May
In Focus
April reminded us how much there is to learn simply by seeing how others approach their photography. While I was back in England (again), Bert kindly stepped in to host the meeting and, by all accounts, did a great job – even attempting an English accent in my absence. Reports suggest it was mildly convincing but nevertheless quite humorous. I also heard from several members that Tom Ress delivered an excellent presentation on bird photography at Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, combining great images with engaging stories that brought the subject to life. Let’s take what we learned from all of April’s events and use it as inspiration for our own photography.
Our May activities continue that theme of inspiration as we look more deeply at the creative process. Jerry Atnip will be the main presenter at our Monthly Meeting with Behind the Scenes – Secrets, Backstories and Struggles, offering insight into the realities behind creating compelling images. Lunch Bunch will focus on still life creative photography, a genre many of us naturally associate with the “Old Master” painters active in Europe from the late medieval period through the early 19th century. But inspiration for still life goes far beyond the museum gallery. Food photography, for example, is a form of still life we see very often. It’s a reminder that while the Masters set the foundation, inspiration is everywhere if we take the time to notice it. Studying how they use light, composition, and simplicity can influence how we see and compose our own images – not just in still life, but across all genres, including landscape, wildlife, and street photography. In that same spirit, our outing to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival in Arrington offers a chance to step into a world not far removed from the era of the Old Masters, and to explore how story, character, and atmospheric setting come together in an image.
Our Photo of the Month theme is Shallow Depth of Field, encouraging us to think carefully about focus, subject isolation, and how we guide the viewer’s eye. It’s a simple concept with endless creative possibilities.
The “In Focus” images showcase a selection from our members that reflect several of the themes we’ll be exploring in May.
Enjoy the newsletter, and keep shooting and being creative.
Martin Cregg – BPG President
Monthly Calendar - May
Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Otter Creek Church
409 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Speaker: Jerry Atnip
Behind the Scenes – Secrets, Backstories and Struggles
Lunch Bunch
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Williamson County Public Library
1314 Columbia Ave, Franklin
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Optional Lunch at KOI
Still Life Creative Photography & Inspiration
Mini Clinic
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Still Life and Flat Lays Hands-on Clinic
In-Person: details will be sent via email
Time: 5:00 – 7:45 pm
Photography Outing
Tennessee Renaissance Festival
May 16, 2026
2135 New Castle Road, Arrington TN 37014
Time: 10:00 am
Optional Lunch afterwards
May POTM Theme: Shallow Depth of Field
As well as an image from a recent Photography Outing and the Open Category
Shallow Depth of Field
Shallow depth of field (DoF) refers to a limited focus range in an image. It highlights the subject by blurring the background and foreground.
- Commonly used in macro and portrait photography to isolate subjects.
- DoF creates a more aesthetically pleasing look by minimizing the background elements, placing more emphasis on your main subject.
- Oftentimes the background is either completely obscured or at least de-emphasized.
To achieve a shallow depth of field in photography, consider these key elements:
- Use a wide aperture (small f-number) to create a blurred background.
- Select a longer focal length lens to enhance background separation.
- Position your subject closer to the camera for more pronounced depth effects.
- Increase the distance between the subject and the background to maximize blur.
- Utilize a full-frame camera for better depth of field control compared to crop sensors.
- Experiment with different compositions to find the most visually appealing focus.
Focusing Techniques for Sharp Macro Shots
- Autofocus limitations: At close focusing distances, autofocus hunts, misses, and locks onto the wrong plane. For moving subjects (insects), continuous AF can help maintain tracking but will still miss more than it hits. For anything static, switch to manual.
- Live view at 10x: Use your camera’s live view magnification to verify focus before shooting. Zoom to the most critical detail—an eye, a texture highlight, a sharp edge—and confirm it’s in the focal plane. This step dramatically improves keeper rate.
- Subject plane alignment: Position your camera so the sensor plane is parallel to the plane of the subject you want sharp. If photographing a flat petal, align the camera back parallel to the petal. If you’re at an angle, only part of the subject will be in focus.
- Rocking technique for insects: For live subjects you can’t reposition, gently rock your weight forward and backward while holding the focus point fixed. Take bursts as you rock—a frame will be sharp when the subject passes through the focal plane.
Key Takeaways
- The sharpest area must be the most visually important part of the subject.
- Depth of field choice should feel intentional—a deliberate artistic decision, not a technical accident.
- Clean bokeh backgrounds help the subject read clearly against the out-of-focus areas.
