Thoughts from an AWOL leader

Hey everybody! It feels like it's been forever --or, at least half of a forever-- since we hung out / took pictures / made fun of Stephen. First of all, Tropical Storm Ernesto decided to join us on the 2nd, but I decided that he was a poop head and didn't deserve to be part of our group, so we bailed. Then last week our very own Stuart got himself hitched! I was out of town for the wedding, so we can all blame him for a no-show group last week. Finally, this week I'm going to be out of town once again ...and all the people said, "BOO!" and proceeded to throw tomatoes at me --by the way, does anybody really carry tomatoes around with them just in case they get the perfect opportunity to throw it at someone? Do we have any personal testimonies of anybody that has been hit by one of these tomatoes?? Let me know if you have. I'm way too fascinated by this idea.

Moving on... Actually! Speaking of moving, my brother is going to be moving next weekend (23rd) and we would love some help! Our photo shoot will start in the afternoon that day, but ya know, if you're looking for a good pre-photo-shoot workout, moving some boxes and such might do you some good.

Moving on for real now. This semester (if it ever starts) is destined to be greatness! I haven't laid out a calendar yet (any volunteers?? =) but here's a short list of some of the photo shoots / activities we'll be doing as a group. Some of these you will seriously want to mark your calendars for 'cause they're gonna be swiggityeeeetness! Here's the 411:

Cathedral
Rock Creek Park
Old Town, Alexandria (yes, again)
Night Shoot in Federal Triangle
Sunrise (location TBD)
Sunset at Tidal Basin
Old Town Marina
Corn Maize (ahh yeah!)
Apple Picking (who wants to make me some homemade apple pie?!)
Studio Portrait Session

So those are the shoots we'll be doing, and here are some of the "lessons" we'll go over:

Posing for portrait photography
The business of photography (determining prices)
Selling and Publishing your photos
Understanding Lighting
Shooting in Camera RAW
Building a Portfolio

At the end of the semester, we'll do another photo exhibit at Ebenezers like we did back in May. If that goes well, we'll set up an exhibit/display at Mocha Hut and have the chance to sell our photos!

Basically, there is lots to look forward to this semester, and I think it will be a great chance for us to sort of grow with the group. As I said before, we will definitely still cover the basics of photography --yes, that means I'm going to ramble again about the Rule of Thirds, Depth of Field, B&W VS. Color, etc... You love it and you know it =)

In conclusion, no meeting tomorrow (16th), but after that, get ready for a crazy-fun semester! Can't wait to hang with you all again! Keep on telling me how awesome I am! ...and plant a tree while you're at it. (Kips says:) "Peasthe out."