President's Message

President:	Willa Friedman
Vice President for Programs:	Tom Burden
Vice Presidents for Competition:	Mike Whalen, Mike Kane
Vice President for Operations:	Jim Norman
Treasurer:	Tom Brett
Secretary/Historian:	Georgette Grossman

Reminder:  buy your tickets to the End of Year Banquet, which is on June 8th at the Best Western in Tysons Corner.  There will be wonderful photos and wonderful people.  Don't miss it.  Tickets are $35 each; a real bargain.  Either give treasurer, Tom Brett a check at a meeting or easier still, use PayPal.  Here is the link:

http://nvps.org/main/meetings/june_8_2012_-_nvps_end_of_year/

Do it now so you will not forget.  NOTE:  Waiting for the last minute will not get you a discount. In fact, tickets at the door cost $5.00 more.  Better for planning if you buy your tickets early.

Check out the Spring has Sprung gallery.  There are lots of great images.

http://nvps.org/gallery/v/spring/

Bob
r.friedman.1 "at" alumni.nyu.edu

May 1st, 2012 - Lewis Kemper: Light, Color and Composition & A Photographer's Tibet

Lewis Kemper has been photographing the natural beauty of North America, and its parklands for over 30 years. During his extensive travels, he has been to 47 states from Alaska to Florida. His work has been exhibited and published in magazines, books, and calendars worldwide. Lewis will be conducting a two part program for NVPS--the first part is entitled, "Light, Color and Composition", and the second part is "A Photographer's Tibet".

Before moving west, he received a BA in Fine Art Photography from the George Washington University in 1976. The grandeur of the west beckoned and Lewis moved to Yosemite National Park, where he lived for 11 years. From 1978 until 1980, he worked at The Ansel Adams Gallery. Working at the gallery gave him the opportunity to meet, observe and learn from some of the greatest photographers of our time. "The experience of working at The Ansel Adams Gallery was very influential in my development as a photographer", he states.

Lewis captures color images using Canon digital cameras and 4 x 5 cameras. . He has been selected to Canon's Explorers of Light program featuring 62 of the country's most influential photographers. Lewis will be coming to NVPS from the West Coast for a special Program, so please mark your calendars to attend--this is a great opportunity to see a speaker who's new to NVPS!

Lewis will be joining us for dinner at Chili's at 5:45 PM prior to the Program, so if you'd like to attend dinner, please rsvp to mary.m.o'neill" at "gsk.com or call/text 703-216-9340.

More about Lewis Kemper....
Lewis is also working with digital imaging on his Apple computer to create new work. His work has been sold for editorial and commercial uses in over 16 different countries ranging from national ads to book covers. Lewis teaches photography for many organizations including Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Santa Fe Workshops, Light Photographic Workshops, Aspen Workshops and Betterphoto.com. He is the author of The Yosemite Photographer's Handbook,  and The Yellowstone Photographer's Handbook. He was the photographer for, "Ancient Ancestors of the Southwest", published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing. His monograph, Capturing the Light won the People's Choice Awards in Fine Art in the 2009 Photography Book Now competition.

His latest publication, Photographing Yosemite Digital Field Guide, was voted in the top 20 field guides. And he produces the acclaimed training DVD's The Photographer's Toolbox for Photoshop® and The Photographer's Toolbox for Lightroom®. Kemper's photographs are in many private collections as well as in the permanent collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art and Kaiser Permanente. His work has been shown nationally in galleries and museums. For more information on Lewis and a preview of his images, please see his website at
www.lewiskemper.com


The NVPS Constitution and By-Laws require the appointment of a Nominating Committee to prepare a roster of proposed officers, in support of the required annual election. Nominees must agree to serve, if elected. The list of nominees is below and was announced, as required, at the second club meeting in March.

The NVPS election will be held during the first club meeting in May.

The nominating committee members were Sandi Croan (Chairperson), Sam Schaen & Georgette Grossman.

May 22nd - Matthew G. Schmidt

Abstracting & Visual Design: Visualizing the Simplest Form

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.

May 22nd - Prints - Lea Schlosser

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 will 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 year's 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.

May 22nd - Digital - Ceasar Sharper

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.

