“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange

As we approach the beginning of a new calendar year, we are also coming upon the halfway point of our club year and activities.

Our December meetings (Programs, Education & Training, and Competitions) will all be on zoom as our meeting place will be undergoing renovations. We will resume in–person meetings in January. Thanks to our organizers an speakers who have given us stellar and inspiring presentations to fuel our photography!

This month I am reading Zen Camera: Creative Awakening with a Daily Practice in Photography, by David Ulrich. Ulrich presents six lessons that promote developing creativity with our cameras through “deep perception, learning to see, and awakening your senses to the present moment. The camera can help liberate your awareness to see clearly and keenly…”. What really resonated with me was the idea of a daily practice with my photography. Making photos each day, with guidance on how to focus my mind’s eye, can support development of my unique way of seeing. Perhaps you may be interested in trying a daily practice with your camera? A photo–a–day or a 52–weeks project can be great frameworks to engage more with our cameras and enhance our photographic creativity and skills. (One key to a daily practice is to remember…it is a practice: practice does not mean perfection!). Looking ahead to our club activities in the new year, we have professional photographers from across the country who will talk on a variety of topics; Portfolio Project will support participants to prepare for preliminary reviews; there are three themed competitions coming up, and a wealth of learning and sharing with Education & Training and Member’s Galleries and Forums.

Wishing you winter holidays filled with happiness and much photo making! Thank you for being members of NVPS and contributing to our rich community of photographers! As always, you are welcome to reach out to me or any board member with questions, comments, concerns, or ideas, especially if you would like to volunteer to support the club in its activities.

Deb Rose
President
2025–2026