Volume 52 – No. 4 |
Founded 1965 – our 51st Year |
December 2016 |
![Banner](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/banner.jpg)
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The Newsletter of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society |
Editor: Alan Goldstein – Email: editor" at "nvps.org |
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Note: You can click on the above links to go directly to the article; or you can scroll through the entire newsletter. You can also print the entire newsletter. (The more that you read, the more things you will know - Dr. Seuss )
To protect our members from email spam, personal email addresses in this newsletter have "@" replaced with " at " Please remember to substitute the "@" when attempting to contact any of the people.
All meetings for the club year start at 7:30 p.m. at the Dunn Loring Fire Station. The doors open at 6:45 p.m. for a "meet and greet" with meetings on non-competition nights beginning at 7:30 p.m. Note for Competition Nights only (Third Tuesday): Competition begins at 7:15p.m. All prints must be checked in no later than 7:30 p.m.
Although we have not had any problems for many years, do remember to lock your car and place valuables out of sight, as we should in any public parking area. Come early and visit, but when the meeting starts, PLEASE take seats immediately and silence your cell phone, pager or any other device that might make noise and distract listeners or interrupt speakers.
Please check the website and FotoFax for the club's policy on weather closings. Check WTOP www.wtop.com or Fairfax County School systems web site for closings. You can also sign up for emails or cell phone alerts: http://www.fcps.edu/news/emerg.shtml
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Editor's Note: Our president Kevin Egan is dealing with a medical issue that takes him away from his duties. We wish him speedy recovery and to return soon.
There is a well-known proverb that states it takes a village to raise a child. The idea is that with everyone in the village pitching in, the child will grow to be a successful adult. The same holds true in any organization. It takes the efforts of all the members of an organization to work to make that organization successful.
NVPS is now in its 51st year. And there's no doubt that it is a very successful club. Over the years there have been a great many people who have expended countless hours and effort to bring interesting speakers, a wealth of tips and ideas to further improve and expand one's photographic skills, fun-filled field trips, and judges who offer hints on improving those images that don't make the top spots during the NVPS monthly competition.
We are almost at the halfway point in the current Society calendar for 2016-2017. It is time for members who haven't done so before to start thinking of what positions in the NVPS organization for which they might volunteer. There are 10 positions on the elected board and the appointed board for which one can volunteer. Some of these positions have two slots.
As all of us know, NVPS is more than competition night. In addition to a very educational philosophy, NVPS also provides great camaraderie. It's time to pay back. Think how you can help this village.
Monthly Program
December 6th: Discover Yourself Through Photography
with Arthur Ransome
Photography conveys both vision and emotion. Whether we know it or not, each of our images contains a piece of who we are as individual human beings. We each see the world around us in different ways and, because of our individual thoughts, feelings, experiences and imagination we each have different emotional responses to the subjects in front of our lenses.
Whether we are taking a photograph of a friend or stranger, our pets, our backyard or the grand vista of our national parks, we are not only photographing what we see, but also what we feel. While successful photographs accurately recreate what we see, the truly stunning photographs are those that stimulate the senses by recreating what we feel.
Like the author of a novel has a responsibility to capture the attention of the reader within the first few paragraphs of a book, as photographers we have a responsibility to capture the attention of our viewers the moment they see our images.
Taking the book analogy one step further, the novels we enjoy are those that draw us into the imaginary world created by the author. We develop emotional relationships to the characters, places and events because they remind us of people we know, fears we have, places we have visited, and our own personal experiences in life. Our photographs must do the same, but without the words. Our challenge is therefore to create images that not only represent what we saw but also depict our feelings and our imagination in a way that the viewer can relate to. While visual elements tell us something of the subject, emotional elements add depth and meaning to the subject. We need to put our viewer in the scene and make them hear the wind rustling through the leaves of the trees, feel the cold of a winter’s day or smell the ocean spray from waves crashing onto the shore.
In this presentation we will depart the colorful world we live in and enter a black and white world filled with emotion. We will transcend the technical and discuss how we can get in touch with our own emotions and introduce them into our images. We will discuss how our photographic style evolves as we cultivate and grow our emotional intelligence.
