Meeting will be: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 6:30 pm

Nature observation is a fundamental practice that we, as Naturalists, engage in every day. Each of us is drawn towards something different in nature, be it a silent flock of migrating waxwings, a lonely primrose by the creek, the sight of an approaching thunderstorm or a sudden crop of mushrooms on a favorite trail. It is this simple act of acquiring information from the primary source using our senses that connects us with our environment and defines us as Naturalists.

Photography is an effective way of collecting, documenting and sharing our observations. Given that most of us have a smartphone with us everywhere we go, we will see how powerful this tool can be for a naturalist. Access to a camera is easier and cheaper than ever before!

Learn simple techniques to create compelling pictures that tell a story. Get introduced to principles of positioning and balance that help you get sharp and quick compositions out in the field or sitting at your desk. Find answers to some common challenges!

‘Why do I get blurred pictures?’

‘Why is the horizon crooked on my panoramas?’

‘Urgg!! My phone focuses on the background instead of the wildflower!’

‘How do I photograph for iNaturalist?’

If you can look at and admire beauty in nature, then you can certainly teach yourselves to photograph the same. Come, find inspiration to photograph with confidence and add your pictures to the stories you share this year.

Note: Although the talk highlights smartphone cameras, it is equally relevant to a user of any camera. You are welcome to bring along any camera you are comfortable with.

About the Speaker: Stalin SM

A Dallas resident for the past three years, Stalin grew up in a small town in southern India (not Russia!). He was introduced to the NTMN community through Jim Varnum and Dana Wilson within weeks of moving to Texas. He certified as a Texas Master Naturalist (North Texas Chapter) in 2015. Volunteering and learning with the NTMN community has made his stay here in the US more meaningful than anything else. Passionate about traveling and being outdoors in nature, he enjoys gardening, trekking and motorcycling through the Indian subcontinent.

He sees photography as an extension of his passions and a way to share what he enjoys with others. The magic of preserving memories through a photograph captivated him from a very early age. He took it up as a serious hobby in college when he got himself a ‘camera phone’ back in 2005. Since then he has photographed with various point-and-shoot cameras and an array of digital SLRs. He has been part of multiple nature expeditions as a documentary photographer. Personally, he considers these contributions more satisfying than the photography contests he has won.

Stalin has a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the National Institute of Technology – Trichy, India. He works as a Semiconductor Design Engineer with Texas Instruments. Along with his partner Dodi, he immensely enjoys connecting kids with nature and cooking spicy Indian food for their friends.

The March 2018 Chapter meeting:

Date: Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Schedule:
6:30 Meet and eat
7:00 Introduction and Announcements
7:20 Featured Presentation
8:45 Adjournment

The meeting place for March is:

Meadows Conference Center
Oak Corner Conference Room
2900 Live Oak Street
Dallas, TX 75204
214-821-0911

As always all of our meetings are free and open to the public.

Hope to see YOU there!