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Editor: Sam Schaen - Email: Editor@NVPS.org
Welcome to the NVPS’s 45th year! I hope you all had a wonderful summer with lots of great photo opportunities. I am very excited about the coming year. We have a terrific board of both experienced and new members who have been working hard this summer lining up field trips, exhibitions, speakers, educational trainings/workshops, judges and our own members for nine months of learning and camaraderie. NVPS is the most active photo club in all of Northern Virginia with meetings every week. My goals for this year are to continue the wonderful traditions of NVPS, keep it educational and FUN, and provide a welcoming and supportive environment for new members and novice photographers, as well as to make changes to better serve our current membership needs. We had our transition (old board and new board) meeting
on June 22nd where four new committees/teams were rolled out:
I want to personally thank the old and new boards, and the chair people and members of these new committees for agreeing to serve. You should expect to hear more about all this in the coming months as we strive to meet the growing needs of our members. Over the summer, we made some big changes to our website www.nvps.org. The NVPS website is chock full of new info and links, and we now accept PayPal for new and renewing membership. Membership fees are due at the beginning of each club year, so please renew or join by the end of September. Only paid members can submit images for competitions. Please contribute and share articles, news, tidbits, images, etc to the website and FotoFax– it is YOUR website and YOUR newsletter. Tuesday, September 1 is our first meeting of NVPS, as well as the opening of the NVPS exhibit at USGS (see other article on this). I look forward to seeing you all and welcome your feedback and ideas throughout the year. And now for some fun and nostalgia!!! On April 7, 1965, NVPS was born with 22 members. We now have about ten times that number, and how things have changed in all aspects of life and photography! Check out the Cost of Living info below… looks to me like that has increased by about ten times as well. Cost of Living 1965 If I close my eyes and look back to 1965, I see my room, walls covered with posters of Paul McCartney and Dr. Kildare. I see my Brownie camera and my scrapbooks filled with family pictures. Little did I know then that one day I wouldn’t have to wait a week to see how my pictures came out, and my scrapbook would be online! Here are some other highlights from 1965:
Sandi Croan
The NVPS 2008/2009 club year was a financial success. We ended the year within budget, with total expenditures of $8,266 and total income from membership dues of $9,488. The balance of $1,222 was allocated to capital reserves for future equipment replacement costs. During the June 24th Board meeting, the NVPS Board approved the 2009/2010 club year budget. This included voting to keep the membership dues at the current level of $45.00 for individual and $65.00 for family memberships and approved projected budget expenditures total of $9,125 for the club year. These expenditures include:
Membership and miscellaneous expenses (name tags, postage, printed
material, etc) - $474 Finally, the Board voted to add the convenience of dues payment on the NVPS Web Site (www.nvps.org) using PayPal. This feature has been added to our web site, so members can either pay on-line with PayPal or by check or cash at our meetings. Dues (checks preferred) will be collected by our Membership Chairperson, Gayle Dennis. Fred Chitty
The NVPS 2009-2010 club year starts up in full swing with our first meeting on Tuesday, September 1st. This, of course, means it is time again to pay your annual dues. The dues amount this year has been frozen at last year's level, $45.00 for individual and $65.00 for family memberships. As always, membership in the Northern Virginia Photographic Society is open to photographers of every skill level, from beginner to professional. New this year! Dues can now be paid on-line via the NVPS website using PayPal. Just click on or paste the following link to your web browser and follow the instructions - http://nvps.org/main/about/membership-information/. Members can still pay either in cash or by check at our meetings (checks strongly preferred, made out to NVPS). Dues will be collected by our Membership Coordinator, Gayle Dennis. You may also mail a check to Gayle at 6 South Montague Street, Arlington, Virginia 22204. If you are a new member, please include your completed membership application, also available on the NVPS website. If you have any questions about membership, please e-mail Gayle at membership@nvps.org. Gayle Dennis
I See What You're Saying,
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Workshops, Education, and
Training |
We will start a new program year of workshops. Monthly workshops will be held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Dunn Loring Fire Station. They start at 7:30 PM. When there is a fifth Tuesday, there will be an additional workshop. In particular, this September will provide two workshops events: September 8, Novice Night, and September 29, Swap Meet. Workshops are organized to promote hands-on opportunities to learn about photography skills, techniques, and equipment. The intent is for workshop to provide “how-to” lessons which can be used in follow-up field trips to provide in-the-field practice and instruction. This is followed by Competition judging to provide feedback on success. We will try to plan many of the workshops to support Competition and Fieldtrip themes (this year: Opposites—November, Flash—January, and Monuments and Memorials—April).
Again this year we will sponsor a Portfolio Project (described below).
Ed Funk will speak about the important features of camera and photographic techniques with an emphasis on aperture priority. After his presentation there will be time for newer members to discuss follow-up questions with more experienced members in several breakout stations. Bring your camera to allow some hands-on learning.
This will provide an opportunity to share and exchange or purchase items from other club members on software and equipment that is gathering dust on someone’s shelf but could be put to good use by someone else. Also you can bring in your equipment just to show others what features make a difference to you. This should be a great opportunity to see a diverse set of equipment.
If there are any questions, please contact one of the Workshop Coordinators:
Melanie Marts
jasmarts@cox.net
Ed Ruggiero
eruggiero@cox.net
The Portfolio Project is a nine month project starting in September 2009 and running through May 2010. All club members of all skill levels are encouraged to participate in this project. The goal of the portfolio project is to conceive a theme, craft an artist statement, capture the images and the present them as a portfolio. This article is devoted to clarifying the details of the project and explaining what is contained in an artist statement.
Your goal is to create a portfolio of your best images, primarily collected from June 2009 to May 2010, that exemplify the objectives of your theme and Artist's Statement. These should be images you would be proud to share with others for years to come.
The beginning stages of the project entail picking a theme or concept and writing an Artist's Statement. In the “Artist’s Statement” the photographer explains what he or she is trying to accomplish with the project. The photographer makes images over the program year consistent with the statement and edits the body of work down to draft portfolio of approximately 20-25 images. (The draft portfolio may include some of the artist's earlier images consistent with the theme. Although the final portfolio may include older images, the bulk of it should be recent work.)
Draft Portfolios will be critiqued in early spring, and the final printed portfolios (plus a digital Portfolio file) will be submitted in April for a critique. A May Portfolio meeting will be held when all portfolios will be displayed. The critiquer will comment on each final portfolio submitted.
A final portfolio should contain about 12 to20 images. (Exact parameters may be specified later.) It may be bound as in an album or each image may be matted contained loose in a traditional portfolio box. Portfolio boxes and albums are available from B & H Photo, (www.bhphotovideo.com), Light Impressions (www.lightimpressionsdirect.com), and at Michaels and Penn Camera.)
Each artist will be able to display a draft Portfolio for comment online using the club’s website, www.nvps.org. The online version is the working, draft version, and intended to facilitate sharing images and comments throughout the portfolio’s development. It also allows participants and other members to see and comment on all draft portfolios as they progress throughout the year. These comments will not only help participants improve their images, but in choosing their best work to be included in the final printed portfolio.
The online version of the portfolio is limited to about 30 images This experience is an excellent opportunity to create a high quality portfolio to showcase your best work. There is a wealth of information on the web on creating a portfolio. A good starting place is the following link: http://www.computerclubhouse.org/alumni/alumniartist.htm.
Portfolio Project Coordinators:
Bill Prosser Prosser
ProsserWM@aol.com
703-821-2670
Scott Musson
smusson@mindspring.com
703-278-2828
Competitions |
On Tuesday September 15th, we will kick off our first competition of the 2009-2010 season with Mary Louise Ravese as our judge. Prior to the competition, I would encourage everyone to review the competition rules posted on the NVPS website under "Competitions". At this site, you will find information regarding eligibility requirements, number of images, types of images, deadlines and instructions for uploading images, etc. Although not yet documented in the competition rules, please note that HDR (High Dynamic Range) rendered composite images should be submitted in the “Enhanced Prints” or “Digitally Projected Images” categories. Also, please recall that the image capture date will need to be included on the image sign-in sheet.
There is no specific theme for the September Competition. The first themed competition of the season will be “Opposites” and will be held in November. The 2009 - 2010 Competition Themes are posted in the “Competitions” section of the NVPS website.
For the September competition, please plan to join Mary Louise for dinner at Chili’s at 5:45 prior to the competition. Mary Louise Ravese specializes in nature and travel photography from locations across the United States, Europe and Japan. Her favorite subject matter includes country landscapes, nature close-ups, architectural details and wildlife. She draws inspiration from a variety of visual arts to produce photographs often described as "painterly". Her ambition is to incorporate the beauty of painting in the clarity of photography. Mary Louise's fine art photography is in private, university and corporate collections in over 29 states and is exhibited nationally through art shows, galleries and shops. Her images have been used in calendars, magazines, books and websites including various projects with National Geographic maps.
Mary Louise is founder and owner of Bella Vista Photography ( www.BellaVistaPhotography.com ) in Waterford, VA. She is a member of the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA), the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP), and the Equine Photographers Network (EPN). She studied photography through the University of California Berkeley and Santa Cruz extension programs.
Mary Louise also enjoys teaching on a wide range of topics related to nature photography. She leads classes and field workshops in the Mid Atlantic region and a variety of photogenic locations across the US and abroad.
Gerry Abbott
Co-VP Competition
gerry.abbott@cox.net
Brian Payne
Co-VP Competition
BPayne45@yahoo.com
Field Trips |
Barnstorming air shows are alive and well in Bealeton, VA. And our
first field trip of the year will take us, not only to an air show,
but a hot air balloon rally as well.
If you have never been to the Flying Circus, you will be surprised at how close the airplanes are. A 200mm or 300mm lens, perhaps with a teleconverter, will often allow you to fill the viewfinder. Bring your tripod for ground shots, but be ready to pan with the action when the planes are in flight. And don’t forget wide angle lenses for the ground shots of planes and balloons as well. The gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the show starts at 2:30 p.m.,
however, we are trying to get us in earlier so we have better light.
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(I will keep you updated on my progress.) The cost is $10 per person. We will carpool from Dunn Loring. The time we leave will be determined by when we can get into the grounds. There will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting.
I-66 west and exit on Route 29 south at Gainesville. Turn left onto US-17 S/Marsh Rd. Turn Left onto Ritchie Rd. It should take about 1.25 hours.
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The rooms are reserved…Pennsylvania Dutch County here we come.
Lancaster County has much to offer the photographer…marvelous
landscapes along the back roads, beautiful farms, spectacular sunrises
and sunsets, old mills, covered bridges, old-time railroads and
much more. Here you'll discover Amish communities where life moves
at a slower pace and centers around time-honored traditions and
values. |
You will find beautiful scenery dotted with one-room schoolhouses and wooden covered bridges, modern farm machinery being pulled behind four-and six-mule teams, homemade clothing and quilts gently blowing in the breeze, and you'll hear the clip-clop of horses' hooves echoing down quiet country roads.
If you are interested in joining us for this fabulous Fall trip, there will be a sign-up sheet at meeting. There are 4 rooms left, but we will try and get more if needed.
As Field Trip Coordinators, Tuan Pham and Marilyn Gaizband are very excited to announce this year’s field trip schedule. As you can see below, there will be 3 overnight field trips. Those who are interested in any of these trips, contact Marilyn for more information.
Date | Location | Reserved Rooms |
Rooms Left |
October 1-4, 2009 | Lancaster, PA | 8 | 4 |
January 9-20, 2010 | Bosque del Apache and White Sands, NM | 11 | 4 |
April 15-18, 2010 | Smokey Mountains, TN | 8 | 5 |
Although some of the rooms have been taken, if more people want to go on the trips than rooms available, we will try and secure more rooms and/or put names on a waiting list.
In addition to the overnight trips, we have planned the following day trips:
Date | Location | Theme |
September 27, 2009 | Flying Circus Air Show and Hot Air Balloon Rally |
Motion, Architecture, Color, People |
October 24, 2009 | Huntley Meadows | Nature |
November 15, 2009 | National Arboretum | Fall Foilage |
December 12, 2009 | Brookside Gardens | Nature, Christmas Lights |
February 13, 2010 | Lewis Ginter Arboretum | Macro |
March 13, 2010 | Gettysburg Battlefield | Monuments |
May 1, 2010 | Glen Echo, MD | Everything |
May 31, 2010 | Rolling Thunder | Storytelling, Photo Essay |
June 12, 2010 | National Harbor | Everything |
July 10, 2010 | Kenilworth Gardens | Nature |
As usual, there will be sign-up sheets and more information at all the meetings starting in September. In the meantime, please feel free to contact either Tuan or myself with questions.
Marilyn Gaizband
Field-Trips@nvps.org
703-560-8365 (H)
703-402-6214 (C)
Tuan Pham
Field-Trips@nvps.org
703-354-3322 (H)
Forum |
It will be Joe Miller!
Joseph Miller frequently speaks, critiques, and judges at photographic societies. He writes extensively on a number of photographic subjects with particular interest in visual communication and design, judging photographs, and judging judges. He works out of the Joseph Miller Center for the Photographic Arts where he holds workshops and classes for serious photographers. He was instrumental in the creation of the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs. His photography has been influenced by the renowned international photographer, Freeman Patterson, from whom he has taken workshops in Canada and Africa.
Anna Gomez
anna_gomez@verizon.net
Members' Gallery |
Angelique Raptakis has been an avid photographer for over five years. She joined NVPS in 2008. Her primary interest is the natural world, with a focus on wildlife, flowers, insects, and the elements. She has also been involved with corporate/event photography. She tries to capture the beauty in the world around us, particularly the commonplace that is easily overlooked: from the colors of the setting sun, to the intricate patterns in the eye of a butterfly, to the grace of a withering floral bloom. She believes beauty is everywhere once we fully open our eyes to it.
To create her images, Angelique uses both the Canon 1D Mark IIN and Canon 30D Digital SLR camera bodies with an assortment of Canon professional lenses. All her prints are created using RAW format, digitally optimized, and printed using archival materials.
Angelique’s photographs have recently been on display at VisArts’
Kaplan Gallery, BlackRock Center for the Arts, Rockville Innovations
Center, the Washington Gallery of Photography, Locust Grove Nature Center,
Kentlands Mansion, and the Community Art Gallery at Holy Cross Hospital.
Her photographs have been published in various professional publications,
including newsletters and websites, and are on display in several private
collections. She has also won several awards and photo contests. Angelique
is a volunteer photographer for the National Park Service.
Digital
Projection
Nikhil Bahl
September 22, 2009
Nikhil Bahl joined NVPS in 2008. After he bought his first Digital SLR camera (a Nikon D70) in 2003 Nikhil photographed corporate events, award functions, weddings, and even delved in portraiture and studio photography but his primary interests remain fine art nature, landscape, and wildlife photography. He currently uses the Nikon D300 and D200 camera bodies and an assortment of lenses with focal lengths ranging from 10mm to 400mm.
Nikhil leads location workshops and photo tours and also teaches photography at the Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts (VisArts), in Rockville, Maryland and at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia. His instruction is focused on in-camera interpretation and developing personal vision rather than simply following "the rules".
Nikhil’s fine art prints are part of many private collections and have been in several exhibits in the Washington Metropolitan area. While he does most of his photography in the DC area, his travels have taken him around the country, where he has photographed major national parks and other scenic areas. He is also a volunteer photographer for the National Park Service.
Nikhil is a Senior Web Designer for an information and marketing company
and moonlights as a photographer. Please visit www.NikhilBahl.com
for more information.
Georgette Grossman
ggrossman@cox.net
Member News |
Last year I shared with the membership the "Bino System" harness that was made for binoculars. I have been using this for my Nikon D300 with an 18-200 lens or equivalent. This has saved my neck and shoulders when traveling and hand holding. I still use this and think it is terrific. I got mine at Walmart for under $20 in the BINOCULAR section but you can also get it online at: www.crookedhorn.com
Sandi Croan
NVPS President
Pashli@aol.com
Laura Howell's image "Wintergreen" was selected for the month of February by the Burke & Herbert Bank Photo Contest for their "2010 Calendar of Virginia People & Places".
Laura Howell's image "Trees at big Meadows" was accepted into "Timeless" a National Juried Compeititon sponsored by ArtPerk.com and Visual Arts Consulting to be held at the Washington Gallery of Photography in Bethesda, MD from September 11 - October 6, 2009. The opening night reception will be held on Friday, September 11 from 6pm to 9pm.
Laura also had one image juried into the First Juried Photographic Competition at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.
Laura Howell
howellphotos@yahoo.com
NVPS Executive Board 2008-2009 The elected and appointed board members for the 2008-2009 club year can be found at http://nvps.org/main/about/board-members/. |
Announcements |
John Naman's exhibit continues through September 30 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
John Naman
john@jnaman.com
Approximately forty NVPS members will exhibit their work in the Art Hallway
of the US Geological Survey Building, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston,
VA. The exhibit will go up on September 1, 2009 and remain in place until
September 30. The Hallway is open to visitors from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday through Friday. Admitance is gained through the Visitor's entrance
and signage clearly directs visitors to the entrance and the visitor parking.
Directions to the USGS Building can be found on the USGS web site at USGS.gov
.
A reception will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Friday, September 11
and all members are invited to attend and bring friends and neighbors
to enjoy the outstanding work of their fellow photographers.
John Quigley
Exhibits Coordinator
jhquigley@msn.com
Linda Bankerd
lbankerd@verizon.net
Maryland Federation of Art
410-268-4566
feborchard@aol.com
Nikhil Bahl Workshops
October 30 - November 1, 2009 | Great Falls National Park, Virginia/Maryland
Tuition: $175 Limit: 5 participants Schedule: Oct. 30 - From sunrise
to sunset with a break for lunch. Nov. 1 - 2pm to 6pm. In this autumn workshop we will photograph the Potomac River, reflections, textures, patterns, wildlife and some colorful forest scenes. |
November 13-15, 2009 | Chincoteague Island, Virginia Tuition: Early bird rate until September 1 - $259 ($299 after September 1) Schedule: Start - 1pm Nov. 13, End - 1pm Nov. 15. We will photograph wildlife, landscapes, ocean views, beach scenes, textures in the sand, marshes and plant life and more. |
August 30, 2009 | Bird & Wildlife Photography Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm Tuition: $50 Location: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Description: Photographing birds and other wildlife can be challenging and requires persistence and patience. Learn about all the essentials, from technique to composition, that make a good wildlife photograph. Photo gear recommendations and other tips like local hot spots will be included. |
September 13, 2009 | Beyond the Rules of Photography Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm Tuition: $50 Location: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Description: While the rules of photography are very helpful when learning, it's only when photographers start thinking beyond the rules that they can create unique images. This class focuses on creative compositions and camera techniques that help give your photographs a different look. How and when to break the rules successfully will be discussed as well. |
September 20, 2009 | Photographing Water Time: 1:00pm - 3:30pm Tuition: $50 Location: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Description: If you are a photographer that likes to interpret the same scene a different way then you will definitely appreciate the creative possibilities when photographing water. This class will cover techniques and ideas from different ways of photographing reflections to how changing the shutter speed affects the rendition of your photograph. Long exposures and the best times of day for the desired effect will be discussed. Depending on the weather there may be an optional field trip after the lecture. This will give you a chance to try out various techniques. |
Nikhil Bahl
www.nikhilbahl.com
nikhil@nikhilbahl.com
240-246-6654
Christine Kent Bowles (CKB) Workshops
9/26/2009 | Fall Macro Small Group Shoot: An interactive macro photo shoot in Ellicott City, MD. Join me in my backyard to capture close-up images of fall flowers, foliage, pumpkins, and more. The shoot is appropriate for beginner macro shooters as well as experienced macro photographers. Bring lenses ranging from wide angle to telephoto, tripod, and macro equipment. Saturday, September 26 from 8:00 to 10:30 am. Cost is $60 per person, and participation is limited to 6. |
10/03/2009 | Backyard and Trail Standard Workshop: Basic nature photography workshop for beginner to intermediate photographers; includes classroom instruction along with photo shoots in the backyard and on the trail. Held in Ellicott City, MD, on Saturday, October 3, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Cost is $80 per person, and participation is limited to 10. |
10/24/2009 | Water Photography Workshop: This workshop focuses on how to photograph flowing water and reflections and is appropriate for intermediate level photographers; includes classroom instruction, a photo shoot in a state park, and an online group photo critique session. Held in Ellicott City, MD on Saturday, October 24, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. Cost is $90 per person, and participation is limited to 10. |
Christine Kent Bowles (CKB) Photography
410-719-9656
www.ckbphotography.com
10/3/09 | Butterflies and Flowers on Steroids. our newest Photoshop class for photographers desiring to take their images to the next photographic level, is conducted at our studio near Reston. A maximum of 2 students per class guarantees each participant individual attention and unparalleled focus on their skills and unique needs. Photoshop tools and PhotoGrafix™ techniques will be taught on our iMac desktop computers using PS CS4 Extended. Students may bring their own laptops, but must have PS CS4 Extended installed and working. Sundays noon to 2 PM, 4 sessions, $295 |
10/7/2009 | Butterflies and Flowers on Steroids. (See description above.) Wednesdays 11 AM - 1 PM, 4 sessions, $295 |
10/8/2009 | Butterflies and Flowers on Steroids. (See description above.) Thursdays 7-9 PM, 4 sessions, $295 |
Charles Neenan
Tel: 703.216.0148
RedRoom.Fotog@verizon.net
Corey Hilz Photography
September 17-20 |
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Workshop |
October 8-11 |
Fall Color in West Virginia |
October 20 - |
China Photo Tour |
Corey Hilz
703.473.4618
corey@coreyhilz.com
www.coreyhilz.com
Northern Virginia Association of Camera Clubs
Two new clubs have joined NVACC: the Fredericksburg Photography Club and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. We wish them both the best of luck.
The NVACC web page can be found at: www.nvacc.org.
The combined calendar for the NVACC can be found at: http://www.nvacc.org/Calendar.html.