Here is a list of places to go for photo opportunities and photo club field trip ideas compiled by Lorraine Feldhausen, Diane Kinney, and Howard Carson.
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Tulip Photography
Lorraine Feldhausen sends us this from somewhere in the ether. Thanks Lorraine1
Flower Photography: 4 Quick Tips for Great Tulip Photos
Posted: 04/05/2025
Related note: with flowers in full bloom this publisher is offering their Flower Photography Guide at 68% Off
Armed with the four simple, yet very effective strategies that I will share here, you can venture out to capture tulips, or any flowers, in a captivating and impressive manner. These quick tips can be applied to any type of floral photography, of course. By keeping these tips in mind and by applying them, you will find yourself producing fewer average images and many more “keepers.”
1. Consider Your Point of View
One of the characteristics that makes an image strong is the presentation of a scene in a way that we don’t normally see it. As you walk through life each day, you see everything, for the most part, at eye level. As beautiful as a tulip may be, if you photograph it from your normal standing position, it will look like every other tulip you have seen over the years. Beautiful? Yes. Unique or interesting? Probably not so much.
Photo by Traveller_40; ISO 200, f/8.0, 1/80-second exposure.
Look to present tulips in a way they are not usually seen. When was the last time you got down on your belly on a nice day and gazed upward at the flowers? Maybe never, right? By gaining a different perspective than what you are used to seeing, the image now possesses the unique and interesting factor that makes it visually appealing.
2. Notice Your Backgrounds
If you happen upon a scene that contains a field of tulips as far as the eye can see, or one where there’s a glorious mountain or sunset as the backdrop, well then you’re pretty much golden to start shooting away. However, for the other 99 percent of the time, you will be faced with less than glorious surroundings. This is when it is important to manage the scene. Even the most dazzling flowers will not be as appealing when you see parked cars, campers, stores, etc. behind them. Unless the background elements support your photograph, they should not be included.
There are several ways in which you can remove distractions from your background. One is by simply walking around your scene and finding a vantage point from which the less than desirable background elements are not visible. An example might be to shoot upward from a very low vantage point. By using the sky as the backdrop, you have avoided any existing distractions. In addition to getting down low, you can attempt to photograph the flowers close up with a tight crop. Any items that may have been behind the floral subjects are nowhere to be seen, and the focus of the image is on only the tulips.
Photo by alcidesota@yahoo.com-OFF; ISO 250, f/2.8, 1/250-second exposure.
3. Use Depth of Field to Your Advantage
Depth of Field (or DOF) is basically the distance between the nearest and farthest elements in a photograph that appear sufficiently sharp in focus. When an image has a large depth of field, most elements in the scene from front to back will be in sharp focus. If an image has a shallow depth of field, the subject of the photograph will be sharp, while elements in front or behind it will be out of focus.
Controlling DOF can be a powerful tool in creating strong images. Let’s go back to the previous tip, regarding backgrounds, for example. In addition to the strategies we discussed for removing distracting background elements, you could also use depth of field to your advantage. By throwing a background element out of focus, you will draw less attention to it.
Manipulating the depth of field can assist in producing a strong and dynamic image. For example, with an out of focus foreground and background, you can keep the attention on a single tulip just by keeping it sharply focused.
Photo by Christine Jackowski
Controlling depth of field is a technique that deserves its own article. In short, however, there are a few ways of controlling it. One of the most common ways is to use a large aperture (lower f-stop number) for shallow depth of field and a small aperture (higher f-stop number) for greater depth of field. This means you will have to get yourself out of automatic mode and choose either manual mode or aperture priority mode on your camera.
4. Focus on the Small Details
As mentioned earlier, when you offer the viewer a perspective that is different from what they’re accustomed to, you have a greater chance of producing a unique or interesting photograph. One such way this can be achieved is by focusing in on the small details, or just a part, as opposed to the whole.
You might aim to fill the frame from edge to edge with color and a close up view that provides an interesting perspective, void of any distracting background elements, all while keeping the depth of field fairly shallow. As a result, the eye will be drawn to one specific area of the tulip (such as the stamen), which becomes the subject of the photograph. The subject matter has now been presented in a unique, interesting, and obvious manner.
