One of the more creative and rewarding social activities open to adults over the age of 55 is photography, which is offered in a social setting by Moose Jaw’s own camera club. Photography helps enhance cognitive functions including memory, keeps the brain healthy and active, and boosts creativity.

The Moose Jaw Camera Club currently has around 35 active members and meets on the second Monday of each month from September to June at 7 p.m. The meeting place is the Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre, located at 235 Third Avenue Northeast across from Crescent Park in Moose Jaw’s historic downtown.

The club operates with the mission of fostering an appreciation for photography as an art form.

“You’re capturing a moment in time when you take a photo. There’s a great satisfaction (in that) – at least for me there is,” said Wanda Hudson, the club’s membership manager and assistant programming committee member.

At the camera club, members come together to exchange information and share in a mutual learning activity. Newer photographers are given an opportunity to learn from seasoned and experienced members, and a range of optional outings help give focus to the learning experience.

Several of the club’s members even get the opportunity to have their works showcased on the east wall at Carol’s Catering, located at 820 North Service Road.

When members of the camera club were asked about their reasons for joining, the most common response was to interact with like-minded people. This included a frequent mention of the social aspect of the club, as well as the shared sense of camaraderie.

Other members were simply interested in photography, and many wanted to learn new camera techniques or methods.

Two members said they enjoyed the guest speakers who regularly attend meetings, and others mentioned the club’s activities. In one of the club’s previous activities, balloons were inflated and then popped, while members who had a camera set up on a tripod took a shot at capturing the exact moment the balloon exploded.

In one outing, Hudson recalled a memorable experience where she and a few members attempted to photograph the northern lights around Moose Jaw. After nearly giving up, the iconic lights began to glow at the exact time the members were packing up to leave. As a result of the night’s excursion, Hudson said she witnessed some of the most beautiful pictures of the northern lights she’s ever seen.

“There are all kinds of fun things we try. That’s where (members) get the hands-on (experience) and (try) new things they haven’t done,” she said.

This year’s upcoming events include:

• Feb. 12: Will include a “Landscape” critique and a workshop called “Another Focus” presented by Kim Schneider. There will also be a used photography equipment sale that might benefit new members or those without their own camera equipment.
• Feb. 24: Will include an outing at McMaster Studio covering a “Posing & Lighting Demonstration” and led by Mark Duffy starting at 11 a.m.
• March 11: Will include a slideshow and presentation about “Environmental Photography” presented by Branimir Gjetvaj.
• March 23: Will include an outing at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park titled “Wildlife, Buffalo, Birds and Babies.”
• April 8: Will include a slideshow and presentation by Rob Harden titled “Altered Reality.”
• April 27: Will include an outing in downtown Moose Jaw titled “Buildings of Moose Jaw.”
• May 13: Will include a critique titled “Reflections,” as well as a “Water Works” workshop led by Wanda Hudson.
• May 25: Will include an outing with details to be announced and titled “Pow Wow.”
• June 10: Will include a slide show and the club’s Annual General Meeting. There will also be a year-end photography competition with an “Open Theme” and a year-end party with details to follow.
• Late June: Will include an outing titled “Night Photography” with a time, date, and details to follow.

“The last two (members) that signed up at our last meeting were a new couple that moved to town (and were) anxious to perfect their cameras, take pictures and learn things. I think they are retiring here, so it’s going to be a fun pastime for them,” Hudson added. The club offers an exceptional retirement hobby for anyone expressing an interest in photography.

More information can be found online at TheMooseJawCameraClub.com or in one of the club’s brochures.

To inquire about upcoming events or to apply as a member, contact either Wanda Hudson at 306-631-7440 or Leonard Ber at 306-693-7865.

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TRAVERSE CITY — When the Michigan Wolverines football team scored a victory at the Rose Bowl season semifinals on Jan. 1, Traverse City aerial photographer Tyler Leipprandt achieved his own triumphant accomplishment.

Leipprandt snapped an iconic photo of a U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bomber flying over 95,000 fans at the Pasadena, California stadium during pregame activities. Minutes after posting the photo during half-time, the image was picked up by ESPN and quickly went viral. Before long it showed up on Pure Michigan and major news sites. Leipprandt said the photo has since had tens of millions of views.

“The cherry on top was the Wolverines winning the national championship,” he said. “People want to remember the season in one photo — and that was it.”

After serving as a teacher for 11 years, Leipprandt and his family located to Traverse City in 2020 where he founded Michigan Sky Media. Capturing the Rose Bowl shot had been at the top of his bucket list. He had already photographed scenes dangling from the top of the Mackinac Bridge and had taken numerous shots above the Wolverines’ home stadium in Ann Arbor. He also shoots for the Traverse City Record-Eagle lifestyle publication, GT Scene.

Once he learned the team would compete at the Rose Bowl, he set a plan in action. Getting his dream shot became a dance between coordination, skill and luck. Leipprandt first set about chartering a helicopter. The chopper company took on the job of obtaining permits for the flyover in accordance with FAA temporary stadium flight restrictions.

“It wasn’t until the morning of the game that we got the final approval,” he said.

