Project 23 is one of many community projects by the O’Fallon Photography Club. Project 23 was a photo journalistic project and documents everyday life in O'Fallon, Missouri. This was completed over a 24/7 nine day period beginning at midnight May 30th and ending at midnight June 8th. The title for the project signifies the time period in which it took place, which was the twenty-third week of 2008.
The only alterations or adjustments allowed before printing these images was to sharpen, crop, lighten or darken them. No manipulations that would alter the journalistic integrity of the shots were allowed. It was up to each member whether to print in color or black & white.
The O'Fallon Photo Club is a group of photographers, both professional and
non-professional, who share a passion for photography. They are a non-competitive group and believe that by sharing with each other, each individual grows as a better photographer.
The group meets at the Renaud Spirit Center on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The meetings are open to anyone interested in attending or joining the group.
Each month they do "assignments" as an exercise to just get out and shoot. Projects they've worked on in the past include a Calendar for the O’Fallon Historical Society, and over 90 3' x 5' Photo Banner’s displayed in O'Fallon's City Parks in celebration of the 150th anniversary of O'Fallon. This year they are working on Project 23, which depicts life in O’Fallon over a 9 day period. Joe Meier of O'Fallon's Cable Channel 21 followed some of the members while they were shooting and documented this project as well. All members are invited to participate in these projects.
An upcoming activity will utilize the book “Understanding Exposure” by Brian Peterson. Every chapter will have an assignment, and each participant will take their shots and post them to the club’s website. This activity will give each member an opportunity to expand their knowledge, practice, and understand exposure settings better.
The O'Fallon Photo Club also has educational meetings on studio lighting, portrait photography, macro photography, nature photography, several Photoshop workshops, and have enjoyed guest speakers invited to the meetings. They have recently developed a "sharing library" of various photography books and magazines. There is a committee in place to coordinate photo shoot field trips; and another to update members on activities and events going on in and around the area that would be interesting to photograph.
