Assignment: Houston

Weekend Planner 7/31 - 8/2/09

White Linen Night in the Heights - The Houston Heights invites community members and art lovers to wear white linen, explore the neighborhood, and celebrate their annual White Linen Night.  There will be art, music, food, lots of shopping and photo opportunities galore.  There is a Flickr group that you can add your photos to once you have processed them.  Saturday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

Downtown Aquarium Shark Weekend - To celebrate shark week the Downtown Aquarium is hosting Shark Weekend. There will be shark divers, dive shows, shark feedings, shark arts & crafts, a moonwalk and liver entertainment. Saturday and Sunday.  Call for times.

Spotlight: Waterwall...

Waterwall... by portseye

Assignment: Fountains

Weekly Reading 07.27.09

Photography 101.8 - The Light Meter
Digital Photography School

How to Photograph Lightning

Digital Photography School

Brand Yourself as an Expert Photographer

Photopreneur

The best camera is one that you actually use

PhotoCritic.org

Guest Blog Wednesday - Chromasia - Seeing the Light

Scott Kelby

The Day I Got Hooked to Live View

All Day I Dream About Photography

Your Photos Now Featured in Facebook Ads

JMG Galleries

Canon EOS Discovery Days

Houston Camera Exchange and Canon have teamed up to bring EOS Discovery Days back to Houston. There are two class options for varying levels of camera experience.

Basic:

- Become familiar with the operation and features of your EOS camera, and discover how and when to control them for dramatic results

- Learn to expand your creative options, using different camera features and photographic techniques to evolve your pictures from snapshots to photographs

Intermediate:

- Discover many of the advanced features on your camera, and how they can be used for great pictures

- Learn creative techniques in composition, camera control, and flash

Classes will be held at the Houston Marriott Westchase from 7-10 p.m. on August 19 for the Basic class and August 20 for the Intermediate class.  Cost is $45.  

Read more and get registration information here:

HCE Canon EOS Discovery Days

Weekend Planner 07/24-7/26/09

Trains - It's the last weekend to get out there and get your train shots to add to the group pool.  The assignment changes on August 1st.  After that no more train shots will be allowed.  It looks like it will be a great weekend for it so get out there!

Elephant Open House - On Saturday morning only, the brand-new, state-of-the-art elephant barn will be open for you to explore.  Each stall will highlight a different aspect of elephant care.  Throughout the morning you'll be able to meet the keepers who care for the elephants at the Houston Zoo home. Continental breakfast included. $50

Aww Shucks - If you feel like a little road trip you can head up to Brenham which is halfway between Houston and Austin and visit the Barrington Living History Farm and learn all about corn!  Discover the various ways corn was prepared and cooked in 19th century Texas. Pick, shuck, shell, and grind corn. Learn preservation techniques and many curious uses for all parts of the corn plant, plus enjoy a variety of other corny activities.  Saturday and Sunday.  10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. $5

HCP Family Day - It's time to start preparing the next generation of photographers and what better way than Family Day at the Houston Center for Photography.  Projects include sunprints, collage people, projected drawings, frame making, digital portraits and a project in HCP’s Digital Darkroom.  Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.  FREE.

Spotlight: River Oaks Reflections

River Oaks Reflections by monroyrios

Assignment: River Oaks Shopping Center/Alabama Bookstop

Weekly Reading 07.20.09

How to Survive a Down Economy as a Photographer
Digital Photography School

9 Pet Photography Tips

Digital Photography School

One. Two. Three. White Background

DIY Photography

Road Trip!  New Tips for On-The-Road Photography

Photojojo

The Consequences of Creativity

Chase Jarvis

An ID Tag for your Camera

LeggNet's Digital Capture

Photo Triplet: Houston Astros

This week's photo triplet by sulla55.  

Weekend Planner 7/17-7/19/09

All Weekend

Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows - An indoor dog show (yay for air conditioning) held in Houston's Reliant Center. Along with breed judging and obedience, you can watch agility dogs racing over obstacle courses, flyball teams hurdling to beat the clock, and four-footed athletes catching Frisbees and dancing to music. $10

 

Spacefest: 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing - A multi-day celebration culminating on Monday the 20th with events coordinated with the help of NASA and Rice University.  Some of the activities planned for the weekend are kid-friendly interactive exhibits and hands on activities, NASA mobile exhibit, “Discovery Dome” featuring “Future Moon” honoring the Apollo astronauts, live music and screenings of films including "Apollo 13" and "In the Shadow of the Moon."  Free.

Saturday 7/18

Fly Me to the Moon - A celebration in Clear Lake to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. Entertainment, games, a family-style picnic and a viewing of the lunar landing on a giant screen. Free.

Houston Roller Derby - The ladies of the Houston Roller Derby are rolling again at Kick's on Shepherd. The bout will feature HRD's all-star team, the HaRD Knocks, taking on the Texas Rollergirls' Honky Tonk Heartbreakers from Austin and two exhibition teams featuring non-travel team HRD members facing off. $12

Spotlight: Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun by jjsala
Assignment: Places of Worship