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Bergen County Camera news, events, products, helpful photographic tips and suggestions
Welcome to our thirty-fourth Bergen County Camera Customer Spotlight. This monthly posting features a customer who’s made an impression on us. They might have grown in their understanding of photography, gained a mastery of the craft and / or have become a strong advocate of our way of doing business in the world of photography. During the next month you will see this customer’s images displayed on our digital signs in store, in our emails, blog posts and social media.
Michael Dinger is our customer spotlight for the month of July-August. We hope you both enjoy and are inspired by this new addition to In Focus and look forward to your comments and suggestions. Below you will find a few words from Michael and a gallery containing some of Michael’s images.
This portfolio contains Epson Ultrachrome prints on Hahnemuhle Baryta paper. Portfolio 2 is produced in an edition of 100, with 20 artists’ proofs. Owning this Portfolio of rare and beautiful photographs gives you an instant image collection with which to reflect on the fine art of this ensemble of brilliantly talented image makers. We have this portfolio on display in the gallery.
Read moreWe are happy to fulfill one of our top customer requests — stay open late on Thursday Night. A recent customer survey showed nearly 70% wanted our pre-pandemic late night reinstated. We will be rolling this our starting June 1, 2023. Our store hours are Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Thursday evening’s until 8 pm
Each Spring, as the temperatures rise, songbirds return to their breeding ranges in North America. Many find their way to the Northeastern U.S. where birders and photographers alike flock to city parks to catch a glimpse of these colorful birds. While these locations make for easier sightings, they’re not always ideal for photography. The birds at these parks are merely stopping by to rest and forage before continuing their journey. They don’t sit still for long, and they seldom come down from the canopy. If they do, they usually visit a water source or feeder. Whatever it is they do, it’s also usually brief.
That is why you wants to find these birds in their preferred nesting habitat. Here, these birds are more consistent and active. Males lay claim to territory by singing from select perches to attract mates and thwart other males. When they hear an intruder, they investigate. When they see an intruder, they take action. They do all of this in a fairly confined area, where they’re movements and behaviors can become predictable to the observational birder. This is where I photograph them.
If you’d like to try your hand at songbird photography, why not do so with a little guidance. This Spring, join me, Matt Malwitz, for an in-the-field songbird photography workshop. This won’t be your typical “point and shoot” type of workshop either. I want to teach you a thing or two. During this outing, we’ll cover my process of find and photographing these birds. We’ll discuss how to find and identify songbirds, how to approach and move around wildlife, and different photographic techniques, all while photographing birds in the field.
Our goal will be to capture stunning images of two or three species, prioritizing quality shots over quantity of birds. We won’t get good looks at everything, and some birds are trickier than others, but that’s all part of the fun. As the saying goes, “if it were easy, everyone would do it”. So, why not give bird photography a chance.
Spaces are limited, so choose your date soon.
For more information on songbird photography, why not check out our webinar here.
All the best,
Matt
We hope you can join us on Saturday, April 8, 2023, from 10 – 4 pm for our trade-in event. Check your closets and turn your old photo gear into cash or put the proceeds towards a new camera or lens. We will check your equipment then either make an offer to purchase or offer some other options to help. As a special bonus on April 8, take 10% off any used equipment (excluding Leica) purchased during the event.
Most photo chemicals are considered hazardous waste so this is a great opportunity to safely dispose of what you are no longer using. This event is open to Bergen County, New Jersey residents only with photo ID. The following items are no accepted so please do not bring computers, electronics, batteries (only car and rechargeable accepted), or tires to these collections. If you have questions please call the Bergen County Hazardous Waste Hotline 201-807-5825. Information for other New Jersey Counties can be found at the NJ Hazardous Waste Coordinators website. Businesses must pre-register before the collection day by calling 201-807-8696 to make arrangements. Depending on the level of Covid restrictions wait times on drop off days may be a bit longer.
Please visit the BCUA website for up to the minute details before visiting any event.