November 2011

There is a lot going on in November. Freeman Patterson is speaking on November 4 and 5. Freeman is an inspiration and a motivator and we are very fortunate to have him visit Northern Virginia. Tickets are still available. More info on our website, www.nvps.org and in the workshop announcement below.

Although the deadline is passed for entering photographs in Nature Visions, it is not too late to buy your tickets for the event. The main attraction is Art Wolfe. He is scheduled to appear as the keynote speaker for Nature Visions 2011. His presentation, titled “Between Heaven and Earth” will be a multi-media presentation centered on the Himalaya region and reflects Wolfe’s most personal statement to date. Art will also be presenting a full day seminar on Friday, November 11th. In addition to the photography show and Art Wolfe, there will be two days of lectures and workshops on a variety of photographic topics. This is a great chance to learn and improve your photography close to home. Please go to naturevisions.org for more info about Art and all of the other seminars and the photo expo.

And it is fall; time to go out and take photos of the better than usual colorful display nature provides us. 

Bob Friedman President, NVPS

November 1st, 2011 - Program Night: Mike Moats

Creating Great Art with Macro Photography

Mike Moats, an award winning pro macro nature photographer from Michigan, is our November program speaker. He will explain how to find and create great artwork through macro photography, show interesting images, and provide tips on how to take your macro photography to the next level.

Mike will be in Sterling to conduct a Macro workshop and has generously agreed to stay in town for our program night.  His articles and images have been published in major photo magazines and he has written several how-to macro and photo business book/ebooks.  Mike is one of Tamron’s master macro photographers and was a member of the Fuji Pro Talent Team. 

Mike teaches three-day “Macro Boot Camps” across the country, owns the “Macro Nature Forum”, and teaches macro photography through online webinars.

www.tinylandscapes.com
www.mikemoatsblog.com
www.mikemoatsbooks.com
www.macronatureforum.com

Mike will be joining us for dinner at Chili’s prior to the Program at 5:30 pm, so please rsvp to mary.m.o’neill “at” gsk.com or mmoneillphotography “at“ gmail.com by 5 pm on Sunday, October 30 if you would like to join us for dinner.

November 8th Workshop

Shelley Miller is a photographer and a designer specializing in portrait, wedding and children photography. With studios in Winchester VA and offices in Sterling, Shelley’s background in design, combined with her photography experience, enables her to see things in a unique and different way. However, she believes that being creative is only a part of the process. The true art remains in mastering the camera and a dedication to ongoing education.

She has taught design and graphics at NOVA Community College, and her photographs have been featured in several magazines and journals, including Elan Magazine. In November of 2010, one of her photographs was featured in Professional Photography magazine as part of their annual cover contest. She is an active member of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and the Professional Photographers Association (PPA).

Shelley has been a judge in numerous photo competitions and has presented workshops on printing and other photography related topics throughout the metro area. Her website can be viewed at www.shellpix.com.

Her workshop at NVPS on November 8th will deal with photo printing techniques.

November 29th Workshop

Preparing Your Images for Competition

Scott Musson will share his extensive experience with digital photography software demonstrating the preparation of your images for competition using Photoshop CS 5, Photoshop Elements 10 and Lightroom 3.5.  This will be combination lecture and interactive session so feel free to bring your laptop if you care to go through the steps along with Scott. Don’t worry if you don’t have a laptop, there will still be plenty to learn from the discussion and demonstration.  Also don’t worry if you are using another version of digital photography software, much of the instruction will work with other versions.

Topics discussed and demonstrated include sizing your image, color profile usage, image resolution and various creative tips.

What to bring:

Scott Musson is a photographer, lecturer and frequently critiques, speaks and judges at photography organizations and clubs in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC metropolitan area. A Photographer of the Year for the Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS), Scott has published a photo calendar with his wife, Emi for the past ten years.

