Sunday, September 22, 2019

"Creative Vision, Fine Art Photography, and the Post-Processing Playground" by Joanne Barsanti


For me, the click of the shutter is just the starting point of an artistic adventure. The camera is only one of many tools in my arsenal; which includes a variety of software programs, a collection of good and bad photos that I have created in the last ten or so years, and a growing assortment of paper and fabrics to hold the final images.

(an Egret seen three different ways)
The most important tools, however, are those that money cannot buy: imagination, creativity, and a sense of play. It’s all about experimentation, losing your fear of failure, and a desire to come up with something unique that you are proud to share with the world.

Keeping in mind that cameras are imperfect devices, and the post-processing world has come a long way from the days of film and the dark room....

Two ordinary shots.....












Combined to make something interesting and beautiful....
I invite you to come with me to the playground, let your imagination run free, and learn some new techniques for having fun with your photography. I will guide you using examples of my own original images, and show how they are transformed into works of fine art. I will share what I have learned about both digital and physical textures, and how the selection of output media can enhance your work.  

Joanne Barsanti has been a member of Chicago area Camera Clubs, Photography Groups, and Artists Guilds since 2010. She has learned and grown; benefiting greatly from these groups, their members, outings, presentations, and other opportunities. As a former Geek who is an artist at heart, it should come as no surprise that she likes to play with her images on the computer.

You can learn more by checking out her website ​https://www.joannebarsanti.com​,
following her on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joannebarsanti/,
or liking her artist page on facebook ttps://www.facebook.com/JoanneBarsanti.Artist/
Joanne Barsanti will be presenting "Creative Vision:  Fine Art and the Post Processing Playground" at CAPS on Sunday, November 24th.


To see the CAPS website go to:  

To register for CAPS go to:  https://cacca.regfox.com/caps-2019 

Sunday, September 15, 2019

"Why Photograph Birds?" by Emma England


My love of birds started at a very young age when my parents bought me an illustrated field guide. This passion for birding and later bird conservation led me to bird photography.  

My “spark bird” (a bird that sparks your interest) for bird photography was a Great Gray Owl. A close encounter with this magnificent bird started my obsession with owls and led me to the decision to make bird photography my specialty within nature photography. 




In my program I will share my knowledge of how to find and photograph owls in the wild and give you tips to capture images of these elusive birds. 


















There are many reasons to try your hand at bird photography. It is challenging, you will get a fascinating insight into bird behavior, and if like me, you combine your photography with volunteering for a bird conservation organization you will be helping to protect species in need. 




A distraction-free background is important in all genres of photography and can be particularly challenging in bird photography in the field when you are dealing with branches and foliage which is reflective. My program will give tips on how to achieve clean backgrounds in your bird images. 

During my presentation I will be reviewing what is in my camera bag and different locations for bird photography including information on the habitat preference of bird species. The best place to start is in your own backyard. You can attract birds by feeding them and careful placement of feeders can lead to natural-looking award winning images. 




Zoos and nature centers are also excellent places to try bird photography that are less challenging than birds out in the field. For raptors Stillman Nature Center in Barrington and Springbrook Nature Center in Itasca are both great. They have raptor shoots where the birds are posed outside for photographers. 












Milwaukee and Brookfield Zoo have really good aviaries with free flight areas where you can get good images without the difficulty of shooting through glass or fences. 





There are many stunning birds in North America that make terrific subjects, but traveling to more exotic locations can add to the challenge and will mean that you are rewarded with a wide variety of spectacularly beautiful birds in a rainforest environment.















My birding trips to Ecuador and Costa Rica were a dream come true for a birdaholic like myself. In my presentation I will share tips about birding on vacation and recommendations on birding tour companies. 

At the end of my program you will be eager to take on the challenge of bird photography in the field, but be warned, birding and bird photography can be addictive! I am always chasing that next bird for my life list and have target birds of which I aim to capture great images. Attend my presentation and learn that there is no need to wing it!