The expression of emotion was perceived as a sign of weak character in the working class North East of England where Arthur Ransome grew up. Motivated by a desire to share his emotions and life experiences Arthur pursued photography as his outlet.
A relative latecomer to fine art photography, Arthur began his photographic life when scuba diving in Puerto Rico during the six years that he lived there. Scuba diving introduced Arthur to sights that he could only describe through the photographs that he made. Although moving to the Washington, D.C. – Baltimore area in 2005 stopped the scuba diving, Arthur continued to seek imagery above sea level. Working mainly with 35mm format cameras and sometimes large format, 4×5 view cameras (slowly using up his stock of very out of date Polaroid PN 55 film), Arthur photographs the black and white world that he sees around him. Although his subject matter is varied, he chooses subjects that express emotion and a sense of time, place and being.
Amongst others, Arthur’s work has been featured in Lenswork, B&W and Silvershotz Magazine and has been included in several exhibitions around the United States. Arthur has published two books of his work, Lonaconing Silk Mill: Portrait of a Place and Iceland, A Journey Into Dreams.
Arthur is an active speaker at national and international photography events as well as camera clubs.
A few examples of Arthur's work:
![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2016/12/Ransome-Lonaconing-Silk-Mill-Klotz-Throwing-43.jpg) Lonaconing Silk Mill |
![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2016/12/Iceland-Iceland-eBook-4-of-28.jpg) Iceland |
![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2016/12/ransome-cathedralsofstone.jpg) Cathedrals of Stone
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The VP for Programs for 2016-2017 is Willa Siegel.
Education & Training
December 13th: Creative Camera Techniques
We are right in the middle of the holiday season, so it’s time for NVPS to get creative. On December 13th, we are going to explore several creative camera techniques that you can practice while you are home drinking eggnog and unwrapping your photography-related gifts. Planned for this E&T session: moving your camera while shooting, zooming, HDR, multiple exposures, and using your flash’s rear curtain sync and dragging your shutter. Bring your camera and your flash unit to the meeting and we’ll explore some of the creative things you can do in-camera.
The Education and Training Coordinator for 2016-2017 is Chuck Campbell.
Competition
December 15th: Judging by Roy Sewall
Roy Sewall spent most of his youth in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines; his State Department family’s home base was the Washington, D.C., area. Roy has a BS in Physics from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland and a MS 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 always found the Washington area to be one of the most photogenic locations in the world. Roy’s first photography book, Our Potomac, from Great Falls through Washington, D.C., was published in 2005; it was inspired by his affection for hiking and bicycling along the river and the adjacent Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. The book has led to numerous lecture and slide show engagements with local organizations, and established him as one of the leading photographers of the Potomac River and C&O Canal.
In 2007, Roy became the first Chair of the Board of Directors for the C&O Canal Trust, a non-profit friends group for the National Park Service. In 2013 he joined the Board of Directors of the Potomac Riverkeeper. Roy has done extensive photography work for river- and C&O Canal-related government and non-profit organizations, as well as private and commercial clients.
Roy’s second 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. 2009 publication, in the feature articles in the 2009/2010 D.C. and 2012/2013 Virginia Where Guestbooks, the lead still photographer in The Nature Conservancy’s 2011 video The Potomac Gorge, and a featured guest on Montgomery Community Media TV in 2012.
After completing Great Falls and Mather Gorge, Roy turned to the creation of large fine art prints. He has developed diverse bodies of work for exhibitions that include unusual foreign and domestic landscapes, old European architecture, historical re-enactment, and abstracts. In addition, he offers both private and group instruction to novice and intermediate photographers, and in 2014 became an instructor for the Capital Photography Center.
But his foremost passion is his ongoing project called “Mysterra” that conveys mystery, illusion, fantasy, and sensuality.
Roy is currently president of the North Bethesda Camera Club, and was a speaker at Nature Visions this year.
Find out more on Roy's website: http://www.roysewallphotography.com/iWeb/Home.html
Competition Themes for 2016-2017
Note: The Board reaffirmed that there will be three themed competitions per program year, but there will be no theme competitions in the months of December, January, and February.
The themes for 2017 are:
- Drag the shutter - March 21, 2017
Show us your best shutter drag. Whether capturing motion in waves or panning cars zooming by, we want to see you get creative with this topic. Slow down your shutter speed to show a sense of motion or action.
