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Subject: =?windows-1250?Q?join_us_for_the_first_SLO_Coast_CA_State_Parks_Adventure?=
=?windows-1250?Q?s_with_Nature_=93Digital_Photo_Walk=94_Sunday_February?=
=?windows-1250?Q?_10=2C_2008__8:30_AM?=
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Please join us for the first SLO Coast CA State Parks Adventures with Natur=
e
=93Digital Photo Walk=94 Sunday February 10, 2008, 8:30 AM, Morro Bay Stat=
e
Park Marina parking lot. See HYPERLINK
"http://photomorrobay.com/SLO-IPT/"http://photomorrobay.com/SLO-IPT/ for a
complete description and history of this new walk series (also pasted
below).
Digital Photo Walk (Morro Bay State Park Marina). Bring your digital camer=
a
if you have one, on this outing on a peninsula by the Morro Bay State Park
Marina, just below the Museum of Natural History. All photographic skill
levels are welcome. At least one experienced docent photographer will
conduct a mini-instructional photo tour (IPT) with handouts, enabling you t=
o
improve your outdoor and nature photography skills. After you return home,
you may participate in a related easy and free online photo-sharing and
learning activity. Meet at the far east end of the Marina parking lot. See
HYPERLINK "http://photomorrobay.com"http://photomorrobay.com for more
information. (*E) 0.5 mi., 2 hrs.=20
Docents: Mike Baird, Kevin Cole, Jerry Kirkhart, Joyce Cory, Garry Johnson=
.
Schedule: Sunday February 10, 2008 8:30 AM
=20
Mike Baird mike [at} mikebaird dot com HYPERLINK
"http://morro-bay.com/"http://morro-bay.com - Recent photos at HYPERLINK
"http://bairdphotos.com/"http://bairdphotos.com, HYPERLINK
"http://picasa.bairdphotos.com/"http://picasa.bairdphotos.com, HYPERLINK
"http://flickr.bairdphotos.com/"http://flickr.bairdphotos.com, HYPERLINK
"http://digitalchocolate.org/"http://digitalchocolate.org, HYPERLINK
"http://stealthispicture.com/"http://stealthispicture.com, HYPERLINK
"http://photomorrobay.com/"http://PhotoMorroBay.com; HYPERLINK
"http://mikebaird.com/"http://mikebaird.com. Surf shots at HYPERLINK
"http://surf.morro-bay.com/"http://surf.morro-bay.com/ Morro Bay, CA home
(805) 772-2044; cell (805) 704-0069 To assure I receive your e-mail, add
"must read" to the subject line.
=20
Digital Photo Walk =96 a new Adventures with Nature (AWN) activity
This material can be found from a link at HYPERLINK
"http://photomorrobay.com/SLO-IPT/" \nphotomorrobay.com
Digital Photo Walk (Morro Bay State Park Marina). Bring your digital camer=
a
if you have one, on this outing on a peninsula by the Morro Bay State Park
Marina, just below the Museum of Natural History. All photographic skill
levels are welcome. At least one experienced docent photographer will
conduct a mini-instructional photo tour (IPT) with handouts, enabling you t=
o
improve your outdoor and nature photography skills. After you return home,
you may participate in a related easy and free online photo-sharing and
learning activity. Meet at the far east end of the Marina parking lot. (*E=
)
0.5 mi., 2 hrs. See photomorrobay.com for more information.
Docents: Mike Baird, Kevin Cole, Jerry Kirkhart, Joyce Cory, Garry Johnson
Schedule: Sunday February 10, 2008 8:30 AM
_____=20=20
Detailed Outline for AWN committee approval
Digital Photo Walks can be given at a wide number of local SLO Coastal Stat=
e
Park locations, depending on the season, migrating subjects, lighting, and
accessibility factors. A Digital Photo Walk is intended to be like a mini
(typically two hours) Instructional Photo Tour (IPT) - whereby participants
receive instruction in photography while experiencing the many dimensions o=
f
our State Park properties. Novice photographers are especial welcomed. If
you don't have a digital camera but were thinking about getting one, now is
the time.
