Northern Virginia Photographic Society

September 28th, 2012 - Photographer's Sabbatical: Escape to the Mountains

2012-09-28T22:00:00Z

I wanted to let NVPS know about an event we are having that I am sure your group would be interested in called "Escape to the Mountains:.

We are not that far from you I think it takes a couple of hours with a beautiful and easy drive of about 90 miles to Moorefield, WV. Take I 66 west to, I 81 south to Strasburg, VA exit 296 take Route 55 and 48 west to Moorefield.

The event location is in Moorefield, WV at the South Branch Inn & Conference Center located at the corner of US 48 & US 220.

The instructors belong to the Hampshire Arts Council, The Allegheny Arts Council, the Lost River Artisan's Co-op, and other quality organizations so the quality of information presented will be exciting, informative and beneficial.

Thank you,

Albert Mach

Administrator

Escape to the Mountains!

A photographer's sabbatical will be held in Hardy and Grant Counties of West Virginia from 9/28 - 10/3/12.

It will be six wonderful days to escape to the mountains! https://sites.google.com/site/escapetothemountains/home

There will be seminars, field trips, classes, swap meet, and an unbelievably large display of cameras and equipment from the 1800s to today! This display is one of the largest historical photographic displays in the country. See web site for more information:

https://sites.google.com/site/escapetothemountains/home/events/historical-camera-and-equipment-display

It will be a wonderful and relaxing chance to learn, enhance your skills, get inspired, and add to your portfolio!

There will be a chance to see, try out, and purchase the finest in photographic equipment!

Six area Galleries will have free special exhibits of fine art to view and for sale in addition to the Instructor's Display at the main location. These will educate and inspire you.

There will be a Camera Club Competition and other competitions with prizes.

There will be special displays called "A Photographic Tour" which will exhibit large framed pictures of the highlights to be found at each of the class locations. These will inspire you and provide ideas for subjects you can capture. Take notes of things you want to try and see so you can capture these yourself.

Historical highlights also include "Our Photographic Heritage". This will be a special display of professional photographers who lived and worked in the South Branch area. The Lost River Museum displays a treasure trove of furniture, tools, textiles, photographs, and stories reflecting life in the area from the 1750s. The Tusing Mountain Cabin is an actual example of what mountain life would have been like. The Lee cabin built by Robert E. Lee's family about 1804 is a historic attraction. The original foundation has stone blocks so true they look as if they were cut by machine. Antique tools and furniture fill the rooms today. The Mathias Homestead built in 1797 also has many historical items. Come to Escape to the Mountains to add these historic sites to your portfolio.

Classes take place in unusual ways. They are held in canoes going down the Trough. Classes are aboard a historic train. Classes are at the Lost River State Park and go to Cranny Crow. Classes are in the Smokehole Caverns. There is a class in an Antebellum home watching a Civil War play with wonderful photo opps after the play. There will be classes to the magical Dolly Sods. Have you ever heard of a class in an airplane? How about a class with live birds of prey?

In our area it is very rare not to see bald eagles, white tail deer, ducks, heron, geese, along with numerous varieties of small animals. It is a birder's paradise. Bear, foxes, and other wildlife even can sometimes be seen.

Special Photo Opps (opportunities) will be available including Civil War Living History confederate in Hardy County and Union in Grant County, Railroad & Train setups, Antique Tractors, Antique Cars & Trucks, Historic Homes, Farms, & Barns, Horses & Farm Animals, Fire Department Display.

You can bring your family because for those not interested in photography, there are so many other things to do and enjoy with the 59th annual Hardy County Heritage Weekend going on. Also Heritage Days in Petersburg offers more events for the family.

Registration is FREE and can be done on-line or in person. There is no cost to come to the event including the huge Historical Photography Display, Heritage Weekend, Swap Meet, and Gallery Tour for registered guests.

Classes and photo opportunities have various modest costs.

Main Location is at the South Branch Inn Conference area 1500 US Highway 220 N Moorefield, W. V. 26836

Classes and Photo Opps take place a various locations in Hardy & Grant Counties.

Contact person: Albert C. Mach II Administrator.

