CCforP Booth at Green Fair

Today the Charleston Center for Photography debuted their new eco-friendly printing capabilities by showcasing the Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fiber paper and water soluble inks. Yes, it's still considered archival too. Can you believe it? Renewable resource printing that lasts a lifetime!

I just wanted to let everyone know that all of the proceeds from today will go to help supplement public school art departments by CCforP's community outreach programs. We will be able to purchase film and paper, point-and-shoot cameras and fund school exhibits. Thank you so much for your contributions and making photography a part of America's youth.

I'd like to thank Megan Gamwell, Timothy Pakron and Valerie Yermal for volunteering their Sunday to man the CCforP booth. A big thank you is owed to Sally Hayes, the CCforP printing genius. I'd also like to thank Joe McNally, Bill Frakes, Keith Bedford, Mary Calvert, Alice Keeney, Amelia Phillips-Hale, Dan Hale, Andy Dunaway, David Edwards and J.T. Lock for their thoughtful donations of their beautiful images.

Thank you,

Stacy Pearsall

Joe McNally: I couldn

Joe McNally: I couldn’t imagine not having a blog

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About the Shooter, Not the Gear

I wanted to talk a bit about Canon versus Nikon, Digital SLR versus Compact Digital Camera and Flash or no Flash.

When I was in Africa, I did not have a water housing for my Nikon D2. So, the Navy guys I was with let me use their Canon Power Shot with water housing. I didn't know what I was going to do with it. But, I thought I would just do my best.

We went out into the Djibouti harbor to sweep for bombs and the explosives teams were swimming around the boats. So I got in the water with them and started taking pictures. It was my first attempt at swimming and shooting. I didn't do too well with those. But, after we climbed back into the boat, a storm started to roll in. Huge dark clouds formed and static filled the air. I knew I could make a really great portrait.

The camera had a built in flash, which I didn't use nearly the entire time. I turned the flash on and covered it with one of the sailor's white t-shirts. This helped to diffuse the light a bit. I waited for the American flag to drop down and made the picture.

What's the point of this story? You don't need an expensive Digital SLR to be successful. It's about knowing your surroundings and how to compose a frame. It's about paying attention to all of the small details - including the flash. It doesn't matter whether it's Canon or Nikon, you can make a good picture with a disposable film camera!

What makes a good picture? I'll tell you -- Content, Light, Composition and Exposure. If you can master these four things, then you are well on your way.

This image is by no means spectacular. However, it did win 1st and 2nd place awards in various photo competitions.

-Stacy P