Theme: We gain inspiration and more fully appreciate nature by photographin=
g
what we see in a group setting, engaging in critique and instruction, and
pooling insights with like-minded companions.
Each Photo Walk consists of six elements:
(1) Welcome participants and introduce docent leaders. This kind of
personalized instructional activity may be best-served by having multiple
docent leaders. Discover individual interests, inventory available cameras
(observe availability of point-and-shoots, Single-Lens-Reflex (SLR)s,
tripods, etc), skill levels... and adjust the program to optimize the
visitor experience. It is recommended that docent leaders make available a
loaner digital camera or two for those visitors without equipment. There
are no doubt many unused digital cameras available, just as there are old
cell phones... all one has to do is ask around to acquire some - just like
we do with binoculars for other walks.
(2) Explain your particular walk's objectives, distance, duration, and
desired results and interactions. Encourage visitors to ask questions,
offer advice, and make suggestions for improving the experience. Describe
possible interesting nature elements we may encounter (sea otters, migratin=
g
birds, water scenes, micro/macro subjects, animal habitats, etc.) and defin=
e
some of the possible subjects of the "hunt."
(3) Provide handouts (see below) with (a) educational content (e.g., tips
for taking better nature photos) and (b) process for participating in an
optional after-the-event online photo sharing and critique session. This
includes an invitation to join a local related discussion group at Yahoo!
Groups a and photo sharing and collaboration site at Flickr groups/pools.
(4) Teach one new technique from the handout list about every 15 minutes.
Participants should come away not only with photos that are much better tha=
n
they might have gotten on their own, but also they should internalize the
tips and tricks to the point where they themselves become teachers to the
other participants. Repeat the lessons by pointing out in the real world
how the tip or trick is working, to the point where the participant acts
like it was his or her original idea.
(5) Agree on a subjects as they are encountered, determine the best approac=
h
(get close? get low?, wait for subject to move closer?). Agree what would
make the best photo (angle, habitat, behavior, action, interaction, feeding=
,
head and eye position), what equipment would serve best (flash?
tripod/monopod/). Position for the photo. Take some shots. Discuss
desired camera technical parameters (focal length, shutter speed, aperture,
ISO speed, focus, exposure, flash settings and offsets, burst modes,
auto-focus tracking modes, etc. Use histograms to test in real-time camera
settings. Every member of the tour takes one photo of each subject if
practicable.
(6) Conclusion. Thank each participant individually and by name in the
group setting, before people scatter, for their participation. If possible=
,
acknowledge, for each person, what comments, ideas, questions, or actions
were valuable. Encourage visitors to return to future tours, and to invite
their friends. Refer to the handouts and make sure everyone who is
interested knows how to join the related photomorrobay Yahoo! Group (via
HYPERLINK "http://photomorrobay.com"http://photomorrobay.com ) and related
Flickr photo upload and collaboration service HYPERLINK
"http://Flickr.com"http://Flickr.com and photomorrobay group/pool there
HYPERLINK
"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/ .
Explain that after the tour, when one gets home, one can post one's best
images, and give and receive comments on any or all the photos submitted
from today's walk. If someone needs software to process digital images, yo=
u
can recommend Google's free Picasa HYPERLINK
"http://picasa.google.com/"http://picasa.google.com/; Adobe's Photoshop
Elements; the software that came with the camera; or to use HYPERLINK
"http://picnik.com%27s"http://picnik.com 's free online services (this can
be done on the Flickr site after uploading one's unprocessed images, and
before adding them to the HYPERLINK
"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/ group)=
.
_____=20=20
Background notes:
Docent instructors: Mike Baird, Garry Johnson, Kevin Cole, Joyce Cory,
Jerry Kirkhart.=20
Possible locations:
* Morro Bay State Park Marina peninsula (good accessibility)=20
* Montana de Oro Bluff (poor accessibility)=20
* Morro Rock (walk around the base, and all along the Coleman Ave. new
boardwalk) (good accessibility)=20
* Morro Strand State Beach, Azure Street parking lot
Comments are welcome - send to mike [at} mikebaird d o t com
_____=20=20
Handout #1 - copy and paste this and print in a format as desired (ref.
content at HYPERLINK "http://howto.digitalchocolate.org/"
\nhttp://howto.digitalchocolate.org/ )
How to Take Better Wildlife and Nature Photos
1. Always have your camera with you and ready to take an opportunistic
photo.