“Photography is a natural extension of my love for travel", says Scott. “While I've taken pictures all my life, it wasn't until I was older and could afford to travel that my passion for photography truly developed. I love the whole process of photography: planning a shoot, getting up early to catch the light, processing the images (nowadays digitally), and printing and matting."

Scott has a passion for photography in and around water. He has been capturing images from a kayak and while snorkeling for a number of years. "I would snorkel everyday if I could," Scott says, and tries to makes several excursions a year to the tropics to enjoy this aspect of photography. Additionally Scott enjoys architectural and black light photography.

Scott was recently the end of year judge for the North Bethesda Camera Club and a monthly Judge for Gaithersburg Camera Club. Additionally he presented “Digital Workflow” to the Loudon Photography Club and led his second Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in Old Town Fairfax.

Scott is a past president of the NVPS and has served on its board for several years. He has been Vice President of Competition and of Programs for that organization and currently is its website manager. He has received the NVPS “Versatile Photographer of the Year” award and the "Advanced Photographer of the Year" award for Prints and Digital Projected Images.

Scott blogs about photography and posts images at his website at www.scottmusson.com, please stop by for a visit any time!

November 15th Competition - Judge Roy Sewall

Tom Burden and Melanie Marts, co-VP's of Competition, are pleased to host Roy Sewall as competition judge.  There is no theme for this month.  Please upload your digital images by the deadline, as per the current instructions on the club website.  Prints should be signed in by 7:15, so our judge can preview them.  You must be a paid member to compete.  You are invited to join Roy for dinner at The Olive Garden Restaurant, at 5:30 p.m., on the 15th. Olive Garden is located two blocks west of Chili’s at the corner of Gallows Road and Leesburg Pike. RSVP to Melanie Marts before 5pm Monday, Nov 14th, if you are joining us for dinner.  (jasmarts “at” cox.net)

Roy Sewall is one of the leading photographers of the Potomac River, and the C&O Canal.  Although Roy spent most of his youth in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, his family's home base was the Washington, D.C. Area.  Roy has a B.S. in Physics from the Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, and a M.S. in Engineering Science from Penn State.  He returned permanently to the Washington area in 1969, and worked for several major technology corporations for over 30 years.

Roy's interest in photography evolved from extensive travel in six continents.  In 2001, he started his transition to full-time photographer.  He has always found the Washington area to be one of the most photogenic locations in the world.  Roy's 1st photography book, Our Potomac, from Great Falls through Washington, D.C., was published in 2005.  His 2nd book, Great Falls and Mather Gorge, was published in 2009.  In addition, he was a guest on WETA's TV program Great Views of Washington, D.C., the lead photographer in the Best of D.C. publication, and in a feature article in the 2009/2010 Where Guestbook, Washington, D.C.

Please visit Roy's website to view his wonderful photography.

Submitted by Melanie Marts

October Competition Results

The full October competition results can be found at: http://nvps.org/main/meetings/competition/competition_results/october_18th_2011_-_results_of/

Competition Images

The NVPS Website has a gallery of past winning images at http://nvps.org/gallery/v/competitions/. If you did well in a competition. If your image placed first, second, third or received an honorable mention, it is eligible for this gallery.  This is not done automatically; you must specifically provide consent for your image to be included in the gallery.

To have your winning image included in the gallery, email competitionwinners@nvps.org and provide the following information:

Your name
Image Category (digital, color print, monochrome print)
Image Class – for those categories with classes (Advanced or Novice)
Competition Date

Digital Winners: just provide consent for posting your image

Print Winners: send a digital version of your print, sized as if it were for digital competition (smaller is ok, but not too small).

The Fotofax newsletter is usually finalized during the weekend immediately following the monthly club competitions.  If your image is a first place winner and you send it in before the weekend after competition, your image will be forwarded to the editor for inclusion in Fotofax.  If you have not provided permission before that deadline, your image will NOT be included and another winning entry may be used for that category in Fotofax.

Winning Images from October

Clicking on any of the images above will display a larger version of the image.

