Monday, May 14, 2007

April Photo Contest Winners

We had beautiful entries for the April photo contest. The theme was Spring.

1st Place -- Josh Tracy














2nd Place - Ted Mehl
"Forgiven"



















3rd Place & Judges Choice -- Monica Bryant
"Waltz of the Daffodils"


















Other Entries Included:


Lee Miller












John Davis















Jon Asp

Guild Meeting - May 14th.

Our meeting will be Monday, May 14th at New Life Church in Room 250. We will be having a discussion on RAW vs. Jpeg.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

March Photo Contest Winners

The theme for March's photo contest was Still Life. We had many fantastic entries and a great discussion of each print.

1st Place & Judges' Choice -- Ted Mehl
Remains of the Day



















2nd Place -- Bruce Hinson
The Nativity











2nd Place -- Monica Bryant
Reflections of a Ballerina's Soul















Other entries included:

Julie Davis
Wholly Bugger









John Davis
Fruit








Greg Nowlin
Beauty by Candlelight





April Photo Contest Theme

April's photo contest theme is Spring.

The deadline for entry will be 11:59pm, Saturday, April 21st. Please email tedmehl@betterimageonline.com a 4x6 or close sized image.

You will need to bring a print to the April 23rd meeting. It should be no larger than 8x12. Remember to title your image. Presentation is an important part of the process.

Guild Meeting -- April 9th

Our next guild meeting is going to be Monday, April 9th, 2007 at New Life Church, Room 250.

Bruce & Ted will be bring the coffee. It would be great if some of you could bring snacks. Monica has done it several times so the rest of you can bring something this time.

Jon Asp will be sharing on pricing your work. So this should help everyone. Bring your questions to the table. Also bring your price sheets.

See you there!

February Photo Contest

Here are the entries from the February Photo Contest. Our theme was best portrait of another guild member.


1st Place -- Heather Mehl
















2nd Place -- Ted Mehl














Judges' Choice -- Lee Miller














Other Entries Included:

Jim Baker












Greg Nowlin












Monica Bryant












Eric Enger















John Davis

Sunday, March 04, 2007

March Photo Contest

This month’s photo contest should be really fun for everyone. It can be in the studio or you can use natural light.

The theme is:
Still Life.
Representation of inanimate objects, such as flowers or fruit, in painting or photography.
A painting, picture, or photograph of inanimate objects.
stilllife still'-life' (stĭl'līf') adj.

We will use the same criteria for judging last month’s contest. Everyone will be a judge for a popular vote and we will pick one person to be the head judge who will also critique each print submitted. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place print as well as a Judge’s choice print.

The scoring will be done slightly different this time so that one person cannot receive 1st and 3rd place. We will assign the following point values for the popular vote: 1st place vote = 5 pts, 2nd place vote = 3 pts and 3rd place vote = 1 pt and the following points for the head judge’s vote: 1st place = 10 pts, 2nd place 6 pts and 3rd place = 2 pts. We will tally the points received for each print and award the top three highest scoring prints.

The deadline for entering the contest will be March 24th at Midnight. Please email your entry to info@betterimageonline.com. It should be in a 2x3 format no larger than a 4x6 @300 dpi. You will need to bring a print to the March 26th meeting. It should be 8x10, 8.5x11 or 8x12. It needs to have your name and image details on the back. You should title the print as well. Remember, the presentation of your print can help or hurt you.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

There's a new blogger in town

Well, I done did it. Started a new blog. http://fotophorum.blogspot.com/ No, I do NOT know what I'm doing, but I'm doing it anyhow. I'll figger it out, but for now I just wanted to get something out there. Don't yet know how to link to here (CPG) or post photos (which is what the blog is about). Please visit and make suggestions, phriends!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

CPG Meeting -- Monday, February 26th, 2007

Our next guild meeting will be on Monday, February 26th, 2007. We will meet from 6:30-8:30pm in Rm 250 at New Life Church.

We will have a time of fellowship, worship and prayer.

Our photo contest will be held and judged. So get your entries in.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Monday, February 12th meeting

Thank you so much for a fantastic meeting. It really was a pleasure serving you last night. I am so happy that we can grow together as Christian photographers. I think Ric Gaddy did a great job last night. One of our stated goals is to learn our craft. Part of that is learning to present our work in new ways that will impact our audience (clients for some of us). PhotoStream books are an excellent way to highlight and present your photographs in an innovative way!

Our service project was a huge success in that it brought the guild members together as a team. We blessed one fire victim family and a the girls who came to help. I am so proud of you all for taking the vision and running with it. I especially want to commend Bruce for his hard work and time that he put in. Another of our stated goals is blessing others and I know we accomplished that last Saturday. We will be organizing new service projects for our guild to participate in the near future. Check out the blog for more information.