2. Be patient and spend more time in the field.
3. For wildlife, get closer, and set focus on the subject's eyes.
4. Lead a moving subject so that there is space in front of it. To the
extent that you were not close enough when you took the picture, or in hast=
e
you had to set focus at the center of the frame, you can frequently
post-process your image and crop it to achieve this effect.
5. Capture action or movement by using your burst mode to get a
sequence of images to pick from. The days of high film costs are over, and
it costs nothing but time to take more pictures.
6. Be aware of the background -- does it enhance or detract from your
subject?
7. Look for interesting reflections in water.
8. Get the sun behind you -- maximize the light on the "face" of your
subject.
9. Use your flash to "fill" shadows, even in bright daylight.
10. Steady the camera with some kind of support (tripod, monopod, tree,
strap...).
11. Set your camera to record at maximum resolution and quality -- use
RAW if your equipment supports it. Use the optical zoom capabilities of
your camera, but forget the "digital" zoom which simply replicates pixels.
12. Shoot small subjects from a low angle... consider a wide-angle lens
for effect.
13. Compose the image into "thirds" so that not all images are centered.
Again, you can frequently post-process your image and crop it to achieve
this effect.
14. Use "vertical" shots for appropriate subjects.
15. Getting Technical: Use the fastest shutter speed possible. One
rule-of-thumb is that shutter speed should be equal to or faster than the
ratio one over the focal length of your lens -- i.e., if you are using a 20=
0
mm lens, the slowest shutter speed should be 1/250th of a second. Of
course you can overdo it -- shutter speed comes at the expense of
depth-of-field (aperture setting) and ISO "film" speed (which will effect
graininess). Try to keep the aperture setting at the numerical value of
f/11 to f/16 or even higher, and ISO speeds at the numerical value of 400 o=
r
lower. Another rule-of-thumb is that shutter speed should be about one ove=
r
your ISO, so, if your ISO is set to 400, your shutter speed would be
1/400th of a second. Obtaining good depth-of-field, for many scenes, will
make the difference between a good shot and a snapshot. The higher you set
the f-stop numerical value, the smaller will be your lens aperture opening,
and the greater will be the depth if field. An exception -- when your
subject deserves to be the central focus of your image, and you want the
background to be blurred, shoot it at f/5.6 or f/8.=20
16. Invest in higher quality camera and optics, and Photoshop software,
if you find yourself enjoying photography.
17. Homework: Before your next Digital Photo Walk, read the extensive
self-tutorial material at HYPERLINK "http://howto.digitalchocolate.org/"
\nhowto.digitalchocolate.org entitled "HYPERLINK
"http://howto.digitalchocolate.org/" \nSan Luis Obispo County California
Nature Photographers -- Their Works and Techniques: Interviews with local
nature photographers about how they take such great photos" - Edited by
Docent Mike Baird -- mike [at} mikebaird d o t com, HYPERLINK
"http://photomorrobay.com" \nphotomorrobay.com. Come to the next session
with at least one new idea to try.
