A 2-Part Workshop on Professionally Showcasing (and Sharing) Your Photography Online  
— Sponsored by N4C  
Presented by Kevin La Rue @ SlickPic

Showcasing your photos is not only a big part of growing as a photographer, it’s the #1 ESSENTIAL element if you want to be taken seriously.

Whether you are a casual shooter, passionate hobbyist, or someone wanting to sell a few prints, it’s easier than ever to get online and post your images in all the usual places… but is that really the finest way to present the photos you’ve lovingly crafted?

Discover a better way with SlickPic, the online photo platform born right here in the Bay Area! For over 15 years, we’ve been helping people showcase their images online in the most high quality professional way, getting accolades and earning respect along the way. Some of our customers are among the most successful and renowned photographers in the world.

Part 1: Monday, June 23, 7:00 – 8:15pm via Zoom

Leave social media behind, see how easy it is to set up and really get the value from a professional Gallery and learn how to privately share photos to others, either on the desktop or via smartphone-based “MobiAlbums”.

Note: A homework assignment will be given to prepare you for the 2nd workshop.

Bonus: Join this workshop and be among the first to see several of SlickPic’s latest AI-powered features, plus our new Copyright Registration Helper!

Access the Webinar Replay

Part 2: Friday, June 27, 9:00 – 10:00am via Zoom

When it comes to sharing their work online, many photographers hesitate – either thinking it’s too difficult or fearing judgment. Even great photographers feel this, but overcoming that fear is crucial for growth.

In this special session, you’ll learn what makes a standout portfolio and the key benefits it offers. You’ll see a pro-caliber portfolio built live – customized and published in minutes. Plus, you’ll discover how easy it is to update and refine your site over time. Nothing is left to chance.

Note: By the end of this workshop, you’ll know everything you need in order to build and launch your own personalized Portfolio website!

Access the Webinar Reply

Download Session #2 "Wrap-up"

It is Not What Your Pictures Are of but Rather What They Are About – Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Creative Travel Photography

Please register in advance for both sessions

Webinar

Saturday, May 7, 2022
at 1:00 PM @ Pacific Time
Register for Webinar

Image Review

Saturday, June 4, 2022
at 1:00 PM @ Pacific Time
Image Review Session

Navada Wier is a preeminent, world-renowned travel photographer. We are asking our viewers to contribute $10 each to help offset N4C’s expenses towards her fee. To join the first meeting on May 7, you will be requested through Eventbrite for that amount. If you are not alredy a member of Eventbrite (which is free), you will be asked to register. The critique session is at no cost, so please use the regular zoom link to register for June 4.

What You’ll Learn:

Travel photography requires the combination of technical expertise, culture competence, intuitive awareness, curiosity, and a dash of panache. Nevada shares her tips on how to photograph more insightfully and creatively, even in some of the harshest light, to create beautiful images you know exist and your mind imagines, but your technical expertise is lacking. Nevada dissects ways to see more creatively and “photographically”, as well as tips on using color powerfully. In this intensive online seminar she also discusses how to approach and photograph people in foreign lands to create natural, respectful, and unique portraits.

Image Review

Take what you learn, try out the new techniques and submit your images for the live image review session on June 4th. Nevada will answer your questions and provide feedback and suggestions for the images submitted. Please register in advance for both sessions and we’ll send you instructions and links.

About the Speaker

Nevada Wier is a photographer specializing in documenting the remote corners and cultures of the world. She is recognized for her creative and intimate approach to people, as well as her intriguing Infrared images. She has been published in a plethora of publications, including: National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Traveler, GEO, Outdoor Photographer, Outside, and Smithsonian. Her fine-art prints are featured in numerous public and private collections. Nevada is a well-known keynote speaker, workshop and seminar instructor. She is a Fellow of The Explorer’s Club and a member of the Women’s Geographic Society. www.nevadawier.com

How to Join

To Join the Creative Travel Photography session on May 7: Register Here: (Pull all the way down)

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/northern-california-council-of-camera-clubs-32987748073

For the June 4 critique session, just go to this Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82827334907pwd=U2o3eXU4OWRuTEhqaFNQa1lrNkhmUT0

Your iPhone as a Creative Tool, featuring Rad A. Drew

Please register in advance for both sessions

Webinar

Wednesday, March 16, 2022
at 4:30 PM @ Pacific Time

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR

Image Review

Wednesday, March 30, 2022
at 4:30 PM @ Pacific Time

REGISTER FOR IMAGE REVIEW

Today’s iPhones are with us all the time and the cameras are so advanced that we can now make images that in the past would have required a “big” camera. Join photographer Rad A. Drew as he shares how he uses iPhone cameras and apps to create beautiful landscapes, portraits, abstracts and more!

