Issue No: 102 December 2014 VIEWPOINT
Issue No: 102 December 2014
VIEWPOINT
President’s Report to Viewpoint December 2014 Page 2 Viewpoint No: 102 Dec 2014
In This Issue -
President’s Report …………………………..……… 2
Competition Results ………………………………… 3
Letters ………………………………………………………. 5
Centenary of ANZAC ………………………………….. 6
Competition Topics 2015 ……………………………. 7
Castle Hill Show …………………………………………. 9
Montague Island ……………………………………… 10
Creating Sunbeams and Sunrays …………. …… 16
Meet Dina Gialouris ……………………………..…. 32
Presentation Night ………………………………….. 34
On Saturday 13th December it is the Castle Hill RSL Photog-
raphy Club’s Christmas Celebration and Award Night. We will
be keeping the formal part of the evening to a minimum to
give everyone a chance to socialise and by attending you will
not only have a wonderful evening, but will give yourself a
chance at some wonderful prizes including a holiday in a luxu-
ry apartment on Hamilton Island. Join us for a great night and
indicate your attendance as soon as possible on the Web so
that we may finalise numbers for catering.
A club of our size and high degree of activity does take a lot of
organising. There are many, many people who contribute to
the smooth running of the club starting with the twelve mem-
ber Management Committee, who all have many and varied
tasks they undertake to make sure their area of responsibility
is performing. As well as the Management Committee there
are many sub-committees such as the Training, Social and
Competition Committees that make your experience of be-
longing to our club so productive. On top of that there are
those members set up before each meeting and pack up
afterwards as well as those who meet and greet before each
meeting and see that our name badges are ready. We also
have to communicate with our members by many ways in-
cluding our Web site, Reminder Notices, Viewpoint and Face-
book for example. The array of Member Benefits we have had
this year including our own clothing and all the prizes for our
Christmas Night takes a mountain of arranging.
At all times we are evaluating our equipment and you have
seen the new lights for the print stands and a new sound sys-
tem as major improvements to the professional running of
the club. In the very near future we will have a new projector
And computer, which will allow us to project your images with
a lot more accuracy as projected images seem to be an in-
creasing genre. This all takes many hours by dedicated and
knowledgeable members to evaluate and put into train these
welcome improvements. So you can see that your experience
of our club is due to the labours of a multitude of members
and in a lot of cases you are one of them.
Finally I would like to wish everyone a Wonderful
Christmas and a Fruitful Photographic New Year.
Graham Gard
Cover Image by Fred King
Competition Results November 2014 Page 3 Viewpoint No: 102 Dec 2014
Digital Image of the Month : Open
“Family Fun”
Jan Varecka
Print of the month: Open
“Little Cherubs”
Monica Mulder
Competition Results November 2014 Page 4 Viewpoint No 102 Nov 2014
Print of the Month: Set Subject:
Weather
“Misty Lagoon”
Fred King
Digital Image of the Month: set Suject:
Weather
“Winter”
Linda Wei
Letters from/to the Editor
Page 5 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Thank you Amelia for your kind words and also for your help, support and understanding throughout the year. Thank you also to all those readers who have assisted with these productions by sending in information, jokes, hints, articles, travelogues, stories and more. Without this input the newsletter would be greatly lacking. I want this newsletter to be about and by the members of our club and your input makes it that. My thanks again. Hazel Hogarth
I wish you all a wonderful holiday and festive season and I look forward to more exciting and interesting photographs and articles in the next year of Viewpoint.
Hi Readers
As you have probably noticed Viewpoint now has a
front cover where it is possible to show-case an im-
age of yours if you wish.
If you have an image you think would fit here, square,
and considering where the writing would go, and
please send it in for my consideration. I look forward
to being overwhelmed by the number of your imag-
es I receive.
