Sharpen your photography skills


n the not-too-dis-
 tant past, captur-
 ing photographic
mementos of gradua-
tions, vacations, family
reunions and other
noteworthy events was
an iffy proposition. Too
often, special moments
were lost to lens caps,
double exposures, un-
der- or overexposure,
or other photographic
miscues. Today, digital
photography gives us a
do-over when record-
ing treasured memo-
ries.
 "The days of drop-
ping off the film to the
drugstore to be pro-
cessed are pretty much
over," said Spencer
Pullen, a photographer
with 20 years of ex-
perience using digital
cameras. "We now
have the technology to
make sure we got the
'shot' right on-site. No
more surprises when


opening the envelope
from the drugstore."
 Pullen will facilitate
two six-session short
courses at Florida
Gulf Coast University's
Renaissance Academy
in downtown Punta
Gorda: "Digital
Photography Exposed,"
from 9 a.m. to 11a.m.;
and "Photography:
Lighting," from 1 p.m.
to 3 p.m. June 28;
July 5, 12, 19 and 26;
and Aug. 2.
 In "Digital
Photography Exposed,"
participants will learn
the fundamentals of


photography, such as
ISO (light sensitivity),
aperture and shutter
speed, and how they
work together to create
an image, Pullen said.
In addition, he'll teach
basic tenets of photog-
raphy, including the
rule of thirds in com-
position, simplifying
backgrounds, leading
lines and more.
 Participants will be
introduced to the most
useful accessories for
overcoming various
photographic challeng-
es, as well as different
ways of displaying
photographs. Field
trips move the work
out of the classroom
and into the real
world, with Pullen
reviewing photos and
offering suggestions for
improvement.
 "Anyone with a
digital camera is
welcome to attend,


although participants
should have a working
knowledge of their
particular camera
and what most of the
buttons do," Pullen
said. "I'll also make
suggestions for buying
and upgrading cam-
eras and equipment,
with the overall goal
of making the student
an informed buyer, as
well as a competent
photographer."
 "Photography:
Lighting" focuses on
lighting your subject to
build your photograph-
ic skills.
 "The prices for
digital cameras are
falling, and the tech-
nology is getting better
every day," Pullen said.
"There is so much
buzz about the actual
cameras that most
people have forgotten
about what photog-
raphy is actually all


about light."
 Participants will
learn how an inexpen-
sive piece of foam core
will enhance a photo,
according to Pullen.
 "Foam core and
reflectors are great
accessories that will
help with filling in the
light," Pullen said. "As
the class progresses,
we will move into using
the external flash.
These are lightweight
and don't require
running extension
cords for power. We'll
also learn how to turn
your external flash into
strobes' that the pros
use in the studio."
 Creating a profes-
sional-quality family
portrait, landscape,
stock and sports
photographs all
will be discussed
in "Photography:
Lighting." Students will
leave the course with


a notebook containing
all the requirements
and lighting diagrams
so they can re-create
the results at home,
according to Pullen.
 A DSLR (digital sin-
gle-lens reflex) camera
and familiarity with its
operation are required
for this course.
 For more information
and course fees, or to
register for "Digital
Photography Exposed"
and/or "Photography:
Lighting," call 941-505-
0130. You also can reg-
ister online at https:!/
registerra.fgcu.edu;
enter the search term
"HC0736" or "HC0738,"
respectively.
 Rick Ramos is a
program coordinator
at FGCU's down-
town Punta Gorda
Herald Court Centre
Renaissance Academy.
He can be reached at
rramos@fgcu.edu.


PETS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING.
 iiatai


BUSINESS Journal


Absolute Blinds Has A Window Treatment For You


Absolute Blinds has been in
business in Charlotte County
and the surrounding area for
over ten years and has become
one of the largest and most
successful licensed window
treatment companies in
Southwest Florida. With
unbeatable pricing, blinds made
while you wait, free advice from
a professional decorator, and


the best selection available,
Absolute Blinds can fulfill all
your window treatment needs.
An array of verticals, a selection
of wood plantation shutters,
horizontals, mini-blinds,
pleated shades, top treatments,
cornices, draperies and more is
among their offering. Absolute
Blinds is a Graber dealer and
estimates are free. If you need


window coverings for home or
office, Absolute Blinds is there to
assist you. The store is located at
2842 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
and the phone number is 941-
627-5444. Past and present
customers can like Absolute
Blinds' Facebook page. For more
information, visit their website at
www.absoluteblinds.com