Emma has always loved nature, but her passion for photography developed much more recently.   She is an avid birdwatcher and the prospect of being able to photograph so many new species of birds is very exciting to her.   She is one of LCFPD volunteer photographers providing them with nature photographs taken in the Forest Preserves and a LCFPD Education Volunteer that leads bird and nature walks.  She is president of the Lake County Audubon Society (LCAS).  She is also Vice President of the North Shore Camera Club and is active in Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association (CACCA).  She received the Kohout Nature Photography Award in 2018 for teaching nature photography and her promotion of nature and conservation efforts.
These conservation activities have led her to some fantastic opportunities to develop her photography skills.  She also specializes in zoo photography, capturing portraits of endangered species to highlight the importance of their conservation.  Emma would like her images to convey her passion for nature and hope that they inspire people to appreciate the beauty of the planet on which we live.

You can check out her work at:  https://www.emmaenglandnaturephoto.com/
Emma England will be teaching, “Bird Photography, No Need to Wing It” at CAPS on Saturday November 23rd.

To see the CAPS home page go to:  

To register for CAPS go to:  https://cacca.regfox.com/caps-2019

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Ruins- Photographing Abandoned Buildings or Structures by Keith French


I never realized how many individuals are so elated with the opportunity to photograph ruins.  You know those empty or abandoned buildings in the rural areas of America or the big old empty warehouses that have become the heart of urban exploration (Urbex) However, once I started shooting a few of these I was hooked too.  Some photographers find their rewarded from the hunt, others love speculating what took place in a particular structure. Others just want to create some great images.  Regardless of the reason, photographing abandon buildings or ruins can be very rewarding and a nice addition to your portfolio.

The process of walking away with a great image should start long before the first photograph is even taken. Surveying the site, finding out when the best light will be, knowing what obstacles are or may be in the way are all critical to the success. Thankfully the tools available to us today allow us to accomplish a lot of this process from the comfort of our own computer desk. Sure many shots start as a drive by, being in the right spot at nearly the right time.  Been there and done that. However I actually created a notebook of those locations so I can go back with optimum lighting or weather to really capture a nice shot.

If you have the luxury of time, you can really plan out a rural shoot by first spending the time finding the right locations and then using one of many Apps do a little planning for sun angle moon rise, or of natural phenomena that will enhance, or build up your find.

Once you find your location and figure out the best time of the day or month or year to shoot then you need to look at your equipment. What tools do you have to maximize your location.  Do you need extra lighting, or a tripod, or what lenses at a minimum vs. what lenses would be nice to have.


A presentation like this would have to cover safety for sure. So many “traps” lie in wait in abandoned buildings. The last thing you need is an injury and not being able to communicate your need for help.
Boots or shoes that can withstand stepping on a rusty nail, or over broken glass is a very smart first step in planning.  Having a first aid kit in your vehicle that has more than just band-aids.  Wearing other protective clothing to guard against cuts or scrapes. If you’re alone, (not recommended) make sure someone knows where you are and when you plan on leaving so if the time passes when you planned on leaving and they haven’t heard from you they check in and make sure you haven’t fallen through a floor.

In Stephen Covey’s “7 habits of highly successful people” He mentions one habit “begin with the end in mind”. This presentation will be about finding, planning, composing, and shooting abandoned buildings, then how to get through the post processing to bring the dramatic looks out of these images using mostly Lightroom with some help from  Silver Efex Pro and a little Photoshop.
In the past 3-4 years I have had the opportunity to photograph well over 300 abandoned structures.
I have been in structures from many different locations but the three main areas I’ve visited are the local area in and around Chicagoland, the old forests of Southern IL and the prairie ruins of North Dakota.  When I see a structure, in almost every case, I see it in it’s final post produced look. In other words, I already know before I take my first image if I am going to convert it to BW or leave it color. I know if the sky will be super dramatic or so/so.  Sure I reserve the right to change my mind later but I already have 90% of the “vision” of what I think this image will look like when I’m done.  Then as I start capturing the shots they are falling into my vision either by the way I line it up or which direction I shoot it from, or what may or may not be in the surroundings.   If it is a very powerful subject, and in most cases you’ll know that as you approach it, then I will also do a full work up of shots on the building as if I were capturing it for a realtor. All angles, all sides, details from far and near. Because then later on when you are in post as the inspiration hits you’ll have more to work with.  So then the question comes up “why don’t you shoot all of the sites like that?”  The short answer is usually time.  Many times this occurs during a photo workshop and we have multiple sites to capture.  The clock is ticking and guests want a balance between quality and quantity.  In those rare moments if I’m scouting alone, or with another safety partner, then I can spend a great deal of time capturing components of the site that do not fall into my original “end in sight” image.  If for no other reason I’ll do it for the practice.

