“The Color Green” is competition theme

By Rex Dolby

“The Color Green” is the competition theme for the Wassenberg Camera Club meeting Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Wassenberg Art Center. The meeting will have a double draw, because you will be able to see the current watercolor exhibit as well as compete in our monthly photo contest. In addition, members will determine the categories from the suggestions they bring that will be submitted to the fair board for their photography competition this year.

With the weather what it is, photographing green outside may be a little difficult. As a result, check what can be photographed indoors. Such things as house-plants, green fruits and vegetables, fabrics, and money for that matter, would all be possible subjects. Plants in an arboretum, such as the one in Fort Wayne, would be another choice.

Green can vary from very dark to very light and from near yellow to near blue. These ranges provide a lot of greens to consider. This is particularly true if you remember how the Gulf looks around the Destin, Florida area.

Since green is considered more of a natural color than what you might call a dynamic color, you’ll want to look for details, shadows, and blends that will add interest to the picture. Because red is a contrasting color to green, some shade of red in the picture may make the greens stand out more. Just be careful not to include so much red that it draws the eye away from the greens.

Including details in the greens will probably be more successful if the camera is on a tripod. Using a smaller lens opening (f stop) to increase the depth of field so more will be in sharp focus means that a slower shutter speed will need to be used to allow sufficient light to strike the camera’s sensor. That perfect balance may require several tries before you see the exposure that really pleases you.

Taking a good picture requires some tenacity and luck to find that special image and know-how to capture it. May you experience all three as you plan for your next shot.

If you have any questions regarding the camera club, classes or programs or would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are: Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.