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

Our 2011-2012 program year board officers have been:

Change of Committee Title  of “Workshops, Education and Training to “Education and Training”

Definition of Workshop: For the purpose of this document, the following definition of “workshop” will be used.

“A workshop is similar to a formal presentation or seminar (which has little or no participant activities) by an expert but with a greater degree of attendee participation, interaction, and hands-on exercises. It is usually a full day (six hours or more) where participants learn and practice the knowledge and skills that is the workshop's focus. At workshops, participants have group discussions and hands-on interaction, such as demonstrations of how skills or ideas can be practically applied. Handouts and workbooks are often used.”

Source: Aaron McNaught Education/Consultations and
http://www.officearrow.com

Rational: As currently implemented, all of the current “Workshops, Education and Training” are 90 minutes or less and do not provide sufficient time to meet the workshop definition as defined. Using the word “Workshop” as part of the main title may set unreasonable expectations on what can actually be accomplished in 90 minutes. Renaming this committee to “Education and Training” allows the coordinators to be more flexible on the content and how it is presented (a simple presentation, a limited seminar or very minimal audience participation).

This does not preclude the ability to offer workshops as a subset of “Education and Training”, but this would involve a more concerted effort as defined above in the “Definition of Workshop” and would require a consideration of venue and date/time to meet the definition.

Respectfully submitted,

Roger Lancaster and Dennis Govoni
Workshop, Education and Training Coordinators

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.

Members' Resources:

Do you need help with a photography problem, but don’t know who to ask? The Members’ Resource Program is here for you. Have you ever been asked “How do you do that?” If so, then consider sharing your knowledge with other club members.

The Members’ Resource area of the club web site http://nvps.org/main/members_resource/ contains a growing set of presentations and ‘how to’ documents created by club members. For example, it includes Jay Heisel's excellent Forum presentation from the January meeting on Social Photography, with his detailed explanations. It also contains the Members’ Resource List, which provides the names and email addresses of club members who have volunteered to help club members looking for help on specific technology and technique topics.

If you have a photography question, check the Resource List for the name of a club member who can help you with it. If nobody has indicated they have expertise in the topic, then contact me and we’ll find somebody. If you have some expertise that you’d like to share, let me know what topics you are able to address.

If you’d like to share your knowledge through a presentation, club website document or FotoFax article, and just need some help getting it off the ground, let me know and I can help with writing, editing, or graphics. Jay Heiser, Members’ Resource Program Coordinator, jay “at” heiserhollow.net .

Members News:

Our members routinely receive photo awards and recognition and have images in shows. As FotoFax only comes out monthly, the best place to look for current events is on the website at :

http://nvps.org/main/member_news/

ArtSpace Herndon announced the Finalists for their 2012 Fine Art Photography Exhibit with several NVPS members selected as finalists, including Fran Bastress, Patricia Deege, Laura Howell, and Carla Steckley. The exhibit runs May 1 - 30 in the Post Gallery at ArtSpace Herndon, with an opening reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, May 12 from 7:00-9:00PM. For more details and directions, visit the ArtSpace website:

http://www.artspaceherndon.org/

Member News for Jan Ponder

Jan has three pictures that were juried into the Art in City Hall exhibit. The reception will be Monday, May 21 from 5:30 - 7:00. Mayor Bill Euille will be there for the awards presentation at 6:00.

Jan also has two pictures that were selected by the judges of Photo DC Cherry Blossom contest. Those 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"

A flyer is displayed on the NVPS website at the member's news page (link listed above.)

Hidden Worlds: Leaves in Ice Exhibit by Evelyn Jacob

NVPS member Evelyn Jacob has a photography exhibit Hidden Worlds: Leaves in Ice, April 18 - May 19 at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874.