Primary phone: 304-749-8757 Additional phone numbers: 304-897-8700, or 304-538-2033

E-mail: escapetothemountains@hotmail.com

Web site: https://sites.google.com/site/escapetothemountains/home

Latitude: 39.0350074 Longitude: -78.9916247

Sponsors include:

The Hardy County Convention and Visitors Bureau

122 North Main Street P.O. Box 797 Moorefield, WV 26836 304-897-8700

e-mail info@visithardy.com web site http://www.visithardy.com/

The Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau

126 South Main Street (In the South Side Depot) Petersburg, WV 26847

Telephone: (304) 257-9266 Toll-Free: (866) 597-9266 Fax: 847-662-2702

e-mail grantcountycvb@frontiernet.net web site http://www.grantcountywva.com/

Heritage Weekend http://www.heritageweekend.com/about.html

Visitor centers for Heritage weekend are:

Hardy County Public Library, Main Street, Moorefield (304) 538-6560

Lost River Craft Cooperative, WV Route 259, Lost River (304) 897-7242

Antiques Etc., 295 N Main St., Wardensville, (304) 874-3300

The Allegeny Arts Council

9 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 • (301) 777-ARTS (2787) wlmailhtml:e-mail ethomas@allconet.org

To join The Allegeny Arts Council and for information as well as to see many other wonderful events supported by them, please see their web site. http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/static.php?page=11

The Hampshire County Arts Council

P.O. Box 624, Romney, WV 26757 • 304-496-8002 • e-mail wlmailhtml:webmaster@hampshirearts.org

To join The Hampshire County Arts Council and for information as well as to see many other wonderful events supported by them, please see their web site www.hampshirearts.org

Lost River Artisans Cooperative and Museum

Route 259, P.O. Box 26, Lost River, WV 26810 • Telephone 304-897-7242 • e-mail wlmailhtml:lrac@hardynet.com

To join The Lost River Artisans Cooperative and for information as well as to see many other wonderful events supported by them please see their web site http://www.lostrivercraft.com/

Hunt's Photo & Video, one of the nation's largest photo & Video dealers will be on hand!

Phone 1-800-221-1803 Web site http://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/

Check out Hunt's web site, make a list, contact them with what you want, and it will be here for you to pick up when you get here! Or browse their large selection of photo & video gear on display for sale at the show!

Albert C. Mach II is a PSA (Photographic Society of America) Member

May 8th - June 18, 2012 "Variations" A Photography Exhibit Featuring New Works by Alan Sislen

2012-06-19T02:37:13Z

If you stand in the exact same spot, day after day, month after month, year after year and observe the world in front of you, you will see changes far greater than imagined. This is what I did with my camera. What had been "ordinary" for me became "extraordinary." What had been just the view out of my window became a world unto itself, with its own beauty, mystery and constantly changing moods and feelings. When I slowed down and truly observed the beauty of this changing tableau, I was amazed at what I saw.

PLACE: Multiple Exposures Gallery
Torpedo Factory Art Center #312

105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

EXHIBIT DATES: May 8th - June 18th, 2012

OPENING RECEPTION: Sunday, May 13, 2012 2pm to 4pm

GALLERY HOURS: Daily 10am-6pm, Thursday's noon-9pm

Additional Information

"Variations"

A Photography Exhibit Featuring New Works by Alan Sislen

Multiple Exposures Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia presents "Variations," an exhibition of new works by Washington D.C. area photographer Alan Sislen.

How boring our lives would be if every day everything looked exactly the same as the day before. In our daily frenzy of life, we rarely slow down enough to really appreciate the beauty and sheer joy of the "ordinary" that surrounds us.

For the last ten years, I have viewed the very same scene every day of the week, every month of the year, and in every season - more than 3500 times! It was only a few years ago that I realized that what I took for granted was so special. Although I had casually viewed without stopping to really notice, or to appreciate it, when I slowed down and carefully observed the beauty of this changing tableau, I was amazed at what I saw.

