The Cornwell Learning Center offers a connection between technology and learning - where you can learn with the help of technology, and you can learn how to use technology to expand your world. We offer activities from the most basic to the latest developments, and there are a variety of ways to get involved. If you just want to come in to check your eMail or search the web, Cornwell members are welcome anytime.

SCROLL DOWN for more info about the range of activities we offer through GROUPS, COURSES, TRAINING, TUTORIALS and SERVICES.

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WHAT HAPPENS in the LEARNING CENTER?

GROUPS such as our Special Interest Groups (SIG's) are FREE and open to all. Easy going, learning gatherings. We currently have them in these areas.

• VIDEO and AUDIO (typically, 2nd Wednesdays, 7-9pm)
  For people interested in video and audio projects. Copy your vinyl records to CD, try video editing, record and edit audio with a free program, etc. We plan to be project-focused. Join the fun.
• PHOTOGRAPHY (typically, 3rd Wednesdays, 7-9pm)
  Beginner thru experienced. Learn more about composition, lighting, portraits, landscapes, journalism, and how to improve your work. See news of that group by clicking HERE.

COURSES in the Learning Center are typically short and targeted, concentrating on a few selected aspects of a program or subject - less confusing, more enjoyable, more useful. Many of our courses are FREE to Cornwell members.

The Learning Center has couses of several types and levels of interest, such as:

• NEW USERS is a series helping you into take your first steps with a computer, offereing short courses in Windows, beginning E-mail, introduction to the Internet, and basic Word processing. Click HERE for Course Descriptions and schedules.
  
  
• SHORT SUBJECTS are one-hour sessions on topics useful for all programs and aspects of working with your computer. These include topics such as Organizing Files, Cutting and Pasting, Hot Tips for Windows, etc. Click HERE for Course Descriptions and schedules.
  
  
• ADULT ENRICHMENT series includes eBay, Genealogy, Building a Website and similar interest areas. This also includes courses from our CREATIVITY series including courses in digital photography, audio editing, video and the like. Click HERE for Course Descriptions and schedules.
  
  
• Our PRODUCTIVITY series teaches Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and similar office applications and are offered as demand suggests.

TRAINING tailored to the specific needs of your business -- as you need it. Look at these examples of how we work:
          VIDEO - Corporate Training
          BROCHURE - Tailored Training

TUTORIALS may be your best bet If your needs are more individualized, or if the course you need isn't scheduled when you need it. We do this for individuals and groups up to three. Call for an appointment.

SERVICES using the technology are also available, from H-323 video teleconferencing to video production to consultation. Call for info.

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PHOTO Special Interest Group - Open to all.

NEXT MEETING - Wednesday, March 17, 7-9pm
          Assignment: "Travel"
          Program: "Faces"

ASSIGNMENT for this month
At our February meeting, we surveyed those in attendance to come up with our next few assignments. The topic that floated to the top was "Travel," and is our assignment for this month.

While many of us travel widely and often, it's presents many opportunities. For those of us who are more Charlotte-bound it raises the question: "What kind of travel shot can I take this month?"

What makes a good travel shot? It involves things beyond the place itself. A shot of an exotic locale that doesn't display the usual elements...
          good composition
          interesting light
          use of shapes to lead the eye
          good use of color
          a unique point of view
          etc.

...is just a poor shot of an exotic locale.

When you think about it, the destinations we consider interesting are commonplace to those who live there. It's the novelty that opens our eyes to see things that locals take for granted. Visitors to Charlotte see things with fresh eyes that we have for other places.

We're always challenging you to take NEW photos for our meetings. Your destination doesn't need to be out of town. While good photos of any destination are surely welcome, let me suggest an addendum to the title of our assignment. "Travel - Homeward Bound." It doesn't rule out the exotic places, but it challenges you to see a local destination with fresh eyes. Take a local "travel" shot. Make us see our area with fresh eyes, as though we were visitors.

Either way, a good shot is good... wherever it's taken.

FAVORITES from last month
Our assignment last month was Romance, and we were surprised by the paucity of entries - only ten (with several additional submissions "Not For Judging" or NFJ's). We discussed whether this indicated anything about our group with respect to Romance. I wondered if we were just so engaged in related activities (we met just days past Valentine's) there just wasn't enough time left to get a photo. Well, sort of. What we discussed was that the more abstract subjects were more difficult for us and we get stumped. You'll probably choose another abstract topic again, but not in March. OK?

While the number of entries was lower than normal, the quality was unquestionable. Our accounting firm of T.Brabson & Associate has tallied the results, which follow. Click on the thumbnail for a closer look at each photo, complete with shooting and editing data.

Jay and Alice kiss- Cathy Hasty
'Til death do us part - Fran Kerr
Monday at home - Chatham Olive (new member)
Wedding Dance - Barbara Grisinger

1 2 3 4

Condolences to Charlie Hayes, whose "Romance" entries were lost in the shuffle. Turned out they'd been shuffled into my junk mail folder - a destination for which they clearly didn't qualify. It's happened before, rarely, but if you don't get an eMail confirmation from me that I've received your submission, within 24 hours, please call me (704-927-0774 x602).

Be looking for Charlies lost entries as NFJ's on the March gallery. Better late than never, and worth the view.

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NOTES on Montor Calibration from our October 2009 program
It's something that nags at all of us, where we see one thing on the monitor and another on paper, or different results on different monitors. Which is right?

While there are complex standards for these things, basic adjustments that will get you well into the ballpark aren't too difficult.

Click HERE to go to a site you can use to get your monitor calibrated for a full range of grey tones. This is especially important when we're working in black and white, and is a prerequisite to good color on your screen. It's a single chart you can use for reference. Read it carefully and follow instructions.

Click HERE for a site that will appeal to engineers, explaining the parts that most the rest of us don't even want to know but that engineers will find essential. You know who you are.

If you liked that last one, you'll really want to click HERE for a step-by-step on everything from gamma to white-point. Egad. (BTW, this page is offered by Adorama, who sells stuff, including monitor calibration systems.)

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Monthly Photo Submissions
We encourage up to two entries from each photographer each month, asking that you indicate a first and second choice in case we have more entries than we can manage as a group (we need to limit total entries to 25 on a given month). If you'd like to send one or two additional photos for viewing and posting online, but not judging, we're glad to include them.
          Send your photos to jbambach@mpbconline.org by noon the day before the meeting (please?). If you don't get an eMail confirmation that we've received your submission, within 24 hours, please call John Bambach (704-927-0774 x602).

See our galleries from previous months (in the left column) for an idea of what we do. For more on the group, what we do and what we're about, download the following documents. Then come join us!

PHOTO SIG - Description (PDF) »
PHOTO SIG - 10 Questions (PDF) »

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For more information about all our courses and activities at the Learning Center, contact:
       John Bambach, Coordinator
       704-927-0774
       jbambach@mpbconline.org