=20
Handout #2 - copy and paste this and print in a format as desired=20
Share your photos and give and receive comments from the instructor and
other participants. After the tour, go home and participate in a free
online social network photo-sharing and learning activity. Get a free
account at HYPERLINK "http://Flickr.com"http://Flickr.com and add your
images to the group at HYPERLINK
"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/, where
you can give and receive comments. If you need software to process your
digital images, use Google's free Picasa HYPERLINK
"http://picasa.google.com/"http://picasa.google.com/; Adobe's Photoshop
Elements; the software that came with your camera; or use HYPERLINK
"http://picnik.com%27s"http://picnik.com 's free online services (this can
be done on the Flickr site after uploading one's unprocessed images, and
before adding them to the HYPERLINK
"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/ group;
see HYPERLINK "http://flickr.com/help/picnik/"http://flickr.com/help/picnik=
/
for more information). Join our free photomorrobay Yahoo! Group. Go to
HYPERLINK "http://photomorrobay.com"http://photomorrobay.com to find it and
sign-up.=20
=20
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.=20
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 1/4/2008
12:05 PM
=20
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<div class=3DSection1>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'>Please
join us for the first SLO Coast CA State Parks Adventures with Nature ̶=
0;Digital
Photo Walk” Sunday February 10, 2008, 8:30 AM, Morro Bay State =
Park
Marina parking lot. See <span style=3D'color:blue'><a
href=3D"http://photomorrobay.com/SLO-IPT/">http://photomorrobay.com/SLO-IPT=
/</a>
for a complete description and history of this new walk series (also pasted
below).</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'>Digital
Photo Walk (Morro Bay State Park Marina). Bring your digital camera i=
f
you have one, on this outing on a peninsula by the Morro Bay State Park Mar=
ina,
just below the Museum of Natural History. All photographic skill leve=
ls
are welcome. At least one experienced docent photographer will
conduct a mini-instructional photo tour (IPT) with handouts, enabling you t=
o
improve your outdoor and nature photography skills. After you return
home, you may participate in a related easy and free online photo-sharing a=
nd
learning activity. Meet at the far east end of the Marina parking lot. See =
<a
href=3D"http://photomorrobay.com">http://photomorrobay.com</a> for mo=
re
information. (*E) 0.5 mi., 2 hrs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'>Docents:
Mike Baird, Kevin Cole, Jerry Kirkhart, Joyce Cory, Garry Johnson.<o:p></o:=
p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'>Schedule:
Sunday February 10, 2008 8:30 AM<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight=
:normal'>Mike
Baird mike [at} mikebaird dot com </span><a
href=3D"http://morro-bay.com/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;
font-weight:normal'>http://morro-bay.com</span></a><span style=3D'font-size=
:10.0pt;
color:blue;font-weight:normal'> - Recent photos at </span><a
href=3D"http://bairdphotos.com/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue=
;
font-weight:normal'>http://bairdphotos.com</span></a><span style=3D'font-si=
ze:
10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>, </span><a
href=3D"http://picasa.bairdphotos.com/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;col=
or:blue;
font-weight:normal'>http://picasa.bairdphotos.com</span></a><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>, </span><a
href=3D"http://flickr.bairdphotos.com/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;col=
or:blue;
font-weight:normal'>http://flickr.bairdphotos.com</span></a><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>, </span><a
href=3D"http://digitalchocolate.org/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color=
:blue;
font-weight:normal'>http://digitalchocolate.org</span></a><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>, </span><a
href=3D"http://stealthispicture.com/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color=
:blue;
font-weight:normal'>http://stealthispicture.com</span></a><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>, </span><a
href=3D"http://photomorrobay.com/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:bl=
ue;
font-weight:normal'>http://PhotoMorroBay.com</span></a><span style=3D'font-=
size:
10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>; </span><a href=3D"http://mikebaird.=
com/"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>http://mikebaird.c=
om</span></a><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'>. Surf shots=
at </span><a
href=3D"http://surf.morro-bay.com/"><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:b=