The Editor
Hi Hazel, Thank you for such a fabulous work you have done to the club Viewpoint and being patient with me. Hope to have more articles written for the club members. I also want to thank Luis Rico for his contribution to the 100th edition of Viewpoint. Luis, I noticed you mentioned my name and would like to thank you for your compliment. Lastly, I wish all the Viewpoint subscribers a wonderful fes-tive season and happy new year of 2015. Best Wishes, Amelia Chen
Explanation:
Viewpoint is due out each month by the 1st of the
month. The December issue is coming out in the
middle of the month as I have had to re-do the whole
newsletter. The original December issue somehow
became corrupted and could not be retrieved no
matter who tried. On the 9th December I com-
menced again. Hazel Hogarth
Centenary of ANZAC – Hills District - Robert Shelberg
Page 6 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Centenary of ANZAC – Hills District
Our club has been asked by the Hills Community Centenary of ANZAC Committee to photograph the various com-memorative events being held during the first half of 2015. This is a rare honour where-by the photographs we submit will be part of the history of the Hills District and be pre-served for future generations. There are 14 events to be covered with two to three photographers at each, with the majority of these events occurring in April. We will be issued with special passes to allow us the freedom to photograph these events as needed. Over ½ a million dollars has been spent on these events from - real cannons firing for the 1812 Overture - to stage plays and swimming carnivals. We will be in prime locations to enjoy, as well as photograph these events. For further information please contact me via email at [email protected] Some Historical Background NSW made a major contribution to Australia’s overall First World War effort. Being the most populous State at the time (over 1,800,000 people resided in NSW at the outbreak of war in 1914) it is not surprising that the contribution by NSW was the most significant of all states, particularly when the statistics of manpower, finance and industry are considered. Some of the key facts relating to NSW’s contribution to the First World War are as follows: NSW provided over 164,000 enlistees in the Australian Imperial Force and the Australian Naval and Military Expedi-tionary Force. This figure represented 39.8% of all males in this State between the ages of 18 and 44, the highest per-centage of any state in Australia. It is estimated that more than 3,000 New South Welshmen also enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy between 1914 and 1918. Over 50% of all volunteers for the Australian Imperial Force from NSW were either killed or wounded. The majority of troops embarked for overseas service from the port of Sydney. Units from NSW took part in all major conflicts in the First World War including Gallipoli, the Somme, Passchendaele, and Bullecourt. Of the 64 Victoria Cross winners from the First World War, 17 came from NSW. NSW provided the bulk of metals to the war effort, a significant amount of which came from the then newly built BHP plant at Newcastle. The then recently opened (by Lord Kitchener) small arms factory at Lithgow expanded rapidly during the war to provide domestically produced rifles and bayonets for the Australian soldiers, and at its height was producing 80,000 .303 rifles per year during the First World War. The above brief facts represent a very small part of the significant contribution made by NSW to the First World War. Regards, Robert Shelberg, Immediate Past President.
Competitions for 2015 - Peter O’Brien
Page 7 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
February “Nature”
We start the year with an ever popular set subject “Nature”. “Nature images are images of animals in their
natural habitat or landscape/seascape images. The images should not show structures created by man. By adhering to internation-
al rules you will be able to submit your image in international competitions like the Glennie Nature Competition. The judge is
Richard Fackender.
March “Square Format”
Square format photos are images with a 1:1 aspect ratio. The subject is open. The judge is Patricia Beal.
April “Mouse Eye View”
With Mouse Eye View we mean images taken from very close to the ground. The subject is open. The judge is Janie News.
May “Scapes”
With scapes we mean landscape, seascapes, nightscapes, cityscapes, streetscapes, mountainscapes, moonscapes (if you have the
money) and bodyscapes. Basically Scape used in combination with the meaning of a scene or a view.
The judge is Carol Newton.
June “Let There be Light”
Photography is all about light but in this set subject the light is the main subject. Create images with beautiful lighting. This can be
natural light or artificial light. The judge are CHRSLPC Judges.
July “Creative”
Let your creative juices flow. Creative images can be created “in camera” or in Photoshop or a combination of the two. All the ele-
ments must be the author’s original work. The judge is Susan Buchanan.
Competitions for 2015 - Peter O’Brien Page 8 Viewpoint No 100 Dec 2014
August “Portrait”
Images submitted in the Portrait competition must show a person or a group of people. The person is [or the persons are] the
main subject in the image. Images of pets or animals will not be accepted but it is allowed for the person in the portrait to hold a
pet animal. The judge is Shayne Cocks.
September “Vintage/retro”
With this set subject we mean photography, which can be recognized as being from between 1920 and 1979. The subject is com-
pletely open but make sure that it is possible to determine what year you are portraying. Style, design, fashion and hair define an
era. Fashion is probably the easiest but you can think of many other subjects like furniture, cars, equipment, architecture and
many more. Isolate a piece of a car, a lamp, furniture or clothing that characterizes it. Or create a still life with items from the
same period. The judge is Len Brown.
October “Juxtaposition”
A juxtaposition is when two objects are positioned next to each other with the intent of comparing or contrasting them to convey
a message. A juxtaposition is more than just placing two opposite objects in an image. Applying this idea to your photography
allows you to create photos that have an interesting or compelling story behind them, or even add a level of humor to what
you’re trying to convey. The judge is tba.
November “Photojournalism”
Tell a story with your photograph. The story created must follow the rules of journalism. They must be a true story and the au-
thor must try to tell the story in the most fair, balanced and unbiased way possible. It is not allowed to alter the situation but it is
allowed to remove/blur distracting and unrelated background elements. The story can be a serious event or depict a funny situa-
tion or anything in between. The judge is tba.
Castle Hill Show - William Stewart
Page 9 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Castle Hill Annual Show
13th, 14th & 15th March 2015
Photography Exhibition
Prints and Digital
The Castle Hill Annual Show, Photographic Exhibition is
run by our camera club.
We are involved in several different ways.
1. The Exhibition is organised by Club Members.
2. It is staffed by club members
3. the judging is organised by the club
4. The club gets the accolades in the local press
5. It supports the RSL in their support for the communi-
ty
6. Many club members participate by entering entries
7. Our club gives the Major Prize, of $200, for the Overall
Winning Entry.
We also gain new members from people who visit the Ex-
hibition at the Show.
We will shortly be looking for volunteers to help with the
Exhibition next year.
If you wish to enter the Exhibition next year, once again, or even for the first time, Entry Forms for the 2014 Exhibi-
tion are now available at: http://www.castlehillshow.com.au/Sites/chshow/CMS/Docs/Schedules2015/Photography-2015.pdf However do not use the Waiver attached to the form, use the Gen-eral Waiver found at http://www.castlehillshow.com.au/Sites/chshow/CMS/Docs/Schedules2015/WAIVER_General.pdf
William & Robyn Stewart
Co-ordinators.
Montague Island - South Coast - Hazel Hogarth
Page 10 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
We met on the first night at Club Narooma and shared a meal. We watched from the window the fabulous sunset and thought it
augured well for all our sunrise and sunset shoots over the next days. The meal was great and we met our visitors from 3 other
camera clubs. We then dispersed to our caravans, cabins, flats, houses etc. We were out of town at a caravan park sharing a cab-
in with Erik. On arriving back at the cabin at 11.00pm Erik went down to the dark, very quiet beach for a swim. We were relieved
when he returned.
The next morning we met at Camel Rock before dawn and set up along the beach. The sunrise was not very good but some rather
nice shots were taken anyway. The Churches invited us all to a barbeque at their holiday house and we met there in the early
afternoon before catching the boat out to Montague Island. The socializing and eating was again very enjoyable.
We all wandered over to the jetty to climb on to the boat for the much awaited trip—loaded up with our cameras etc. It was a
little rough as we went out the heads but the island made up for that. Our visitors were with us and also 3 children belonging to
Tony. What a delight they were.
There were no whales seen on the way out and it was a little hard for a shorty like me to see any seals around or over the 27 other
people on the boat, however the birds were amazing. There were Terns by the thousand and Seagulls by the thousand all nesting.
I had not seen seagull chicks before even though seagulls are so common around the beaches everywhere. The seagulls were not
happy with us being near their young and let it be known.
Some of us went up the lighthouse and captured the fabulous views of the island and the birds from there. Then we walked
around the island, which was really quite small, and gathered near the wharf to wait for the penguins to come in.
The penguins come in at dusk and therefore the light is very difficult for photography. We watched the 20 or so penguins tenta-
tively come up, run back and come up again before heading for their burrows., and then back to the mainland on the boat.
The sunrise shoot the following morning was not good—many of us looked out the window before going down to it and changed
our minds.
Many of us met at Tilba the next day and photographed this historic town from end to end. We all had lunch there in a little café
and enjoyed the ambience of the whole place before moving off in our directions. We went into the hinterland and back to Na-
rooma. Peter wanted a photo of the boat going through the rough patch from the shore but the boat left at a different time and
we missed it.
Six of us who were left on the Sunday Night went to the Golf Club for dinner and had another pleasant evening together.
The next morning Peter and I went to Mystery Bay and took some photos of the coastline there. We also saw the whales from
there. We had a quick look at Potato Point on our way to Moruya where we stayed for the Monday night with family.
What a great weekend it was. Thank you Grant.
Montague Island and the South Coast
Page 11 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Camel Rock Erik Houseman
Crested Tern Tony Caruzzi
Erik Houseman
Wagonga Inlet Narooma Grant Nichol
Montague Island and the South Coast
Page 12 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Tilba Central Hinterland Hazel Hogarth
Montague Island from the Lighthouse Hazel Hogarth Image by Michelle Mundoon - Bathurst Camera Club
Image by Michelle Mundoon - Bathurst
Camera Club
Montague Island and the South Coast
Page 13 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Camel Rock Bermagui Hazel Hogarth
Glasshouse Rocks Narooma Grant Nichol
Erik Houseman
Image by Peter McDade from the Tumbarumba Camera Club
Montague Island and the South Coast
Page 14 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Lichen Covered Rocks Montague Island Grant Nichol
Erik Houseman
Nesting Terns Montague Island Grant Nichol
The Lighthouse Peter Hogarth
Montague Island and the South Coast
Page 15 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Camel Rock Peter Hogarth
Montague Island from Narooma Beach Grant Nichol
Australian Fur Seals , Wagonga Inlet Grant Nichol
Tilba Cemetry Grant Nichol
Camel Rock near Bermagui Grant Nichol
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 16 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
1. Using this photo as a Background. I chose this photo because there was an opening in the dark clouds.
2. Create a new empty layer. At the bottom right of Photoshop, click the 2nd button on left of the bin as shown by the red
circle.
3. Make sure the foreground is Black and the background is White as shown below. If it is not, press “D” on your keyboard.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 17 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
4. Make sure the empty layer is highlighted as shown below.
Click Filter ---> Render ---> Clouds. The empty layer must show like the picture below.
5. We are going to create a starburst effect. So I am going to choose Radial Blur. Make sure the clouds layer is highlighted.
Choose Filter ---> Blur ---> Radial Blur. Radial Blur dialog box comes out as shown below.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 18 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Make sure the settings are:
Blur Method – Zoom
Quality – Best
Amount – 100
Drag the lines in the Blur Center box to the top right as shown below.
Click OK button. It will produce something like below.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 19 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
6. Repeat Step 5 above choosing Filter ---> Radial Blur.
7. Click Image ---> Adjustments ---> Levels. Push the left and right arrow key until it touches the 2 ends of the bell curve histogram
as shown. This is to bring in more contrasts to the shadows and lights Click the OK.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 20 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
8. For this image, I am going to change my blend mode from Normal to Screen. It works better on this image as shown.
9. The alignment of the starburst is a bit off. So I am going to drag the Layer called Starburst towards the opening of the clouds.
Press “V” for move tool. Drag the Starburst layer towards the bright area as shown.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 21 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
10. Press Cmd T in mac or Ctrl T in PC to bring the Transform tool as shown. Drag the center of the star symbol towards the bright area. See picture below.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 22 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
11. Make sure you are still in the Transform tool mode, press Opt + Shift (mac) or Alt + Shift (PC) together. Drag the top right
edge of the layer outside of the original photo.
The reason for the Alt/Opt + Shift keys is maintain the starburst on the original position but dragging the rays longer so it covers
the whole photo.
The result looks something like below. Click the tick icon in the red circle to accept change.
Star symbol is maintained on
the current position
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 23 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
12. Click the mask tool (which looks like a camera icon) at the bottom right of Photoshop.
13. Choose the Brush tool by pressing “B” on keyboard. Make sure the Brush is 0% Hardness, Mode is Normal and Opacity is
100%. Brush the Starburst layer especially the edge.
Left bracket “[“ on keyboard to reduce the Brush size. Right bracket “]” to increase the Brush size. Make sure your foreground is
Black and background is White.
Rub away the Starburst layer on the mask as shown below.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 24 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
14. Reduce the Brush size and change the Opacity to 30% and rub away the edges. Slowly change the Opacity to lower than 30%
as you rub away the rays closer towards the starburst to create more subtle change.
Reduce the percentage as you move closer to the starburst
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 25 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Rub away the rays from the Starburst layer on the Mask to reduce the strong rays. Something like this.
You can bring back the sunbeam if you rub away too much by pressing “X” and rub on the mask to bring it back as shown on the
red circle above. To bring back the sunrays, your foreground MUST be white.
15. I am going to make the sunbeam a bit more realistic as if it comes out from the actual scene. So click the fx icon next to the
camera icon as shown.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 26 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
When the dialog opens, choose Color Overlay. This is how it looks like.
Click this area.
So that another dialog box – Color Picker (Overlay Color) appears . Pick the bright area from the opening clouds colour on the
Background image and it should appear like below. Click OK button.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 27 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 28 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
16. Change Blend Mode on the Color Overlay Layer Style dialog box to Screen. See picture below. Then click OK.
17. Rub away the unwanted rays on the mask. Follow Step 13 and 14.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 29 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
18. Duplicate the starburst layer by pressing Cmd J or Ctrl J as shown if there are not enough sunbeams.
19. Remember you can adjust the Opacity and brush away the rays on the Mask if your sunrays look too powerful.
20. You also can change the Blend Mode from Screen to Soft Light if the rays look too harsh.
Here is the comparison of the 2 photos.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 30 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Original Photo
The end result looks something like the image below.
Creating Sunbeams or Sunrays in Photoshop
Page 31 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Notes to take away:
The above image is a rough guide. If your sunrays don’t look natural, it is normal. Even I can’t get it to look natural on my photos.
We just have to play with it to get it realistic. Go through the steps again and again until you “think and feel” it looks right.
There are many methods of creating sunrays or sunbeams. However, the above steps that I have documented is the method that I
used for this photo.
Have a go with one of your photos and see how the result turns out. If you have any questions on the above, please send me an
email at [email protected].
Have fun with it.
Amelia Chen
Publicity Coordinator
29th November 2014
Meet Dina Gialouris
Page 32 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
How, when and why did you start photography?
I started 2 years ago but was always interested in
Photography.
What camera have you used in the past, and what do you use now? Lumix Panasonic now I use Nikon 52000
What are your photographic goals?
To truly master my camera and learn all the technical side
of photography.
What does being a member of the CHRSL Photog-raphy Club mean to you? You have opened up a completely new world for me. I’ve loved it from the first day I come to PC. I’ve learnt so much and especially from talking with various members. Their input and guidance has been invaluable. I am so apprecia-tive of the help and support I receive.
Are you drawn to any one type of photography (landscape, portrait, macro etc.)? and why? As I am a beginner I love all photography and will give it a go.
Whose photos in the Photography Club do you admire the most and why? Karen OConnor’s work is amazing. It truly moves me and is so artistic.. it isn’t photography but a piece of art work. My aim is one day to be able to produce that quality of work.
Do you have a “photographic moment/adventure” to share? When I visited Eastern Creek Race track taking Photos of
V8 cars. I could hear them coming and my adrenalin was
high trying to capture the speed of the race cars.
Most people have other interests as well as photog-
raphy. What are your other interests, sports, hobbies,
clubs etc.?
I Love cooking and would love to be able to capture this
with my camera.
I Belong to Castle Hill Players and I am a member of
Jane Austen Society .
Name one thing we don’t know about you?
It is an honour next year to be part of a theatre play “For
The Sake of Mother England “ celebrating 100 years of
ANZAC, as costume designer.
Do you have any suggestions for the Photography Club? Increase lessons for beginners and more Hands on work shops.
Any other comments you would like to add?
I have gained a huge amount of knowledge from “PC” and
thank all the members who contribute to the success of
the club.
Meet Dina Gialouris
Page 33 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Dina Gialouris
Images by Dina Gialouris
Presentation Night
Page 34 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Lucky Door and Competition Prizes at the Presentation Night/Christmas Party 13th December 2014 just for you,
the members.
Photography Awards are separate to the prizes listed be-
low.
Major prize:
3 Day Holiday in 3 Bedroom, 5 Star Villa accommodation at a Skiathos Luxury Villa on beautiful Hamilton Island
200º uninterrupted sea views.
North-west cocktail evening setting.
Wine on arrival.
Embroidered linen.
Complimentary Valet.
Free Run-around Buggy at your disposal for the three-day duration of your stay.
Option to extend your stay/bring up to 3 friends
(Prize excludes airline tickets but I’m still chasing travel companies) Prize value: $2200.00
More Great Prizes:
Four-hour, one-on one Studio Mentoring with the fabulous Morris McLennan of Morris Images
12 ”x 8” Acrylic Image from Image Bank Australia
71 x 48 cm Canvas Image from Darran Leal of World Photo
Adventures.
Castle Hill RSL Photography Club Page 35 Viewpoint No 102 Dec 2014
Castle Hill RSL Photography Club
Atrium Castle Hill RSL
Level 6, 77 castle St
Castle Hill
PO Box 25
Castle Hill NSW 1765
Viewpoint Contributions
Viewpoint depends on them!
If you have any articles that may be of interest to our members, please email
them to [email protected].
Articles could include -
Camera hints, Photoshop hints, Holiday photography and/or Local Photo-
shoots, awards, competitions, exhibitions, upcoming events, workshop and
Lecture reports, recommended Book reviews, reports etc.
Don’t be limited by this list. Anything that might interest photographers is ac-
ceptable.
Please send articles in Microsoft word or plain text format with photos at-
tached as separate files. Submitted images should be a jpg file with a maxi-
mum size of 50 - 80kb.
In order to ensure your article is included in the next newsletter, please sub-
mit it by the 20th of the month.
President:
Graham Gard
Vice President:
Jason Pang
Immediate Past President:
Robert Shelberg
Treasurer:
Mal Hobson
Secretary:
Dennis Furini
Program Coordinator:
Barbara Glover
Competition Coordinator:
Peter O’Brien
Social Coordinator:
Tom Brassil
Member Benefits Coordinator:
Dale Chadd
Publicity Coordinator:
Amelia Chen
Training Coordinator:
Bob Cook
Membership Secretary:
Michael Schwarcz
Enquiries Officer:
Mary Spence
Forum Administrator:
Les Harvey
Newsletter Editor:
Hazel Hogarth
DISCLAIMER: No responsibility is accepted by the Castle Hill RSL Photography Club (The Club) for the accuracy of information
contained in the text, photographs or advertisements in any issues of Viewpoint. Information contained within does not necessarily reflect
the opinion of The Club, nor does it infer endorsement by The Club.