Digital Dimensions & Beyond
Monthly Meetings
Monthly meetings are the 3rd Thursday of every month. We meet at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, KS unless otherwise stated.
Asbury United Methodist Church
5400 W 75th St
Prairie Village, KS 66208
View Map
You may arrive as early as 6 pm for social time and chatting with other members. The speakers or main program begins at 6:30 pm and runs until approximately 8:30 pm. There will be a few minutes after the meeting ends to finish catching up or ask questions, but we must be out of the meeting room by 9 pm. Bring along images to share with everyone as well as old copies of your favorite photography magazines to pass along to others.
A usual meeting runs about two hours in length. The first hour consists of a guest speaker with the second hour containing announcements and a member slideshow.
We also have a Swap and Shop table in the meeting sign up area. If you've got some photo equipment or books that are looking for a new home, bring it to the meeting.
Past Meetings
March 15, 2018
Bill Blackledge
Bird Photography & "How he got the shot!"
Bill Blackledge has traveled the World pursuing his passion of exploring and photographing remote and wild places both above and below the oceans. From the remote jungles and coral atolls of Borneo and Papua New Guinea to the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands of South America, he has lived a life that most photographers can only dream. Throughout his travels he is most proud of his images that have helped promote Eco friendly tourism as an alternative means to support local economies where subsistence living has often resulted in habitat destruction that threatens rare and endangered endemic species.
As a former professional sports photographer he also spent years as a side-lines photographer in the National Football League and also shot the US Women's National Soccer Team.
Recent awards include 1st Place in the Missouri River Bird Observatory annual fund-raising for conservation photography competition and multiple honors in the 2017 Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge photography competition including Alternate Best of Show, First Place for Landscapes, and Second Place for People In Nature.
A Missouri resident, he is a state Master Naturalist, a member of the Burroughs Audubon Chapter, and a board member of the Northland Photography Club.
February 15, 2018
Editing Challenge
Committee will send out three images, Nature, People and Other. Club members will submit their corrected images to be shown at the meeting.
January 18, 2018
KC Star Sports Photographer John Sleezer
We’re very excited to have long time local resident and Kansas City Star Sports photographer, John Sleezer with us to discuss his photography.
December 1, 2017
Lenexa Exhibit
Club Photo exhibit at the new Lenexa City Hall building (details were sent by email to members)
** There will be no regular meeting at the church for December. **
November 16, 2017
Craig McCord (Website)
Craig will discuss equipment and techniques for long exposure photography.
Over the years Craig has worked with 35mm, 645 and 6x7 medium format, as well as 4x5 large format cameras, honing skills and developing his photographic style along the way. Now, with the tremendous advances in technology and the digital dark room, he work exclusively with digital SLR capture. Craig enjoys great personal satisfaction from photographic pursuits and is always looking to grow both technically and artistically. However, what he finds equally rewarding is teaching others the art and craft of photography. Based in the Midwest, he conducts landscape photography workshops in south central Missouri and the Flint Hills of Kansas .
**SATURDAY** October 21, 2017
Weston, MO
Please note we will not be having our regular meeting on Thursday and will be having a field trip to Weston, MO instead. Details to follow.
September 21, 2017
Mike Jensen
Lightroom Presentation
August 17, 2017
Blake Rudis
Blake Rudis is a self-published author and the host of f64 Academy (formerly everydayhdr.com) While his focus has been strong in HDR photography for the past five years or so, he is most passionate about postprocessing images in Photoshop and mentoring others.
Blake takes great pride in his Fine Art background. From Acrylic and Oil Painting to Printmaking and Sculpture he has had his hands in just about every art form. This has been paramount in shaping his ideologies on Photography and Post Processing.
For Blake, it is not about the act of photography, but the artistic process as a whole.
Monthly Tip
Rusty Parkhurst-Shooting an eclipse
July 20, 2017 7pm-After dark
Shawnee Mission Park Shoot
Shelter 12 (Map)
Arrive at 7pm, dinner at 7:30pm, Night sky photography presentation by Mike Jensen followed by sunset and night sky photography.
Download Mike's notes on Night Photography here: Basics of Night Photographs
June 15, 2017
Patrick Nabors
Local photographer Patrick Nabors has been involved in breeding tropical frogs and lizards for many years, and has supplied dozens of zoos and institutions, as well as the general public, with these creatures. Several years ago he began exploring using a digital camera to capture images of these creatures, which led to photography becoming a serious hobby. About five years ago he began working with a couple of professional photographers, putting on macro photography workshops in which the photographers bring their clients to photograph a variety of tree frogs, dart frogs, lizards and snakes, posed in various pleasing presentations. Recently, Patrick has begun offering workshops for individuals or small groups. More information and samples of the sorts of shots possible can be found at his website, RainForest Jewels
Monthly Tip
Bill Mitchell-Olympus Camera
May 18, 2017
Bruce Matthews
Kansas City photographer, author and historian
Born and bred in his beloved Kansas City, Bruce Mathews is a professional photographer and author. He was chosen as a 2011 recipient of the prestigious Kansas City Spirit Award, given annually to individuals whose lives demonstrate the indomitable “esprit de corps” for which our city is known. He has published four books in collaboration with Kansas City Star Books.
