Tag: technique

Landscape Photography, Oct 14

October Pagosa Springs Photography Club Meeting

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club will next meet on Wednesday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our program this month is Landscape Photography. Using a video by Joel Sartore on this subject as a starting point, we will discuss tips and techniques for making great landscape photos. Sartore is a National Geographic photographer, well known for his National Geographic Photo Ark project, a multiyear effort dedicated to documenting threatened, endangered, and lesser know animal species in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. Sartore is also noted for his educational programs on learning the techniques of photography. This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abulter@mac.com. If attending in person, feel free to arrive any time after 6 p.m. to socialize. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., Photography Club meetings are open to the public. 

Pagosa Springs Photo Club Digital Photography Contest

The 2026 Pagosa Springs Photography Club Digital Photography Contest is now open for entries! Any Photography Club member can participate, and new members can join the Club at the time of entry. The submission deadline is October 14, 2026. There are four themed categories: Nature, People, Landscape, and Creative. You can submit up to 6 photos (no more than 2 per category) for a flat fee of $10. Just send in your digital image files, not prints. Independent judges will evaluate the images, and cash prizes will be awarded at an Awards Celebration on November 11. There will also be a “People’s Choice” voting on the images entered. See our web page, for complete information and an entry form: https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/2026/08/29/2026-pagosa-springs-photography-contest-enter-now/ .

October 2026 Virtual Shutter Challenge

The Photography Club sponsors a monthly challenge on its Facebook page. This challenge is open to all photographers. The theme for October is Window Light. Demonstrate the beauty of natural window light through photography. Capture a subject illuminated by soft, directional light entering a window. Experiment with shadows, highlights, silhouettes, reflections, and different times of day. Focus on mood, composition, and storytelling. Create a compelling image showing how window light transforms an ordinary scene. Share up to three compositions by commenting on the post about this topic at https://www.facebook.com/PagosaPhotoClub . Please like or comment on the images posted by others, as well. 

Join the Pagosa Springs Photography Club

The Photography Club aims to provide a  venue for its members to learn how to improve their photography, from fellow photographers. The Club offers programs and outings designed to help photographers of all levels enhance their skills. Membership is just $25 a year ($35 for families). The Club sponsors both educational presentations on photography, outings to photogenic locales, and regular opportunities to share and discuss images with one another. You can download a membership form from our website (https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/) and send it in with your payment (the form has all the details), or you can bring it to a Club meeting.

Mastering Action Photography Techniques, July 8

A skier races behind a horseback rider during a skijoring competition in Colorado. Photo by In Focus Photo Co.

The July meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our program this month is Action Photography, presented by Justin Treptow. This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abulter@mac.com. If attending in person, feel free to arrive any time after 6 p.m.; the actual presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. 

Justin Treptow is the owner of In Focus Photo Co. in Pagosa Springs. He specializes in action, event, and outdoor photography. During his presentation, Justin will share techniques for capturing dynamic action images, discuss camera settings and composition, and offer insights from photographing events such as skijoring, skiing, rodeos, and community activities throughout Colorado. The presentation is geared toward photographers of all skill levels who want to create more compelling and impactful images.

After Justin’s presentation, Photography Club members may share and discuss up to five recent photos with the group in our monthly Image Share session. 

July Virtual Shutter Challenge: Macro Photography

Small things often hold the biggest surprises. This month, slow down and explore the tiny details around you through macro photography. Capture textures, patterns, insects, flowers, droplets, or everyday objects from a fresh perspective. Reveal a miniature world that usually goes unnoticed and invite us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.  The challenge is open to all photographers. Beginning July 5, share up to three images by commenting on the post on this topic at the Club’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PagosaPhotoClub . Please appreciate the work of others with a like or comment.

Join the Photography Club

The Photography Club is a great place to learn from fellow photographers and enjoy your photography journey. We offer programs and outings designed to help photographers of all levels enhance their skills. Membership is just $25 a year ($35 for families). You can download a membership form from our website (https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/) and send it in with your payment (the form has all the details), or you can bring it to a Club meeting.

Photographing Motion: Creating Impressionistic or Abstract Images

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club will meet on May 13 in the Fellowship Hall of the Community United Methodist Church, located at 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Feel free to arrive anytime after 6 p.m. to socialize; the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Photography Club meetings are open to the public. 

