email protected]



http://www.burrellcolourimaging.com/�


The Focal Point February 2010 CAMERA WEST Retail Camera Store: Camera West is a Central California-based business specializing in the highest quality photographic equipment and staffed by professionals who are passionate about photography. We have expert product knowledge and are dedicated to customer service and strong, long-term, customer relationships. Camera West has the only true "Leica Shop" in North America with one of the largest stock inventories on the continent. Please visit us and see more of what Camera West is known for! Contact: Dan Leto E-mail: [email protected] 925-935-1424 http://www.camerawest.com/ 1255 S. Main St., @201 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925-935-1424 fax: 925-935-2008




http://www.camerawest.com/�

The Focal Point February 2010 Cantrell Couture Weddings the Workshop Join us for an exciting three day educational experience on everything

weddings. Bambi Cantrell, an internationally recognized wedding

photographer will demonstrate through live demonstrations, class

participation and much more the many reasons she has been named

one of the 10 best wedding photographers in the world by American

Photo Magazine.

Among the many exciting segments will be extensive lighting, and posing tips guaranteed to take your photography to

the next level. Tuesday’s program will feature the album design talents of fabulous wedding photographer, Jim

Garner of Seattle.

Space is limited, as only two spots remain. Tuition is $1500.

Call Bambi’s studio to register. http://cantrellportrait.com/

SmugMug Meet up group and workshop Feb 15, AT Hilton, Concord 7pm

The Bui Brothers will speak on how to effectively use video without

becoming a videographer. Basically show people the power of video

blogging to connect to their future (and past) clients, how simple it is

and what they'll need to do it. For now check out their site at

http://thebuibrothers.com/

The Bui Brothers will speak on off camera lighting (for still not video) in this all day workshop $99 Feb 16th.

http://www.meetup.com/SF-East-Bay-Photography-Meetup-Group/calendar/12288646/

Gustavo Fernandez is the coordinator for this event [email protected]


Educational Opportunities

http://cantrellportrait.com/�

http://www.meetup.com/SF-East-Bay-Photography-Meetup-Group/calendar/12288646/�




Educational Opportunities


Click on the images to access their web sites


Our Neighboring Affiliates

http://ppsvonline.homestead.com/�

http://www.ppgba.org/�

http://www.ppscv.com/�


Paul Tsang was educated in the Bay Area majoring in Photography and Fine Arts and his scope of talent is wide-spread. He has directed his creative talents towards family portraiture and wedding photography for over 25 years.

During the last 10 years, as an animal lover, Paul has created some memorable, prize-winning pet portraits as well as delighting the many owners whose pet portraits he has done. He says, "Pets are family too!"

Paul's technical ability and his creative gift for the art of photography are matched by few. He is a natural at bringing out the warm qualities of his subjects and capturing those priceless expressions that make treasured photographs for years of enjoyment. This unique gift combined with his creative eye and feel for design, page layout, form and color, have earned him wide recognition in his field.

Paul Tsang's accomplishments include numerous awards, the most notable of which are: Kodak Gallery Elite and Kodak Gallery Award for Portrait, Fuji Masterpiece Award for Wedding Photography, Photographer of the Year - PPA and PPGBA, Best of Show in the Western States, First Place in the State of California, First Place in the Professional Photographer of the Bay Area, and Certified of Special Recognition in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community, from a Member of U.S. Congress.

Visit Paul’s website: http://www.aboutmasterpiece.com/


NCPP Speaker for March 2nd presents Paul Tsang “Creating Masterpiece Images”

http://www.aboutmasterpiece.com/�


Click here to go to the Calendar on the Web Site


Calendar

http://www.ncpponline.org/index2.php#/text_2/1/�

The Focal Point 2010

This information is for Walnut Creek. You can obtain sunset times for other locations at http://www.sunrisesunset.com/


Sunset Table

http://www.sunrisesunset.com/�

focal point feb-10

Documents

ncpp website

ncpp sustaining members

welcome ncpp members

endorsement of ncpp

position of ncpp

night school focal point

meeting masters night

quarter page