Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be at the Pin & Cue Bowling Alley in Whitefish, MT. at 6:30PM Thursday, February 12th.

Big news
Minutes from January

Rex Short got us started on the right foot with a very interesting demonstration on how to create depth of field in a computer. Depth of field or the lack of it is without a doubt one of photography's most important principles. It is also a principle, which every photographer can interpret in his/her own way. For example I like most of my landscape pictures to be sharp from the closest thing to the lens to the farthest thing in the picture. Yet another photographer might say that my pictures lack feeling and mood or mystery because they are artificial in there clarity. Who is right? Rex correctly pointed out to our group that it was a question of style or individual taste, and that the person who made the picture knew what he/she wanted and went to great lengths to accomplish just the right amount of fuzzy in the foreground. We each like our own work better, which is our prerogative, but we cannot say the other guy is wrong.

Back to the point, Rex's demonstration showed us how to merge several different focus points in photo shop and create a sharp clean picture where none existed before.

Great demo Rex

Next Bruce took us for a balloon ride in the wild blue yonder. He portrayed ballooning as we seldom see it. He showed us hot air ballooning from the trailer to the trailer. I had never seen a hot air balloon assembled from scratch, flown, then disassembled and loaded back into the trailer. I found the whole procedure Informative and interesting.

Larry Stolte has been busy doing some really nice work right here in the Beautiful Flathead Valley. He has a knack for making ordinary pictures look anything but ordinary. It was fun to see different winter pastoral scenes from around the valley but I really enjoyed several of his fabulous creek shoots. His photography reminded me of the old days when I would go out every evening after work and do all kinds of local work. It was fun for me then and his work is still fun for me now.

Nick Fucci and Steve Mitchell made a wonderful trip to the world's largest petting Zoo, Yellowstone Park, where they did not pet a grizzly and a wolf who were deciding who owned the elk carcass. The Griz was large and fat and seemed to be prevailing. The wolf, not inclined to pursue his ownership interest, eventually relinquished his claim to the Grizzly. They also had some amazing shots of snow-covered Buffalo taken on a foggy day.

Steve has gone to the dogs, but lucky for us he got some beautiful shots of dog sled races. I liked the dogs with white eyes. Both he and Nick did some really nice Grizzly and Wolf pictures and their Buffalo shots were very enjoyable. Thanks

Rex and Ginna really came through, again, with some outstanding macro shots of birds, frogs and other little things that get really big on the screen. I love the work they do. Their careful compositions, the great colors, the focus points and depth are all amazing. It's great work with great subjects and done by great photographers. When you put their photo ops. Together with their talent we always win.

As usual, we saw lots of pretty pictures pass before our eyes.

Our Photographers are the best

I leave this line here because I love to look at all the great photography we see every month.

Classifieds

I have some camera equipment for sale. Canon 1DS Mark II 16 mp. A good selection of "L" lenses from 30 to 300mm and other stuff. Also I have ALOT of new picture frames that I will sell AT COST. Anyone interested can call me at 250-0008. Thanks, Dave Filler

Jane Timmerman and Jesse Malone both have Canon Cameras for sale. If you or any of your friends need a camera please contact either of them.

Send me news

Trevon Baker 4/15/2009
The Desktop Darkroom

Photographer Craftsman Trevon Baker will explore the digital revolution and how it has changed the professional photography industry. Trevon will also demonstrate his techniques for "processing" his images. See his work at www.trevonbaker.com

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share with you a few great opportunities. This month's eNewsletter highlights ways to become engaged and dates to mark on your calendar!

Official Centennial Art Contest- you could win some money in this one!
Due March 1, 2009
100 Years, 100 Stories- a commemorative book. Share a Glacier Park story with us...it's free! Due March 1, 2009
Host an Official Centennial Event...Due June 1, 2009
Among others...

Mark your calendar!
May 22, 2009 Saddle Up for the Centennial, Spring for Glacier
July 7, 2009 Sperry Chalet Benefit for the Glacier National Park Fund
August 19, 2009 Wolf Trap for the Performing Arts, Face of America: Glacier National Park

As always, if you would like a story (100 words) or photo to be featured in the eNewsletter- feel free to hit reply and send it along!

More soon...Happy New Year!
Kass

Centennial Newsletter_January 2009_small.pdf
www.glaciercentennial.org

Kass Hardy
Centennial Coordinator
Glacier National Park
406-888-7971

Hi Ed,
I wonder if everyone has heard that Montana fish, wildlife , and parks are imposing a commercial use fee on professional photographers ($50 for a single shooter, more for film crews etc.) to shoot on state lands and refuges. I emailed them and asked how we are supposed to prove we're not commercial shooters. I will let you know if I get an anwser. Steve Mitchell

PROGRAMS