The pandemic changed the format of our monthly meetings and meet-ups. I am curious if people want to maintain the current monthly Zoom meeting format or are ready for more. For me, the Zoom meetings are a great way to get-together that doesn’t require I drive somewhere. But I enjoy our in-person get-togethers and want to plan some meet-ups and outings. Please review some ideas proposed below and rank them by dragging them in order of preference:
Blog
HEIC to JPG Conversion
The latest Apple iPhone camera format has a more efficient algorithm for storing image information in less space. Unfortunately, unless you work regularly in the Apple environment – MacBook, IPad, IPhone – the format may be unviewable. These are hopefully temporary growing-pain for this new efficient image format as more and more photography programs accept the new format. In the meantime, there are several workarounds to work with or convert HEIC to JPG:
- HEIC to JPG (for Windows, free) https://www.copytrans.net/copytransheic/
I find converting the HEIC to JPG to be one of the easiest solutions and this free utility makes it pretty easy to convert multiple heic to jpg photos. - In Windows 10/11, you can convert a HEIC by viewing the photo in Windows Photo, usually accessed by double-clicking the heic file. You may need to install Microsoft Window’s free file extension:
then click the … in the upper right corner and ‘save as’
then select ‘jpg’. This is easy but if you are doing more than one photo, you’ll have to repeat the process for each image.
- Microsoft Windows Store has a bunch of free and paid apps that will convert HEIC to JPG if you want more features:
Google ‘HEIC to JPG’ and there are plenty of articles that explain many ways to convert HEIC to JPG. I ended up changing my iPhone image format to JPG to eliminate the need to do the conversion since I post many photos online. Once HEIC works with WordPress and browsers, it will become my format of choice. But unitl then, the space savings of the new format are not compelling enough to add the inconvenience of the conversion step.
Googled “HEIC to JPG’ articles: How-To-Geek Article & Tom’s Guide Article
Mar 2023 Theme: Opportunistic
The theme for March is Opportunistic. Everyone wishing to participate can submit one photo that was an unplanned shot that worked out well. For instance, you are out shooting flowers in Borrego Springs a big horn sheep shows up or, you are driving down the road and a rainbow appears. Basically, a photo opportunity that was unplanned. This month’s meeting is only an hour so members are asked to only share one image to fit the time frame. Additional photos can be posted here if you have more than one image you’d like to share.
Since I was not hosting, I did not receive the portfolio of shared images so this theme page only has mine.
Jim Wilkinson
21 Feb 2023: Anza-Borrego Wildflowers
With the unusually wet winter in Southern California, the potential for an extra-special bloom of wildflowers in our local deserts is high. Wanting to try my Nikkor 105mm Macro lens, we spent a few days camping in Borrego Springs in Anza-Borrego State Park.
This is my first trip specifically to view wildflowers and I have no frame of reference to know how much is normal. But there were large patches, particularly of desert verbena, in several areas. Our main drive was on Di Giorgio Road till it ends into Coyote Canyon. We drove another mile up the dirt road before turning around. This area was very windy and the flowers were moving quite a bit. A fast shuttle speed was needed and I waited till there was a lull in the wind before pressing the trigger. Here are some of my favorites:
Discussion
Should we setup a Photography Interest Group Website?- Are members interested in creating their own content? WordPress is like a word processor and creating content and uploading photos is easy. Each member has their own folder and category.
- Would members prefer to keep the website private or allow others like family members to access the site?
- Some areas could be setup as ‘members-only’ like contact info
UCSD hosting – not likely- Managed by Jim with content & updates emailed to him or some combination of admins and authors.
- What should it be called?
ucsdphig.org, ucsdphig.club or ???ucsdphoto.group
Advantages –
- keep track of previous meeting themes and images – great for members who missed a meeting
- add/index links of interest
- find & contact other members
- plan meet-ups, lunches, and photo shoots
- post next meeting date & theme
Gary Wellwood
For more of Gary’s photos, go to flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/193268803@N03/
For Apr 19 2023 Theme ‘Eyes’