Entering Macro Depth-of-Field Images in Photography Contests
- Macro photography is a highly competitive contest category because the technical barrier is high and compelling subjects are universally appealing. To stand out, your image must demonstrate both technical control and a clear artistic decision about focus.
- What judges look for: The sharpest area of the image should be the most visually important. If you’re photographing an insect, the eye should be in focus—not the wing or antenna. A misfocused subject (sharp background, soft subject) is an immediate disqualifier regardless of composition.
- Depth of field as storytelling: A deliberately thin DoF that isolates a single dewdrop against blurred bokeh tells a story of precision and intimacy. A focus-stacked image that renders an entire flower in full sharpness tells a story of completeness and detail. Both are valid—but the choice should feel intentional.
- Background matters: Judges compare similar subject matter constantly. Clean, uncluttered bokeh backgrounds help your subject read clearly and immediately. A busy background that competes with the subject weakens an otherwise strong macro image.
2026 Photo Of The Month Contest
Photo of the Month contest images are hung prior to the main meeting. This is an opportunity for you to compare your work with that of others, as you perhaps think about entering our outside exhibits. It’s good training, and by compelling you to focus on specific themes you learn and grow in your photography. A Board member will be at the display to answer questions and encourage participation.
April 2026 Photo Of the Month Winning Images
First Place
Abandoned
Jennifer Laverty
Every time I travel back and forth to Michigan, I pass this abandoned house in Kentucky, and every time I wish I had stopped to photograph it. This month I finally did, and it just happened to fit this month’s theme.
BPG Outing
Raj Gupta
Open
Duane Miller
I was out with a group photographing at the Cross overlook in Sewanee, and I looked up and saw the Moon through the branches of the trees overhead. I was trying to line up a composition when I saw a plane approaching. I figured I could take a few steps this way and that way to get the plane lined up with the Moon. It worked, but I only had time to grab a couple of frames and only one of them was in focus. So, lucky catch. Why did I submit it? Because I thought it was a cool shot and I haven’t had too many of those lately.
Second Place
Abandoned
Ray Wong
Imagine walking along on the beach and stumbling upon a beached boat the size of a whale. The combination of cloudy bright day and the stark shape of the MV Dayspring, an 86-foot fishing vessel, sitting awkwardly on the edge of Loch Linnhe provided an unforgettable image. The abandoned vessel landed on the Caol Beach after a violent storm in 2011. The area was a pitstop for a canal cruise at Ft. William, between the villages of Corpach and Caol in Scotland.
BPG Outing
Phyllis Tatum
This tiger was sleeping and finally woke up and stated walking around. I was so happy to capture their gorgeous fur patterns and those gorgeous eyes! After I took my photos they quickly went back to sleep! Patience and the right timing is sometimes what one needs to make a photo!
Open
Jennifer Laverty
I’ve been working on my still life and food photography skills, and shot several with this antique scale. The flowers are Leucadendrons, and they are native to South Africa and I had never seen them before. They paired well with the antique scale.
Monthly Meeting Member's Spot - Pat Hollander
At our May Monthly Meeting, Pat Hollander will share the story behind this striking image, recently accepted into the Poetry of Light exhibition. Selected by Mark Scala, Chief Curator at the Frist Art Museum, the exhibit celebrates light, creativity, and National Poetry Month through the work of SNAP artists.
Pat’s image captures a quiet, candid moment, yet invites a deeper read – where light, color, and setting come together to suggest something more reflective and introspective. She will walk us through how she saw the scene, what drew her to it, and how small decisions in composition and timing helped shape the final result.
It’s a great example of how compelling images can emerge from everyday environments when we slow down, observe carefully, and respond to the moment in front of us.
The Brentwood Photography Group Facebook page
Are you a new member? Contact us to request access to our Group page.
2022 – Pat Hollander – Main Page
- Session 1 – The Basics – Exposure Triangle
- Session 2 – Lightroom Basics with Martin Cregg
- Session 3 – Intermediate Lightroom with Martin Cregg
- Session 4 – Photo Editing with ON1 with Rick Wise
- Session 5 – SmartPhone Photography with Susan Ruach
- Session 6 – Intermediate Photo Editing with ON1 with Rick Wise
Member Websites
Check out our member websites
If you would like your art to be added to the list, send your web information to the BPG Secretary.