The sheer joy of getting up each morning and wondering what I would see and if I would be moved is what motivated me to begin the journey of this project. In music, many compositions include "variations on a theme," where the composer writes the "theme" and then provides numerous variations. In this exhibit, nature provided the theme and through the passage of time gave us all the variations that truly changed "ordinary" into "extraordinary."

This exhibit will run from May 8th through June 18th, 2012. Gallery hours are 10am until 6pm, 7 days a week, except for Thursdays, when they are noon-9PM. An opening reception will take place on Sunday, May 13th from 2-4pm.

June 8, 2012 - NVPS End of Year Banquet

2012-06-08T22:00:00Z

End of Year Banquet (Paypal now available!)

It is never too early to plan for a wonderful evening. There will be your fellow photographers, eye-popping award winning photographs from every competition, the end-of-year competition winners and awards, an excellent buffet, a chance to thank those who made this year happen, and some prizes. And, the board has voted to support this event by reducing the cost per guest to $5 less than last year - just $35. This includes all but the cash bar.

The end of year banquet will be June 8th starting at 6 PM at the same location as last year, the

Best Western Tyson's Westpark Hotel

8401 Westpark Drive, Mclean, Virginia, 22102-3602

Phone: 703/734-2800

Located at the corner of Route 7 and Westpark Drive. Please make your reservation by giving Tom Brett a check or cash for you and any guests you wish to bring or use the Paypal link below (please include the names of the attendees in the field provided):

View Larger Map

April 24, 2012 - Results: 5th Annual Friends of Claude Moore Park Photo Expo

2012-06-06T15:59:00Z

A number of NVPS club members won awards at this Photography Expo held in Sterling, VA on April 24, 2012. Here is a list of the winners.

ADULT BEST IN SHOW

Winged Wonders - Dora Ramirez: "Great Egret"

SCHOOL AGE BEST IN SHOW

Roots & Buds - Sarah Pennington: "Cherry Blossoms"

Advanced Roots & Buds

1st Place: Michael Austin Kane "Forest Floor"

2nd Place: Bob Hayward "Lotus Flower"

3rd Place: Roger Lancaster "Floating Leaf in Autumn"

Honorable Mention: Eddy Allan "White Daffodil"

Honorable Mention: Mary Ann MacGregor "Ginkgo"

Advanced Wild Creatures

1st Place: Dennis Govoni "Rosie"

2nd Place: Susan Phillips "Moose Calling"

3rd Place:Susan Phillips "Moose Antlers End of Day"

Honorable Mention: Patricia Deege "Yellowstone Elk Twins"

Accepted: Patricia Deege "Coyote Profile"

Advanced Winged Wonders

1st Place: Patricia Deege "Egret Reflection"

2nd Place: Dennis Govoni "Terror in the Sky"

3rd Place: Michael Austin Kane "In Flight"

Honorable Mention: Joe Alderman "Hummingbird Calliope"

Honorable Mention: Joe Alderman "Blackchinned & Calliope Hummingbirds"

Honorable Mention: Dennis Govoni "Black-crowned Night Heron

May 12, 2012 - Art-Space Exhibit Opens in Herndon, VA

2012-05-30T18:00:00Z

Art-Space is an exhibition featuring the finalists of the 2012 Fine Art Photography Competition.Please come and join us for the reception on May 12, 2012 from 7-9 PM. The location is 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA 20170. The actual exhibit runs from May 1-30, 2012. The work of a number of NVPS members will be on display. Photos were juried into the exhibit by noted photographer and judge, Mary Louise Ravese. Click on the following link to show more details: Art-Space_May_12_2012_Exhibit_Info. Also, more information about Art-Space can be found at the website:www.ArtSpaceHerndon.org.

May 4th - 28th, 2012 - Second Annual Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit

2012-05-28T16:00:00Z

The Joseph Miller Center for the Photographic Arts will be hosting its Second Annual Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit in May.

The exhibit will be on display weekly beginning Friday, May 4 through Monday, May 28, 2012. Visiting hours are Friday through Monday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

A reception will be held on Sunday, May 6, from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, where the Special Merit Award winners will be announced.