Leipprandt was accompanied by his brother Marshall, an Air Force veteran, who would shoot video. They arrived at the stadium with five cameras, just 10 minutes before the flyover. Chopper doors were removed allowing the photographer to lean out for a clear view.

The Air Force plane flew at a speed of 300 miles per hour at 2,000 feet. The chopper hovered at 4,000 feet.

“The stealth bomber flew over the mountains. It was very hard to see in the air and we didn’t want to miss the shot,” Leipprandt said. “The helicopter drifted too far, then, we were over the field at the last second.”

Leipprandt snapped 50 shots. “Right after I took it, I said ‘I got it. I got it. I got it’ — hoping it was in focus and the aircraft was positioned in a good spot.”

He leaned back in the copter and breathed a sigh of relief.

The popularity of the image resulted in hundreds of orders pouring into his business. He said the entire family is working to fulfill requests.

“Taking the number one photo on my bucket list on January 1, 2024, leaves me scratching my head about what I’d do next,” he said.

Still, he has the spark of a new dream.

“I’d like to have a collection of Big 10 stadiums and come out with a coffee table book.”

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In an impressive display of celestial photography, Miguel Claro, a renowned Portuguese photographer, authored a remarkable time-lapse video of a solar prominence eruption. His expertise as the official astrophotographer for the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve and as a Photo Ambassador for the European Southern Observatory is evident in his latest capture of solar activity from February 22, 2022.

A solar prominence is essentially a large loop of electrified gas that follows magnetic fields emanating from the sun, sometimes reaching great heights that dwarf the Earth in comparison. These plasma-filled loops are somewhat mysterious to solar scientists, who continue to investigate their origins.

Claro’s dedication on the day of the event led to him altering his camera setup in order to capture a wider view of the rapidly expanding solar event. The final time-lapse movie he produced presents about 2 hours and 15 minutes of solar activity in exquisite 4K resolution, offering a rare glimpse of our star’s dynamic surface and its colossal scale.

As the time approaches for the next total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, Claro’s work provides inspiration for amateur astronomers and photographers. However, it’s crucial to remember that photography of the sun requires the use of proper solar filters to prevent damage to both equipment and eyesight. High-quality telescopes with solar filtering capabilities, like the Unistellar Equinox 2, are recommended for those who wish to safely capture solar phenomena.

Summary: Miguel Claro, a professional astrophotographer, captured a significant solar eruption on February 22, 2022. This detailed solar prominence time-lapse highlights Claro’s skill and reminds future eclipse seekers of the necessity for proper solar filtration in photography.

FAQ Section for “Astrophotographer Miguel Claro Captures a Solar Prominence Eruption”

What did Miguel Claro capture on February 22, 2022?
Miguel Claro captured a time-lapse video of a solar prominence eruption. This video compresses around 2 hours and 15 minutes of solar activity into a high-resolution 4K movie showcasing the dynamic nature of the sun’s surface.

Who is Miguel Claro?
Miguel Claro is a renowned Portuguese photographer who is the official astrophotographer for the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve and a Photo Ambassador for the European Southern Observatory.

What is a solar prominence?
A solar prominence is a large loop of charged gas, or plasma, that extends outward from the sun, following its magnetic field lines. Such loops can reach heights many times the size of Earth and are a topic of study for solar scientists.

Why is proper equipment important when photographing solar events?
Using proper solar filters is essential to prevent damage to both the photography equipment and the observer’s eyesight. High-quality telescopes like the Unistellar Equinox 2 with built-in solar filtering capabilities are recommended for safely capturing solar phenomena.

How does Claro’s work relate to the upcoming total solar eclipse?
Claro’s work, particularly his recent capture of the solar prominence eruption, serves as an inspiration for amateur astronomers and photographers planning to observe and record the next total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. It also emphasizes the importance of using proper solar filtration to safely photograph the sun.

Key Terms and Definitions:
– Astrophotographer: A photographer who specializes in capturing images of astronomical objects and events.
– Solar Prominence: A large, bright feature extending outward from the Sun’s surface, often in a loop shape, composed of plasma.
– Time-lapse Video: A video created by taking a sequence of frames at set intervals to record changes that take place slowly over time and then playing the frames back at normal speed.
– Solar Filter: A special filter designed to safely observe and photograph the sun by reducing its brightness and blocking harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation.

Suggested Related Links:
– European Southern Observatory
– International Dark-Sky Association (While not the direct link to Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, this is the main organization for dark sky preservation, which may be of interest.)

Roman Perkowski is a distinguished name in the field of space exploration technology, specifically known for his work on propulsion systems for interplanetary travel. His innovative research and designs have been crucial in advancing the efficiency and reliability of spacecraft engines. Perkowski’s contributions are particularly significant in the development of sustainable and powerful propulsion methods, which are vital for long-duration space missions. His work not only pushes the boundaries of current space travel capabilities but also inspires future generations of scientists and engineers in the quest to explore the far reaches of our solar system and beyond.

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Jenna Wells meets the veteran photographers taking part in the ‘Veterans in Focus’ exhibit at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center showing the healing power of recreation therapy.