 Lastly we are going to go over some post processing tools. Post is where “the end in mind” takes its final shape.  The drama, or the warmth, or what ever was my vision gets it’s foundation from the original photograph however it’s the fine tuning and cropping in post that brings the final vision to life.

Lightroom and Silver Efex are my most used. I do also spend time in Photoshop.  Silver Efex is an awesome tool for BW art.  Being able to fine tune and effectively burn and dodge electronically adjusting like I used to in the darkroom is probably why I like it so much.   But regardless of the tool, knowing where to burn and how much. Be it in the sky, or in the shadows of the structure. It’s a very useful technique for finalizing a photo.  If I’m staying in color, then Lightroom gets most of the load.  I’ll take you through a step-by-step process of the tools I use and what effect I’m looking for.

As the tools keep evolving so does the process. Even just 2 years ago I did things differently, so I can only assume the same will hold for the future.  But some of the mental tools and step by step organization hasn’t changed much if at all.  So lay out what works good for you, develop your own style and start finding art in the old, decaying, and dilapidated ruins.

Keith French has been a full-time professional photographer since 2001 with an extensive background in several types of photography dating back to 1984. His years as an owner of a full-service retail camera store, Photo/Video studio, and commercial color and B & W photo lab, gave him a unique look into the full circle of the photographic industry. Buying and selling equipment and accessories, hosting and teaching photography classes and workshops, shooting and printing, combined with his time as a United States Marine Corps Aviator and the travels that were associated there, Keith has a well-rounded repertoire of photographic experience on 4 continents and 3 oceans. With these photographic experiences and his enjoyment of teaching and being around people passionate for the art of photography, Keith brings a unique combination of fun and knowledge to his workshops and classes. Having had the opportunity to teach hundreds of photographers from novices to advanced amateurs the ins and outs of picture making, you’ll enjoy spending time learning with Keith French. 
You can check out his work at: https://kfrenchphoto.com/

Keith French will be teaching "Ruins: Finding, Photographing and Post Processing" at CAPS on Sunday, November 24th.

CAPS Website:  https://www.caccaphoto.org/caps/caps_home.php 

To register for CAPS go to:  https://cacca.regfox.com/caps-2019



Sunday, September 1, 2019

Becoming an HDR Ninja by Tom Snitzer


Tired of losing your best photo ops to overexposure, blown-out highlights?  Can’t get those amazing red sunsets to come out in post?  In short, do you feel defeated by challenging light conditions?

Join Tom Snitzer on your journey to becoming proficient when the light gets tough.  Know you’ll bring home the image when it really counts!

Sure we’ll explore HDR software options, but that’s just the start.  You’ll learn how camera settings can make or break your shoot (RAW vs JPEG, ISO choices).  Does your camera have what it takes (which cameras are good in tough light, which aren’t)?  ISO Invariance. How to get the exposure right and what can be done in post to recover lost highlights.  Exposure blending, Grad ND filters.

It’s all here folks.  You’ll leave the room knowing you’ll never miss an important shot again.

Turn this 

Into this!





I’ve been fortunate to be capturing images for over four decades.  My work spans several genres including Sports, Nature, Theatrical and Corporate Photography.  I literally may be shooting for the Tribune’s automotive section one week and on assignment in Southern Texas shooting a slot canyon the next.  To me, variety is the spice of life and great photography involves great storytelling.

Along the way Tom has been educating students to reach their creative potential both in the classroom and out in the field. 
Website:  https://snitzerphotography.com/

Tom Snitzer will be presenting "Becoming an HDR Ninja" on Sunday, November 24th.

To see the CAPS home page go to:  


To register for CAPS go to:  https://cacca.regfox.com/caps-2019