This month’s presentation will be by Chris Roebuck, on Photographing Motion: Creating Impressionistic or Abstract Images. Chris will discuss seven different approaches to photographing motion, as diverse as using fast shutter speeds to freeze motion, to long exposures coupled with intentional camera motion to create abstract and impressionistic images. Try out some of these techniques to add variety and interest to your photos. This promises to be a presentation unlike any other you have seen!

Chris Roebuck is a member of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club and is a student of digital photography. He has traveled widely through the western US and around the world photographing Nature’s wonders. 

This meeting will also be available on Zoom. Club members will receive the Zoom link via email, and if you’re not on the list, you can request it by emailing abutler@mac.com.

Image Share

Following the presentation, we will have our monthly image share session. Club members may bring up to five recent images to share and discuss with the group. 

May Virtual Shutter Challenge

The Photography Club holds a Virtual Shutter Challenge each month. You do not have to be a Club member to participate.; the Challenge is open to all photographers The topic for May is Environmental Portraits. An environmental portrait tells a story before the subject speaks. It shows a person in a place that matters to them. Balance subject and setting so neither overpowers. Seek honest light, quiet gestures, and details that hint to us who they are. To take part, share up to three images on the theme by commenting on the post on this topic on our Facebook page, at https://www.facebook.com/PagosaPhotoClub.

Connect With Others in the Photography Club

A great way to improve your photography is to get to know others who share your passion. The Photography Club offers opportunities to learn from others and have fun with your photography. The Club has both programs and outings to help photographers of all skill levels improve their photography. Membership is just $25 a year ($35 for families). You can download a membership form from our website (https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/) and send it in with your payment (the form has all the details), or you can bring it to a Club meeting.

Composition

At the April 8 meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club, club member Kathie Disner will speak about Composition. The meeting will be held at the Community United Methodist Church, located at 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Feel free to arrive anytime after 6 p.m. to socialize; the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Photography Club meetings are open to the public. 

InstabiliTea, © Kathie Disner

Kathie Disner is an oil and watercolor painter, and photographer. She is based in the Pagosa Springs area. Kathie initially purchased her first SLR camera to capture images of her artwork for shows and competitions, but it quickly became an indispensable creative tool. Today, she integrates painting from life together with digital photography to design her compositions. Much of her work is rooted in Realism, particularly still lifes that explore the tension between delicacy and danger. She also draws on her wildlife photography to create paintings with a more Impressionist style. You can view more of Kathie’s art at her website, https://www.kathiedisner.com .

Kathie will be talking about the principles of composition in historical artwork and how those principles apply to modern photography and editing to take us beyond the “rule of thirds” to achieve more creative images.

All photographers are encouraged to attend. No matter your experience level, you will learn tips about composition that will improve your photography.

Image Share

Club members may bring up to five recent images to share and discuss with the group following Kathie’s presentation. 

This meeting will also be available on Zoom. Club members will receive the Zoom link via email, and if you’re not on the list, you can request it by emailing abutler@mac.com.

March 2026 Virtual Shutter Challenge

The March Challenge is Color; this topic is open until April 5. Let color lead the eye. Chase bold primaries or whispering pastels. Explore harmony, clash, saturation, and restraint. Let a single hue dominate the frame, or let colors argue at the edges. Photograph emotion, mood, and meaning through color alone.  Any photographer is welcome to participate in the challenge by sharing up to three photos as comments on the post about this topic on the Club’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/PagosaPhotoClub. And don’t forget to like and comment on the work of others.

Join us for Photography Adventures

A great way to improve your photography is to connect with others who share your passion. The Photography Club offers a great opportunity to learn from others. The Club has both programs and fun outings to help photographers of all skill levels grow. Membership is just $25 a year ($35 for families). You can download a membership form from our website (https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/) and send it in with your payment (the form has all the details), or you can bring it to a Club meeting.

Getting Sharper Images

At the March 11 meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club, club member David Lenderman will present a practical talk on a frequently requested topic: how to consistently get sharper images. The meeting will be held at the Community United Methodist Church, located at 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Feel free to arrive anytime after 6 p.m. to socialize; the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Photography Club meetings are open to the public. 

This presentation goes beyond simple camera settings. David will walk through real-world techniques for improving sharpness in the field, including camera settings, focus methods, camera stability, dealing with environmental issues, lens considerations, and common mistakes that quietly rob images of detail. The emphasis will be on shooting techniques, but David will also touch on editing tips to increase sharpness and image quality. The techniques taught will apply whether you shoot landscapes, wildlife, travel, or everyday subjects.

