Also in May, the Sixth Annual Joe Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit will run from May 7 to May 30. On Sunday May 8th, a Reception and Awards ceremony will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You can get further details at the site: http://nvacc.org/home/abstract-exhibit/ . As this year winds to an end, our current Board member’s terms end as well. For me personally, I’ve enjoyed working with so many talented and dedicated member volunteers. I offer my sincere thanks for their help and guidance to make it another successful NVPS season. I’d also like to say thanks to the speakers, judges and presenters who graciously volunteered their time to participate and support NVPS. Our official year end event is the Annual NVPS End of Year Banquet on Friday June 17th. Cocktail hour starts at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will start at 7:15 p.m.. Join us to celebrate our club’s 2015–2016 accomplishments. Come socialize and enjoy a meal with your fellow members. Bring your family and friends! That evening we will: • Learn who won the Photographers of the Year for each category • Award the Joe Atchison and Distinguished Service Awards • Present your new 2016–2017 Board Tickets are only $35.00 each and you can: • Mail payment to our Treasurer, Tom Brett (4216 Wynnwood Dr., Annandale, VA 22003) • Pay through PayPal http://nvps.org/home/?p=8591 The Payment deadline for $35 tickets is May 31, 2016; tickets are $40 at the door. For more information and a map, follow the link at http://nvps.org/home/?p=8591 Jamie Kiechlin 2016-2017 Board Nominees and Elections NVPS Nominations and Elections 2016 – 2017 The NVPS 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. Nominations for Elected Board 2016-2017
Other Board members will be appointed by the President and are not elected. They will be announced at the End-Of-Year banquet in June. May 3rd: “Image Design” by Jennifer King
Jennifer has worked in the advertising arena as a creative director, art director and director of photography for... well, let's just say more years than she says she cares to admit! She says she has been fortunate to work with the best photographers, designers, stylists and clients in the business. While she had more fun than anyone should have at work, her retreats to the wilderness were even better. So she traded in the long hours and endless days of the ad world for the more alluring 4 a.m. alarm clock to catch the sunrise, replaced her designer shoes with fashionable waterproof boots and the models have become bison and grizzlies (and far less demanding). Photography is now a journey, it's about the destination and its uniqueness, the world at its best. Simply... photography inspired by nature. She still enjoys the usual tromp through the airport, but at least my luggage is lighter. The VP for Programs for this year Willa Siegel. May 10th: Final Portfolio Review The Education and Training Coordinator for this year is Ginger Werz-Petricka. May 17th: Judging by Alan DeFelice The theme for May is Architecture. Images of man-made structures including bridges, buildings, alone or collectively; parts of buildings such as arches, columns, ceilings, cupolas, stairways etc. Architectural structures within a landscape environment also accepted, such as a pergola or gazebo. Alan DeFelice is a professional photographer with more than 25 years’ experience. Alan started in film and progressed to medium format before eventually migrating to digital, back at the advent of the first digital SLRs. Alan’s work is representative of what he loves: mostly nature, wildlife and the outdoors. Alan has won numerous regional and international awards. Alan has won several local, regional, and national photo contests. He has been published in multiple magazines, and has even shot album covers for local recording artists. His pictures have been published in Serenity Magazine and Chesapeake Bay Foundation's monthly publication. Alan is a speaker at the Mid-Atlantic Nature Visions Photography Expo giving the Raptor Photography workshop. Alan has judged several photography competitions at camera clubs and also Fairfax County Schools. For a number of years he partnered with fellow club member Jack Nevitt in running the Virginia Digital Photo Safaris, where he and Jack taught the art of photography to participants on location through hands on workshops, in class instruction and constructive critiques. The Co-VPs Competition for 2015-2016 are Tami Stieger and Kevin Egan (competitions@nvps.org) 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 2016–2017 are:
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. The full list of competition results is available on the NVPS web site at http://nvps.org Digital - Class 1 Digital – Class 2 Digital – Class 3 Monochrome Prints Color Prints – Class 1 Color Prints – Class 2 Color Prints – Class 3 First Place images from April: Additional winning images are available for viewing at http://nvps.org/gallery/v/competitions/2015-2016_Competition_Winners/
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.
Please name the images to indicate the sequence you prefer – your name and 01, 02, etc. Please limit this to 12-15 images. If you don't have that many, just present as many as you have. Sometimes a finished portfolio takes more than one year. And please complete this work by April 30. On May 1 we are going to download the portfolios and send them to Brian so that he will have time to organize his comments. Any changes after May 1 will not be included in the critique. In addition to the critique, we will present our finished portfolios on May 10. How do you want the world to see your achievement? The restriction on the number of images only extends to the review part of the evening. For the presentation of your portfolio you may include as many images as you feel is appropriate to achieve your goal. There are a lot of ways to show your work. While you are only limited by your imagination, you can do prints, a book. or even an audio-visual presentation on a laptop. A number of sources are available--check out the excellent presentation by Scott Musson in the club archives at http://nvps.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/PhotoBooksCalendars.pdf If you decide to do a book, My Publisher, Blurb and Shutterfly all offer easy to follow instructions and quick turn-around time. Show us what you have achieved and have something tangible for yourself and to share with your family and friends. And if you have not participated in the portfolio project, please join us and share this achievement with the participants. You may be inspired or challenged to participate in the future. It's not to soon to start thinking about the portfolio you will do next year. Willa Friedman The chair for the Portfolio Project for 2015-2016 is Willa Friedman. May 24th: “Yellowstone Bears” with Wayne Wolfersberger
Wayne has interested in photographing wildlife since childhood. He fell in love with the natural world from seeing all the birds visit his parent's bird feeder in the backyard in Arlington, but back then the camera was secondary. After moving to another area in Arlington where there was a local swamp, he became more interested in reptiles and amphibians. In his very early teens, he wanted to be a herpetologist. Wayne did a lot of bird watching as well. “I always took the family Kodak Brownie Hawkeye when we would go on family trips and always urged my parents to take side trips to various nature type places near to the Disneyland or beach resorts etc. so I could photograph the wildlife.” He has lots of pathetic pictures of animal life from these trips. “One thing that impacted me the most was when my family made a trip during my high school years to the West. We traveled to many of the national parks but my favorite was Yellowstone. I wanted to return." Wayne received a bachelor of science degree in Conservation and Resource Management from the University of Maryland, and took a job in Yellowstone between his sophomore and junior years. His job was washing dishes in the local cafeteria, but he hiked a lot, partied a lot and started taking pictures of large wildlife. He bought my first SLR camera - a Kodak Retina Reflex III, replacing it later with the first SLR Nikon, the F1. This was when he started getting serious about photography, reading some books on wildlife photography, working for a commercial photographer and taking a lot of pictures during class field trips to nature preserves for ecological studies. He worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a research biologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel Md. Later, he joined the Navy (during the Vietnam War) and ended up working at the U.S. Navy Photo Lab in D.C. After leaving the Navy, he taught biology and used the camera in the classroom and on many of the ecology field trips but mainly took pictures of kids in the field working. Through the years, he did weddings, school shots and craft fairs. Wayne joined NVPS in the l980s and gained valuable experience by participating in evening activities and field trips and serving in various board roles, including president. Before, during and after retiring from the teaching field (Fairfax County Public Schools 30 years and Virginia Tech for eight years part time) he has had images published in local and national calendars, post cards and magazines (including Nature' Best as well as having had gallery shows both solo and with others. Since retiring, he has been teaching photography courses through FCPS and now, with FCPA. He also do workshops at Oatlands. “This challenges me to try new techniques and keep abreast of all the new stuff that keeps coming out in the photo world. In addition to the basic and advanced classes, I also do private lessons.” (See http://www.waynewolfersberger.com/ . Examples of Wayne's work:
The Forum Coordinator for 2015-2016 is Beth Morris. May 24th: Digital Images by Ceasar Sharper and Ceasar Sharper
After retiring as a colonel following a career in engineering and program management, he began to dabble into digital photography. He purchased a bridge camera in 2005 and a Nikon D70 digital single lens reflex in 2008. He made the commitment to grow his photography skills after seeing the juried-in photographs at the 2009 Nature Photography Expo at Meadowlark. Those outstanding photographs rekindled his interest in photography and caused him to seek membership in one of the clubs represented at the Expo to support his renewed passion for photography. Ceasar attributes much of his improvement in photography to his joining NVPS in 2009. He learned a lot from the critiques during competition to allow him gain confidence to enter his first competition in May 2010 where he earned a 3rd place in black & white prints. The following club year he continued to sharpen his skills to enable him to receive the 2011 Versatile Photographer of the Year in the Novice Category. While he enjoys several different types of photography, his passion is wildlife and landscapes. With eight weeks into his recovery from a total knee replacement, he’s looking forward to hitting the road again to photograph locations on his bucket list. Ceasar is a Nikon D800 shooter and added a D500 in April to replace his D300. However, Ceasar acknowledges superior technique will always yield superior results regardless of the gear used. This is Ceasar’s third Member’s Gallery contribution; his previous two contributions were (1) a digital presentation on Civil War Reenactments and (2) selected photographs from juried-in prints from Nature Visions and NVPS End of Year winners. Ceasar’s presentation is entitled All Directions - A Year in Review. It includes images from across America and foreign travels with an equally diverse selection of images from wildlife and landscapes to street photography, with a capture date of August 2014 – August 2015. Examples of Ceasar's work:
John Singley
John knew how to drive, but he didn't know how to make a photograph. At first he read all the good books he could find. Well, a dozen or so. Then he took all of Wayne Wolfersberger's night classes, which were a good mix of classroom instruction and field work. At Wayne's suggestion, he joined NVPS in 2008, but was inactive until 2011 when he started to enter the monthly competitions. He did ok the first two years, and then, bingo, he earned Photographer of the Year in 2013 (for color prints in class 2). “Of course,” John says, “as luck would have it, I have lapsed back to almost ok. But, I am very pleased to be able to share some of my better prints with you.” In addition to books, classes, and videos, John has participated in several multi-day photo workshops in an effort to learn how to make a photograph. They have been great opportunities to learn. Their downside is equipment envy: “her lens is bigger than mine.” Of course, now that John is actually retired, he has had to apply the brakes on the acquisition bandwagon. He has settled into shooting with a Canon 5D Mark III on a Gitzo tripod and Kirk ball head, using a number of Canon L lenses. “When I apply what I've learned, it all works pretty well,” John says. John says “ I am a social scientist by training (PhD in Sociology) and did related research and analysis for the federal government, but I guess I am a techie at heart. Digital photography allows me to indulge my left brain in the photographic process. It is, after all, very technical. Sometimes my right brain gets crowded out and I make not-so-good photographs. Post processing has allowed my left brain to flex in the development of my digital darkroom. I built a powerful PC, connected it to multiple displays, a Wacom tablet, and to twoexternal hard drives. My printer is a Canon Pro-1 (see a trend here?). I recently bought a Logan Platinum Edge mat cutter and have started to cut my own mats (and some for my artist wife).” “ Come to think of it,” John constinues “I set up this digital darkroom the same year (2014) that I earned only one honorable mention in photo competition. Hmmm. I didn't compete most of this year. Sabbatical. And indulgence in my third hobby, listening to great music: concert, jazz, and whatever strikes my fancy – like Seasick Steve. He can make a tune with a one-string guitar. Definitely a right brain kind a guy. …Where did I put my old point-and-shoot?” John hopes you enjoy his presentation: "I Started Out with Nothin and I Still Got Most of It Left" (Seasick Steve, American blues musician, 2008). Examples of John’s work:
The Member's Gallery Coordinator for this 2015-2016 is Ron Taylor. May 14th: Lonaconing Silk Mill, Lonaconing, Md. The abandoned Lonaconing Silk Mill has long been a favorite of NVPS members. It’s three floors offer many opportunities for photos of the mill’s machinery as well as the building itself. The Mill is located in central Pennsylvania about 3 hours from D.C. The cost of the visit is $25/ hour. For more information on the Mill and it’s current owner see: Field Trip Coordinators for 2015-2016 are Bill Millhouser and Alan Goldstein
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 Nature Visions 2016 NVPS Members: Here is a link to the referenced attachment: http://nvps.org/home/files/2016StudentContestFlyer-3.pdf 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 juried in to “Orbit” Four members of NVPS had their images juried into "Orbit," the monthly exhibition at the Art League Gallery, 105 North Union St., Alexandria. Those with images juried in were Bob Friedman’s The Circle Ends, Georgette Grossman’s My Head is Spinning, Willa Siegal’s Life is a Circle, and Willa Friedman’s Going My Way. The show, featuring artwork showcasing movement, was juried by Melissa Saiger and there were 83 photos posted in the gallery. Georgette Grossman’s My Head is Spinning and Willa Siegal’s Life is a Circle were awarded Honorable Mentions. The Art League Gallery holds monthly juried exhibits and special exhibits including solo artists, student shows, and the Patrons' Show. Exhibits are free and open to the public. All artists can become members and submit work to our monthly exhibits, juried by noted fine art professionals from throughout the Washington area and beyond.
Exhibition at Beanetics Coffee Roasters NVPS members are exhibiting framed prints at Beanetics Coffee Roasters, 7028 Columbia Pike,
Annandale.
![]() Melanie Marts, Exhibits Coordinator Judy Guenther Judy Guenther had three images accepted into the Fifth Annual Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit. Since May 2011 when the first exhibit was held, this yearly artistic exposition has continued to grow in popularity as well as success, and in the process, has become the premier Spring event in the greater photographic community. The Fifth Annual Exhibit received a total of 469 submissions from 115 photographers representing 10 NVACC clubs and its affiliates, along with additional entries from non-affiliated photographers across the United States. The 2015 Joseph Miller Exhibit once again displayed a dazzling variety of talent, skill, creativity and imagination in photographic artistry, and continues to stand as a testament to an ever increasing interest in and love of abstract photography due in large part to the efforts of its founder and namesake.
Also, Judy's piece Flying, below, was selected for the Hylton Performing Arts Center's Buchanan Gallery 3rd Annual Juried Art Exhibition. The show at the Manassas, Va., center will be on display from May 15 through July 10. ![]() Judy and Wayne Guenther The Cantate Chamber Singers, under the direction of Gisle Becker, will perform a world premier of a newly commissioned musical work based on the photography of NVPS members Wayne and Judy Guenther, on Saturday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. Wayne's and Judy's photography will be displayed in a video presentation to which the poetry of Roberto Ifill, and the music of composer Andrew Earle Simpson have been set. This is a unique collaboration to be included in Cantate's concert entitled “Patterns and Lines.” Concert cards will be available at NVPS meetings prior to the May 14 concert date and additional information is available from Judy at judyguenther1@verizon.net. Ginger Werz-Petricka Ginger Werz-Petricka is one of the featured photographers in the next Mirror on the World Photography Exhibit at Glen Echo Park in Maryland from April 22 to May 29. She will be showing twelve images on Eastern State Penitentiary. The opening reception will be on April 22 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The link for more information is below. Hope to see you there!
News from other local clubs Calendar Art Events -Vienna Photographic Society- May 2016 Speaker- The Vienna Photographic Society invites photographers and artists to a presentation about artistic composition for gardens. Josh Taylor has presented photography workshops at the Smithsonian National Orchid Show, U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Botanic Garden, Brookside Gardens, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, American Horticultural Society Garden School, Adkins Arboretum, and Longwood Gardens. He will discuss gardening and butterfly photography. He will also show before and after examples using in Photoshop Elements. 7:30 PM Oakton Elementary School Auditorium room 123 , 3000 Chain Bridge Rd Oakton, VA 22124 www.vpsva.org/ Free and open to public Wed May 18 2016 The Vienna Photographic Society invites photographers and artists to a critique about artistic composition and photographic techniques. Themes are working with hands and images straight from the camera. Josh Taylor has presented photography workshops at the Smithsonian National Orchid Show, U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Botanic Garden, Brookside Gardens, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, American Horticultural Society Garden School, Adkins Arboretum, and Longwood Gardens. 7:30 PM Oakton Elementary School Auditorium room 123 , 3000 Chain Bridge Rd Oakton, VA 22124 www.vpsva.org/ Free and open to public Announcements of exhibitions or contests are provided for information purposes only. There is no actual or implied endorsement by the Northern Virginia Photographic Society. LRA/RPS Exhibit Invitation The League of Reston Artists (LRA) would like to invite NVPS members to participate in a gallery exhibit. Deadline for entering emailed images and exhibit entry form is May10th, exhibit of framed prints May 23rd to June27th, reception June 5th 2-4pm. From Jim Schlett, president of LRA, “Great ideas continue to rise within League of Reston Artists (LRA) ! So this year, 2016, is also the Centennial of our National Parks, that will be our overall theme of our annual exhibition at the June JoAnne Rose Gallery. Images of any of the special places managed by the National Parks are eligible. That includes many local sites like Great Falls, Shenandoah, Manassas, Antietam, Gettysburg battlefields, and the National Mall in DC. Of course, since we have so many LRA travelers, the list also encompasses ones like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Badlands, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Tetons, Acadia, etc. Here is the link to enter http://www.leagueofrestonartists.org/…/2016may-rps-at-lake-…; Washington School of Photography (WSP) Located within WSP, the Washington Gallery of Photography hosts monthly gallery shows, open to the public, and consisting of work from mid-Atlantic Photographers. They hold regular gallery receptions, hosted on the first Friday of each month. See details on their calendar at: http://www.washingtonschoolofphotography.com/
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