MWGL Photography Committee

Charter and Mission:

The Mission of the Photography committee is to document the travels of the Grand Master and his team and to be aware of news worthy events that spotlight Masonry.  The Committee will provide photos and information for the Grand Lodge Web Site via the Photography Archive, in addition to providing submitals to the Monitor, the Tribune and any local newspapers that the Committee members can contact which will publish an article,  all the better to get the word out about Masonry.

Appointed Members:

VWDarrel L. Womack, Chairman
WB.Todd Johnstone


Volunteers:

If you can not dedicate the time and mileage to become an official member, your contributions are always welcome.  Contact the Chairman so we can list part time volunteers who can be available in different parts of the state.

Photographers Needed:

You must be willing to attend events in your area that are visited by the Grand Master. Be willing to upload your photos to the Photography Archive within 2 days of an event.  Prompt availability of results is critical.  Follow the Photography Guidelines posted on this site.

Look at the equipment considerations in the right hand column to see if your equipment will work.  Use of a hot shoe flash is essential. 

Contact Darrel L. Womack for further information.

Upload Your Photographs to Grand Lodge Photo Archive

It is simple to contribute your photos to the Photo Archive. If you have photographed a Grand Lodge event or a visit of the Grand Master go to the Drop Box (on any photo archive web page) [Looks like a box with an arrow in it, usually upper right corner]

Click on drop box, Put in your name, email address, and a description of the event listing:

  • What: what was the event
  • When: Time and Date of Event (important if you are not uploading on that date)
  • Where: Where was it held.
  • Who: Names of the people in the photograph.

It is important for all Grand Lodge Photographers to include the four "W's" with their photos.  Make certain your name is there to give proper photo credit. If possible include a photograph or scan of the event program.

Grand Lodge Photography Guidelines:

Remember that you are presenting Masonry to the public use descression and respect privacy.  When photographing an event consider composition and lighting, note the equipment recommendations to the right.  Use of a good quality external flash is essential, bounce if possible.  This will evenly light the entire scene, not just burn in the closest person.  View some of the events on the Photography Archive to see the effects of lighting on group photographs.  You are involved in documenting the Masonic History of the Fraternity if you can do better than what you see on the Archive PLEASE do so and become a contributor.  It is essential that you upload your photos to the site within 2 days of an event, that provides the best service to the Brethren.  Always remember the 4 W's above when providing inputs.
Equipment Requirements for Photographers:

Note: I'm familiar with Nikon, please email me with Cannon and other  brand high end DSLR models so I can add them here. (Todd)

Camera:  Camera should be a high end digital SLR with vibration reduction or image stabalization either in the camera or the lens.  10MP or better resolution.  Examples: Nikon D90, D3000 etc  If quality of the end product is good resolution can be as low as 5MP.  Typical point and shoot cameras have no ability to use an external flash, and will work only at very close range.  Cell phone cameras will never work well enough to get the desired results.

  • Examples:
    • Nikon: D90, D80, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000, D5100, D7000, Older D50 is 5mp but gives good results too and works with all the lenses.
    • Cannon: EOS Rebel T3, 60D, 7D, 5D, 1D, 50D
    • Pentax: 645D, D-5,K-5,  K-r, K-x
    • Others?
  • Note: Non-DSLR cameras like the Nikon P7000 and the Cannon SX-20 will work well if used with an external Flash that takes full advantage of the camera.

Lens:  Due to the variety of situations you will encounter, and the minimal time available to change lenses a good quality zoom lens with image stabelization similar to the Nikon 18-200 VR is desired.  This will allow for group photos (wide angle) and ability to get head and shoulders of people in the east from most places in the lodge room.

  • Examples:
    • Nikon: 18-200VR, 
    • Sigma: 18-200
    • Cannon: 18-200, 18-135,
    • Pentax
    • Tameron: 18-200
  • Note: 55-200 and 70-200 have not worked well as they do not have the wide angle needed for group photos.  18mm is a bit too much wide angle and will distort the edges of the photos slightly if you aren't careful, around 28MM seems to work very well.

Flash: Essential to the type of indoor photography we do is a good external flash for the camera.  For Nikon an SB-900, SB-800, SB600 would be examples.  The flash should have a tilt head to allow nearly vertical bounce from white ceilings within the lodge.  Flash should couple with the camera's TTL metering.

  • Examples (ISO 100 Guide Number of around 100)
    • Nikon: SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900
    • Cannon: Speedlite 420, 430, 580 etc.
    • Pentax: AF 360
    • Sigma: Ef 610
    • Metz: Various Models (Make certain they work with your Camera's TTL system)

General:

 Photos will be taken during an event, uploaded to the photo archive via the Photo Drop box within 1 -2 days.  To do this a good speed internet connection and associated computer is needed.  Please sort photos for the "best" and upload no more than 15-30.