Prior to the technical program David will share a three to four minute music synced slideshow featuring a collection of his favorite wildlife and nature photos. If you enjoy images of birds, flowers, coral reefs, and other wildlife you will not be disappointed.

Photographers of all experience levels are encouraged to attend. You’ll leave with clear, actionable tips to help your photos look crisper, cleaner, and more professional.

Club members may bring up to five recent images to share and discuss with the group following David’s presentation. 

This meeting will also be available on Zoom. Club members will receive the Zoom link via email, and if you’re not on the list, you can request it by emailing abutler@mac.com.

March 2026 Virtual Shutter Challenge

The March challenge is Color. Let color lead the eye. Chase bold primaries or whispering pastels. Explore harmony, clash, saturation, and restraint. Let a single hue dominate the frame, or let colors argue at the edges. Photograph emotion, mood, and meaning through color alone.  Any photographer is welcome to participate in the challenge by sharing up to three photos as comments on the post about this topic on the Club’s Facebook Page t https://www.facebook.com/PagosaPhotoClub. And don’t forget to like and comment on the work of others.

Join us for Photography Adventures

Would you like to improve your photography? Consider joining the Pagosa Springs Photography Club. The Photography Club offers a great chance to connect with others who also love photography. The Club has both learning sessions and fun outings to help photographers of all skill levels grow. Membership is just $25 a year ($35 for families). You can download a membership form from our website (https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/) and send it in with your payment (the form has all the details), or you can bring it to a Club meeting.

Bosque del Apache for Photographers, Nov 12

The November meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.  The Club meets in the Community United Methodist Church at 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. The program will start at 6:30 p.m., but feel free to arrive anytime after 6 p.m. to socialize. Photography Club meetings are open to the public. Please use the side door near the parking lot to enter.

Our speaker this month will be Club member Doug Coombs. Doug will present a program on Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Bosque del Apache and nearby Ladd S Gordon wildlife areas in New Mexico are renowned for their opportunities to see and photograph many species of birds and other wildlife, but Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese in particular. These over-wintering species can put on a remarkable show when they lift off from the ponds at the Refuges around sunrise. Doug has traveled to these areas for quite a few years to photograph these amazing sights, and will share his knowledge of when to visit, where to photograph, and other tips; along with many of his outstanding photos from these Refuges. 

Following Doug’s presentation, we will hold our monthly Image Share session. Club members may bring up to 5 recent images to show and discuss with the group for this. Keep in mind that with the 4K monitor now available at the Church, it is recommended that your images be at least 3840×2160 pixels. Otherwise they may not fill the screen. 

Virtual Shutter Therapy

This month’s theme for Virtual Shutter Therapy is Long Exposure and Motion Blur. Capture the passage of time in a single frame — flowing water turned silky, car lights streaking through the night, clouds drifting like dreams. Use a tripod, slow your shutter, and let movement paint the story your eyes can’t normally see. Please share up to three images by commenting on the Nov. 2 post about this subject on our Club Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PagosaPhotoClub.  Like and comment on the works of others. (Thanks to Barbara Jetley for these VST topics!)

Audubon Rockies After Dark: Beyond Turkey , November 20

Join Audubon Rockies After Dark: Bird Story Hour – Beyond Turkey on November 20! This is a virtual event held on Zoom from 7 – 8 pm, MST. Conservation photographer Dave Showalter and Audubon Rockies Executive Director Alison Holloran will team up with the After Dark crew to share stories about grouse, ptarmigans, and other fascinating land fowl of the Rockies. Showalter is an outstanding photographer, as exemplified in his conservation book Sage Spirit, with his photos of landscapes, Sage Grouse, Antelope, and other creatures of the “sagebrush sea”. To sign up for this Zoom event, see:  

https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-rockies/event/854901/

(Thanks to Keith Bruno for this item)

Of interest: Pro Photographer’s Showdown, at Fort Lewis College in Durango, November 19. 

Five award-winning professional photographers will project their best work on the giant screen of the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall. Each show is curated to music, presenting a lifetime work in five 10-minute shows with party breaks in between. This event is from 7 – 9 pm. Tickets are $25-35.

See https://photoshowdown.org for details about the photographers, and for tickets. Sounds like a fun evening.