There you have it. Keep the ideas presented here in mind as you venture out to capture some stunning floral photographs!
About the Author:
Robert J Rhatigan Jr writes for btphotoschool. Photography first became a passion of his back in the mid 1980s. He spent many hours in the dark room and found that the creative outlet this craft provided stirred his soul. Although the basic principles of photography remain the same today, the technology has changed in unimaginable ways. Now, over 25 years later, the joy of photography continues to stir his soul, while providing him with countless hours of pure enjoyment.
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Cell Phone Photography
Photo Club Meeting _ April 17 2025
Meeting starts at 7:00 PM at the forest.
Herb Thompson will be our guest speaker.
Born: Morocco, Africa (1954) Raised: Indianapolis, Indiana
Military: U.S. Air Force | Food Service Management (1973-93)
Tours of Duty: Grand Forks, ND | Oxford, UK | Cheyenne, WY | Cambridge, UK | Bellevue, NE
Career: ConAgra Frozen Foods | Pizza Hut | Pentagon Federal Credit Union | USPS (1996-2020)
Public Exhibitions: (1999 – 2024) Omaha City Hall | ConAgra | W. D. Clark Library | Union Pacific | Offutt AFB | UNO Library | Hildegard Center for Arts | Sump Memorial Library | Papillion City Hall
Past Sponsors: Nebraska Arts Council (NAC), Omaha Public Schools, Herman Cain, Union Pacific, ConAgra
Publications: (1987 – 2016) RAF Upper Heyford AFB Magazine | Omaha Star | Lenswork Magazine | Inspirations of Water | Omaha World Herald
Past Projects: Omaha Star | African American Leadership Awards | Holland Performing Arts Center | Omaha Jazz & Blues Festival | Rose Performing Arts | Orpheum Theater | Omaha Fashion Week | NAC grants | Conducted smartphone photography workshops for UNO and LinkdIn
Current Projects: Smartphone, Micro 4/3, Medium & Large Format Photography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbthompson2
Facebook: www.facebook.com/herbthompson1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herb-thompson-4335991a
Website: https://artbyherb.com/
Herb asks how many have iPhone s and how many have android phones. Please comment below which one do you have and a subject matter you would like to hear about when taking photos with your phone.
Photo contest rules
Contest rules have been posted and can be found at the top of the website page titled “2025 Photo Club Contest”
Displays
We have changed out photos at the forest (mammals) and at the Bellevue Library (sunrise and sunsets)
Short Video
Final Thoughts…
I hope to see you all at the April 17 meeting. Comment below. Who has iPhone, who has an android phone.
2025 Photo Club Contest Rules
2025 Photo Club Contest Information and Guidelines
Guidelines for the 2025 Annual Fontenelle Forest Nature Association
Photography Club Show
Bellevue University Hitchcock Humanities Center / Criss Auditorium
Hello to All Fontenelle Forest Nature Association Photo Club Members:
Set – Up – Saturday, May 24, 2025, 9:00 AM
Critique and Awards Presentation – Thursday, June 19, 2025, 7:00 PM
Take Down – Saturday, June 28, 2025, 9:00 AM
Questions – Contact Contest Coordinator: Donna Gray – Email: djg618@yahoo.com
Who: Any member in good standing of the Fontenelle Forest Nature Association Photo Club. (***Only Fontenelle Forest Photography Club members who are up to date regarding Club dues are eligible to enter photographs. If you are unsure of your status, check with Club Treasurer Kathleen Crawford Rose.***)
The show contest coordinator and current President of the club reserve the right to remove an entry not following the rules set forth in the category descriptions below.
“Novice Class”: This is open to club members who have NOT won a first, second or third place in any individual category, or Overall Show award in prior years’ photography club shows.
If there are less than five entries in any novice category, those entries will be automatically transferred to the advanced categories.
“Advanced Class”: This is open to club members who have won a first, second or third place in any individual category, or an overall show award in the prior years’ photography club shows.
No exceptions for class designation. If any member new or old feels they belong in the advanced class, they are welcome to enter their photos into this class.
Categories:
Scenic/Landscape:
Continental US, outside continental US, any nature themed image where the focus or subject IS NOT manmade objects, including urban, city, pets, and Humans. Must be a nature-based photo taken by a club member.
Animals:
Any living creature (not a bird), wild or domesticated, including pets. Not humans.
Birds:
Any bird, wild or domesticated, including pets. Not humans.
A minimum of five bird or animal photos are necessary to have a separate category. If there are less than five bird or animal photos, all photos will be included in the Animal category.
Flora:
A photo where the following are the main subject of the photo – any flower, plant, fungi or tree.
Anything Goes: (Combined category – Novice & Advanced)
Any photograph not meeting the requirements of the 4 categories listed above. Also, any photo that is over enhanced or un-naturally manipulated will be entered into this category.
* Photos may be moved to another class up to the point of judging for awards if the Contest Judge, Photo Contest coordinator or club president feel an entry was categorized incorrectly at check-in. These contest rules are their guide, and any corrections to classification are final.
Prints can be color or black and white. Prints that have been previously designated as award winners – including honorable mention at previous FFNA club shows are not eligible for entry. Members may enter a total of four photos in the contest. Watermarks or any feature that could identify the photographer are prohibited on the photos entered in the contest.
How to Present Your Prints
- Prints are to be either framed (wood, metal or plastic frames) with or without a mat or printed on a metal or matboard surface. A wire hanger must be attached to the back.
- Size of frame: Minimum outside dimension of the shortest side of the presentation will be no shorter than 5 inches, maximum outside dimension of the longest side of the presentation will be no longer than 25 inches.
- Entries that are presented with no glass or Plexiglas are accepted at the entrant’s risk for damage by print handlers/displayers.
- Each entry is required to have the Photographer’s name, address, and phone number on the back of each photo.
- Contestants may enter up to 4 prints into the show. The contestant is responsible for deciding which category to place entry(s). (One in each category or all in one category or any combination you desire.) Contest coordinator and club president have final say of excepting entry or on category classification at time of set-up. The Judge may also move a photo to another category at the time of judging.
- Entry Cards: White for Novice, Yellow for Advanced, Blue for Anything Goes will be available starting at the April Club meeting. Contestants will need to complete entry cards prior to arriving at the show set-up.
- Email a digital copy of the entered photos to the photo contest coordinator in jpg (jpeg) format. Don’t worry about file size. I will take care of any resizing that needs to be done. If you don’t know how to convert to a jpg (jpeg) file, just email what you have, and I will convert as needed. If your files are large, you may need to email them one or two at a time due to email restrictions on file sizes. Please have your photos to me between May 12 through June 2, 2025 . No earlier, no later. Email them to djg618@yahoo.com Failure to send a digital photo will result in disqualification in the contest. These are needed for the PowerPoint presentation on the critique/awards night.
The email information will include the category name, whether you are entering as a Novice or Advanced, the title of the photo and if it was taken at Fontenelle Forest. Make sure your name is also included in case it is not part of the email address.
Awards:
In each Class and category: First, Second, and Third Place (24 Ribbons)
Anything Goes Category: First, Second, and Third Place (Combined Classes) (3 Ribbons)
Overall Show Awards:
Best of Show – all classes, all categories
Public’s Choice – all classes, all categories
Club Members Choice – – all classes, all categories
Best Black and White – all classes, all categories
Best Photo Taken at Fontenelle Forest (Must designate on entry card)
Total of 32 Ribbons to be awarded at this Year’s Show (If all categories are filled)!
All first and second place winners and overall show winners will be displayed at the Bellevue Public Library over the summer months and returned at our first club meeting in September.
All winning photos will be displayed on the Fontenelle Forest Photography Club’s Website.
Last revised on 03/22/2024
Dark Skies
For our March 20th meeting, Ken Smith presented astro photography to our members. Below is a link to his presentation. In it are slides with some good information. I recommend you all visit Ken’s website. Ken has invited our members to a field trip to the Filey Barn near Beatrice NE this summer in conjunction with the Omaha Camera Club. Details will be posted later this year. Thank you Ken Smith.
Video
This is a short video about taking a picture of the milky way.