Absolute Blinds 2842 Tamiami
 Trail, Port Charlotte,
 call 941-627-5444


Jackie's Auto Body -Where Local Dealers

 Go For Auto Body Work


 Jackie's Auto Body
19888 Veterans Highway,
 Port Charlotte


One of the best auto body
shops in this area is Jackie's
Auto Body. With over 35


 QUESI
Q. Do you have qualified
technicians that can
help me? Where can I get
a brand name TV at a
competitive price?
A. Quality TV is a factory
repair service center for
most TV brands
including Samsung,
Sony, Mitsubishi,
Toshiba, Zenith & LG.
This means we deal with
the manufactures and
their problems. Our
experts are trained
factory technicians who
can tell you who has the
best customer service,
and whose technology is
better. We are here to
help you. Quality TV will
match the price of any
other big box retailer on
any television. Our
showroom is open come
and say hello. Quality TV
is located at 14212W
Tamiami Trail, North
Port, call at 941-426-


years of experience, Jack
D'Amico is second to
none. Many local car
dealers and car collectors
bring their cars to Jackie's
Auto Body for first class
auto bodywork, or a
custom paint job. Jack
repairs everything from
minor dents to major
collision damage, and will
put your car in like-new
condition. All types of
insurance claims are
accepted and Jackie's is on
the Preferred Insurance


List. Jackie's Auto Body
repairs, paints and services
almost any vehicle and
uses the finest PTG paint
products and materials as
well as state of the art
equipment. Stop by and
meet Jack and Regina and
receive a free estimate.
Jackie's Auto Body is
located at 19888 Veterans
Hwy., in Port Charlotte,
and the phone number is
941-255-5967. Trust the
pros to make your vehicle
like new again.


[IONS& ANSWERS


1773, or for more
information, please visit
their website at
www.qualitytv.com
Q. Are pleated filters the
best to buy for your air
conditioner? How often
should I change them?
A. John and Carrie Gable
at Dale's Air
Conditioning & Heating,
recommend pleated
filters, where the pleats/
apex of the pleat is
spaced about 1H apart, are
the best. The
hypoallergenic filters-
where the pleats/apex are
oi apart are generally too
good. They are highly
restrictive for airflow.
They load and get dirty
very quickly. As a general
rule of thumb, you should
inspect & change your
filter, no matter what
type, every 30 days.
John and Carrie strive to
educate their customers


on how to kE


eep their


home heated and cooled
in the winter and
summer, and what to do
to extend the life of the
unit. You can count on
the service, advice and
fair pricing that you
receive and a thorough
and complete check at
each service visit. Call
Dale's Air Conditioning &
Heating 941-629-1712,
located at 18260 Paulson
Drive, Port Charlotte.
Business hours are 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday, with 24
hours emergency service
to their customers.

Q. I have some estate
jewelry pieces and gold
that I would like to sell.
Is there a local store who
can appraise them and
give me a fair purchase
price?
A. Westchester Gold &


Dr. D's Auto Repair Provides

 Professional Service And

 Affordable Rates

 For all your auto
 repairs give Dr. D's
 Auto Repair a call. Dr.
 D's repairs all types of
 vehicles including
 motor homes and four
 wheelers. At Dr. D's
 you can count on the
 best service,
 diagnostics, repairs,
 replacement parts, etc.
 Only superior quality
 Dr. D's Avenue in the replacement parts are
 Whidden Industrial Park used and rates are very
 in Charlotte Harbor,
 23415 Janice Avenue reasonable. Owner,
 Mike True, and his
staff are all ASE certified and they offer the finest full
service repair in this area. With the computerized
engine analysis, you can be assured that the service
required on your vehicle is necessary. True is well
known as an excellent auto mechanic and the
business enjoys an excellent reputation. Dr. D's is
located at 23415 Janice Avenue in the Whidden
Industrial Park in Charlotte Harbor and the phone
number is 941-743-3677. For the best service at a
reasonable price, call or stop by Dr. D's Auto Repair.


Diamonds, 4200-F
Tamiami Trail, Port
Charlotte, is known for
unsurpassed quality,
variety and pricing when
buying or selling gold,
silver, diamonds, Rolex
watches and fine
collectibles. Owner, Steve
Duke, is on site to assist
you with jewelry
purchases and
appraisals, or the sale of
your old gold and other
valuables. Specializing in
pre-loved Rolex watches,
new and estate jewelry
pieces, oriental rugs,
unusual gifts, paintings,


rare collectibles, and
more, Westchester should
be your destination. The
selection is amazing. This
business is a community
staple and is known for
its generosity in giving
back. Listen to Steve
Duke's Friday morning
show on 1580 AM radio
each week 9 a.m. to 10
a.m. It is interesting, fun
and always topical. The
store is located in Baer's
Plaza, and the phone
number is 941-625-
0666.Visit their website at
www.westchestergold.com


---i


OurTown Page 6


C www.sunnewspapers.net


The Sun /Sunday, June 8, 2014


LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS