Focal Points - Vienna Photographic Society

Volume 4-8
April 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
When Our Photography…
1
March’s Competition Results
2
April’s Speaker
2
April’s Judge
3
Quote of the Month
3
PSA Report Update
3
Help Needed
4
April’s Field Trip
4
Themes for April, etc.
4
What Do You Want?
5
VPS Board Members
5
Opportunities to Learn
5
th
April 27 Forum
5
March Field Trip Report
6
Appreciating the Moment
7
Photography Road Trip
8
Members News
10
For Sale
11
Bits and Pieces
11
More Exhibitions
12
Resource Center
13
Membership Form
14
Support Network Form
15
VPS is a member of
https://www.psa-photo.org/
st
rd
th
VPS meets on the 1 , 3 , and 4
Wednesdays, Sept thru June at the
Oakton Elementary School.
Check website calendar at
Vpsva.org for any date changes.
When our photography doesn’t have this special
thing that we want it to have
By David Heagy
In Mid March I attended the event 'shootoff.org' with speakers specializing in
photojournalism. The attendees included military, civilian, and White House
photographers. Ask me the most dangerous way to carry your camera.
One of the speakers, Preston Keres, spoke about storytelling and creativity. He showed a
short video based on an interview with Ira Glass, the creator, host and executive
producer of the award-winning public radio show 'This American Life.'
The message from Ira Glass is titled “Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I
wish someone told me”. The core of his message is that for everyone who does creative
work, the first couple years you make stuff, that is OK but not great, and maybe just not
that good. It has potential, but it’s disappointing.
“A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do
interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have
this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just
starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know it’s normal and the most
important thing you can do is do a lot of work.
Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going
through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as
your ambitions. And, I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever
met. It’s gonna take a while. It’s normal to take a while. You’ve just gotta fight your way
through.” —Ira Glass
The Vienna Photographic Society provides a variety of ways to do that “volume of work”
to get to the next phase, and to do it with deadlines to keep you progressing. One of my
favorite ways is the monthly competition with themes. They motivate me to try different
kinds of subject such as street, still life, and close up.
I felt better after watching the video and realizing it’s normal to get frustrated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1oZhEIrer4
“Push through… don’t quit… never stop creating, learning, and doing your damnedest to
bridge that gap between good and great.”
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Great job everyone! Just a reminder to new members, we
can now add titles to our images, so don’t forget to give
your image a title when uploading to the competition.
March 16, 2016
Competition Results
Loma Mier, VP Competitions
Judge: Wayne
Wolfersberger
Judge – Cristi Dobrescu
April’s Speaker – David Blecman
Monthly Theme: Emotions/Feelings – 27 Entries
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
HM
HM
HM
HM
Kathrin Swoboda
Bill Mugg
Bill Mugg
Loma Mier
John Sichenze
Nicol Hockett
Alana Graves
One Studio Light and One Model
Father and Son
Defeated
I Like to Run
A Mother’s Love
Down Maine
Bath Happy
Mother’s Love
April 6th 2016
by Julie Cochran
Please welcome David Blecman talking on how to light a
model with one
studio light. He is
a wonderful
photographer.
Monthly Theme: Still Life – 25 Entries
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
HM
HM
HM
Craig Beyers
Bill Mugg
Craig Beyers
Lori Saunders
Nicol Hockett
Gloria Spellman
David Blecman, a
member of the
Professional
Photographers of
America, started his photographic career fresh out of high
school in 1978. After many years of shooting weddings and
such, he started Positive Negatives in 1997, and
concentrated more on the commercial photography aspect.
He is now an internationally recognized photographer and
instructor, having taught in over a dozen countries to
photographers, models, and
makeup artists.
Ready to Drive
American Breakfast
Wine Sampler 2013
From Dad’s Collection
Backyard Agriculturist
Fall Harvest
Open Category: Novice – 12 Entries
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
HM
Gwen Bowden
Debra Newell
Lori Saunders
Nicol Hockett
Treats Please
Gerbera’s Reflection
Mack
Digges Valley Barn
He has photographed projects for
such clientele as Sears, Color Me
Beautiful, JC Penney, Bath & Body
Works, Foot Action, Kaybee Toys,
Littman Jewelers, Seagrams
Americas, Holiday Inn.
