Photochrome Camera Club

Adobe introduced the Digital Negative several years ago as an Open Standard. The basic idea is to replace the manufacturer-unique raw file formats with a standard open to everyone. While only a few camera manufacturers have adopted the standard as their raw format, it may still be useful for you to convert your camera raw files into DNG formatted files. The reasons are twofold:

1. Adobe has committed to support the DNG format long term. The manufacturer of your camera has made no such commitment. In fact, some manufacturers have dropped support of older raw formats already.

2. But there may be an even better reason. Since Adobe has supported DNGs since Photoshop CS, converting your raw files into DNGs means you would not need to update your version of Photoshop if you get a new camera. Just download the free DNG Convertor from Adobe, convert your files, and you are ready to edit that award winning shot.

Looking for a new place to capture that award winning shot?  Here’s a couple of resources:

Check out Bay Nature magazine.  You might some find new places and ideas. The most recent issue has short articles on Roy’s Redwood, in Marin, Leona Canyon, in the East Bay, Lands End, in San Francisco, and Sierra Azul, in the South Bay.

If you’re looking for more urban shots, check out San Francisco Chronicle writer John King’s guide to public places in the City.  It’s not clear if cameras/tripods are allowed in these places so be aware that you might be asked to leave.

February Color News

Tonight, we travel. Connie Louie and Alan Heald have these treats in store for us.
Connie in Kenya:
Kenya is a country about the size of Texas that has preserved much natural land in reserves and parks. Join me in a photo slideshow to three very best areas in the country. First, to Samburu National Reserve,
northwest of Nairobi, where the ever illusive leopards live along with large numbers of elephants
and five species that are not found anywhere else in Kenya: gerenuk gazelle, reticulated
giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, the Somali ostrich, and the oryx. Second, south of Samburu, to Lake Nakuru where there are thousands of flamingos along the lakeside with pelicans, fish eagles, rhinos, and buffalos. And lastly, the crown jewel of Kenya, to Masai Mara where cheetahs, lions, and leopards are frequently found.
Alan on the Danube:
Alan and his wife Carol, flew to Europe for a two week cruise down the Danube. They began near Prague, Czechoslovakia, and ending up in Budapest, Hungary. Images reveal the interesting scenery along the way as the ship navigated the hundreds of locks which make navigation possible. One side trip
featured a sobering trip to an infamous Nazi concentration camp, Terezenstadt, which is now maintained as a holocaust museum.

The remainder of the journey was much happier fare, as we traveled down the river through Czechoslovakia, Germany, Austria and Hungary.

Meet in front of the Ferry Building at 9:30. It’s located at the foot of Market Street and is accessible in all directions by MUNI with a short walk across the Embarcadero Plaza. This historic building opened in 1898 as a focal point for East Bay and Marin residents arriving and departing from San Francisco. Today it offers a unique location where dedicated merchants, regional farmers and ranchers provide wholesome food products. The marketplace is situated outdoors in front and back of the Ferry Building giving good natural lighting. Flash attachments may be necessary for indoor shoots where movement of people is unavoidable. This field trip offers opportunity for diverse types of photography such as architectural, commercial, abstract, macro, flowers and candid. Hope to see you there.