Final thoughts
Our April speaker will not be able to be at our meeting. I have a lead on a person who might be able to talk to us about phone photography. If not we might do a slide show. The theme would be “Your best Zoo photos. A member has come up with doing a field trip to Neale Woods for the April meeting. Please comment below on what you think you would like to do.
If the links do not show up for Ken’s presentation or website I will have Kathleen email to you all the presentation link. And any non members who are not on Kathleen’s address book, email me at webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org and I will send you the links. There is something about embedding a SmugMug link in the post that is different from what I am used to seeing.
Feb 20 meeting cancelled
Post Processing
Our next club meeting will be February 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the forest. Jeremy and Jerred will be our guest speakers. They were our judges for the 2024 photo contest.
To help them develop a program with our members in mind, they would like to have some questions by our members. Ask them about some specific issues you may have with post processing your photos. You can leave a comment below or email me at webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org . I will forward them on to Jerred and Jeremy. Please send as soon as you can. Thank you.
Meeting Schedule is FULL
We have speakers for the rest of the scheduled meetings for this year. Please check out the Calendar on our home page. The May meeting will be our raptor shoot at Camp Brewster.
Photo Displays
Forest______ Mammals of Fontenelle Forest
Bellevue Library_____ Sunrises and Sunsets (from anywhere)
Bring your photos to the February 20 meeting. They will be hung in March.
Video for Example of Post Processing
Upcoming Meeting January 16
Our next meeting will be on January 16, 2025 at the Forest and will be starting at 7:00 PM.
Our guest speaker will be Phil Swanson. His presentation is “Birds of the Warbler Yard”
From Phil Swanson
I call my presentation “Birds of the Warbler Yard”.
Over the years I have seen more species of birds in my yard than any other yard in Nebraska. Just last year I saw the 170th bird species in the yard. It was a beautiful Olive-sided Flycatcher catching bees and wasps from my grape jelly feeder.
My slideshow video will show many of those 170 species in my backyard environment. The photos and some short videos will let you see their actions and behavior. I’ll follow the video with a short presentation giving some tips on how I attract birds to the yard along with some stories.
My bio:
I have lived in my same home in Nebraska since 1971. I started birding in late 1981 and a few months later my good friend, Andy Saunders, at that time Chief Naturalist at Fontenelle Forest, convinced me to photograph birds. I photograph the birds for documentation but obviously try for better and better photos.
I have photographed over 1400 different species world wide. Within the ABA area which is the Continental US and Canada I have seen 730 species and photographed 729 species which at one time was in the top ten in the US.
Photos Displays are now up
We have put up “Birds of Fontenelle Forest” at the forest and “Bridges” at the Bellevue Library.
Now We Need More, Different Subjects
At the January and February meetings we will be collecting Mammals of Fontenelle Forest and Sunrise/Sunset photos. Mammals will be a challenge –there are actually 18 mammals listed in the FF guide but some are really hard or nearly impossible to see.
Featured Photo
Birding Video
About 11 and 1/2 minutes
In Closing
Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and hope we all have a Happy New Year. Please comment below. Leave me your thoughts about doing this year’s photo contest “on line”. This means no printed photos that will hang somewhere. Our judge will judge you .jpg photo files.
Photos for Displays
We Have Enough
Thanks to all who sent in Bridges and FF Bird photos. WE NOW HAVE ENOUGH. These displays will go up in January.
Now We Need More, Different Subjects
At the January and February meetings we will be collecting Mammals of Fontenelle Forest and Sunrise/Sunset photos. Mammals will be a challenge –there are actually 18 mammals listed in the FF guide but some are really hard or nearly impossible to see.
Still Need Some Display Photos
Hi Phil..Could you please send out a blast to the members that we still need some display photos this week if possible?
Birds of Fontenelle Forest
Bridges
They can be dropped off at:
Mary & Brent Headley. 19340 J St near 192nd & Q, bbribsyum@gmail.com
Phil Mininni. 621 S 51 Ave. webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org
Kathleen Crawford-Rose. 123 Bellevue Blvd. S. katcr@cox.net
Can you please look at your many photos taken in the past and see if you have “Birds of Fontenelle Forest” and/or “Bridges”. Email the person closet to you and contact them to get your photo(s) to them.