- Colors - May 31, 2017
Life is a stream of color. Red, blue, yellow, and a billion pigments in between… For this theme we ask you to show us color-inspired photographs. Scenes, details, narratives or moods. Subtle tones or Technicolor daydreams, color must be a primary component of your image. For the Monochrome Print category, instead of producing a black and white photo, show us a color other than black along with white, i.e., red and white, blue and white, etc.
Competition Themes for 2017-2018
The themes for 2017-2018 are:
- Faceless Self Portrait:
This is not your normal selfie. Be creative and express your identity by taking a photo of yourself without your face.
- The American Experience –Americans at Work:
For this month's themed contest, show us your best photos of Americans at Work. This may be of a single person, or multiple people, at work. The person or persons and the work being performed must both be clearly evident in the photo. Let’s showcase Americans at Work by demonstrating their emotions, determination, strength and pride!
- Visible Emotions:
Some of the most powerful photographs are those that have captured emotions. Photographs that have impact and tell a story, show individuals with visible emotions. For this theme, photograph a person that shows us clearly visible emotions. This could be happiness, surprise, anger, sadness, excitement, pride, fear or disgust.
November Competition Results
The full list of competition results is available on the NVPS web site at http://nvps.org
Digital - Class 1
1st Place-Laurie Kuyk-Hummingbird Moth
2nd Place-Tracy Sarang-Splish Splash
3rd Place-Kathryn Mohrman-Sunrise at Monument Cove, Acadia National Park
HM-Anna V. Aslund-Fall 2016
HM-David Tripp-Russell Pond
HM-Kieulan Nguyen-Crashing Wave
HM-Len Johnson-Peacock Plume
Digital – Class 2
1st Place- David L. Crooks-Viola Player
2nd Place- Terry Vaughn Luettinger-Cliffs and High Seas, Iceland
3rd Place-Judy Graham-Bowing to the Light
HM-Claudia Copeland-Crawling Up the Wall
HM-Eva Linda Lanyi-Depth
HM-Jim Mcdermott-Take Off
Digital – Class 3
1st Place-Ginger Werz-Petricka-Lubec Morning
2nd Place-Ceasar Sharper-Eagles Fresh Catch
3rd Place-Bill Corbett-California Bee
HM-Jim Williams-Tracks
HM-John L Telford-This Old House
HM-Stan Mercer Bysshe-Mormon Barn, Tetons
Color Prints – Class 1
1st Place-John Joseph Murray-Denali
2nd Place-Jerri McDermott-Taking Off
3rd Place-David Tripp-Denali
Color Prints – Class 2
1st Place-Jamie Kiechlin-Monarch
2nd Place-Eva Linda Lanyi-Storm
3rd Place-David L. Crooks-Bee Leaving
Color Prints – Class 3
1st Place-Stan Mercer Bysshe-Pronghorn Portrait
2nd Place-Ceasar Sharper-Icelandic Beach
3rd Place-Mark Chen-Illuminated Hills
HM-Bill Corbett-Yosemite Valley Postcard
HM-Bob Friedman-Elakala Falls
Monochrome Prints
1st Place-Georgette Grossman-Tree Basking in the Sun
2nd Place-Stan Mercer Bysshe-Great Egret
3rd Place-Dennis Govoni-Can Spiders Swim?