Open Category: Advanced – 16 Entries
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
HM
Kathrin Swoboda
George Silvas
John Sichenze
Gloria Spellman
Big Gulp
Non Stealth Blackbird
Alaska
Swallowtail Butterfly
David has also been hired to
photograph such celebrities as
President George W. Bush,
Christina Aguilera, Jimmy Buffett,
Steely Dan, Moody Blues, KISS, and
numerous others.
Prints: Combined Novice and Advanced – 13 Entries
1st Place
David Kepley
2nd Place
3rd Place
HM
Joan Axilbund
Paige Counts
Craig Beyers
April 2016
Quote the Raven:
"No More War"
Stern Pelican
Caution Crossing
UFO
He currently shoots for magazines, clothiers, fashion
designers, and numerous other print and commercial
accounts, as well as for models, actors, and their agencies.
David continues to speak at modeling and photography
venues, judge at pageants, teach at modeling agencies, and
teach and mentor photographers, models, and makeup
artists internationally. His 2010 training course in the
Caribbean was filmed to become a 13-episode television
series.
PLEASE remember that there should be no identifying
names or initials, either in the title or in the image (no
watermarks.)
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More recently, David is mentoring a group of over 650
amateur
photographers, and is
getting them exposure
and recognition by
having their work
displayed and sold at
local venues.
April 2016
Photographic Society of America (PSA) Report:
Projected Image Division (Open) Interclub Results Round 3:
VPS receives 3 Individual Awards!
The PID Interclub competition was judged
at Green Briar Camera Club, Chicago,
Illinois, and images by Patricia Deege, Mary
Jane Fish, Mort Friedman, David Kepley, Urscia
Mahring and Gloria Spellman received 64 points placing
Vienna Photographic Society in a strong unofficial 8th place
out of 26 clubs. Overall standings are pending.
This is but a small
sampling of David's
many successes.
Join us April 6th, 2016
and hear him talk
about single light
model photography.
We received a remarkable 3 individual awards:
Award of Merit to Patricia Deege for "Ancient Japanese
Maple",
April Judge – Jim Steele
Our judge for April is Jim Steele. He
is a photographer working in both
monochrome and color landscapes
and nudes and is equally
comfortable in both traditional and
digital processes.
Steele photographs the landscape
throughout the Southwest,
Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and
Europe.
and Honorable Mentions to
David Kepley for "Bridge at
Night"
He has a studio in the Torpedo Factory Art Center in
Alexandria, Virginia.
He frequently lectures on the subject of fine printing and
has taught at Photoworks, the Smithsonian Institution, the
Art League in Alexandria, Va, and has guest lectured in
photography at Georgetown University.
and to Mary Jane Fish for
"Inside the National Cathedral".
“Let’s tell our young people that the best
books are yet to be written; the best paintings
have not yet been painted; the best
governments are yet to be formed; the best is
yet to be done by them.”
John Erskine
Congratulations to Patricia, David and Mary Jane!
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PSA Nature: Images selected by judge Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
of Osprey Photo Workshops and Tours (Ospreyphoto.com)
which have been entered into the final round of Nature
Interclub Competition:
April 2016
If you are interested, please contact me, either at
fishmp48@yahoo.com, or 703-281-9743.
Thanks, Martin Fish
"South Africa" by Gina Clautice
"Heading Home with Lunch" by Joseph Morton
"Coming Up for Air" by Bill Mugg
"A Thorny Issue" by Bill Mugg
"Big Gulp" by Kathy Swoboda
"Elk Scraping Velvet" by Wayne Wolfersberger
April Field Trip – Franciscan Monastery,
Washington, DC
by Dennis Tarnay, Jr.
The Vienna Photographic Society’s April 16, 2016 field trip is
to the Franciscan Monastery in Washington DC. If you are
planning to attend, we will meet at Vienna Metro at 8 am
and at the Monastery at 9
am: The physical address is
1400 Quincy St., N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20017.
You may view these images on the website gallery:
http://www.vpsva.org/g/2744bfbd-7079-4cee-85b7546e1ff328cf.
I am thankful to our judge, Irene Hinke-Sacilotto, this season
for making the selections. She has been very complimentary
of our club. Irene leads photo workshops all around the
world. Her next workshop is in the beautiful Outer Banks of
North Carolina in late April. See ospreyphoto.com for
details.
Please provide the following
information, your CELL
PHONE NUMBER and if are
meeting the group at Metro
or at the Site to Dennis Tarnay, Jr. at the following e-mail
address: dtarnay@cox.net .
Individual Memberships in PSA: VPS is a club member of
PSA. Individual membership in PSA is available and allows
one to access the many benefits of the PSA. I recently joined
PSA and so far I feel it is worthwhile. I attended the recent
Mid-Atlantic PSA Chapter Meeting in Olney, MD on Macro
Photography and I look forward to the next meeting on April
16 on Bird Photography. PSA has an Image Evaluation
Service which provides expert critique of 3 images at a time.
I found the critique very helpful for 3 of my nature images.
Please contact me if you have any questions about PSA.
If you have never been to the Franciscan Monastery then
you are in for a treat. Not only does it have lovely gardens
and landscapes, it is full of tulips in bloom in April. There is
also a beautiful church on the grounds. Please feel free to
explore the following web site:
http://www.myfranciscan.org/
THEMES FOR April 2016
Kathy Swoboda, PSA Representative
(1) Doors – Doors can be interior or exterior, open or
closed. A doorway, i.e., an entry between rooms which
does not have a permanent way to close, is also acceptable.
The entire door does not need to be in the image; it can be
limited to the handle or a knocker. The door does not need
to be the only element in the picture frame but it should be
a key element. A door in a garden wall is acceptable but a
gate is NOT considered a door.
Nature Visions Co-Representative Needed
I need a second person to help out during the busier times
of the Nature Visions Expo preparation.
Specifically, the collection of printed images occurs before
several of the VPS meetings, a time when I am sometimes
also busy setting up the video camera for print competitions
or setting up the computer and projector for speakers or
forums. I have large plastic tubs for this purpose, and I
make signs for each category, so submitters can help selfsort the images.
(2) Monochrome – Images must be in one color or shades
of one color. For the purposes of this competition, the
theme includes black and white (or grayscale) but also
includes images containing tones of a single color, such as
green, and may range through green and white and green
and black. For black and white photographs, sepia, rose tint
and other similar color casts are acceptable.
Also, setup and breakdown at the Hylton Center occurs
simultaneously at two different sites. I need someone who
can take one site and make sure racks get set up and images
hung, and then the process reversed after the show. Of
course, there will be volunteers who will help with the work,
but one person must be there to coordinate the effort.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The Survey to choose themes for next year is coming soon
so be on the lookout for it.
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April 2016
Upcoming Opportunities to Learn
In last year’s planning survey members said they wanted
more learning opportunities. Each week the board prepares
a list of events for learning. They are posted at the website
http://www.vpsva.org/ under Organization / News and
Information / Announcements. The events are also sent in
an email to members, and projected before the start of
meetings. Instead of delaying the start of a meeting by
reading the announcements we show them on the screen so
you can see them while you are waiting.
What do you want and how should we get
there? How important is it to you to have goals for VPS to
help you learn about photography next year? Soon you will
receive a survey asking you where we want to go, how to
get there, and how to tell if we are succeeding. Although it
may seem like a lot of questions, it should only take about 5
minutes to complete.
There several excellent learning opportunities this Spring:


The results are used for planning our speakers,
competitions, forums, field trips, and social activities.

VPS Board Members
President
First VP
Secretary
Treasurer
VP-Speakers
VP Speakers
VP-Judges
VP-Comp.
Digital Proj.
VP Mem Com
PSA Rep
Focal Points
Dir Publicity
Membership
Dir Website
VP Forums
VP Field Trips
VP Field Trips
VP Operations
Social Events
Gift Cards
50/50 Raffle
Nat.Vis.Rep.
David Heagy
Davis Kepley
Jean Klaus
Burgess Levin
Julie Cochran
Caroline Stevens
Gwen Bowden
Loma Mier
Committee
Gloria Spellman
Kathy Swoboda
Mary Jane Fish
Vacant
Lou Coglianese
Gloria Spellman
Mort Friedman
Dennis Tarnay
George Silvas
George Silvas
Joan Axilbund
Julie Cochran
Julie Cochran
Martin Fish

dheagy@gmail.com
kepley.david@gmail.com
jeanklaus@verizon.net
burgessblc@aol.com
catlady1821@cox.net
cstevens3@me.com
sew_gal@cox.net
loma_mier88@hotmail.com
Sharon, Joan, Martin
spellg1@aol.com
kswoboda2421@gmail.com
maryjane_fish@yahoo.com



April 17 Beach Bash
www.photobeachbash.com/schedule2016.html
Rehobeth Beach, DE Speakers Mollie Isaacs, Joe
Brady, Ed Heaton, Eddie Tapp
Registration now- Freeman Patterson announced
excellent workshops from June to October 2016.
St. Martins, New Brunswick. These popular classes
fill quickly. http://www.freemanpatterson.com
Wonder - Renwick Gallery until May 8
Photography encouraged
Until Apr 11 - Photo Ark at the National Geographic
Museum
National Geographic Into Africa: The Photography
of Frans Lanting until Summer 16
Nature's Best Photography: Windland Smith Rice
International Awards Presents: The Best of the Best
until Fall 2016 in the Natural History Museum
Primordial Landscapes: Iceland Revealed through
April 2017 Natural History Museum.
April 27th Forum - "Conventional" Critique
lhcoglianese@gmail.com
spellg@aol.com
mhfriedm@gwu.edu
dtarnay@cox.net
mytobyjake@aol.com
mytobyjake@aol.com
jaxilbund@verizon.net
catlady1821@cox.net
catlady1821@cox.net
fishmp48@yahoo.com
The next Forum will be held at the Oakton School at 7:30
PM on April 27. It will be a "conventional" critique, in which
members submit up to six images for review by a panel of
three of our finest VPS photographers. This Forum has long
been a favorite among our members and is a great way to
fine tune an image you are considering entering into a
competition. The deadline for submitting your images will
be April 24. Your first step is to select your candidates. You
will shortly receive an all-members email telling you how to
title them so we can set up the queue in an equitable
manner, putting your priority images first.
*************************************************
See you then.
Mort Friedman, VP Forums
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March Field Trip Report
National Capital Trolley Museum
by Dennis Tarnay, Jr., et al
The Vienna Photographic Society’s March 19, 2016 field trip to the
National Capital Trolley Museum in Maryland was attended by Carol
C, Mary Jane and Martin F, Venkat and Lata K, and Dennis T.
We all met at the Trolley Museum around noon and received an early
photo and informative tour of the Trolley warehouse and then rode
the 1960's Toronto, Canada trolley. It was a little longer than the
ones that D.C. has. The ride was just a little over 20 minutes in length
but gave a good idea what it was like to take a ride on the trolley.
Very interesting museum showing movies with trolleys as part of the
sets; model trolley set similar to a model train set; posters about
trolleys and many other information regarding trolleys. I guess we
will all have to go into DC and take a ride on their new trolleys.
Afterwards, Carol C left to go home, Venkay and Lata stayed for
another trolley ride, while Mary-Jane and Martin F and Dennis T went
to eat at Pollo Mex Chicken and Mexican Grill.
“It was a nice trip for a rainy day. It was interesting to see the
exterior of the different types of trolley cars. It was unfortunate that
we could not see the insides of them as well. It is always fun to go on
a camera trip with members of our club. I am ready for our next
great adventure.”
Carol Carroll
(Photos by Carol C, Mary Jane, Martin and Dennis T)
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April 2016
Appreciating the Value of the Photographic Moments
By Patricia Deege
Photography is not just about making that amazing image that will win the next competition; for me photography has
brought a renewed awareness of all the beauty around us. We so often are so engrossed with the business of everyday living
that the small things which, are perhaps right there under our very noses, go unseen. The camera opens up a special world
for all of us.
Recently I have been unable to get out much to practice with the camera, so have been watching a couple of the wildlife
cams on my iPad. The zoo has an ongoing panda cam where one can see the activity and antics of the newest panda baby,
Bei Bei. He is growing fast and often rough and tumbles with his mother, climbs the trees in his outside arena, and when
tired curls up in his “bedroom” for a nap. This is all recorded on the cam for anyone who downloads the app.
The other cam is focused on the bald eagle nest in the National Arboretum. At first one could only see one of the birds sitting
on the enormous nest. Then, one morning, I was lucky to see the two young eaglets for the first time, exposed to the sunlight.
I have been watching, since then, as the parents take turns to guard the nest, bring fish to feed the chicks, and generally care
for and nurture their tiny offspring. At first it seemed that the youngest eaglet, born two days after his older sibling, might
not survive, but they now both appear to be thriving, eagerly opening their little beaks for food and then resting in the
depths of the nest, covered and warmed by the feathers of the parent that is on “baby duty.”
Today, Easter Sunday, I did get out to take a walk along the river path at Riverbend Park. To my surprise, the bluebells are
rapidly coming into bloom, and the forest floor is carpeted with many other tiny harbingers of spring. Two weeks ago, there
was nothing, but the bluebells will soon be in full flower and well worth the trip to see them. The road to Riverbend is lined
with clouds of beautiful pink and white flowering trees and across the river there is a pale green haze as the trees along the
water sprout with new growth. Spring is fleeting and one should try to take advantage of every beautiful moment.
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Photography Road Trip
By Gloria Spellman with Mary Jane and Martin Fish
We left on a chilly Sunday morning to begin our journey
south to see what photographic opportunities we could find.
The non-scenic I-95 S drive through North Carolina was quite
uneventful, but I must say I enjoyed my company and the
stop for barbeque!
We arrived in Sumter, SC late Sunday evening and stopped
by the Swan Lake Iris Gardens. The gardens were beautiful!
The gardens, which are on both sides of Liberty Street,
feature all eight swan species. I did not get a photograph of
all eight species of swans (we did not see any black-necked
swans), but I got most of them in addition to other species of
birds (ducks, including wood ducks, coots, and several
varieties of geese.)
Mary Jane’s favorite was the African Bean Goose who
resembled Mother Goose. (See top right image, 2nd right is a
Coscoroba swan.) We went back to the gardens early
Monday morning, then headed for Orlando. (Photo top left
had mute swan in front and two whooper swans beyond it.
Photo below it is a black swan.)
The birds are used to humans and have feeding stations at
the edge of the lake, so you can get very close. We even got
some shots of five little ducklings playing at the edge of the
lake.
Tuesday we went to visit Merritt Island, a National Wildlife
Refuge where we followed a seven mile (approximate) drivethru. We were able to capture several species of birds
including egrets, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, coots,
herons and others. The weather was on our side with the
sun diffused and light breezes. The best part about the day
was seeing so many birds we had never seen before such as
reddish egret, glossy ibis, and wood storks.
We visited a small park in Titusville, which is just across the
river from the island. There was a flock of white ibis and a
single wood stork, and a woman feeding them. Again, we
could get close and take some wonderful photos.
On Wednesday, we visited a former VPS member, Laura
Howell, and spent some quality time visiting an awesome
gallery where she exhibits and sells her photography. We
also walked through the streets and lunched in the art
district, and visited a quaint period community located on
the lake.
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After leaving Laura, we visited the Florida Polytechnic
University in Lakeland,
Florida. The Innovation,
Science and Technology
building was designed by
world-renowned
architect, engineer and
polytechnic graduate Dr.
Santiago Calatrava. The
building is surrounded by
84 arched pergolas that shade its terraces and walkways – it
is an absolutely beautiful building!
On Thursday morning we got up early to visit Gatorland in
Orlando. Gatorland opens early on Thursdays thru Sunday
for those who purchase a photographer’s pass. They are
also open late on Saturdays for those who buy a late pass.
There were so many birds and alligators in addition to other
wildlife! The egrets and anhingas were in their breeding
and nesting season. I highly recommend a visit to Gatorland
if you are in the area and want to be able to get up close to
photograph birds. Our timing was good enough that an
egret nest had two eggs that had just hatched (Mary Jane
noticed that the chicks were wet at first.) This was just an
arm’s reach from the boardwalk, and had a crowd of
photographers right at the railing.
Friday we left for Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is a
beautiful city with historic landmarks, beautiful houses and
parks and is near the coastal area of Tybee Island. We first
headed out to Wormsloe Plantation to see that iconic oak
lined drive.
We then visited the Bonaventure Cemetery, a public
cemetery located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River,
east of Savannah, Georgia. The cemetery was full of mossy
oaks and statutes – a treasure trove of photographic
opportunities! The azaleas were just beginning to bloom to
add color to the mix.
We also visited the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist then
took to the streets to capture photos of some amazing
architecture including Georgian, Victorian and even some
modern architecture. We later visited Tybee Island, a little
island with a small beach and a lighthouse.
And everywhere on our trip there were grackles.
This was a wonderfully planned adventure (thanks to Mary
Jane) with opportunity to capture various genres of
photography. I would highly recommend any of these
locations for photographic opportunities. The best fact of
all about these locations is that you can capture it all with
your regular lenses covering 18mm to 300mm!
(Photos by Gloria Spellman, Martin and Mary Jane Fish)
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April 2016
Kathy Swoboda was recently named as a winner in Nature's Best
Backyard Photography Contest. Her two images, "Cross Talk" and
"Territorial Dispute", will be published in the next Spring-Summer
issue of Nature's Best.
Carla Steckley took a 3rd place award for Fallen Petal and an
honorable mention for Autumn Glory in the annual League
of Reston Artists' photo exhibit held at USGS for the month
of March. The judge was Nikhil Bahl.
Carla says, "It's been years since I entered an LRA exhibit. I
was so pleased to have 2 winners. I guess I'll have to do this
more often. To those of you that don't enter, you should
consider LRA exhibits. They've increased the prize money
and have brought back receptions, plus it's rewarding to see
your work in an exhibit environment."
Member Barbara Saffir is speaking about her unique new
guidebook, "Walking Washington, DC," on the following
dates. To register for a library event, visit:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events/eventsbybranc
h.htm
Her nature photos and other photographs are featured at
the talks.
1. Sat., April 30, noon: Reiters book store, Washington, DC
2. Tues., May 3, 7 pm: Oakton public library, Oakton
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April 2016
by Columbia College Chicago for local at-risk students during
Wilson’s Eyes on Main Street photography festival. Canon
will introduce various new cameras and lenses during the
youth workshop.
For Sale
Renee and I are moving to the Richmond area around April
20. I have two groups of photography items to sell for best
offer prices that some of you might find of interest.
www.eyesonmainstreetwilson.com
BestFile Archival Binder for Negatives and Slides. I have 20
available that are new and unopened.
or www.facebook.com/eyesonmainstreet
Black plastic negative boxes with 3 rings in each box. Each
holds a large number of negative or slide storage sheets.
Each box is roughly 11 x 12 inches. These binders are new
and unopened. B&H in New York City sells each binder for
$11.25 each. I will sell them for 4 bucks each, or best offer.
The Jamestown (NY) Audubon Society
2016 Nature
Photography Contest
Cash Prizes!
Adult and Youth Divisions
Landscapes, Plants, Wildlife Categories
4th Category added: Photos taken at Nature Center
Kodak Carousel Transvue 140 slide trays. I have 19 available
and they are new. These are new in original packaging from
Kodak. