Don't Miss The Lunar Eclipse This Sunday!

This Sunday the moon will become immersed in the Earth's shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse. The lunar eclipse will also feature the "biggest" full moon (in apparent size) of 2015, since the moon will also be at perigee on the very same day ─ its closest point to the Earth.

As long as the skies are clear the eclipse will be visible in our area.

The eclipse will actually begin when the moon enters the faint outer portion, or penumbra, of the Earth's shadow. The penumbra, however, is all but invisible to the eye until the moon becomes deeply immersed in it.  During the partial eclipse, the penumbra should be readily visible as a dusky border to the dark umbral shadow.

The moon will enter Earth’s much darker umbral shadow at  9:07 p.m. on Sept. 27 in the Eastern time zone.  The moon will be free of the umbra by  12:27 a.m. (Sept. 28) Eastern time.  

You'll want to set up at a place that will have an unobstructed view.  At 9:07 PM the moon will be at 105 degrees or East-Southeast.  At 12:27 AM it will be at 156 degrees or South-Southeast.   If you have a clear view from East to South you should not have a problem.


Here's a couple websites with a ton of information on photographing a lunar eclipse -
http://www.mreclipse.com/LEphoto/LEphoto.html
https://iso.500px.com/planning-a-lunar-eclipse-shoot-a-step-by-step-guide/

Make your plans to get out there Sunday night and "Shoot The Moon".

8th Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowallk

Each year Scott Kelby of Photoshop World fame sponsors a worldwide photowalk.   A photowalk is an informal gathering of photographers to take photos together, learn from each other, and have a good time.  Walkers  meet up at a pre-designated location – downtown areas, zoos, business parks, you name it! – to spend a few hours socializing, capturing images and sharing with like-minded people. At the end of the photo walk, most groups convene at local restaurants or taverns to share their images and experiences over food.  The Kelby photowalk is actually thousands of photowalks that happen around the world on the same day.

I have led these for the past few years but will not be able to this year.   Never fear, there is a walk in Abingdon VA.   I encourage you to go online, sign up, and go to the photowalk on October 3.

Website to register - http://kelbyone.com/photowalk/walk/abingdon-va-united-states-downtown-abingdon/

Cost - FREE

Prizes - Yes!  One person from each walk will win a copy of Photoshop Lightroom CC book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby

Please pass the word along to others who might be interested.  You don't have to be an expert of have an expensive camera.  The best photo from last year was made with a smart phone!

Eastman Camera Club Events for September

Don't forget the events for September.

Fireworks Outing 2nd Time Around!

September 12.

Join the Eastman Camera Club at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dragway.
National Fireworks Association is having a fireworks competition held at the BMS Dragway.  This should be the biggest and best in the nation.  You'll see fireworks displays never seen before!

Meet at 7 PM Saturday the 12th at Food City at 1921 Highway 384 in Blountville to car pool  to the Bristol Dragway.   There is a $10/car entrance fee.  On November 8, 2009, seventeen people crammed into a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle and entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most people in an old-style Volkswagen Beetle (Bug).   How many can we get in one car for $10?

Last minute opportunity for African Photo Safari.

The following is from Richie Hayward.

Men

We may have a last minute opening for our September 12-25 Africa Photo Safari.
One of the women is thinking she won't make it.  Cost for 11 nights, including one in JBurg and all expenses except gratuity and airfare, is about $1800.  Is $3900 you'll never beat this price
I'm thinking that you might get Jennifer down a few bucks as she could loose the safari because she does not have insurance.  This isn't etched in stone yet I'll know in a day.

Chris Duncan, who has done several Travelogues for us,  is also going.

If you're interested I give details on travel and the Safari.
Most of you know what it was like last time and this promises to be better with a trip down South


If interested contact me ASAP
305-216-6666

Trip of a lifetime for a very reasonable amount

Richie Hayward

Steele Creek Amateur Photography Contest

Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park (FSCNCP) will again be sponsoring an amateur photography contest and show. The event will be held in conjunction with the annual Wildlife Weekend celebration at Steele Creek Park. Amateur photographers of all ages, including children and teens, are encouraged to participate. Eligible photographs must be taken at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, Tennessee and be focused on the natural aspects of the park. Prizes will be awarded, based on the general interest, creativity, and technical merits of the photographs. Professional photographers from the Bristol area will serve on the panel of judges. All entries will be displayed at the Wildlife Weekend celebration, scheduled for October 9 - 10 at Steele Creek Park.

The Wildlife Weekend Photography Contest and Show is always a popular part of Wildlife Weekend. This is a great opportunity for us to promote the beauty and diversity of the Park though photography. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for park-goers of all ages to have fun through the creativity of photography and the wonder of nature.

Wildlife Weekend at Steele Creek Park is an annual event featuring a variety of children’s activities, speakers, and interpretive walks, all relating to the natural history of the park and the region. This year’s theme, “Focus on Nature Photography”, should be of particular interest to photographers of all ages and experience.

FSCNCP is a nonprofit, volunteer organization whose primary purposes are to assist the Nature Center staff in educational, recreational, and research activities, to assist with the development and maintenance of park trails, gardens and facilities, and to preserve and protect the natural areas of Steele Creek Park.

The deadline for submitting photographs is 4:00 pm on Friday, September 25, 2015. Rules and application forms are available at the Steele Creek Park Nature Center, the Bristol Tennessee Department of Parks and Recreation at the Slater Center on McDowell St., and Mountain Sports Ltd. on Commonwealth Avenue. Application forms may also be downloaded from the Friends website at http://www.friendsofsteelecreek.org/?p=1829, or may be requested by e-mail from mail@friendsofsteelecreek.org.


Contact: Robin Feierabend
Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park
423-764-3336
mail@friendsofsteelecreek.org

Eastman Camera Club August Program is a Double Header

We have two programs in one on Thursday, August 20

Videography 

Drone Photography

Ron Zucker will be introducing videography. We will be discussing: the similarities in video versus still photography; camera selection; how to shoot video with a camcorder and a DSLR; useful accessories; and video editing tips, including transitions, layering, and music.

Richie Hayward will talk about the history/definition of drones, types, and application's.  He will wrap up with the future and legal concerns.

Here's a little project Ron and Richie did together that shows both videography and drones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nbBQT3xMEk#action=share

As with all our programs, the meeting will be at 6:30 in Room 219 of the Eastman Employee Center on Wilcox Drive.  Invite others who might be interested.  We're always open to new members.

Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning

Do your photos have spots like the one below?   If so, the sensor inside your camera may have dust and need to be cleaned.   If you have what looks like smudges then your lens may have dust on the rear element.  While you can buy a kit and clean the sensor yourself, it is a risky process.  If you do it wrong your camera can become a very expensive door stop.

Unfortunately, there is no one in the Tri-Cities that offers sensor cleaning services.   The closest is Camera Castle in Morristown.   They offer an in-store camera and sensor cleaning service.  It normally takes about 30 min. - 1 hour depending on how dirty the equipment is and how many cameras and lenses to be cleaned. If you are pushed for time and need it ASAP (while you wait) please call ahead (423-587-2874) to let them know so they can arrange to be ready when you get there. Equipment can also be left for cleaning and picked up another day if that is more convenient.

The sensor cleaning cost $20.00 per camera body and includes an entire cleaning of the camera, sensor, and up to 5 lenses.

The camera will need a full charge to not delay the cleaning.