Photography Group

This group aims at continuing the monthly photography challenges as well as bringing a bit of information on digital photography and how to improve your shots. None of us running this group are more than amateurs and will be learning along side everyone else and we hope that in learning more about the use of our camera we will all become more enthused in the creative aspects of photography and the freedoms it can give us as Artist and or budding Photographers.

Think of this as our own little online social photography group – each month we will go out to a location/theme/prompt maybe learn something we didn't know before and share what we came back with. Just like any social group there are different levels of ability, neither Wendy, I or Danielle are much further beyond novice, however others who join the group may be more experienced – feel free to share that knowledge around if you are able. We intend this Group to be as Member interactive as possible.

The monthly challenges are open to everyone in the group. You don't have to do more than enjoy the themes and prompts. However linked to each monthly theme/prompt (with the exemption of October which is an introduction) will be a little discussion on an aspect of photography or camera use that will be relevant to each months theme. Again, don't be scared off – you don't even have to look at these pages to participate in the monthly challenges. It's just a bit of extra for those who like me used to just point and snap and want to understand a bit more as we go along.

For example the monthly theme maybe Portraiture – so the discussion (added in the Pages Section to the right of the group page) may focus on how to take advantage of depth of field using your aperture priority mode; What it is and all the goodness it can bring.

There are a few Group Guidelines we would like you all to follow to help make the group run smoothly.

Group Guidelines

1. All photos must be taken the month of the challenge – No old photos that fit a theme – only photos within the challenges timelines will be accepted unless otherwise stated. We want people to be proactive and learn. You have an entire month to take a new photo and experiment.

2. No images that involved cruelty or the deliberate killing of animals will be accepted.

3. No images over 120kb

4. Only Administration Staff can start Discussions and Challenges but if you have any suggestions feel free to email us and we will look at what has been requested the most.

5. No Nudity (Ning has some new rules regarding this so it's better to be safe than sorry)

TIP: When you post a photo – let us know a bit about it, what camera and equipment you used - where you took it – your thoughts about why you took it and maybe your methodology. This isn't a hard fast rule but it is nice, especially for those who also reference to the PhotoBabble Tips Section it will help show progression.

TIP: You will find each Monthly PhotoBabble Tip on the right hand side of the group under the Pages Section – address all questions regarding that months discussion there under the months discussion NOT on the Main page or Main Page Discussions unless other wise specified.

Equipment Needed

Photo Editing Software - to resize your photographs - I know a lot of you may use Picasa or other photo organising software to resize your images however if you're brave GIMP is a free alternative to Photoshop and offers more control over editing and tweaking your images with similar functions available to those who use photoshop – here is it's Manual and on respective links is a book you can get if you decide you are serious about using it in the UK or the States.  Alternatly the site hosts an online Photo Editor, but please note it cannot handle editing large files.

A DSLR Camera or a Compact Camera with some manual control if you are interested in advancing beyond the point and snap. Otherwise any digital or traditional camera can be used to enter your images into the Challenges.

Camera Manual - if your are interested in the learning aspect of the group you will need your cameras manual and are responsible in learning where everything on your camera is. If you haven't got one you may be able to download one online – feel free to email me if you are having trouble getting a manual for your camera and I'll see what I can do to help find one. But please check yourself first.

Extras – If you have a tripod Great if not don't worry we can work around it and offer tips for stability.

Your Group Administrators Are

Nicole Umina

Wendy Johnson

Danielle Evans

and Mark Taylor while not an administrator will be around to answer some technical questions in discussions.

QUICK LINKS TO DISCUSSIONS - just click the titles for easy access.

Getting Started - Let us know what interests you and what you would like to learn.

Share your Photography with Us!