Joint Aiken & Augusta Club Program

Digital Photography with Ken Kipnis

February 19, 2010

at the Georgia Military College, 115 Davis Road, Augusta 

            Those attempting to photograph a favorite gem and/or specimen often have discovered that the result cannot compare to the luster and beauty of the original. This month, renowned photographer Ken Kipnis offers his extensive skills to both the Augusta and Aiken Club memberships.

            During this mini-workshop, Ken will highlight the main points of the week-long WildAcres and William Holland Workshops that he teaches throughout the year. This is a “hands-on” experience, so bring your own digital camera and favorite jewelry and/or specimen(s). He will show how to construct a simple light box and camera platform from inexpensive household objects. Foamcore sheets are glued to a clean translucent milk jug after it’s top and bottom have been sliced away, and a small piece of Plexiglas can be cut to fit your individual camera lens. By using this homemade light box in the outside daylight, one can take photographs of multiple objects that are accurately colored and sharply focus. It’s an easy way to quickly build a digital catalog of your jewelry or small mineral specimens. Ken also will demonstrate how to set up a professional light tent and discuss proper lighting strategies.

            Ken began his first successful commercial photography business in Miami after graduating from the New York Institute of Photography in 1934. From there, he opened the first color lab in the Bahamas in 1965, where he spent a decade doing all sorts of commercial projects, studio work, and advertising photography, specializing in macro photography. As a way to share his knowledge, Ken began teaching weekly photography classes at the YMCA in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island.

            After moving to Atlanta in 1975, he established one of the first one-hour color labs in the city and pursued commercial work. Now retired, Ken is a familiar personality in the Augusta Gem and Mineral Society’s meetings, and supports our annual Show as a demonstrator of cold connections and silver chain making.

            This is our opportunity to glean photographic knowledge from Ken’s 70+ years of experience in the field of photography. Georgia Military College is located on 115 Davis Road, Martinez (driving directions: http://www.gmc.cc.ga.us/augusta/directions.html). Park in the lot behind the school; his program begins at 7 pm

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