Page, AZ trip Cancelled

Despite high hopes, we had several members cancel due to changed work plans, etc. Consequently, we are canceling the trip at this time.

November 18-19: US Botanic Gardens (Self-guided)

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. This close-in Garden highlights the diversity of plants from around the world. Their website is: http://www.usbg.gov/.  Tripods are allowed by permit during weekdays http://www.usbg.gov/your-visit/upload/PHOTO-pol%20032106.pdf  f which is why this activity is listed for both a Friday and a Saturday. You can obtain a permit for Friday by calling 202-225-8333. The Garden is open from 10 am to 5 pm -- take Metro to Federal Center SW, which is the closest Metro stop.

December 10: Mormon Temple Festival of Lights

The Washington, DC Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, also known as the Mormon Temple, is open to all during the Christmas season. This impressive church and its surrounding grounds shine brightly with more than 450,000 sparkling Christmas lights. Each night, a different local musical group performs a live concert in a state-of-the-art theater. We will meet at the Fire Hall at 5:30 pm, returning about 8:30.   Of course, folks can drive to the location on their own.  The address is:

9900 Stoneybrook Drive
Kensington, Maryland 20895-3199

The Temple’s website is: http://lds.org/church/temples/washington-dc?lang=eng
And it contains a link for specific driving directions.

Images from the Capitol Field Trip

Thirteen club members participated in the October 12th Field Trip to the US Capitol. Senator Mark Warner's office hosted the tour and provided two interns as tour guides. Here are two images by Dan Ward, showing club members enjoying the tour.

Note: Clicking on any of the images above will display a larger version of the image. Simply hit the "back" button in your browser to return to the newsletter. Additional images from this and past field trips can be found on the NVPS web site: nvps.org/gallery/main.php

"How Judges Evaluate Photographic Images and How Photographers Can Use Those Principles to Improve Their Image-Taking”

In the November Forum, Bill Prosser will discuss the Four C's (Craftsmanship, Composition, Content, and Communication) and how you can use them in your work.

Bill has been a serious amateur photographer for over 35 years. Beginning in the early 1970's, he studied under a number of Northern Virginia teachers and mentors as well as Canadian Freeman Patterson.  In 1995, he gave up the chemical darkroom for the computer.  And, in 2000, he gave up film for the digital chip after learning Photoshop and working with photographic images in his digital darkroom. 

Also, in 1995, Bill began his current volunteer work at McLean High School where he teaches Photoshop, photography, and mentors students in visual design.

He served as a teaching assistant for several Smithsonian Institution Photoshop Classes.  He is a founding member and past-president of the McLean Photography Club and a 20+ year member and board member of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS).

Bill is a Northern Virginia Association of Camera Club certified judge and has judged competitions for most of the camera clubs in the area. In recent years, he has earned numerous NVPS Photographer of the Year and Image of the Year awards. In 2011 he was named Monochrome Photographer of the Year by NVPS.

His images have been exhibited at numerous venues including: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Joe Miller's First Annual Abstract Photography Exhibition as well as several Fairfax County venues including a 2011 exhibition of black and white prints, Unseen Extracts-Mclean, VA at the McLean Project for the Arts in the McLean Community Center.  Georgetown University purchased seven of Bill’s Washington, DC images to hang in its Graduate Public Policy Institute offices. Additionally, Bill’s work has been published in the National Geographic Traveler Magazine and AAA World Magazine.

Prints

Melanie A. Marts November 22nd, 7:30 PM

Digital Presentation

Timber S. Gooding November 22nd, 7:30 PM

A true native of Northern Va., Timber has seen the area grow from beautiful and natural landscapes to the modern and exciting architectural arena it is today.  He has been involved in the arts his entire life and recently became involved in photography as a hobby.  As a professional makeup artist, he has a natural eye for color and composition, and has traveled around the world working for smashbox photo studios in L.A.   Now, he has moved his talents to behind the camera and is enjoying every minute.  

"I wish I had been into photography during my travels for work, but, now I have an excuse to go back to all the exciting places a second time!"

