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Community Corner

Des Plaines Camera Club Presents "Flash - Small Unit, Big Impact"

Don Chen - Presentation “Flash - Small Unit, Big Impact”


The presentation is geared towards beginner or intermediate flash users. The key features/operations of flash unit will be explained such as: TTL, sync speed, flash exposure compensation (FEC), high speed sync, first/second curtain sync. It covers the practical techniques under various light conditions (indoors, outdoors) and explains the purposes and effects of certain accessories such as bouncer and diffuser. It also explains how the camera exposure settings (aperture, shutter speed, iso) relate to flash exposure in Manual or TTL mode. The presentation completes with a showcase that demonstrates the use of OCF (off camera flash) technique to greatly improve the photograph.


Don grew up in southern China and came to the States in early 90s.He spent 3 years in Montana where he was amazed and fascinated by the nature beauty around the Rocky Mountains. Yellowstone National Park was his best weekend getaway place during his stay in Montana. He joined Lake County Camera Club in 2004 and has been an active member since. He has vast interests in many areas of photography with the passion and desire to get better and better. In most recent years he has been focusing on studio photography. His portraiture has won several CACCA awards in recently years.

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Anyone interested in photography or in expanding their knowledge or just curious is welcome. The club provides an opportunity to learn from each other, from presentations, from outings and provides an outlet for creative interest. The DPCC meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month September thru May. The meetings are at 7:00 pm at the Arndt Field House in Des Plaines. Questions contact Tom Mulick at 847-894-5112.


 EXCEPTION TO MEETING SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY.  Due to elections in February DPCC will meet on February 11 and February 18 to release the facility to function as a voting precinct.

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