Planning in Nature Photography – May 15

With special guest presenter, Liron Gertsman

From the Rocky Mountains to the rugged coastline, the Pacific Northwest’s wild spaces are home to an incredible diversity of life. At our club’s meeting on May 15, Liron Gertsman will be taking us on a virtual journey through our incredible region and beyond, with a focus on the techniques that go into planning a successful photoshoot in nature.

An award-winning nature photographer and photojournalist, Liron aims to educate and shed light on environmental issues and the importance of conservation. His work has been exhibited in some of the largest museums in the world, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Smithsonian in Washington DC. You may have seen him on CBC’s “The National”, heard him on Radio One, or seen his work in Canadian Geographic, Audubon Magazine, The Guardian, GEO and other publications.

His work has been widely recognized, sweeping the professional category of the 2022 Audubon Photography Awards, winning the grand prize of the 2023 Audubon Photography Awards, and earning a highly commended designation in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Liron has a biology degree from UBC, which he uses to enhance his passion for art and visual storytelling, providing a scientific background to inform his understanding of the natural world.

You can find more info about Liron along with the workshops and tours he offers, and see some of his beautiful wildlife and nature images on his website.

The meeting will be held via Zoom. The link will be sent by email to all Gabriola Photography Club members a few days beforehand. Make sure your membership is up to date (paid for 2024) so that you receive this info.

A note to non-members of our Club: you are welcome to attend this event as well, for a $5 fee: contact us by May 12 to sign up.

“Gear & Gadgets Galore” Fundraising Sale, May 4

On Saturday, May 4 a huge variety of lightly-used photographic equipment will be on sale in exchange for a donation to Gabriola Photography Club.

Among the items are multiple types of:

  • tripods, monopods & heads
  • camera bags
  • cameras & lenses
  • (many!) filters, including a very large LensBaby collection
  • graphic tablets, storage drives, Epson photo printer & other peripherals
  • multiple frames including float frames
  • multiple Renaissance & other professional display albums
  • supplies for various photo products
  • a wide variety of other camera accessories

Paid-up members of Gabriola Photography Club will have the opportunity to attend a members-only portion of the sale between 10 am and noon.

For everyone else, the sale will open at noon and run to 2 pm.

It will take place at 3290 South Road, Gabriola (near Silva Bay).

Click on the “Download” button below for the complete inventory of items. Due to the volume we received from the generous donors, some of the smaller items are being bundled as collections (as noted in the item descriptions).

April 26 Photo Walkabout: Decourcy Loop (Gabriola)

This month our Photo Walkabout will be on Gabriola Island, taking in the Decourcy Loop (approximately 2 km).

The Loop offers many interesting photo opportunities, including big trees, sandy beaches, eroded sandstone formations, views of the Salish Sea, shorebirds and possibly other wildlife – not to mention some interesting signpost decorations along the way. (See the photos below for some examples.)

We’ll start at Pilot Bay, then head up the hill, taking a right on Decourcy Drive, walking the trails to all five viewpoints – with each participant photographing whatever catches their eye.

The first viewpoint is a scenic outlook, while #2 to #4 have public access paths leading down to sandstone beaches which we’ll no doubt want to explore. Viewpoint #5 leads to another sandstone beach, this one with a view of picturesque Turtle Rock. If time permits, we’ll also visit Taylor Bay. The tide will be dropping all morning, so all of the beaches we visit should be accessible.

To join, meet at 10 am at the parking area of Gabriola Sands Provincial Park (AKA “Twin Beaches”). If you’re interested, we’ll plan on an optional 12:30 pm lunch at the Surf afterwards.

Like all our Photo Walkabouts, the event is weather dependent. Though you’re welcome to simply show up, we suggest you let us know if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.

Click on an image to enlarge it and run them in carousel format.

Studio Lighting Equipment on Offer

A longtime Club member is generously donating his collection of studio lighting equipment to our Club as a fundraiser. What’s included:

  • 2 light stands
  • 2 photo flood reflectors
  • 4 incandescent bulbs
  • 1 large tripod with extension boom & balance weight
  • 1 soft box with diffusion filter
  • 2 umbrella reflectors
  • all relevant hardware
  • 1 Nikon SB 600 Speedlite

Please note, this needs to go as a collection, not as individual items, and will need to be picked up from the donor’s home on Gabriola Island. From a quick search through eBay, we estimated the value of the collection at about $500+. Photos of a few of the items on offer appear below.

If you would like to offer a suitable donation to Gabriola Photography Club for this collection please let us know as soon as possible.

Photo Walkabout Part 2 – Thursday, March 28

Nanaimo Dock Walk + Maffeo Sutton Park

Our Club is having another Nanaimo Waterfront/Marina Photo Walkabout on Thursday, March 28, and all are welcome!

On last month’s Walkabout we found there was too much material to photograph, so we stopped about half way along the docks – thus the need for Part 2.

The plan is to start where we left off on the docks, continuing along the seawall to Maffeo Sutton Park as far as the totem pole, then back to Port Place via Front Street. There will be an option to meet at the Pantry at Port Place afterwards (11-ish) for coffee or lunch.

The photo scope is wide open. It might include dock and boat details, rigging, reflections, springtime colours, details of the totem pole, a bit of street photography….whatever fires your imagination!

To join in the Walkabout: meet at the Gabriola ferry terminal at 8:25am, and catch the 8:45am sailing to Nanaimo as a walk-on passenger.

This will be a weather permitting event. Though you’re welcome to simply show up, we suggest you let us know if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.