HM-Andrew Savino-Cleveland Arcade
HM-Bob Friedman-Rectortown General Store
HM-Chuck Campbell-Heroes Square
HM-Karol Murray-Dupont Underground
HM-Kevin Egan-'33 Packard Super Eight
HM-Mark Chen-Queen Anne's Lace
First Place images from November:
Additional winning images are available for viewing at http://nvps.org/gallery/v/competitions/2016-2017_Competition_Winners/
Class 1 Digital
Laurie Kuyk
Hummingbird Moth
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Class 3 Digital
Ginger Werz-Petricka
Lubec Morning
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Class 2 Digital
David L. Crooks
Viola Player
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Class 1 Color Print
John Joseph Murray
Denali
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Class 3 Color Print
Stan Mercer Bysshe
Pronghorn Portrait
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Class 2 Color Print
Jamie Kiechlin
Monarch
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Monochrome
Georgette Grossman
Tree Basking in the Sun
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Competition Judges for 2016-2017
Date |
Judge |
Theme |
December 20, 2016 |
Roy Sewall |
none |
January 17, 2017 |
Alan De Felice |
none |
February 21, 2017 |
Josh Taylor |
none |
March 21, 2017 |
Peter Manzelli |
Drag the Shutter |
April 18, 2017 |
David Blecman |
none - no date limit |
May 31, 2017 |
Mary Anne Setton |
Colors |
End-of-Year Banquet |
Nikhil Bahl |
none |
The Co-VPs Competition for 2016-2017 are Bill Millhouser and Judy Graham (competitions@nvps.org)
Rules of Competition Change
The Final 2016 Rules of Competition are now available on the NVPS website. The changes to the rules are summarized below:
- Members competing in each Class (1, 2, and 3) can enter a maximum of 3 images per competition. One image can be entered into each of the 3 competition categories:
- Color Prints
- Monochrome Prints
- Digital Images
- All prints must be mounted.
- Mounting is to consist of a Polystyrene or Foam Core Backing Board either 1/8 or 3/16 inches in thickness (Please note that 3/16 is required for print submissions to Nature Visions), and a Mat Board of at least a 4 ply thickness (.05 to .06 inches).
- The Mat Board must be white.
- Mounted prints must not exceed 20 inches in height or 40 inches in width to accommodate the light box.
The complete Rules of Competition are at http://nvps.org/home/?page_id=500. You can also download a PDF file of the rules at the top of the page (http://nvps.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RulesofComp_Sept-2016-final.pdf). The sections of rules that have been changed are: Section 1.B. Number of Competitions; Section 1.C Eligibility; and, Section 1.E Presentation of Prints. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Millhouser or Judy Graham, the Co- VPs of Competition at competitions@nvps.org.
Details for preparing prints and digital images can be found at:
Prints: http://nvps.org/home/?page_id=500 (Section I.E)
Digital images: http://nvps.org/home/?page_id=4239
While it’s not a new rule, in order to compete in the October competition, members must be current with their club dues.. Please make certain you have done so prior to the night of the meeting to avoid any confusion (Refer to the Membership section of FotoFax for further details on joining NVPS or renewing for another year). The revised rule regarding matting will be applied at the October competition.
Competition Pages on NVPS Website
We appreciate the constructive feedback we have been receiving on the competition pages of our website. We are in the process of working with the NVPS web team to make a number of changes so it is much easier to navigate, and find the requirements for competitions
This change to Section B will be presented to the general membership at the September meeting for a vote.
Editor's note: We like to share competition winning images on the website and include a representative winner from each category in the monthly newsletter, but we cannot do this unless the photographer specifically grants permission. When you win a ribbon in the competition, please remember to grant permission. See the note in the following section for details.
Competition Image Use
The NVPS Website has a gallery of past Competition winning images at http://nvps.org/gallery/v/competitions/.
If your image placed first, second, third
or received an honorable mention in a club competition, it is eligible for this gallery. Images are not posted 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" at "nvps.org and
provide the following information:
Your name
Image Category (digital, color print, monochrome print)
Image Class (1, 2, or 3)
Competition Date
Digital Winners: When you upload your image for the competition, you can check the box to grant permission for it to be posted if it wins.
Print Winners: send a digital version of your print, sized as if it were
for digital competition.
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 Friday following competition,
your image will be forwarded to the editor for inclusion in FotoFax. If you have not provided permission before that deadline, another winning entry may be used.
![Up Button](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/up-button.jpg)
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Portfolio Project
Thinking about doing a Portfolio Project, but looking for an idea? Get started by taking a look at our three Past Portfolios of the Month, from the 2015-16 season.
Corey Hilz is our Portfolio Project reviewer in 2016-17. Corey will review initial portfolios at our January 31 meeting and final portfolios on May 9. Well-known to NVPS members, Corey is an outstanding photographer and educator. Corey's web site is at http://www.coreyhilz.com/
Sign up now for the Portfolio Project by emailing PortfolioProject@NVPS.org.