Remember to keep the Philippians 2 Attitude: We should have the attitude of Christ – not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We are to be selfless and concerned for other people.
The prayer requests will be sent in a separate email.

One final note: Don’t forget to enter the February photo contest. It is the Best Portrait of another guild member. We had consensus that the criteria for the prints will be as follows: The image must be printed on an 8x10, 8½x11 or 8x12 piece of photo paper. You can fill that paper any way you want. Make sure there is no text on the front of the print. On the back label the print with your name, date photo taken, iso, shutter speed and f/stop. Make sure you email me a digital file at 300dpi by Saturday, February 24th. (Note: this is a new deadline date).

Prints will be judged for Impact, Composition, Originality, Creativity, Expression, Lighting.

I think the census was that we will have a head judge each contest who will critique the prints, as well as each member in the group given an opportunity to judge. We will tally the scores and award the top three places. In addition, the head judge will award the Judges Choice award for his favorite image.

Blessings
Ted

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Easton James Tracy









So certify me already

Being that these are the very first words I've ever blogged (what a disgusting word), I have finally broken my vow of blog silence and am a certifiable blogger. What's worse, I mean "more," I'm conspiring to set up a blog site of my own shortly. (sigh)

Monday, February 05, 2007

February Photo Contest

This month's photo contest is very simple.

The theme is: Best Portrait of Another Guild Member.

The Beauty from Ashes Service Project should provide a great time for some of the guild members to shoot their portrait. Otherwise schedule a time to shoot another member at their convenience.

We will discuss how we will be judging the contest at our February 12th meeting.

Contest Rules:

1. To be entered into the contest you must email tedmehl@betterimageonline.com with a 4x6 version at 300dpi by 11:59pm Saturday, February 17th, 2007. Late entries will not be accepted.

2. You must bring an 8x12 or 8x10 print to February 19th meeting. You may create a border around your portrait, but print size must be no larger than 8x12.

3. No names on the front of the print. Please label the back of the print with your name, date shot taken, iso, shutter speed, f/stop.

4. Prints will be judged on the following criteria (in no particular order of importance):

a. originality
b. creativity
c. impact
d. use of color/and or black & white
e. lighting

Who will and how they will be judged will be discussed at the February 12th meeting.

CPG Meeting -- February 12th

Our next meeting will be Monday, February 12th from 6:30pm-8:30pm at New Life Church in room 250. Please come prepared to discuss a variety of issues. Ric Gaddy will be presenting PhotoStream books to our group.

Bruce is bringing the coffee! Bring a snack. Bring a friend.

Can't wait to see everyone.

Blessings,
Ted Mehl
CPG President

It's a Boy!

Congratulations to Josh & Kate Tracy on the birth of their new son. Easton James was born today 2/5/07 at 1:50pm. He weighed 8lbs, 11ozs and was 22 inches long. Baby and mom are doing well!

Pictures to come soon!

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Castle West Portrait Project -- Beauty From Ashes

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Guild,

Here is a recap of what happened Monday night at the Service Project meeting. Notes were diligently taken and transcribed by our gracious Rosalyn Sample, then passed on to me for butchering.

First, let me (Bruce) marvel at how the meeting went. It was clearly a "God-thing" that we were able to deal with each agenda item, plus a few others, all within a mere two hours. Much of the reason why we could be so efficient was because no egos gummed up the works! Everyone sought what was good for the victims of the fire and to glorify God. With all the talent for portrait photography the attitude was "just to be used in whatever capacity will do the most good." It's a privilege to know and work with people of this caliber.

This project even has a name: The Castle West Portrait Project – Beauty from Ashes.

Background as to how the idea was birthed: KVOR's announcement regarding those who lost all their family photos prompted Ted to take action with the idea that the CPG would do portraits for each family affected. Bruce (our project manager) followed up the next day on Ted's idea and informed us that he had secured a location.

Eric played guitar and led singing. That helped us all get a more Godly focus for the many and significant decisions we were to make.

Location secured: 1785 N. Academy……..2nd bldg. north of Cowboys' night club. It's got lobby that is about 20' x 60' with large glass windows and doors on the east and west ends. It's more than large enough for two studio sets, a hospitality table and several chairs. An office just off the lobby area will be more than adequate to set up computers to print photos and burn CDs. Plenty of power outlets, too. Restrooms are accessible directly off the lobby.

Date and times: Saturday Feb. 10th, 10-2 p.m. for actual portraits, CPG and anyone helping will need to plan on being there 9-a.m.to 3 p.m. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. We ALL need to be there at 9AM so we can assess who has what, what's going to be used of what's been brought and make sure that it's all working properly. This is where the peace of organization can turn into chaos and create all sorts of tension. Please, please, please be on time… or even a tad early. Your team members will be grateful.