What You’ll Learn:

• Composition guidelines for framing your images.
• Appropriate camera settings including HDR, Smart HDR, and ProRAW.
• Do’s and Dont’s when using the Native Cameras.
• How to use LIVE mode, Portrait Mode, Burst Mode, and Panorama.
• How to create “soft water” images of fountains, streams, and waterfalls without a tripod or neutral density filters.
• A simple workflow for processing RAW files.
• A SnapSeed workflow for processing images on iPhone and Android.
• Creating abstracts using Average Cam Pro for iPhone.

Download Before the Webinar

Rad recommends downloading these apps: SnapSeed (iPhone and Android), TouchRetouch (for iPhone and Android), Average Camera Pro (iPhone only), Distressed FX Plus (iPhone Only), Slow Shutter Camera (iPhone Only).

Image Review

Take what you learn, try out the new techniques and submit your images for the live image review session on March 30th. Rad will answer your questions and provide feedback and suggestions for the images submitted. Please register in advance for both sessions and we’ll send you instructions and links.

About the Speaker

Teacher, photographer, writer, and tour leader, Rad A. Drew, creates with the iPhone, mirrorless, and infrared cameras. He is a frequent contributor to PSA Journal and was listed in PSA’s Who’s Who in Photography 2018. His creative images have been recognized internationally and exhibited in galleries around the world. See Rad’s work and tutorials on his website, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, and subscribe to his newsletter.

For information about upcoming photo tours with Rad in 2022, visit his website or LinkTree.

This webinar is presented free of charge courtesy of:
Rad A. Drew Photography & N4C

Focus: Sharpen Your Skills, featuring John Greengo

Please register in advance for both sessions

Webinar

Wednesday, January 26, 2022
at 4:30 PM @ Pacific Time

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR

Image Review

Wednesday, February 9, 2022
at 4:30 PM @ Pacific Time

REGISTER FOR IMAGE REVIEW

What You’ll Learn:

The importance of focus can’t be understated–either it’s right, or it’s in the trash. In this talk JOHN GREENGO will explain advanced concepts every photographer should know including traditional techniques and the latest cutting edge skills like intelligent focusing, focus bracketing, hyperfocal focusing, and tilt-shift lenses. Master these techniques to fine-tune your focus and broaden your range of options.

Image Review

Take what you learn, try out the new techniques, and submit your images for the live image review session on February 9th. John will give you feedback and suggestions and answer the audience’s questions. Please register in advance for both sessions and we’ll send you instructions and links.

About the Speaker

John Greengo specializes in photographic education through online training, books, and international photo tours. He is an energetic and enthusiastic presenter known for his visual teaching style and his teachings have been viewed by millions around the globe. Visit his website for more information: johngreengo.com

This webinar is presented free of charge courtesy of:

Macro Photo-Webinar Invite

Finishing Touches-Webinar Invite

October 25, 26, and 27, 2019
Marriot Pleasanton
11950 Dublin Canyon Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588

For more information and to register go to https://fotoclave.slickpic.com

Download a detailed brochure by clicking HERE

To provide an outlet for club members who wish to practice this style of photography, and to give recognition for their efforts, at its May 2019 meeting the N4C Board approved a Portfolio Competition, to be held annually, starting (hopefully!) next year, resulting in awards being presented at the Annual Banquet starting in 2021.

Definition of a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of images arranged in a sequence that represents a coherent body of work that reflects your personal style and photographic interest. A Portfolio has a theme or concept, expressed in a Statement of Intent. In a portfolio the images work together as a whole to express your theme or concept in a way no single image can. Although each image should be as strong as possible, they individually may not have the immediate impact that a winning image in a standard club competition might have. The viewer may need to take more time to appreciate each image and its relation to the others in the portfolio. The whole should be greater than the sum of its parts.

The theme can be anything. The images in your portfolio should explore that theme. One challenge is to have a theme that is broad enough to be interesting but narrow enough that you can give the viewer a better understanding of the subject in just a few images. “Flowers” is probably too broad a theme. “Flowers of California Vernal Ponds” is better. Is “Views of a Fountain Pen” too narrow? Perhaps. Unless you are clever enough to show the viewer something about a fountain pen they had not considered before. Then it might be great!

Creating a Portfolio

Usually when creating a portfolio, you will have a theme or concept in mind and go out and make images to tell the story of your theme. This process could take several days – or several years! Another approach is to look through your archive of pictures and select those which fit a theme that interests you.

In either case you should try to start out with many images. The more the better! On your first pass at selecting images, turn off your “internal critic” and select as many images as possible that mightfit your theme. Then start whittling the images down, looking for ones that best explicate the theme, complement each other, and are technically the best – in that order of priority. Keep repeating this process until you have selected the 7 to 10 images that work best together to share your concept with the viewer. Don’t be afraid to set your work aside and work on it again another day.

Once you have selected your images, decide in what order they should be viewed. Think of each image as a scene in a movie. A photograph of a knife followed by a photograph of one hand grasping another may make the viewer think of someone being stabbed. The reverse order may imply the start of a meal.

Next Steps

More details in how to create and submit a portfolio to the competition will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, you can review the rules for the competition on the N4C.org website. Hover your cursor over “Competitions” and click on “New for 2020: Portfolio Competition”.

Join the fun in exploring another style of photography!

The Joy of Nature Photography
with Eddie Soloway

Saturday, June 8, 2019, 9:00 AM -4:30 PM

San Leandro Library
300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro, CA

This seminar will whole-heartedly dive into the interpretive landscape, celebrating the mindset of breaking out of your box, and making new photographs. Our day will swim in the creative, but honor the thoughtful.Get ready for a day to set you free, to shake you out of ruts, and charge you up to make new photographs, right now.

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE

Annual Awards Luncheon

Sunday February 23, 2020 from 11:30am to 3:30pm

At The Rossmoor Event Center

1021 Stanley Dollar Drive,Walnut Creek 94595

Enjoy a great meal, the best photographs of the year, and the fellowship of other photographers!

Click here for more information and to download the registration form.

N4C also placed 4th in the Color Division and 7th in Monochrome.

PSA-member organizations that include several camera clubs; whether the group of clubs is called a Council, a Federation, or an Association, were all eligible to enter the annual PSA Councils Challenge. Each “group” may enter ten digital images from ten different makers in each of the following sections: Color General (Open), Monochrome General (Open), and Nature General (Open). N4C submitted the images from the winners in our competitions.

Each section was judged separately. Individual winners in each section are selected. Organizations in each section are ranked. The scores for each section are tallied and an overall top scoring group is identified.

The New England Camera Club Council (NECCC) came in first in Nature with 129 points.

Other first place winners included Chicago Area Camera Clubs Organization (over-all), Southern California Camera Club Council (Color), and Chicago Area Camera Clubs Organization (Monochrome).

ABOUT PSA

The Photographic Society of America (PSA) is a worldwide organization for anyone with an interest in photography. Founded in 1934, the Society is for casual shutterbugs, serious amateurs, and professional photographers.
PSA has members in over 80 countries. Individual and photo organization memberships offer a wide variety of services and activities: a monthly journal; online photo galleries; image evaluation; study groups; courses; competitions; an annual conference; opportunities for recognition of photographic achievement and service; and discounts on photography-related products and services.

Click Here to read more.

The Unseeing: Taking Photos with Attitude

Saturday, June 23, 2018, 9:00AM – 4:30PM

Andrew Carnegie Lecture Hall – San Leandro Library 300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

Sponsored by the Yerba Buena Chapter, Photographic Society of America

Click here for more information and to register

Click here for a registration form you can fill out on your computer

Are you a photographer or videographer interested in applying your skills to help organizations that support social justice and the environment? Pro-Bono Photography is a clearinghouse that matches worthy organizations that need photo/videographic services to volunteer photographers and videographers who wish to donate their time and expertise.

The next major event that Pro-Bono Photo is supporting is the Bay-area Women's Marches on January 20. Although enough people have now committed to cover the San Francisco and Oakland marches, videographers are still especially needed for the San Jose march.

Looking beyond January 20, Pro-Bono Photo averages four to five shoots per month throughout the Bay Area, ranging from marches and rallies, to board headshots, to gala fundraising events, to community meetings about housing issues. See their website, www.ProBonoPhoto.org, for more details. If this is of interest to you, please email Jack Owicki at Jack@ProBonoPhoto.org.

Photos/videos taken through Pro-Bono Photo remain the property of the photographer/videographer and can be used, for example, in camera club competition. One member photographed many events during 2017 for Pro-Bono Photo, starting with the 2017 Women's March, and entered several photos in Journalism and Pictorial.

This will be a catered luncheon at the Rossmoor Event Center, 1021 Stanley Dollar Drive, Walnut Creek 94595

In addition to a great meal, the winners from the 2017 Annual Competition will be on display, along with presentations to award winners and honorees.

PLUS great fellowship with your fellow photographers!

For more information and to register, click here.