Joseph Miller Center for the Photographic Arts

4811 Catharpin Road

Gainesville, VA 20155

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Email Joseph Miller at furnfoto@aol.com or call (703) 754-7598.

NVPS Members - Please fill out the Education and Training Survey for Next Year

2012-05-22T23:30:00Z

Dennis Govoni and Roger Lancaster, co-chairs of the NVPS Education and Training, have designed a survey to help them plan and organize programs for next year (September through May.) It would be extremely helpful to them if you could complete the survey at your earliest convenience. We are limited to 100 responses. However, should we exceed that number, and you get notice that the number of allowed responses has been exceeded, then we will bring printed copies of the survey for the next few meetings.

The survey can be accessed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XXLYCGM .

Thanks so very much for helping us in this endeavor.

Dennis Govoni and Roger Lancaster

Co-chair, NVPS Education and Training.

May 22, 2012 - Member's Gallery: Prints by Lea Schlosser, Digital Projection by Ceasar Sharper

2012-05-22T23:30:00Z

Lea Schlosser Bio

My introductory to photography came in middle school when I had to choose between taking home economics or media arts. So naturally I chose media arts and I was hooked. I found it more enjoyable to spend the school day outside taking pictures of my friends than sitting inside a stuffy classroom.

In high school I blew my first paycheck on a film camera, a Pentax P3. Several years later my Dad was encouraging me to go digital. I refused, as my film camera worked just fine. So he bought me one. Again, I was hooked and used that camera up until a fateful water balloon fight with my brother ruined my little Sony digital. I then took the plunge and upgraded to a more serious digital camera and eventually a dSLR.

Over the years I've mostly taken pictures of family and friends and when traveling. However, shortly before joining NVPS in 2010, I started to become more serious about photography and expanding my subject matter. Tonight I'll be showing pictures from a trip to NC that I took with some other camera club members. This was part of a workshop with Mary and Mollie that I won at last years end of the year banquet. It was my first, and so far only, time going birding. It was a new experience for me but one that was a lot of fun.

Ceasar Sharper Bio

My photographic journey began when I took a photography course in college. That was a long time ago where I learned a few fundamentals of exposure but not composition. Unfortunately, the development of my photography skills stalled upon my graduation from college and commissioning into the Armed Forces.

After my military retirement and eventual dabbling into digital photography, I purchased a digital single lens reflex camera and made a commitment to improve my skills. I attribute much of my progress to my joining NVPS and getting critique from my images. My success in being awarded the 2011 Versatile Photographer of the Year - Novice Category, is a tribute valued membership provided by NVPS. I've benefited by developing my shot discipline and eye for composition.

While I enjoy photographing everything from sports to photojournalism, my passion is nature photography to include landscapes and wildlife.

Last year I was selected as a volunteer photographer for the National Park Service to help capture images of the 150th Anniversary of the 1st Battle of Bull Run. It was an honor to be involved in the activities at the National Park as well as the reenactments at the nearby fields.

May 22nd, 2012 - Forum: Abstracting & Visual Design: Visualizing the Simplest Form with Matthew G. Schmidt

2012-05-22T23:30:00Z

If you've ever wondered why a photographer chose a specific vantage point to create a photograph, this presentation is for you. Join us as we review some photographs created by icons of the photographic community, and discuss how aspects of visual design apply to those images. We'll review the principles of visual design, the building blocks and some of the psychology of those building blocks.

After the review, we'll look at Matt's abstractions to a simple form of the photographs, and how that abstract view contributes to the strength of the image. Matt's abstractions are based on principles taught in painting and drawing to create the proper proportions and shape. For many of us, this is a completely different way of viewing the world, where a literal interpretation is no longer required. This can strengthen your ability to create abstract images, as well as your literal interpretations.

Bio

Matt is a computer professional and amateur photographer with a wide variety of photographic interests. During the winter months he often shoots indoors, mostly macro and still life, while in warmer months he shoots outdoors, enjoying landscapes, action and motorsports. Over the last several years he has been developing his skills with more artistic photographic interpretations, incorporating panning, multiple exposures and montages into his portfolio.

