April 26 Photo Walkabout: Decourcy Loop (Gabriola)

Posted on April 12, 2024 by gabephotoclub

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.

Sandstone shoreline in foreground with stairs leading down to beach on right and bright sky with clouds in background. — © Corinne Flaws

Closeup of eroded sandstone shore — © Corinne Flaws

Photo Walkabout Part 2 – Thursday, March 28

Posted on March 17, 2024 by gabephotoclub

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.

Getting to WOW: 7 Strategies for Photographers – April 3

Posted on March 14, 2024 by gabephotoclub

With special guest presenter, Judy Hancock Holland

Perhaps you’ve been making photos for a while now and you’ve mastered the basics. Your photography is pretty solid, but how do you move from good to WOW? How do you take the next step to create images with impact and emotion – that are uniquely yours and stand out from the crowd?

Join us as award-winning photographer Judy Hancock Holland shows us seven things we can do – no matter our level of expertise or our genre – to take our work from ordinary to WOW.

Judy’s photographic work has been exhibited in Canada, the US, and Europe. She’s an award winning photographer and lifelong educator who loves to coach and mentor others. While she is best known for her minimalist work, she enjoys a variety of other genres including macro, abstracts and floral photography.

You can find more info and some of her images on her 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 April 1 to sign up.

Making Monochrome Magic – March 6

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Laurie MacBride, Eye on Environment

With special guest presenter, Lee Nordbye

At our March 6 Club meeting, Lee Nordbye will be presenting a talk entitled “Making Monochrome Magic”.

Lee will focus on the art of creating bold black and white imagery by listening to your heart and gut. He’ll present his process, from inspiration to printing, saying that for him, fieldwork and editing are a 50/50 partnership in creating a monochrome work of art. He’ll devote time to walking us through what he looks for in the field and, in some detail, his editing process. He’ll also discuss how to prepare your images for printing, and the critical decisions you need to make before the image comes off the printer.

Lee is an award-winning landscape photographer, speaker, and teacher based in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. He is known for a bold style that highlights the intimate details and nuances of the natural world. A fine art photographer with an adventurous spirit, Lee enjoys spending time outdoors and immersing himself in his subject. His elegant and soulful approach to photography is matched by a passion to challenge himself, explore wild places, and have fun while doing it. Here’s Lee’s website to find out more about him and his photography.

The meeting will be held via Zoom. The link will be send out to all Gabriola Photography Club members a few days beforehand. Make sure your membership is up to date (paid for 2024) so that you are sure to 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 March 4 to sign up.

Photo Walkabout – Friday, February 23

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Laurie MacBride, Eye on Environment

Gabriola Photography Club members and friends are planning a Nanaimo Waterfront / Marina Photo Walkabout on Friday, Feb. 23. All are welcome!

We’ll meet at the Gabriola ferry terminal at 8:20am, to catch the 8:40am sailing to Nanaimo as walk-on passengers.

We will walk around the Promenade from the Nanaimo ferry dock to the marina ramp. The goal is to walk every marina dock/pier (other than the few with gated access of course), and finish up at the Newcastle Island ferry pier.

The photo scope is wide open and whatever inspires you. We encourage photographers to look for the smaller view and try some detail photography. Some subjects might be reflections, dock cleats, colourful boat fenders, etc.

For more photo opportunities, we might consider returning to the Gabriola ferry by cutting through Maffeo Sutton Park. There will be an option to meet at the Pantry at Port Place at 11ish for coffee and lunch.

This will be a weather permitting event. Let us know if you plan to attend, so that we can keep you informed of any last-minute changes.

Gabriola Photography Club

Island photographers focused on fun!

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