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/

Members News for Chuck Cecil

 Recent Publication.   Chuck Cecil’s (chuck@cecilimages.com) latest Room with a View (RWAV) full-page shot appeared in the February 2012 issue of the Russian edition of Condé Nast Traveler, in Moscow.  This is Chuck’s sixth RWAV placement in Condé Nast.  The latest image shows the view from Chuck’s room at the Serena Inn in Stone Town, Zanzibar, and appeared earlier in the US and UK editions of the magazine.  Unfortunately the magazine’s Russian website does not show the image, with its accompanying Cyrillic script commentary, but the shot can be seen on Chuck’s website at http://cecilimages.photoshelter.com/image/I0000M5zgm8pcvI0

Additional Members News for Chuck Cecil

Recent Travels.  Chuck returned in mid-February from a three-week trip to northern India.  Two of these weeks were spent in Dehradun, where Chuck photographed the daily activities of two Islamic madrasas, plus an Islamic women’s sewing instruction group.   This trip was arranged through Momenta, a DC-area organization specializing in training photographers to work with non-profit organizations in the US and overseas.  http://www.momentaworkshops.com/workshops-registration.php

Exhibition Opportunities

4th Annual Nature Photography Contest

The Jamestown, NY Audubon announces the 4th Annual Nature Photography Contest

Six CASH Prizes! * Youth & Adult Divisions * 3 Categories Deadline: June 30, 2012

Rules and application online at:

http://jasphotocontest.com

Made possible in part by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Main Street Photo.

Blue Ridge Mountain Photographers

The Blue Ridge Mountain Photographers invite members to enter their 2012 National Juried Nature and Fine Art Photography Exhibit. Last year more than 150 photographs were selected for display in The Art Center, an historic courthouse in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Their judge this year will be Professor Paul Dunlap of North Georgia College and State University. A total of $2000 in prize money will be awarded.

Final deadline is July 2, 2012. Detailed information and entry form can be found at www.blueridgemountainphotographers.com or www.blueridgearts.net/BRMPNationalShow.aspx

Events

Variations - A Photography Exhibit Featuring New Works by Alan Sislen

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 Alan did with his camera. What had been “ordinary” for him became “extraordinary.” What had been just the view out of his 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."

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. 

Multiple Exposures Gallery
Torpedo Factory Art Center #312
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

5th Annual Friends of Claude Moore Park Photography Expo

Natural Spaces and Old Places at Claude Moore Park on April 28, 2012 10 AM—5 PM.

http://www.loudoun.gov/documents/42/980/993/1011/2012%20Photo%20Expo%20Poster.PDF

Raptor Photo Shoot - April 28th at Claude Moore Park

On April 28, 2012, at Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Virginia, the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia (RCV) will be holding a raptor photo shoot with two 1-hour sessions – one starting at 12:00pm and the other at 1:00pm. Four different hawks, owls or falcons will be available for photography in a natural outdoor setting.

This is a ticketed RCV fundraiser and attendees must purchase a ticket through the Eventbrite page: http://cmrcvphotoshoot.eventbrite.com/ . For $25 per person per 1-hour session, you can photograph raptors up close. All funds will go for the upkeep and care of RCV raptor patients and resident birds.

The Raptor Conservancy of Virginia (RCV) is an all-volunteer non-profit organization located in Falls Church, Virginia, dedicated to the rehabilitation and release to the wild of injured, ill or orphaned native Virginia birds of prey (raptors), education of the public about raptors and preservation of their habitat, and endeavoring to increase the wild population of endangered and threatened raptors.

Detailed information on the photo shoot, including RCV Guidelines for Photographers, can be found on the Eventbrite page:

http://cmrcvphotoshoot.eventbrite.com/

Second Annual Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit

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.

End of Year Banquet

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:

Best Western Tyson’s Westpark
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.

