May is the last full month of NVPS’s 2013-2014 club year and as usual, it will be filled with many great Tuesday night activities. Please check with Fotofax or the NVPS website for May details. The grand finale for the year will be the End-Of-Year banquet on Friday evening, June 6. This is always a fun evening where we get to see all of the wonderful (best of the best) EOY photo entries. We also announce the winners of the EOY competition, the photographers of the year, and give out EOY member awards. This is a great way to finish off the year so please come and join us! Dinner will be provided and dress is casual. Bring a date or come alone. Friends and family members are also most welcome and you may purchase tickets (from treasurer, Tom Brett) at any club meeting or online via Paypal.
This month I look forward to hearing Karen Messick speak on May 6 about creative macro photography and Impressionism photography. Some of her work could be called ‘artsy’ or ‘painterly’ and all of it is inspiring. Karen also has other specialties like working with Lensbaby lenses and iphone photography.
Elections for next year’s executive board will be held at the meeting on May 6. No additional nominees have been tendered so elections will be conducted by a show of hands. The nominees are presented in Fotofax and on the website. Please come and show your support for next year’s elected board.
On May 13 we are honored to have pro-photographer and artist, Jim Steele (Torpedo Factory Studio #343), give final critiques of our portfolio projects. Jim also critiqued our portfolios in 2012. His comments are always thoughtful, educational and constructive. Hats-off to all who completed a portfolio project and many thanks to Jim for his help this year. Next time you are in Old-town Alexandria stop by his studio at the Torpedo Factory.
Another highlight for the month of May is Joe Miller’s Abstract Photography Exhibit that will be open May 2 at his studio in Gainesville, VA. (The exhibit is open any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday in May, 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Reception: Sunday, May 4 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM). If the past 3 year’s exhibits are any indication, this one will also be an overwhelming success. Come see 125 highly creative, unusual and artistic entries from artists in four states and South Africa. Serious photographers will not want to miss this show. Congratulations to those NVPS member whose work had been juried into the exhibit.
As this NVPS club year winds down, so does the term of current board members. I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the board and to the many volunteers who are responsible for the seamless operations of the largest photo club in the DC area. I also want to thank our members, judges, speakers and presenters who have shared their artistic talents, skills and photographic knowledge. Your efforts have served as an inspiration for all of us. Being associated with NVPS for the last four and-a-half years has been a wonderful opportunity and learning experience for me personally. If you have not yet done so, I highly recommend getting involved as a volunteer in the years to come.
Final thoughts
As we move forward into summer, take with you the knowledge you have learned. Look for unique photo opportunities where it seems none exist and keep an open mind. Take lots of pictures, and practice your art whenever possible.