Before you head out to photograph, I urge folks to read up on the focus stacking technique which will allow you get all of the elements of a flower in sharp focus, while blurring out the background. This can be done quite easily in Photoshop. I suggest you experiment using black velvet or foam core sheets as backdrops to present sharp contrasty backgrounds. On the few gloomy days still remaining, I suggest you take a look at your computer system to see if you need to upgrade some of your essential equipment. As most of you know, the Club recently upgraded our projection laptop, which was really showing its age. Beyond old age, you may need a better CPU, more RAM, and improved graphics card to take advantage of new software. For example, Adobe recommends 12 MB of RAM among other things for maximum performance for Lightroom Classic CC, (see: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/system-requirements.html). You should also review the capacity of the primary hard drive(s) where your images are stored as well as your back up drive (s). Most experts suggest that you have copies of images on multiple hard drives, solid state drives, RAID systems, or the cloud. See: https://fstoppers.com/business/bulletproof-backup-strategies-digital-photographers-23906. You have spent a lot of money on equipment and travel and your own personnel time capturing the images in your library; it would be a shame to lose them due to a power surge or a catastrophic hard drive failure. Bill Millhouser
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 March 6th: A Passion for Wildlife Photography: the Stories Behind the Images with Irene Sacilotto Since 1979, Irene has shared her photographic experiences and love of nature with thousands of individuals through more than 200 photo classes, workshops, lectures, and tours in both the U.S. and abroad including the Brazilian Pantanal, Newfoundland, Falkland Islands, Iceland, Argentina, Chincoteague NWR, Assateague, the Florida Coast, South Texas, South Dakota Badlands, Bosque del Apache NWR, etc. Sponsors have included zoos, nature centers, camera clubs, and conservation organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation. For more than 19 years, she has taught photography classes at Johns Hopkins University and other educational institutions and has written “How To” articles on nature photography for national publications such as Outdoor Photographer and Birding. Her images have appeared in magazines, calendars, and books published by National Wildlife Federation, Natural History Society, National Geographic, Audubon, and Sierra Club. Her book, “Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, an Ecological Treasure,” is sold in bookstores nationwide. Examples of Irene’s work:
Monthly Programs for 2018
The VP for Programs for 2017-2018 is Willa Siegel. March 13th: Anonymous Critique Take this opportunity to get feedback on your images without needing to enter a competition. Send in images you are thinking of entering into competition, images you are experimenting on with new software, or images that may need just a little help. Remain anonymous, or enter into the discussion if you want, this is all about your growth as a photographer. You can submit up to three images. We will review as many as time allows. You will not be identified unless you choose to make comments or ask questions about your images. We will need your submissions by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9. Name your images #_title, where number is 1, 2, or 3 and anything you want for a title. For example, “1_Red House on Green Prairie”. Putting the number first will allow us to sort the images so that at least one image from every photographer is critiqued. Education and Training Programs for 2018
The Education and Training Coordinator for 2017-2018 is Ron Taylor. March 20th: Judging by Denise Silva There is a theme for this month: The American Experience –Americans at Work:
Denise finds every aspect of photography rewarding. From in-camera composition to post-processing, photography is meditative, creative, and challenging. Her passion is to capture images, from landscapes to urban decay and to share her experiences and knowledge with fellow photographers. To this end, she and Don Rosenberger started Road Runner Photography Tours. James Norman has recently joined the team! They look forward to sharing their passion for photography with you and know that their tours will not only take you to great places, but also give you an opportunity to build your network of photography friends while enhancing your photography skills through experience and knowledge sharing in a supportive environment. There is no better place to learn and develop your skills than in the field! Competition Themes for 2018-2019
Competition Judges for 2018
Digital - Class 1 Digital – Class 2 Digital – Class 3 Color Prints – Class 1 Color Prints – Class 2 Color Prints – Class 3 Monochrome Prints – Class 1 Monochrome Prints – Class 2 No Awards Monochrome Prints – Class 3 First Place Winners
The Co-VPs Competition for 2017-2018 are Stan Bysshe and Chuck Campbell (competitions@nvps.org)
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. March 27th:
Michael Aarons has been an NVPS member since the 2014-2015 season. Michael enjoys photographing concerts, his dog, and anything else that catches his attention at the moment. Until 2015, Michael primarily used a Nikon D5000, but now uses a Nikon D750 as his “go to” body. His lenses include the Nikkor 14-24mm ƒ2.8, Nikkor 35mm ƒ1.8, Nikkor 70-200mm ƒ2.8, Nikkor 18-200mm ƒ3.5-5.6, Nikkor 10.5mm ƒ2.8 fisheye and a few others. Recently, Michael acquired some Yongnuo YN622 triggers and a Yongnuo YN568 speedlight to play with off camera flash. Michael post-processes in Lightroom 5 and Photoshop Elements 12 with the Nik filter suite and a few Topaz filters as well. Michael’s photographic aspirations are still to get images in focus and properly exposed. It’s tougher than it looks. Examples of Michael's work:
The Forum Coordinator for 2017-2018 is Kirk Johnson. Upcoming Forum Presentations:
* This Forum will be structured as Education and Training due to the subject matter. March 27th: Digital by Bill Millhouser;
Things changed radically when digital cameras became available to amateurs. In 2001, Bill dove in and bought the Canon D30, which had a rather modest 3.25 megapixel sensor (!) and a blazing 3 FPS frame rate. Using Lightroom, Bill began to understand more about proper exposure and the how to “develop” digital images. Soon after retiring in 2010, Bill attended his first photographic workshop in Costa Rica, which exposed him to the wonderful variety and color of tropical birds and the proper use of big telephoto lenses (both on a tripod and hand held), the use of fill flash, and the complexities of multi-flash setups to capture the beauty of the region’s many hummingbird species. His keen interest in wildlife and bird photography has since lead him to visit sites throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, the West Coast, New Mexico, Florida, Belize, Africa, and back to Costa Rica on multiple occasions. Bill’s photographic journey really took off when a new friend, Marilyn Gaizband, suggested that he join NVPS in November 2012. Joining the Club has led to ever increasing interest and development in the art and craft of photography. Within the last few years this included moving beyond just digital competitions and learning to print and mat prints for competition, both for club competitions and Nature Visions. Bill is currently shooting with several Canon digital SLRs and numerous lenses, from wide angle to super telephoto, and a bevy of flash gear, as well as a small Olympus OMD EM 1 MK II kit with several lenses that is easy to schlep around all day long, while providing excellent image quality. Here are some examples of Bill's photos from his “African Safari” presentation.
Today the digital darkroom has allowed for new ways to approach image processing. For Stan the ultimate endpoint for a photograph is the print. Yet there is still much to learn between seeing the image and reproducing it on paper. For the past three years Stan has helped with guiding photo tours in the Pacific Northwest, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and on the East Coast. It has challenged him to learn several camera systems but has also allowed for the enjoyment of helping others get that special image. Stan shoots with Nikon, processes with Lightroom and prints with Epson (presently a SureColor P800). While he learned the art of mat cutting from Willa and Bob, he has simplified the process for himself, by using precut mats (and recycling them for various shows). One present project includes learning at least something about Photoshop. The prints shown are from trips taken, over the past three years, to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Some were chosen to show a location at different times of the year while others because they represent part of the diversity that must be preserved in this amazing ecosystem. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is the largest section of public wild lands in the lower forty eight states. It encompasses22.6 million acres and is made up of land governed by Federal, State and private jurisdictions. Controlling the natural resources over this vast area and maintaining a healthy bio-system remains a tremendous challenge for those who manage this diverse ecosystem. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks make up but a small part of the GYE. They are however what most photographers have access to. Over the past three years I have been lucky enough to make nine trips to the parks, but the next best image always seems to be just around the bend. Examples of Stan’s work:
Member's Gallery presentations for 2018
The Member's Gallery Coordinator for this 2016-2017 is Laurie Kuyk. March 24th: Huntley Meadows Park, Mason Neck State Park,
Huntley Meadows combines a wooded and marsh area for spectacular opportunities for nature and wildlife photography. The visitor center is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, just off Route 1; restrooms are here. From the visitor center, a path leads through the woods to a boardwalk over the wetlands. There is also a parking lot at 6901 South Kings Highway that allows access to the wetlands viewing area. Further south on Route 1, Mason Neck offers the chance to see and photograph several bald eagle nests (it’s listed as the second-best place to spot eagles in Virginia), as well as other inhabitants of the wetlands and bay that define Mason Neck. The visitor center and park are located at 7301 High Point Road in Lorton, off Gunston Road. There is a $5 admission fee ($7 for nonresidents) on weekends. (If you decide to purchase an annual pass at the visitor center, the daily admission is refunded.) Adjacent to Mason Neck State Park, the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge has the largest freshwater marsh in northern Virginia. It was the first National Wildlife Refuge established specifically for the protection of bald eagles, and is a major breeding ground for great blue herons. The Refuge’s parking area is on High Point Road in Lorton. (You’ll pass it on your left going to the State Park entrance.) As noted, you can do one or more locations. Specifics (time and location) about gathering will be announced at the meeting before the trip when there’s a better sense of the weather, and your interest in the three sites. We’re tentatively planning to meet afterward at Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton (near Springfield Mall), depending on what food truck or trucks will be there.Sign-up sheets will be at the meetings in March. Please email us for questions and to let us know that you will be going: field-trips@nvps.org Field Trip Coordinators for 2017-2018 are Jim and Jerri McDermott 2018 Membership Dues We now have NVPS business cards for you to hand out. Stop by the membership table and pick some up to keep in your camera bag! They are FREE for you to spread the word about our club. Be sure to write your name on the back of the cards that you hand out; let’s see who brings in the most prospects! Remember, in order to participate in the monthly competitions your membership dues must be current. Membership dues are at half-price for the remainder of the 2018 Society year (until 1 May 2018):
There are three forms of payment. Checks and cash are preferred by NVPS:
Questions, please email membership at membership@nvps.org. 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! Kacy Turner 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. Wayne Guenther The Northern Virginia Review has selected Wayne Guenther’s image Swing It as the winner in the Art Category of its Volume 32 literary and visual arts printed publication. The Volume 32 launch reception will be held March 22 between 7 to 9 p.m. at The Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Art Center on the Annandale Campus. Judy Guenther also had two images selected for publication.
Bob and Willa Friedman Bob and Willa Friedman had photos accepted for printing in The Northern Virginia Review and District Lines. The Northern Virginia Review presents outstanding original fiction, poetry, essays, fine art and photography from the Mid-Atlantic region and the faculty, staff, and alumni of Northern Virginia Community College. Now in its 31st year, TNVR was originally founded to showcase the talents of Northern Virginia Community College's faculty. In 2006, submissions were expanded and now include the best work of noted and emerging regional writers and artists. District Lines is an anthology intended to capture a sense of people and place in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding metropolitan areas. The first three of Willa's images were in District Lines, the bottom two in the Northern Virginia Review:
Bob's two images in the left column were accepted in the District Lines and the image on the right was accepted into Northern Virginia Review:
Fred Siskind
The image is a section of Fred's original photo of a Rosy Maple moth he shot at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria in July 2012. Former NVPS President Gretchen Kolsrud Gretchen Kolsrud, a past President of NVPS (1987-88), died Wednesday, January 31, at her home in Medford, Ore., from esophageal cancer. Gretchen was born in Schenectady, N.Y., and after receiving a Ph.D. in microbiology, came to the Washington area to work at the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), the research arm of Congress. Gretchen was active in many NVPS programs and events and was known for her many arresting and eye-catching photos of people, landscapes, nature, architecture, as well macro and abstract images. In addition to her photo workshops and critique sessions, Gretchen also hosted meetings at her home, where she was a gourmet cook, to share photographic knowledge and experiences. She won numerous awards and recognition for her photography. After Congress eliminated the OTA in 1995, Gretchen retired and subsequently moved to Tucson, where she was active in her local photography club and developed an interest in astronomical photography, played pickle ball and golf, joined a flute circle, and hiked in the Catalina Mountains. Gretchen subsequently developed a neurological disorder, originally thought to be a form of Parkinson's disease, but later more correctly diagnosed as supranuclear palsy, a disorder which makes it difficult to walk. As the disease progressed, Gretchen relocated to Oregon to be closer to her family. Last year, doctors discovered a cancerous growth in her throat which eventually took her life. Gretchen was always upbeat and fun to be around, lively and engaging, with a great sense of humor, an infectious curiosity about the world, a good travel companion (in spite of her tendency to misplace her passport), and a tireless hiker with an uncanny ability to identify a wide range of flora and fauna. She could carry on a conversation about nearly any topic. Her many friends will miss her a lot.
Expositions/Competitions March 11th is Photo Essay Day!!Mark your calendars: The North Bethesda Camera Club (NBCC) is holding its annual Photo Essay, one of their premier events of the year, and NVPS members are invited to attend. This is NBCC’s 32nd year presenting slide shows of beautiful photographs set to music. Join us for an afternoon of entertainment and education for our members, their families and friends, and other camera clubs around the area. Past programs have been very well received, making this our most popular event of the year. The presentation will be on Sunday afternoon, March 11th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Rosborough Center, Asbury Methodist Village, Gaithersburg, Md. The auditorium seats 250 in a comfortable, theater-like setting. An Overview of the Photo Essay 2018 ProgramPhoto essays are like mini-operas or mini-movies – they tell stories, using a combination of visual and musical media. Travel to interesting places:
For nature and landscape lovers:
For lovers of culture and art:
For fun and education, we have:
And for Springsteen fans, we bring you the “Out in the Streets” in black and white. DirectionsDirections: Driving directions and maps can be found at: http://www.asburymethodistvillage.org/at-a-glance/area-map-directions/
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. None this month.
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