More information about the Portfolio Project for 2016-17 is available on the Society's web site at http://nvps.org/home/?p=8926
Get shooting!
The Co-chairs for the Portfolio Project for 2016-2017 are Bill Corbett and Dennis Govoni.
Forum
December 27th: No Forum for December
The Forum Coordinator for 2016-2017 is Kirk Johnson.
Upcoming Forum Presentations:
Date |
Presenter |
Title |
24 January 2017 |
Stan Bysshe |
TBD |
28 February 2017 |
Susan Phillips |
TBD |
28 March 2017 |
Sandi Croan |
TBD |
25 April 2017 |
Judy McGuire |
TBD |
23 May 2017 |
Dan Ward |
Photographing the Great American Eclipse |
Members Gallery
December 27th: No Members Gallery for December
Dates |
Digital |
Print |
January 24, 2017 |
Bill Vanderpool and Nancy Dubiell |
Georgette Grossman |
February 28, 2017 |
Jeff Hancock |
Stan Bysshe |
March 28, 2017 |
Judy Guenther |
Bill Millhouser |
April 25, 2017 |
Alan Goldstein |
Willa Siegel |
May 23, 2017 |
Judy Graham |
Butch Karamarkovich |
The Member's Gallery Coordinator for this 2016-2017 is Ron Taylor.
Field Trips
December 3rd: Old Town Alexandria (Night Shoot)
Alexandria’s Old Town is a perennial favorite for Christmas, with the trees along King Street bedecked with lights and doors decorated with wreaths. NVPS’s next field trip will be Saturday evening, December 3, to practice night photography and to enjoy these lights and decorations. We will meet at 3:30 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory at the foot of King Street where we will be able to shoot the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. About 50 powerboats and sailboats will be lit up for this parade. Additionally, the District’s fireboat, the John Glenn, should be spraying water 70 feet into the air. Those arriving earlier will have an opportunity to photograph the annual Scottish Walk parade that begins at 11:00 am.
Parking and crowds are likely to be issues during these events. Parking is available at a number of garages in the Old Town area, but spots in those may also be hard to get. Sign-up sheets at the meetings will provide the basis to carpool. Also, please let us know if you want to join us for dinner so that we are able to make a reservation at Chadwick's restaurant.
http://www.chadwicksrestaurants.com/
http://www.visitalexandriava.com/event/17th-annual-alexandria-holiday-boat-parade-of-lights/10025/
http://dc.about.com/od/christmasevents/a/AlexScotWalk.htm
Stan Bysshe, Field Trips Coordinator 2016-2017, field-trips@nvps.org
Field Trips 2016-2017
The schedule is subject to change.
January 2017 |
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. |
February 2017 |
TBA |
March 2017 |
TBA |
April 2017 |
TBA |
May 2017 |
TBA |
Field Trip Coordinator for 2016-2017 is Stan Bysshe
Board of Directors
2016-2017 NVPS Board |
Elected Board |
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President |
Kevin Egan |
president@nvps.org |
VP Programs |
Willa Siegel |
programs@nvps.org |
VP Operations |
Alan Tolk |
operations@nvps.org |
Co-VP Competition |
Bill Millhouser |
competition@nvps.org |
Co-VP Competition |
Judy Graham |
competition@nvps.org |
Treasurer |
Tom Brett |
treasurer@nvps.org |
Secretary/Historian |
Kathryn Mohrman |
secretary@nvps.org |
Appointed Board |
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Past President |
Jamie Kiechlin |
pastpresident@nvps.org |
Education & Training Coordinator |
Chuck Campbell |
education@nvps.org |
Exhibits Coordinator (Nature Visions) |
Roger Lancaster |
naturevisions@nvps.org |
Field Trips Coordinator |
Stan Bysshe |
field-trips@nvps.org |
Member’s Gallery Coordinator |
Ron Taylor |
membersgallery@nvps.org |
Forum Coordinator |
Kirk Johnson |
forum@nvps.org |
Membership Coordinator |
Patty Healy |
membership@nvps.org |
Newsletter & NVACC Representative |
Alan Goldstein |
editor@nvps.org |
Website Manager |
Sam Schaen |
webadmin@nvps.org |
Meeting Facilities |
Dale Nelson |
facilities@nvps.org |
Special Board Member |
Mike Whalen |
specialboardmember@nvps.org |
Special Board Member |
Bob Friedman |
specialboardmember@nvps.org |
Special Board Member |
Willa Friedman |
specialboardmember@nvps.org |
Special Board Member |
Georgette Grossman |
specialboardmember@nvps.org |
A full list of all current NVPS Board members and their club contact information also can be found at: http://nvps.org/home/?page_id=23
Membership
2016-2017 Membership Dues
We’ve had a number of new members join the club in recent weeks! Thanks to all who have spread the word about NVPS and the wonderful benefits of being a member.
In order to participate in the monthly competitions your membership dues must be current. Membership dues for the 2016-2017 year are as follows:
Individual |
$45.00 |
Family |
$65.00 |
Student |
$20.00 |
There are three forms of payment. Checks and cash are preferred by NVPS:
Questions, please email membership at membership@nvps.org.
Membership looks forward to seeing you at future meetings!
Stay Connected with NVPS
EMAIL: If you are not already receiving NVPS emails, there are two ways you can sign up to join the list. Click on the following link and sign up by entering your name and email address. Click on join the list. http://nvps.org/home/?page_id=31. Or you may stop by the Membership desk at the next meeting and they will be happy to assist you. It's important to note, you will receive an "opt-in" email from nvps.org. If you do not receive it, check your spam folder. Please respond to this email within 72 hours or the verification link will expire.
FACEBOOK: If you are on Facebook, please join the NVPS private group. Search on Northern Virginia Photographic Society Social Group and request to join. Members post everything from their photos to interesting articles on photography to requests for recommendations. You will find the group informative and fun!
Patricia J. Healy
Membership Coordinator
Member Contributions
A photo tour in Iceland
by David Heagy
What are your favorite subjects to photograph? Landscape, wild life, people, macro, animals, celestial features, decay? You can find them all in Iceland.
After seeing photos of the waterfalls in Iceland and the Iceland exhibit at the Smithsonian Natural History, we decided to stop in Iceland on our way to Hungary. There are several advantages to this route- a shorter daylight trip instead of the longer overnight flight to other places in Europe, and possibly a lower air fare.
We decided to hire a guide with a small photo tour. I usually like to plan our own trips, but using a local resident enabled us to see places we could not find without someone who knows the area.
I searched Trip Advisor for Iceland photo tours. We selected https://icelandaurora.com/photo-tours/jokulsarlon-2-day/
and asked for the guide, Olgeir Andressron, because of all the positive comments about him at tripadvisor.com
This is not a general tour of Iceland. If is only for the specific region you select, and only goes to sites for great photography scenes. We sent Olgeir a wish list of things we were interested in. Every day he gave us suggestions. If we had enough waterfalls we would go somewhere else. He is a resident and took us to “secret” locations by opening gates to properties where he knows the owners. Olgeir has cell phone apps for predicting when and where Northern Lights can be viewed.
Waterproof hiking boots are necessary for some places.
Olgeir is very easy going, will give you instructions about photography if you ask, and encourages you to try new things like night photography.
We booked the tour about three weeks in advance. The hotels and B&Bs were mostly filled for the nights we were there so it is better to book early. Things are expensive. A taxi ride from the airport cost us $130 one way. Tipping is not expected.
We saw an extensive variety of scenes in the small area, about 200 miles back, that we toured in the south coast. I am eager to return to see other areas.
David's images showing the breath of scenes:
Editor's Note - This was Georgette's column for December 2014 when she was Society president. She asked it be run again this month.
Family photos – are yours snapshots or great shots?
The holidays are times for families and friends to celebrate together. As a photographer, chances are you will be asked to take some photos at these occasions. Make the images more than just records of time; try to make them memorable.
- You will probably be shooting indoors. It’s time to dust off your flash-photography skills. Read a little — see links below for starters, then brush up on using your own equipment. Finally, practice before the event under the same lighting conditions, if possible.
- Shoot at eye-level for children and pets. You may find yourself on your knees, but you will get more interesting images.
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![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2014/12/Christmas2012pets.jpg)
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- Fill the frame: don’t be afraid to take close-ups of the people you love. Or crop out anything that doesn’t contribute to the image.
- Post-process to make them look good (custom brush adjustments in Lightroom like soften skin and teeth whitening really do work). They will thank you.
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![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2014/12/Christmas2013JL.jpg)
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![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2014/12/kids.jpg)
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- Start a tradition: photograph the group in the same place each year. Set up a tripod and use a remote so YOU can be in the picture too.
![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2014/12/2011.jpg)
2011 |
![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2014/12/2013.jpg)
2013 |
- Capture the unexpected moment. My grandson, age 2, did not want to put on long pants as he departed that cold Christmas evening. He marched toward the front door in diapers and boots! It was the ultimate toddler “NO”. The photo says it all.
Yes, he did change his mind once he stepped outside!
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![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2014/12/noah.jpg)
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Have fun with your holiday photography! It may take you out of your comfort zone and challenge your skills, but the rewards will be great. You will have made images that will become family memories.
Georgette Grossman
Announcements
Notice: The information about workshops and
events not sponsored by or affiliated with NVPS are
provided as an informational courtesy to Members. Individuals should review the detailed
rules and conditions for contests and gallery shows to determine what impact entering an image has on the photographer's
rights and ownership of the submitted images. Review the descriptions of
workshops to see whether participation in a particular workshop would actually meet your 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' News:
Fran Bastress
Fran Bastress’ exhibit will continue at the Reston Community Center - Hunters Woods the entire month of December. After being granted the use of considerable wall space in this large facility, Fran decided to make her exhibit a retrospective covering her digital endeavors from 2007 to the present. The roughly 70 photographs include North American landscapes from nine national parks, as well as farmland, wildlife, reflections, old cars, and more.
For further information about the exhibit and venue, go to http://www.restoncommunitycenter.com/attend-shows-events-exhibits/event-detail/2016/12/02/default-calendar/december-2016-exhibit-a-fine-arts-retrospective
The reception will be Sunday, December 4, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
for her friends and family, as well as NVPS members and their guests, at the
Reston Community Center (behind Ledo Pizza),
Hunters Woods Plaza,
2310 Colts Neck Road in Reston. (If you believe you might attend, let Fran know. Her e-mail is fbastress@gmail.com)
Some examples of Fran's work:
![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2016/11/Fran01-Badlands Landscape.jpg)
Badlands Landscape
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![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2016/11/Fran03-Fremont Indians Petroglyphs.jpg)
Fremont Indians Petroglyphs
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![](http://www.nvps.org/main/images/fotofax/2016/11/Fran04-Reflection on a Maritimes Barn.jpg)
Reflection on a Maritimes Barn
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Exhibitions/Competitions
Seventh Annual Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibition May 6 – May 29, 2017
The Joseph Miller Center for the Photographic Arts takes great pride in announcing its Seventh Annual juried abstract exhibit. All interested photographers are invited to submit entries for this much anticipated spring event.
Submissions to the First Annual JM Abstract Exhibit were limited to local NVACC-related clubs; however, over the years, because of the influence these exhibits have had in encouraging and promoting abstract photography and due to their reputation, recent JM Abstract Exhibits have been attracting entries from national as well as international photographic artists.
The Joseph Miller Center will begin accepting entries for the upcoming Seventh Annual Exhibit on Saturday, December 24, 2016.
The deadline for submissions will be Friday, February 17, 2017.
A detailed prospectus containing all relevant information regarding the exhibit will be posted on the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs website at www.NVACC.org
Announcements of workshops, exhibitions or contests are provided for information purposes only. There is no actual or implied endorsement by the Northern Virginia Photographic Society.
Workshop Offerings
Speakers and competition judges for NVPS are offered the opportunity to have notices about up-coming tours and workshops in FotoFax for two years after the date of their NVPS program.
E. David Luria
A member of the Society of Photographic Education, E. David Luria is founder and director of the Washington Photo Safari, through which he and his team of eleven professional photographers have trained over 32,000 clients on 4,700 photo safaris since 1999 in the techniques of travel and architectural photography. Washington Photo Safari is offering more than 25 technical skills initiatives this year. For more information on their various offerings, check their web site at www.WashingtonPhotoSafari.com David was May 2015's Monthly Program presenter.
Mollie Isaacs
Mollie Isaacs was our December 2014 speaker. She offers workshops.
For more information, see her web site at http://awakethelight.com/
Denise Silva
Denise Silva was our September Program speaker as well as this month's judge. She and Don Rosenberger operate Road Runner Photography Tours. For information on their latest tours and workshops, please visit their web site at http://roadrunnerphotographytours.com/
Nikhil Bahl Photography Workshops
Nikhil Bahl was our October 2015 presenter and has spoken at the club numerous times in the past. He offers a variety of workshops and coaching events. For more details with his latest workshop updates, visit: www.NikhilBahl.com
Sue Bloom
Sue Bloom is our April 2015 judge. For her 2016 workshop schedule, please see http://www.suebloom.com/pages/2/Workshop%20Schedule/Workshop%20Schedule/
Alan DeFelice
Alan DeFelice was May's judge and was our 2016 End-of-the-Year judge. He is a professional photographer who has done raptor photo workshops at Nature Visions. For several years Alan has been a partner with Virginia Digital Photo Safaris. Learn more at:
http://www.virginiaphotosafari.com
Jennifer (JJ) Fearrington
Jennifer Fearrington conducted a sensor cleaning workshop in our second E&T Meeting in April 2014. JJ was the sensor cleaning tech at Penn and Calumet Camera stores for a number of years and is also a professional photographer who does individual photographic instruction as well as providing professional sensor cleaning services. Learn more at:
http://jenniferphoenixphoto.com
David Heagy
David Heagy is a NVPS club member and was the Forum presenter in March 2015. The Travel Photography Satisfaction class will show novice and experienced photographers how to increase their satisfaction with their travel photos, handle a variety of situations, protect their images and equipment, and use photography to plan their trips. His schedule of classes and more information are at: http://imageryx.com/.
Corey Hilz
Corey Hilz was to be our February 2016 judge and was our October 2015 Education and Training speaker. He regularly offers software workshops as well as photo workshops and international tours. Spring/summer photo workshop locations include Longwood Gardens, the National Zoo, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. His international destinations include Cuba, Ireland, Czech Republic and Morocco. Full schedule of events is listed at: http://www.coreyhilz.com
Joshua Taylor, Jr.
Joshua Taylor is a past NVPS president and is our December Competition judge. His goal in photography is to help you create, capture and refine your vision. Josh is offering fall photography workshops and classes, including Canon camera classes. For a complete listing and registration, visit his website: joshuataylorphotography.com
Wayne Wolfersberger
Wayne Wolfersberger is a NVPS member, past President, and was our September 2014 Forum speaker. He teaches a number of Nature Photography Classes available through Fairfax County Parks and other locations. See his web site: http://www.waynewolfersberger.com/
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LOTS OF BRAND NEW OR GENTLY USED PICTURE FRAMES – 8X10, 11X14, 16X20, 18X24 –GREAT PRICES – $7 - $20. COME SEE!
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For Sale
Tamron SP 150-600mm ƒ5-6.3 lens. Have purchased the newest version. A surprisingly sharp lens! Asking $500. Alan Goldstein, w4apg@verizon.net, 703-866-0627.
Spudz Microfiber in Flip Pouch
The club has a supply of Spudz. Great for cleaning your lens and camera. These are a large size, 10x10 inches, and are emblazoned with the club logo! Don't be fooled by other cheaper models. These are in the flip pouch.
I will be selling them at club meetings for the amazing price of $10/each or $20 for two. See Bob Friedman
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 calendar of area member club events that can be found at http://www.nvacc.org/Calendars.html
NVACC has a free, downloadable series of 25 guidebooks for photographers, which provide information about nearby areas that camera clubs might wish to visit. See their booklets at:
http://www.nvacc.org/Booklets.html
Editor's Notes
Please note that the deadline for each month's FotoFax is the Friday following Tuesday of Competition Night. Contributions from members are always welcomed. This especially includes news of the individual members. Photos should be submitted in the same format as they are for competition (1400 px width by 1050 px height. A portrait-mode
image is limited to 1050px for digital submissions). When submitting, send to editor@nvps.org
Alan Goldstein
FotoFax Editor
Copyright 2016 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 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. |
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