Create your own backyard bird photo studio!

Many thanks to BPC member Kevin for giving us the heads up on this Youtube video, which is all about how to encourage birds into the garden and how to provide them with natural looking perches whilst you, the photographer, take the photographs from the comfort of the house, shed or even a garden chair.

Click here

Scanning and repairing old photographs

Many thanks to BPC Member, Margaret, for the following two links.

How to scan hard copy photographs

https://bit.ly/3AVBN3D

How to repair old and/or damaged photographs

https://bit.ly/3y0gUT7

If you don't have a scanner, it's worth using a macro lens or macro facility on a tripod mounted camera and making a new digital image of the old one.  As a digital image it's repaired in just the same way as if it had been scanned.

ND filters - by Richard Barley

Worcester-based photographer, Richard Barley, explores the versatility of ND (neutral density) filters.

K&F gave him a nine stop ND to try out and he's uploaded his findings to his YouTube channel.

Find out what he has to say here.

Digital Camera online tutorials

Many thanks to Jim for sending in this link to dozens of online tutorials provided by Digital Camera, one of the better camera glossies on the market.

Lots of stuff about camera techniques plus software including PS Elements, which is a bit of a rarity!

The BPC WhatsApp group offers lots of interesting snippets like this one and a bit of chat.  It's exclusive to BPC Members, if you haven't joined yet and would like to, send your mobile number to birlinghamphoto@btinternet.com and we'll add your name.

Click here for Digital Camera tutorials

Stuck at home? Learn Lightroom with The Lightroom Queen!

Many thanks to Jim for sending in the following.

The Lightroom Queen knows a thing or two about Adobe software and in particular Lightroom.  Many of her Ebooks are free and she offers a 'no-stings attached' newsletter.

To get you started, the following link will take you through to The Lightroom Queen's website.

Good Luck!


https://mailchi.mp/lightroomqueen/summer-sale-free-lightroom-ebook-and-more-1882373?e=ef96b9d147

Sarah Howard's Guide to Long Exposure Photography

Stormy seas, fast-flowing rivers, skudding clouds, scurrying people, trailing car lights, swishy bare trees...

The list of subject matter for long exposure photography is enormous and it's time to get out there and see what you can create using a tripod, your camera, maybe a filter and a little patience!

Sarah Howard, who will make her first visit to BPC in September, has laid out in black and white how to capture creamy currents, crazy car lights and ghostly people.

Email birlinghamphoto@btinternet.com for Sarah's guideline and for more information about Sarah, visit the Image Seen website at www.imageseen.co.uk 

Introduction to Photoshop Elements - By Paul Lack

Introduction to Photoshop Elements (this is not a BPC event)

Malvern Library

Thursdays January 16^th – March 26^th

10am – 12noon

£100 for the whole course

Photoshop is a very powerful programme – but very difficult to teach yourself.  

This 10 week course covers the basic edits on the ‘simplified’  version called Photoshop Elements, and then dives into selections and layers – the bits that allow you to change parts of the picture and get really creative.  Then we look at removing and adding elements, combining pictures, panoramas, text design, art effects – the sky is the limit (oh yes, we swap skies around too!).  

Computers are supplied or bring your own.  Basic competence on a computer is needed but nothing more – we start from the beginning.  If you can handle a ‘Word’ document or similar, then you’re fine.  

It’s a small, friendly group, with a maximum of 10 people, which allows Paul to support everyone individually.

Book and pay here:  https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CoursesList.aspx?CourseSubjectId=289