Rough estimate could be approximately 50 families, but we will be prepared for more, or less, depending on God's plans. Families will receive a 5 x 7 print in a folder, and a CD suitable for enlargement printings copyright-free.

We have come to terms with the fact that there is no known way to verify the legitimacy of anyone walking in and claiming to be a fire victim. We will simply provide free portraits to anyone who comes and without verifying. It's all good experience, a time to practice and improve. Our motto could be: Shoot 'em all and let God sort 'em out! (Sounds like something Russ wudda come up with.)

LABEL WHAT YOU BRING.

THIS BEARS REPEATING:
PUT AN I.D. LABEL ON EVERYTHING YOU BRING SO THAT IT DOESN'T GET CONFUSED AS BELONGING TO SOMEONE ELSE WHEN IT COMES TIME TO TAKE EVERYTHING DOWN.

For press release: "For all Castle West Residents affected by the fire: No one can replace the memories you lost in the fire, but you can have brand new portraits to mark this new chapter in your lives – absolutely free. No strings attached. This event is being hosted by the Christian Photographers Guild of Colorado Springs. They will provide free portrait sittings, a 5 x 7 print in a folder, and a CD of your portrait images so that you can make more prints later. This will take place at 1785 North Academy Blvd Colorado Springs on Saturday, Feb. 10th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are needed and, again, it is absolutely free."

Volunteers have offered the following donations, equipment use, or tasks to be completed:
1. Ted
a. 5 x 7 folders for prints
b. labels printed for CD's with CPG website & a copyright-free notice included
2. Monica
a. Hobby Lobby for frames (waiting for answer),
b. Loan of small whiteboards to write names & images
c. Laptop
d. Will call Fargos for possible pizza donation,
e. Directional signage to be made by student volunteers, who will also be assisting the day of the project
3. Bruce
a. Deep Rock – ½ - liter bottles of water
b. Vacuum for cleanup
c. Laptop
d. Table
4. Amy Sheller (friend of Greg's) - $200 worth of ink through Cartridge World
5. Harvey Blasdel
a. Use of building
b. No charge for utilities
c. 2 tables
d. Chairs, lots of them
6. Chris - loan of monitor
7. Greg
a. Printer set-up
b. Will call for possible food donations
8. Ted & Rosalyn will check on getting bibles donated
9. Each photographer who comes will bring as much studio equipment as they have within reason, including camera, backdrops, power strips, strobes with optical AND radio releases, two memory cards for each camera,
11. Jim will print flyers & for possible press release) with donors listed - Each donor must call him to be included on the list
12. Eric - will loan sound system with CD's to play during the day
13. Ric Gaddy - will call for possible food donations


Specific task volunteers:
Jim – posing coach
Greg - lab
Gail Hinson - Hostess
Monica - will secure student assistants for the day

A joint effort will be made by all, with most volunteers rotating throughout multiple jobs, and will be determined that day.

A ministry will be made available should anyone need someone to pray with or for them.

Rosalyn asked, "Bruce - do we want to offer a phone number or contact information?"
Bruce's reply: "Sure, Rosalyn. It can be anyone but me. Seriously, though, let's put the info on our web site. Would you coordinate with Russ and Greg to work this one out, please? I'm really short on time for the next few days. Whatever you 3 decide is fine with me. Please let me know what you decide."

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Updated Look

All, I've updated the look of our blog and have added a few more links. I'd have put in Rosalyn's, but I need to find it again.

Please let me know if you have any more ideas about our site.

Greg

Friday, January 19, 2007

CPG Meeting

Our next CPG meeting will be Monday, January 22nd at New Life Church in Rm. 250. Please arrive by 6:30pm so we can start promptly.

We will be holding our photo contest and studying the Bible for this meeting. So bring your Bibles. Bruce will be bringing a new coffee pot for the coffee drinkers. Ted will bring a second pot for decaf drinkers.

Don't forget your prints for the contest!

Winterscape Photo Contest

The winterscape photography contest is this coming Monday. You may submit one image for judging by the other guild members. We will vote as a guild the top three images.

You need to bring a print of your image at least a 4x6 or maximum 8x12. Please also submit your image to Ted Mehl @ tedmehl@betterimageonline.com. It should be emailed 4x6 @300 dpi. Ted must receive the image by Saturday, January 20th at 11:59pm.

Friday, January 12, 2007


Someone said once that you could hang this little one off the ceiling, take a picture, and she'd look good. Not sure if this shot qualifies.