Monthly Tip
Joe Sands-Flash Triggering
April 20, 2017
Michelle Schwartz
iPhone Photography
March 16, 2017
Reed Hoffman
Painting with Light
February 16, 2017
Mike McMullen
Black & White Photography
Monthly Tip
Jim Rendina-Using LED lights for macro photography
January 19, 2017
Club Member Photo Contest
Club members are invited to submit up to three images for judging by the meeting attendees. Prizes will be awarded based on voting.
We will also have our annual Swap&Shop prior to the meeting if you've got any equipment you'd like to sell or trade.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Annual Club Christmas Shoot
Trollies at the Nelson/Country Club Plaza - 4 locations.
November 17, 2016
Chris Vleisides-Royals Sports Photographer
October 20, 2016
Bill Coulter-Wildlife Photography
September 15, 2016
Blake Rudis HDR Photo Critique
Send HDR images to the regular slideshow email, put "Blake Rudis" in the title. Blake will select images to critique.
August 18th
Reed Hoffman - Flash Photography
July 21st 7:15pm
Field Trip Meeting-Liberty Memorial
Please click here for details.
June 23rd, 2016 [PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL DATE!]
Meeting & Field Trip at Unity Village in Lee's Summit.
Please click here for details.
Map of Meeting Location
Map of Unity Village
May 19th, 2016
Club Member Tips & Tricks
Exclusive evening of photo tips! We are asking members to come prepared to share their favorite photography tip or trick.
- 5 minute maximum
- No powerpoint presentation required - just talk!
Be focused (no pun intended) and tell us some sort of secret sauce. This will be a great opportunity for members to participate and learn from each other!
Monthly Tip
You're it baby.
April 21, 2016
Mark Bracewell
“What a grip does and everything else you want to know about the film industry that doesn’t happen in front of the camera!”
Mark has an extensive background behind the scenes as a grip & gaffer for several feature film productions that were shot locally as well as commercials and other film work.
Monthly Tip
Mike Farley - Back Button Focus
March 17, 2016
Craig McCord-Prairie Fire Photography
Over the years Craig has worked with 35mm, 645 and 6x7 medium format, as well as 4x5 large format cameras, honing skills and developing his photographic style along the way. Now, with the tremendous advances in technology and the digital dark room, he work exclusively with digital SLR capture. Craig enjoys great personal satisfaction from photographic pursuits and is always looking to grow both technically and artistically. However, what he finds equally rewarding is teaching others the art and craft of photography. Based in the Midwest, he conducts landscape photography workshops in south central Missouri and the Flint Hills of Kansas.
Monthly Tip
John Caulfield-What is the deal with apple boxes and why are there no apples?
February 18, 2016
April Watson-Nelson Art Museum Curator
Monthly Tip
Jim Rendina-Snow. +1 or -1?
January 21, 2016
Larry Thomas - Keys to Good Composition
Larry is a local artist as well as head of the photography department at Johnson County Community College & has juried many competitions. He will present on the many topics related to composition in taking better and more visually pleasing photographs. Knowing and understanding the traditional “rules” is vital - even if it’s only so you know the right time to break them.
Swap and Shop
We will set up 3-4 tables inside the meeting room and one table for “Free Stuff” in entryway registration area. So start digging through your camera treasures including studio equipment, training videos, cameras, lenses etc. Bring almost anything related to photography – don’t bring your old CB radios! Also don’t forget stuff for the “free tables” magazines, Nikon cameras etc.
December 2015
Holiday/Christmas Shoot
InterContinental Hotel on the Plaza
November 19, 2015
The return of wildlife photographer Nappadol Paothong
Noppadol Paothong is a staff photographer at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Before he joined the MDC, he had worked as a photo journalist at daily newspapers - the Joplin Globe (Joplin, Missouri) and Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri). His main role is to contribute to the MDC’s monthly magazine, Missouri Conservationist, and many other MDC’s publications. With a monthly circulation of over 500,000, the Missouri Conservationist is known as one of the largest state conservation magazines.
Noppadol's web site can be found here.
October 15, 2015
Planning and executing a successful photography trip
Presented by Reed Hoffman
Reed Hoffman’s photography career has spanned more than 30 years, beginning with jobs at newspapers in the Midwest, South and East. Now in Kansas City, he divides his time between shooting and teaching. His corporate clients have included USA Today, The New York Times, The Associated Press, NBC, Children’s Mercy Hospital, EPA, Reuters, Nikon, Lexar, Lowepro, Eco-Challenge and Mark Burnett Productions.
Monthly Tip
Dennis Chapman-Mirrorless Cameras
September 17, 2015
Home Grown Meeting!
John and Dennis-Discussing metering & camera modes
Mike Farley-Mechanics of shooting motorsports
Clay Miller-Shoot Like a Pro summary
August 20, 2015
Sports Photography
Presented by Matthew Hicks
Matthew Hicks began his career as a small town newspaper photographer. Covering news and local NCAA Division II college athletics Matthew quickly noticed the lack of coverage small college athletics was getting.
After a move to the Kansas City area in 2001 to work at the Olathe Daily News, Matthew began covering numerous athletics events in the KC area exclusively for small market schools.
In 2006 Matthew left the full-time employed world to work exclusively as a contract athletics photographer.
Today Matthew is Kansas City's leading small market athletics photographer. His clients include: The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), Ottawa University, The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Kansas City T-Bones to name a few!
Monthly Tip
Mike Farley-How to Pack for a Trip