Nashville, TN
- Nashville Cars n’ Coffee – Saturday 5/9/2026 8am – 11am at Nashville Superspeedway
Frist Museum
- The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art. Feb 26–May 31, 2026
- Beauty and Ritual: Judaica from the Jewish Museum, New York. Oct 30, 2026–Feb 7, 2027
Cheekwood Gardens
- America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks by Rail – May 2, 2026 – September 6, 2026
- 2026 Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars & Motorcycles at Cheekwood – June 20, 2026 – June 21, 2026
Nolensville, TN
- Buttercup festival Saturday, May 2, 2026
Portland, TN
- Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival May 8-9, 2026
Wartrace TN
- Strawberry Festival May 9, 2026
Franklin, TN
- Downtown Art Crawl – Every First Friday!
- May 1st
- Franklin Farmers Market Every Saturday year-round. 120 Aldersgate Way Franklin, TN at Franklin First United Methodist Church
- Strawberries on the Square Friday, May 22
- Fireworks Celebration July 4, 2026
- Pumpkinfest – October 24, 2026
- Christmas Parade December 5, 2026
- Dickens of a Christmas December 12-13, 2026
Smyrna, TN
- 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 – Saturday 6/13/2026 10am – 8pm
- RC Cola – MoonPie Festival Saturday June 20, 2026
- 10 Mile and 5K races June 20, 2026
- Webb School Art & Craft Fair October 17-18, 2026
Hendersonville, TN
- Middle Tennessee Highland Games – Saturday 6/12/2026 9am – 4pm
Sloss Furnace Workshop Open to BPG Members Only
We are organizing a workshop for BPG members at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark on Sept 12, with Birmingham photographer Meg McKinney. It is open to a small group of 10 for this special behind-the-scenes event and is $225 per person.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, 1:30 – 10:30 pm
Location: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 – 32nd St. North, Birmingham, AL 35222.
We should still have nice weather, cooled down, and sunset is around 6:50 pm, which gives time for both day time and night time work.
Current itinerary set up by the instructor Meg McKinney. She gives this workshop to various clubs and groups and has been photographing the Furnaces for years.
Workshop begins at 1:30 pm on a Saturday, meeting at the Visitors Center’s auditorium / classroom. (We sit at tables and chairs. There is a huge digital screen to project images.) The first session, daytime photography, goes to 5:30 pm, followed by a break (meal time in classroom / auditorium) with review of images projected (need to bring laptop, thumb drive). The second session begins approximately 6:30 pm for nighttime photography, and goes to 10:30 pm (although we might be able to stay until 11:00 pm). Each session includes a brief presentation of images for ideas and inspiration presented by Meg McKinney (instructor), with discussion of suggested equipment, gear. I have hand-outs at the beginning.
Sloss Furnaces closes to the public at 4:00 pm, so we have the place to ourselves after closing.
Because Sloss Furnaces can be overwhelming – It’s sprawling with steel behemoths!, I offer suggested themes, and a quick on-site, walk-around following the initial workshop meeting, to get an idea of what-is-where.
During the photography sessions I offer on-site, one-to-one instruction, feedback, and use of some personal gear. Also a representative of Sloss Furnaces will take us to several non-public locations, that make great photos! (Older clothes and sturdy shoes will be appreciated for this one.)
Once registration is completed, Meg will send a suggested ‘What to Bring List’ via e-mail, including a brief list of eateries near Sloss Furnaces, for meal options. Coffee is usually provided. There is a soda vending machine at the Visitors Center. Water bottles can be refilled at the Visitor Center’s water fountains.
Note: Photographers are attending to learn, explore, discover, and create photographs at Sloss Furnaces. Therefore, family and friends are not permitted to “sit in” or “drop by” during the workshop, as they may interfere with discussions and distract from creativity.
Fees are $225.00 per photographer. Venmo.com and check payments are accepted. Once we have a confirmed list, Lyra will send out additional information on payment options.
Registration:
If interested, please submit your name to Lyra Hankins at lyrahankins@hotmail.com. Only10 spots are avaialble and they are first come first serve. Any additional interestested members will be placed on a waiting list.
Byron Jorjorian Fine-Art Photography
Byron Jorjorian
Kathleen Clemons Photography
Kathleen Clemons
Natural Connections Photo Workshops
Ledra Woodlee
New Life Photos
Jamie Konarski Davidson
Rich Seiling Photography
Rich Seiling
Show your support for BPG by purchasing our very own branded “merch”!
- Mug
- Tote bag
- Baseball cap
- Insulated tumbler
- Unisex T-shirt
- Women’s T-shirt
All products are made and delivered by Zazzle; they will handle any customer service issues too. BPG will receive royalties on all products sold which we will put towards Group expenses.