lue;
font-weight:normal'>http://surf.morro-bay.com/</span></a><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;font-weight:normal'> Morro Bay,
CA home (805) 772-2044; cell (805) 704-0069 To assure I
receive your e-mail, add "must read" to the subject line.</span><=
span
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1><span style=3D'font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Digit=
al
Photo Walk – a new Adventures with Nature (AWN) activity<br>
</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
font-weight:normal'>This material can be found from a link at <a
href=3D"http://photomorrobay.com/SLO-IPT/" target=3D"_blank">photomorrobay.=
com</a></span><o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Digital Photo Walk (Morro Bay State Park Marin=
a). </span> Bring
your digital camera if you have one, on this outing on a peninsula by the M=
orro
Bay State Park Marina, just below the Museum of Natural History. All
photographic skill levels are welcome. At least one experienced
docent photographer will conduct a mini-instructional photo tour (IPT) with
handouts, enabling you to improve your outdoor and nature photography
skills. After you return home, you may participate in a related easy =
and
free online photo-sharing and learning activity. Meet at the far east end o=
f
the Marina parking lot. (*E) 0.5 mi., 2 hrs. See photomorrobay.com fo=
r
more information.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Docents: Mike Baird, Kevin Cole, Jerry
Kirkhart, Joyce Cory, Garry Johnson</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Schedule</span>: <span style=3D'font-weight:no=
rmal'>Sunday
February 10, 2008 8:30 AM</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'>
<hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Detailed Outline for AWN committee approval</s=
pan><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Digital Photo Walks</span><span style=3D'font-=
weight:
normal'> can be given at a wide number of local SLO Coastal State Park
locations, depending on the season, migrating subjects, lighting, and
accessibility factors. A Digital Photo Walk is intended to be like a =
mini
(typically two hours) Instructional Photo Tour (IPT) - whereby participants
receive instruction in photography while experiencing the many dimensions o=
f
our State Park properties. Novice photographers are especial
welcomed. If you don't have a digital camera but were thinking about
getting one, now is the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Theme</span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'=
>: We
gain inspiration and more fully appreciate nature by photographing what we =
see
in a group setting, engaging in critique and instruction, and pooling insig=
hts
with like-minded companions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Each Photo Walk consists of six elements:<o:p>=
</o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>(1) </span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'>=
Welcome</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'> participants and introduce docent leaders.&nb=
sp;
This kind of personalized instructional activity may be best-served by havi=
ng
multiple docent leaders. Discover individual interests, inventory
available cameras (observe availability of point-and-shoots, Single-Lens-Re=
flex
(SLR)s, tripods, etc), skill levels... and adjust the program to optimize t=
he
visitor experience. It is recommended that docent leaders make availa=
ble
a loaner digital camera or two for those visitors without equipment.
There are no doubt many unused digital cameras available, just as there are=
old
cell phones... all one has to do is ask around to acquire some - just like =
we
do with binoculars for other walks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>(2) </span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'>=
Explain</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'> your particular walk's objectives, distance,
duration, and desired results and interactions. Encourage visitors to=
ask
questions, offer advice, and make suggestions for improving the
experience. Describe possible interesting nature elements we may
encounter (sea otters, migrating birds, water scenes, micro/macro subjects,
animal habitats, etc.) and define some of the possible subjects of the
"hunt."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>(3) </span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'>=
Provide</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'> handouts (see below) with (a) educational con=
tent
(e.g., tips for taking better nature photos) and (b) process for participat=
ing
in an optional after-the-event online photo sharing and critique session.&n=
bsp;
This includes an invitation to join a local related discussion group at Yah=
oo!