Even though he works in a technical position, he has taken a great interest in art, studying the masters in painting and photography. He has begun to apply those interpretations, compositional and lighting techniques to his photography.

Matt is an active member of NVPS and has been a board member for five of the last six years. He has been the Digital Competition Coordinator, PSA Rep, Co-VP for Competition and the Workshops, Education and Training Coordinator. Matt is a PSA member and has attended the PSA Image Analysis course.

You can reach Matt at: mgs@loreleistudios.com.

Members News for Jan Ponder

2012-05-21T04:00:00Z

Jan Ponder has three pictures that were juried into the Art in City Hall exhibit. She also has two pictures that were selected by the judges of Photo DC Cherry Blossom contest. These images can be seen along Crystal City's interior walkways between the Metro and the shopping mall. They are printed on metal and are approximately 30" x 40"

The reception date for Art In City Hall has been established - it will be Monday, May 21 from 5:30 - 7:00. Mayor Bill Euille will be there for the awards presentation at 6:00.

The Art League Gallery
105 N Union Street | Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-1780
www.theartleague.org | facebook | twitter | flickr

June 8th, 2012: NVPS End-of-Year Competition and Awards Dinner

2012-05-20T00:36:30Z

June 8th, 2012, 6:00 p.m.

Best Western Westpark in Tyson's

Corey Hilz, guest judge

Tom Burden and Melanie Marts, co-VP's of Competition, are pleased to host Corey Hilz as competition judge for End-of-Year. Those of you who competed digitally, if you gave permission, your images will be entered for judging. The collected print images will be judged on May 23rd. All awards will be announced at the dinner. It was a pleasure serving the club, and thanks to all who supported us in helping competition to run smoothly month after month. The following bio is excerpted from Corey's website; www.coreyhilz.com.

Corey Hilz focuses his photography on the natural world. He approaches his subjects with an artistic eye, looking for rhythm, texture, and pattern. He strives to share the beauty of a destination you've never seen and provide a new perspective of a place you know well.

Corey believes some of the most interesting subjects are found close to home. He is a published author, and his photos have been used in magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, brochures and catalogues. His work is also seen in exhibits throughout the Washington DC area, as well as being found in private collections.

Corey has a passion for teaching, and for those of you who have taken any of his many workshops, he is great at it! He enjoys working with clients in the field, so they learn to improve their images, as they are creating them. He is also recognized as a Lensbaby Guru, and is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers.

See you at dinner!

Respectfully submitted by Melanie Marts

April 18 - May 19, 2012 - NVPS Member Evelyn Jacob - Exhibit "Hidden Worlds: Leaves in Ice"

2012-05-19T21:30:00Z

Evelyn Jacob has a photography exhibit "Hidden Worlds: Leaves in Ice," April 18 - May 19, 2012.

BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874.

Artists' reception: Saturday, April 21, 2012, 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

NVPS members are invited to the exhibit and reception.

Information on the gallery's current hours is at: http://www.blackrockcenter.org/art-gallery/main-gallery/

Ample free parking is available behind the building.

Evelyn's images from the exhibit and other images on the same theme are on her web site: http://www.evelynjacob.net/

May 15th, 2012 - Results of Competition with Judge James Steele - "Oldies Night"

2012-05-17T16:17:54Z

NOVICE DIGITAL IMAGES

1st Place: Rosemary Smith; "Santorini Colors"

2nd Place: Claudia Copeland; "Garlic"

3rd Place: George Karamarkovich; "Late Evening Landing"

Honorable Mentions:

Lea Schlosser; "Emusing"

John Singley; "Fog Light"

Sandra Uhler; "On the Beach"

ADVANCED DIGITAL IMAGES

1st Place: Jeff Hancock; "Great Falls Morning"

2nd Place: Judy McGuire; "Shenandoah Sunset"

3rd Place: Jay Heiser; "Sweeping Out the Orphanage"

Honorable Mentions:

Susan Breen; "A Buck at Sunrise"

Susan Breen; "Tail of a Whale"

Kim Enevoldsen; "One Day"

Dennis Govoni; "Bridal Veil Falls"

Jeff Hancock; "Butterfly Visitor"