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. The Summer schedule is out and can be seen at: http://register.glenechopark.org/class/classctlgindex.aspx 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 Roy was the November 2011 judge and presented a program in November 2010. He offers one-on-one coaching for novice and intermediate photographers, tailored to an individual's specific needs. 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. See his recently updated website for more details and information about upcoming workshops or to sign up for his newsletter: http://www.roysewallphotography.com/iWeb/Home.html Nikhil Bahl Photography Workshops Responding to a request for proposals, Nikhil Bahl has offered three workshops to NVPS members at a reduced rate. Nikhil gave an NVPS Forum program in April 2011. The second of the three workshops is: FLORIDA AVIAN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP, Titusville and St. Augustine Date: May 5-10, 2012 There will be field work every morning and evening during the workshop and classroom sessions in the afternoons in Titusville. The afternoon of May 8 will see the group travel from Titusville to St. Augustine (less than 2 hours away). Tuition: $545 -- Regular fee would be $645. A $100 discount will be offered to all NVPS members. Participants are responsible for travel, hotel, food and other incidentals are not included as part of the workshop fee. The details on the other discounted workshop is listed on the NVPS website at: http://nvps.org/main/featured/nikhil_bahl_to_offer_3_worksho/ If you are interested in any of his offerings, please contact Nikhil at: www.NikhilBahl.com www.facebook.com/nikhil.bahl.photography 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 2012 they are offering trips to Alaska's Denali National Park and Katmai National Park, Yellowstone 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 a NVPS Programs in October 2010. See their website for more information on their workshops and tours. Mollie Isaacs and Mary Lindhjem http://www.awakethelight.com/ or http://awakethelight.blogspot.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 Mike Moats Mike was our November Program Speaker on the topic of Macro Photography. He is conducting a Macro Boot Camp in our area on May 18th, 19th, 20th, 2012. The cost is $149. It will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites, at 22700 Holiday Park Drive in Sterling (Near Dulles/Washington Airport.) For more details, check the events listing on Mike's website: www.tinylandscapes.com Bill & Linda Lane Responding to a NVPS request for proposals, Bill and Linda Lane are holding a workshop near Marlinton, West Virginia from June 20-23 and are offering a $100 discount to NVPS members. They plan to shoot along the Greenbrier River Trail, the scenic highway, the glades, waterfalls, barns, all around town and surrounding towns. Indeed, they will take advantage of every 'photo op' they can find! http://www.lanephotoworkshops.com/workshops_2012/12summerwv.htm Their base price of $775 (NVPS discounted price $675) includes most meals but not lodging; they have reserved a block of rooms for attendees. For more information, see the workshop link above or contact: Bill and Linda Lane Nature's Image Photography Field Workshops 15325 Mountain Road Montpelier, Virginia 23192 (804) 883 7740 or check their website: lanephotoworkshops.com Joseph Rossbach Joe was our speaker on February 7th and mentioned that his latest eBook on West Virginia would be coming out soon. It looks great. His website is also offering a bundled package of six eBooks by Joe and/or Ian Plant, for only $36. http://www.josephrossbach.com/e-store/books/ He has several workshop events listed for the next few months, including a Waterfalls workshop on May 5th & 6th and a Shenandoah Spring Blooms event on May 26th. Details are at: http://www.eventbrite.com/org/172820333?s=5473534 Want Ads For Sale Members can run small ads for photography related items 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. Did you miss a great speaker at NVPS? She just might be speaking at one of the other (lesser) clubs in the area. NVACC publishes a monthly Calendar of Virginia Member Club Events that can be found at http://www.nvacc.org/Calendars.html. NVACC has published a Field Trips Guide Book for Photographers, which provides information about nearby areas that camera clubs might wish to visit. See their booklets at: http://www.nvacc.org/Booklets.html . Editor's Note The recent flyover of Space Shuttle Discovery was enjoyed by many NVPS members. Jonathon Newton, our January speaker, had a photo on the first page of the Washington Post style section, which appeared to show the aircraft balanced on the tip of the Washington Monument.  Many club members have shared their best images of the event, viewable at: http://nvps.org/gallery/v/shuttle/ My first issue of FotoFax was the June 2011 issue, so this issue represents the end of the first full program year. It was a tall order to follow Sam Schaen's great work, but thanks to Sam's coaching, I seemed to have gotten through the year without too many faux pas. At Willa's invitation, I have agreed to continue in this role for another year. We try to keep the newsletter brief and use a lot of links instead of embedded images, but we would prefer to have more competition winners. We like to post the first place winners from competition and will usually post another winner from that category if the first place winner did not grant permission. This month, we did not have permission for ANY of the 1st place winners and no permission for any of the winners in two categories. If you were a first place winner during the past year and did not provide permission to use your image in the NVPS Competition Gallery or FotoFax, I would love to hear from you as to whether it was a deliberate choice or not. Hope to see you at the Banquet! Comments, requests and submissions are solicited and welcomed. They should be sent to editor@nvps.org or given to me at a regular meeting. Newsletter Editor, Dan Ward Copyright 2012 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.