Groups a and photo sharing and collaboration site at Flickr groups/pools.<o=
:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>(4) </span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'>=
Teach</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'> one new technique from the handout list about=
every
15 minutes. Participants should come away not only with photos that a=
re
much better than they might have gotten on their own, but also they should
internalize the tips and tricks to the point where they themselves become
teachers to the other participants. Repeat the lessons by pointing ou=
t in
the real world how the tip or trick is working, to the point where the
participant acts like it was his or her original idea.<o:p></o:p></span></p=
>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>(5) </span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'>=
Agree</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'> on a subjects as they are encountered, determ=
ine
the best approach (get close? get low?, wait for subject to move
closer?). Agree what would make the best photo (angle, habitat, behav=
ior,
action, interaction, feeding, head and eye position), what equipment would
serve best (flash? tripod/monopod/). Position for the photo. Ta=
ke
some shots. Discuss desired camera technical parameters (focal length=
,
shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed, focus, exposure, flash settings and
offsets, burst modes, auto-focus tracking modes, etc. Use histograms =
to
test in real-time camera settings. Every member of the tour takes one
photo of each subject if practicable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>(6) </span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'>=
Conclusion</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>. Thank each participant individually an=
d by
name in the group setting, before people scatter, for their
participation. If possible, acknowledge, for each person, what commen=
ts,
ideas, questions, or actions were valuable. Encourage visitors to ret=
urn
to future tours, and to invite their friends. Refer to the handouts a=
nd
make sure everyone who is interested knows how to join the related
photomorrobay Yahoo! Group (via <a href=3D"http://photomorrobay.com">http:/=
/photomorrobay.com</a>
) and related Flickr photo upload and collaboration service <a
href=3D"http://Flickr.com">http://Flickr.com</a> and photomorrobay group/po=
ol
there <a href=3D"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/">http://flickr.com/group=
s/slo-ipt/</a>
. Explain that after the tour, when one gets home, one can post one's
best images, and give and receive comments on any or all the photos submitt=
ed
from today's walk. If someone needs software to process digital image=
s,
you can recommend Google's free Picasa <a href=3D"http://picasa.google.com/=
">http://picasa.google.com/</a>;
Adobe's Photoshop Elements; the software that came with the camera; o=
r to
use <a href=3D"http://picnik.com%27s">http://picnik.com</a> 's free online
services (this can be done on the Flickr site after uploading one's unproce=
ssed
images, and before adding them to the <a
href=3D"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/">http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt=
/</a>
group). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>
<hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter>
</span></div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Background notes:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Docent instructors: Mike Baird, Garry Jo=
hnson,
Kevin Cole, Joyce Cory, Jerry Kirkhart. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Possible locations:<br>
* Morro Bay State Park Marina peninsula (good accessibility) <br>
* Montana de Oro Bluff (poor accessibility) <br>
* Morro Rock (walk around the base, and all along the Coleman Ave. new
boardwalk) (good accessibility) <br>
* Morro Strand State Beach, Azure Street parking lot<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Comments are welcome - send to mike [at} mikeb=
aird d
o t com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>
<hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter>
</span></div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Handout #1 - copy and paste this and print in =
a
format as desired (ref. content at <a href=3D"http://howto.digitalchocolate=
.org/"
target=3D"_blank">http://howto.digitalchocolate.org/</a> )<o:p></o:p></span=
></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>How to Take Better Wildlife a=
nd
Nature Photos</span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
p>
<ol start=3D1 type=3D1>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Always
</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>have your c=
amera
with you</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> an=
d
ready to take an opportunistic photo.</span><span style=3D'font-weight=
:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Be
patient</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> and=
spend
more time in the field.</span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p>=
</o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>For
wildlife, </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>g=
et
closer</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>, and=
set </span><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>focus on the subject's e=
yes.</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Lead
a moving subject</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:nor=
mal'>
so that there is space in front of it. To the extent that you we=
re
not close enough when you took the picture, or in haste you had to set
focus at the center of the frame, you can frequently post-process your
image and crop it to achieve this effect.</span><span style=3D'font-we=
ight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Capture
action</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> or
movement by using your burst mode to get a sequence of images to pick
from. The days of high film costs are over, and it costs nothing but t=
ime
to take more pictures.</span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Be
aware of the </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal=
'>background</span><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> -- does it enhance or d=
etract
from your subject?</span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p=
></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Look
for interesting </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:nor=
mal'>reflections</span><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> in water.</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Get
the </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>sun beh=
ind
you</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> -- maxi=
mize
the light on the "face" of your subject.</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Use
your </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>flash =
to
"fill" shadows</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-we=
ight:
normal'>, even in bright daylight.</span><span style=3D'font-weight:no=
rmal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Steady
the camera</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> =
with
some kind of support (tripod, monopod, tree, strap...).</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Set
your camera to record at </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-w=
eight:
normal'>maximum resolution and quality</span><span style=3D'font-size:=
10.0pt;
font-weight:normal'> -- use RAW if your equipment supports it. U=
se
the optical zoom capabilities of your camera, but forget the
"digital" zoom which simply replicates pixels.</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Shoot
small subjects from a</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weigh=
t:
normal'> low angle</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>...