Timber is currently a member of the Northern VA Photography Society and has acquired many awards from the club, including numerous first place images, "photographer of the year" in the enhanced print category for the club in 2007-2008, and for advanced prints in both 2008-2009 and 2010-2011!  His work has been juried into Meadowlark Photo Expo, MANPE, and was finalist with an image juried into fotoweekdc (2008) exhibit.

Timber really enjoys photographing landscape, architecture, wildlife, and abstracts with macro.  He is especially interested in Night Photography, Long Exposures and HDR.  His specialty is finding the dramatic in the mundane. 

Timber says "I shoot to please myself, and, enjoy being in control of my images.  If I shoot for anyone else, then it becomes work!"

A list of current Board members and their contact information can be found at nvps.org/main/about/board-members.

Our board members are:

Notice: Workshop and contest announcements of events not sponsored by or affiliated with NVPS are provided as a courtesy to Members. Individuals should review the detailed contest rules and conditions to determine what impact entering images has on rights and ownership of the submitted images. Review the descriptions of workshop to whether participation in a workshop would actually meet personal learning goals. NVPS attempts to screen events for legitimacy and quality, however NVPS does not recommend these events and cannot assume responsibility for their ultimate quality. We recommend due diligence and encourage you to share your experience with other club members.

Exhibition Opportunities

Audubon Society

The Audubon Society of Greater Denver (Colorado) is launching an international nature photography contest this October with cash prizes for the top ten images and featured recognition for the top 250. The contest runs from October 15 until November 30, 2011. Contest proceeds are intended to support our Audubon Nature Center education programs. Watch for further details on the Share the View Website at: http://denveraudubon.contestvenue.com

Photoworks Exhibit

Call For Exhibit Proposals for 2012
Deadline:  November 15, 2011 

The Photoworks Exhibit Committee invites you to submit a proposal for a group or solo photography exhibition in 2012 at Photoworks Gallery in historic Glen Echo Park.  Proposals must be received on or before the November 15, 2011 deadline.  

Photography Exhibition Dates:
1.  March 2 - April 9, 2012
2.  June 15 - July 23, 2012
3.  September 7 - October 15, 2012
4.  November 16, 2012 - January 17, 2013

Deadline for Exhibit Proposal Submissions:  November 15, 2011

Visit www.glenechophotoworks.org for more details.

2011 Nature Visions Expo
November 11-13

Congratulations to the 33 NVPS members who had a total of 87 images selected for Nature Visions. Competition was amazingly tough this year. Many excellent photographers from the five major Northern Virginia Clubs did not get anything into the juried show, but our club was well represented among the winners.

Susan Breen, Dennis Govoni and Beth Morris led the club with five images selected each. Lorraine Chickering, Sandi Croan, Susan Phillips, Angelique Raptakis and Mike Whalen had four each. Tom Brett, Dee Ellison, Bob Friedman, Willa Friedman, Roger Lancaster, Pat Lonergan, Trinka Reddie, Sam Schaen, Ceasar Sharper and Dan Ward had three each. John Dexter, Marilyn Gaizband, Yulan Guo, MariAnne MacGregor, Judy McGuire, Jan Ponder and Dasha Rosato had two each. Jim Carlson, Curtis Gibbens, Georgette Grossman, Michael Kane, Dale Nelson, Tuan Pham, Joan Santos and Dorothy Tepper had one each. A listing of the results can be seen at: http://nvps.org/main/exhibits/nature_vision_jury_results/

You can see their winning images in this year's Expo, November 11-13 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the Prince William Campus, George Mason University, Manassas, VA.

The Expo will kick off on Friday, November 11, with a full-day seminar presented by world renowned nature photographer, Art Wolfe. The subject of the seminar is "The Art of Composition." The price for this seven hour seminar is only $195 and seating is limited. If you register in advance for the Nature Visions Expo for either Saturday and or Sunday admission you will receive a coupon code upon checkout which will give you access to a 15% discount on this seminar which will drop the price to $165.75. Art will also be the Expo's keynote speaker at 4:00pm on Saturday afternoon. Detailed information about the Expo including registration and tickets, seminars and lectures and the Exhibitor's Guidance can be found on the website www.NatureVisions.org

Ticket package deals and individual tickets are now on sale on the web site. Details about this year's workshops and lectures are on the web site. For additional information, contact John Quigley, the NVPS Exhibits Coordinator at jhquigley "at" msn.com

Meadowlark Juried Exhibition of Nature Photography
Capturing Nature in Photographs - November 5 - 30

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is having a Juried Exhibition of Nature Photography, entitled “Capturing Nature in Photographs” as part of their participation in FotoWeekDC 2011.  The exhibition will run from November 5th to November 30th.

Workshop Offerings

Photoworks

Photoworks in Glen Echo Park offers a variety of photography classes & workshops for adults and children, taught by many familiar names, including former speakers at NVPS. For schedule details, check their website class listings at: http://www.glenechophotoworks.org/

There will be a Social Media workshop for photographers at Photoworks in Glen Echo Park, conducted by Ana Irizarry, beginning Wednesday evening 11/2. It will help photographers learn how to use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to promote their photography. The workshop will cover "the best strategic and creative ways one can use this valuable new tool to grow your photo business or promote your next photography exhibit." More details are at: http://www.glenechophotoworks.org/2011/07/06/course-social-media-for-photographers/

Wayne Wolfersberger

Wayne Wolfersberger (NVPS member and past President) will be teaching many classes for his thirteenth year with Fairfax County’s Adult and Community Education - ACE. Anyone can sign up (Fairfax residency not required). Courses are designed for beginners, intermediate and advanced skills in photography which includes Outdoor (Nature) classes, flower and garden classes, as well as well as classroom table top shooting for composition and creativity. Several classes include weekend field trips. See http://www.fcps.edu/is/ace/index.shtml and then go to Art – studio art for details or http://www.waynewolfersberger.com/

Roy Sewall

One-on-one Coaching: This coaching is intended for novice and intermediate photographers. Coaching sessions are tailored to an individual's specific needs, and the scope is flexible. Representative topics are: how to operate a digital SLR, equipment selection, photo critique in a private setting, on-computer demonstration of photo improvements, and field technique. Roy is scheduled as the November 15th judge, judged an NVPS competition in October 2009 and presented a program in November 2010. Contact Roy via phone at 301-530-6720 or email at roy "at" sewallinc.com or his website:

http://www.roysewallphotography.com/

Nikhil Bahl Photography Workshops

Nikhil Bahl is a professional nature photographer, educator, author, lecturer and workshop instructor. Nikhil leads several nature photography workshops and tours, primarily along the East coast of the United States. He also teaches photography locally at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia and through Digital Photo Academy. His instruction is focused on in-camera interpretation and developing personal vision, rather than simply following the traditional rules of photography. Nik gave an NVPS forum program in April 2011.

http://www.nikhilbahl.com/
http://www.nikhilbahl.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/nikhil.bahl.photography

240-246-6654 or email nikhil "at" nikhilbahl.com

Awake the Light Photo Tours and Workshops
Mollie Isaacs and Mary Lindhjem

Join two well-known professional photographers on their exciting and educational photo tours. For 2011 they are offering trips to Alaska's Denali National Park and Katmai National Park, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley in Arizona, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Acadia National Park in Maine. All tours include extensive photographic opportunities in the field, as well as personal one-on-one assistance and classroom instruction. Mollie and Mary gave NVPS Programs in October 2009 and October 2010.

Mollie Isaacs and Mary Lindhjem
http://www.awakethelight.com/
757-773-0194
awakethelight "at" cox.net

Josh Taylor, Jr.

Fall workshops, classes, and lectures are posted at archiphotoworkshops.com. Please take a look and hopefully, you will find something of interest, including Canon camera classes. Josh is an NVPS member and most recently presented a workshop in March 2010 and was our September 2011 Competition judge.

jtaylorj "at" verizon.net
archiphotoworkshops.com

Freeman Patterson

The Joseph Miller Center for the Photographic Arts is pleased to announce that the internationally-renowned photographer, Freeman Patterson, will present two programs at the Verizon Auditorium, Occoquan Building (GMU), 10900 University Blvd, Manassas VA 20110. The first presentation will be a Friday evening program November 4, entitled: “The Call of Creativity.” The second will be an all-day seminar on Saturday, November 5, entitled:  “Seeing and Visual Design.”  

Mr. Patterson last addressed members of the Greater Washington photographic community in March 2002, when he presented an all-day seminar at the International Monetary Fund Auditorium hosted by the International Photographic Society.

Notes on the Friday evening, November 4, program: "The Call of Creativity" - Time: 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm. This is a presentation for everybody and not limited to just photographers. It should be equally promoted to other visual and performing artists, educators, university and high-school students, designers of every sort, spiritual care workers, and everybody interested in a visually and intellectually stimulating evening. During the two and a half hours (including an intermission), Freeman will combine talking, projected images and music to examine the sources and nature of creativity, essential facts about creativity and ways of accessing the creativity that we all possess. Freeman has given this program to large groups of photographers, university students and as a keynote address to national conferences of university educators across Canada, in South Africa and New Zealand, and will be presenting it in Israel in December. This will be his first presentation of the program in the United States. Registration fee: $30.00

Notes on the Saturday November 5, all-day seminar: “Seeing and Visual Design”. Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Freeman’s “Seeing and Visual Design” seminar has evolved over the years. (Because the growing process just never ends, there will always be new ways of looking at and discussing visual design). Basic content: This seminar is about seeing and visual design. Visual design is the craft of visual expression and communication. During the morning, Freeman will be speaking about and illustrating (with projected images) the building blocks of visual design and, during the afternoon, principles for arranging them in picture space (composition). He will not be talking about the hardware and software of film or digital photography, except in passing. Registration fee: $75.00

For additional information or to register contact Joseph Miller Center, e-mail: furnfoto "at" aol.com. Phone: 703-754-

Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NVACC)

The Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NVACC) is an informal entity started in 1997 by Joseph Miller with the assistance of Dave Carter and Ed Funk. Its purpose is to promote communication and cooperation among area camera clubs. NVACC is made up of Member Clubs and Associated Member Clubs.

NVACC publishes a monthly Calendar of Virginia Member Club Events that can be found at www.nvacc.org/Calendar.html.

.NVACC has published a Field Trips Guide Book for Photographers, which provides information about nearby areas that camera clubs might wish to visit (www.nvacc.org/Field%20trips%20Guidebook/NVACCPublications.html).

Thanks to all those who have taken time to provide feedback about FotoFax. Recommendations, suggestions, constructive criticism and unbridled admiration are all appreciated. :) At the last meeting, someone asked our policy about updates, so here's a quick explanation.

On the top left corner of each newsletter, you can see the volume and number of each issue. This is Volume 47 Number 3. This meaning our 47th year and number three means the third issue of this program year. Program years begin in September, so a three means the third month of the program year, or November. If you see a dot something, like 3.1, it means an updated edition. The latest version is saved on-line on the website, but updates are not emailed unless there is a truly significant, impactful change.

Our schedule is to send newsletters out one week before the first meeting of each month. If you have something for the newsletter, send it to me by the Friday evening following the competition meeting.

All requests and submissions should be sent to editor@nvps.org

Editor, Dan Ward

Copyright 2011 by the Northern Virginia Photographic Society and its Contributors. The contents of this FotoFax are copyrighted. No material herein may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the Editor or the material’s specific contributor. All photographs are copyrighted by the photographers who have granted permission for NVPS to use their image in FotoFax and/or on the NVPS website, but otherwise retain all rights to their image.