Jay Heiser; "Everyday Heroes"

Beth Morris; "Eagles at Blackwater"

Scott Musson; "Tree of Dreams"

Susan Phillips; "Stud Horse"

Ursy Potter; "Trusting Child"

Bill Prosser; "Duck Sunrise"

MONOCHROME PRINTS

1st Place: Chuck Bress; "String Along"

2nd Place: Mike Whalen; "Calm Sunrise"

3rd Place: Stephen Gawarecki; "All Mine"

Honorable Mentions:

Andrew Fritz; "Snake"

Mike Whalen; "Direct Hit"

NOVICE COLOR PRINTS

1st Place: MariAnne MacGregor; "Three at Sea"

2nd Place: Claudia Copeland; "Quiet Passageway"

3rd Place: Dasha Rosato; "Beauty of Weeds"

ADVANCED COLOR PRINTS

1st Place: Tom Brett; "Prison Guards"

2nd Place: Dennis Govoni; "The Final Insult"

3rd Place: Chuck Bress; "Anhinga

Honorable Mentions:

Fran Bastress; "Home Ranch Horses in Snowfall"

John Dexter; "River Scene"

Bob Friedman; "Yellow Lamp"

Maricruz Fugon; "No More Pictures, Grandma"

Please Submit your Winning Images for the End-of-Year Competition

2012-05-15T23:30:00Z

If you have submitted images (novice or advanced; mono or color prints or digital) and have won any award (1'st, 2'nd, 3'rd or Honorable Mention) in the NVPS monthly competition this 2011-2012 club year, you are eligible to submit those images into the End-of-Year competition. If your images wins an award at this final competition, you will receive a ribbon and a certificate, and those images will be on display at the End-of-Year banquet.

Prints can be brought and turned in to any club meeting between now and May 15, but after May 15, images will not be accepted. If you have digital images that you want to enter, you must sign in these images on the sheets supplied at the club meetings. Again, please do this on or before May 15. After that images will no longer be accepted. If you have any questions or need more information, please ask or email either Melanie Marts or Tom Burden, our Competition VP's.

Additionally, don't forget to sign up for the End-Of-Year Banquet on Friday, June 8, starting at 6PM. The details and sign-up can be found under "NVPS News".

May 15th, 2012 - NVPS Competition with Judge James Steele - "Oldies Night"

2012-05-15T23:30:00Z

Tom Burden and Melanie Marts, co-VP's of Competition, are pleased to host James (Jim) Steele as competition judge. This month is "Oldies Night". This means there is no time limit for your images. Please upload your digital images by the deadline, as per the current instructions on the club website. Prints must be signed in by 7:15, so our judge can preview them. You must also be a paid member to compete. You are invited to join Jim for dinner at The Olive Garden Restaurant, at 5:30 p.m., on the 15th. The following bio is lifted from Jim's website; http://www.photographybysteele.com.

James Steele is a photographer in the tradition of Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. Working primarily in medium and large format, his "scapes" of land, sea, and body represent the finest in traditional and digital photographic imagery.

Jim has studied with Cole Weston, George Tice, Joyce Tenneson, Christopher James, Carson Graves, and Martha Casanave.

In our DC area his work can be seen in Studio #343 in the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria.

Jim has taught workshops and photography courses at the Art League School in Alexandria, the Smithsonian, Visarts, Photoworks, Inc, at Glen Echo Park and has guest lectured at Georgetown University. He has also taught numerous workshops in digital printing.

"First and foremost, I photograph what interests me, until it no longer interests me; then I photograph something else. Most of my work is landscapes and figure studies executed with both traditional and digital materials."

"In the end, it's not about the process, it's about the image. It either works or it doesn't."

Please note: Print images are being collected, for the End-of Year judging. If your image has won a ribbon between September 2011 and May 2012, you are eligible. Please bring your winning prints to any meeting, place them in the appropriate box, and initial the list that is provided. Digital competitors only have to sign off on the provided list. The last opportunity to submit images for End-of-Year judging will be at the May competition night, no exceptions.

Respectfully submitted by Melanie Marts