consider a wide-angle lens for effect.</span><span style=3D'font-weigh=
t:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Compose
the image into "thirds" </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0=
pt;
font-weight:normal'>so that not all images are centered. Again, you ca=
n
frequently post-process your image and crop it to achieve this effect.=
</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Use
</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>"verti=
cal"
shots</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> for
appropriate subjects.</span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></=
o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Getting
Technical:</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>&=
nbsp;
Use the </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>fas=
test
shutter speed</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal=
'>
possible. O<span style=3D'color:black'>ne rule-of-thumb is that
shutter speed should be equal to or faster than the ratio one over the
focal length of your lens -- i.e., if you are using a 200 mm lens, the
slowest shutter speed should be 1/250th of a second. Of co=
urse
you can overdo it -- shutter speed comes at the expense of depth-of-fi=
eld
(aperture setting) and ISO "film" speed (which will effect
graininess). Try to keep the aperture setting at the numerical v=
alue
of f/11 to f/16 or even higher, and ISO speeds at the numerical value =
of
400 or lower. Another rule-of-thumb is that shutter speed should=
be
about one over your ISO, so, if your ISO is set to 400, yo=
ur
shutter speed would be 1/400th of a second. </span>Obtaining </s=
pan><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>good depth-of-field</spa=
n><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>, for many scenes, will =
make
the difference between a good shot and a snapshot. The higher you set =
the
f-stop numerical value, the smaller will be your lens aperture opening=
,
and the greater will be the depth if field. An exception -- when
your subject deserves to be the central focus of your image, and you w=
ant
the </span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>backgro=
und to
be blurred</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>,=
shoot
it at f/5.6 or f/8. </span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o=
:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Invest</span><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> in higher quality camer=
a and
optics, and Photoshop software, if you find yourself enjoying photogra=
phy.</span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-a=
lt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:n=
ormal'>Homework</span><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>: Before your next Digit=
al
Photo Walk, read the extensive self-tutorial material at <a
href=3D"http://howto.digitalchocolate.org/" target=3D"_blank">howto.di=
gitalchocolate.org</a>
entitled "<a href=3D"http://howto.digitalchocolate.org/" target=
=3D"_blank">San
Luis Obispo County California Nature Photographers -- Their Works and
Techniques: Interviews with local nature photographers about how they =
take
such great photos</a>" - Edited by Docent Mike Baird -- mike [at}
mikebaird d o t com, <a href=3D"http://photomorrobay.com" target=3D"_b=
lank">photomorrobay.com</a>.
Come to the next session with at least one new idea to try.</span><spa=
n
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'> </span><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt=
:auto'><span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'>Handout #2 - copy and paste this and print in =
a
format as desired <br>
<br>
</span><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>Share your photo=
s and
give and receive comments from the instructor and other participants.
After the tour, go home and participate in a free online social network
photo-sharing and learning activity. Get a free account at <a
href=3D"http://Flickr.com">http://Flickr.com</a> and add your images to the=
group
at <a href=3D"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/">http://flickr.com/groups/s=
lo-ipt/</a>,
where you can give and receive comments. If you need software to proc=
ess
your digital images, use Google's free Picasa <a
href=3D"http://picasa.google.com/">http://picasa.google.com/</a>; Adobe's
Photoshop Elements; the software that came with your camera; or use <a
href=3D"http://picnik.com%27s">http://picnik.com</a> 's free online service=
s
(this can be done on the Flickr site after uploading one's unprocessed imag=
es,
and before adding them to the <a href=3D"http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/"=
>http://flickr.com/groups/slo-ipt/</a>
group; see <a href=3D"http://flickr.com/help/picnik/">http://flickr.c=
om/help/picnik/</a>
for more information). Join our free photomorrobay Yahoo! Group. =
; Go
to <a href=3D"http://photomorrobay.com">http://photomorrobay.com</a> to fin=
d it
and sign-up.</span><span style=3D'font-weight:normal'> <o:p></o:p></span></=
p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>
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