Recently Geoff Shaw (one of our members) presented a workshop and ran a hands on session about macro and close-up photography.

Geoff set up multiple workstations with various lighting scenarios. It was a fabulous opportunity to get help with camera and flash settings including focus stacking, to discuss the pros and cons of gear. Geoff’s enthusiasm for the genre of macro photography is contagious and we am sure that many of us will be inspired to further experiment. There was lots of discussion between members with more experienced members helping others.

More photos from our members can be found in our Macro skills session gallery.

As we embark upon 2025, there is a diverse range of interesting and exciting workshops ahead, some facilitated by our own members and some by external presenters, from Victoria, interstate and overseas.

Thank you to those who have submitted ideas and those who have volunteered to share their skills and ideas with others.

The first workshop is on Tuesday 21st January 2025 at 7.30 pm in the main hall. The topic is Macro Photography and the presenter is Geoff Shaw.

Macro Photography: Principles and Techniques

• Uses for macro/close-up photography
• Camera settings
• Equipment
• Lighting
• Post-processing (including focus stacking)
• Traps for beginners/things to be aware of
• Q and A

Please bring your camera in order to check various settings.

Looking forward to the year ahead and hope to see lots of you at this first workshop.

Last month seventeen members participated in a hands-on portraiture workshop at Southbank, learning to use the club’s Nanlites. Andreas Esposito, from Astir Images, showed us how to use the lights to create various effects with the city lights as a backdrop. Members worked together practiced posing the models and using various lighting colours, positions and intensities to create a range of great images.

More images from our members can be viewed in our smugmug gallery.

Over the next few months, the club will present a number of workshops on portrait photography and post processing. Further details will be provided closer to the dates.

Introduction to Studio Lighting by Peter Harrison

Part A: Wednesday 18 October 2023 7.15 pm til 9.30 pm
Part B: Thursday 26 October 2023 7.15 pm til 9.30 pm
Held at Mount Waverley Community Centre.
Limited to 25 participants.

The basics of studio lighting including types equipment used, how light works, and demonstration of several lighting setups for portraiture that could be used at home with purchase of minimal equipment. This will be very practical and highly interactive. Bring your camera.

It is strongly recommended that members, particularly those with limited experience with studio lighting, attend these two sessions as a foundation for the “Studio Lighting by Andrea Esposito” session.

Studio Lighting by Andrea Esposito (with experienced model)

Saturday 11 November 2023 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
Monday 13 November 2023 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm
Member co-payment $40.00
Held at Melbourne Camera Club studio, South Melbourne.

Andrea will demonstrate three lighting set ups; headshots, half and full body. He will assist each participant will have their own dedicated time to direct, pose and shoot the model for each of the lighting set-ups.
Limited to 10 participants per session.

Creating Composites by Sharon and Rob Prenton-Jones (with live model)

Sunday 7 January 2024 Full Day
Member co-payment $50.00

Sharon and Rob will demonstrate the end to end process of creating fine art composites. This will include a live model shoot with lighting, capturing background images, and through bringing it all together through processing with ACR and Photoshop. Following the presentation, additional video training material will be provided to participants.

Further information will follow on each of the above workshops. In the meantime, mark the dates in your diary!