One Week To Go!!

As we approach our one-week mark to our July 18th Wilmington Photo Walk, I thought I would send you some information to help get your creative juices flowing for Saturday ...

Are you interested in trying something different with your photography? Does your photography need a "shot-in-the-arm" as mine often does these days? Perhaps you are not traveling much - or at all - these days and you feel "bored" with photographic opportunities in the area? Believe me, it happens to all of us!

Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to try something different! Why not consider trying black-and-white photography at next week's Photo Walk at the Riverfront?

You know, years and years and years ago (about 10) in the days of "wet" darkroom work, a lot of film photographers (including me) slaved over trays full of smelly chemicals to turn out beautiful black-and-white prints. Today, with the magic of digital photography, we still have a "darkroom" but now it's called the computer! With image editing software - from iPhoto to Photoshop Elements to more sophisticated programs you can create black-and-white masterpieces!

Here's the thing, while many of you have digital cameras that can be set to actually take photos in black-and-white (the camera processes your image as you capture it), you are far better off taking the photo in the normal color mode. You can get far more stunning results by then using the software on your computer to do the black-and-white conversion. This gives you a lot more flexibility in producing a winning image - and you still get to keep the original color version.

If you don't have the computer software to do this conversion to black-and-white or you are unsure right now, by all means try out the black-and-white setting in your camera's various modes on some of your shots. Check your owner's manual for details on how to set this - you know, that strange little booklet that comes with the camera? Please don't forget to set things back to normal when you are done experimenting!

If you'd like to learn more about this, the WorldWide Photo Walk blog has a great article by photographer Laurie Excell. Click HERE for the link to Laurie's article.

I will be sending out more information in the days to come. Meanwhile, you should frequently check the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk home page (www.worldwidephotowalk.com) for updates and other valuable information, as well as our own www.DEphotowalk.com home page for our own local updates.

Also, the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) is the parent organizer of the Worldwide Photo Walk. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of joining NAPP, please visit www.PhotoshopUser.com ... I've been a member for several years and have found it a valuable learning resource - not just for using Photoshop products, but for learning general photography techniques as well!

Finally, please don't forget to let me know if you can no longer attend the Photo Walk on Saturday, July 18. I have several interested folks on a waiting list who are chomping at the bit to officially join the Walk.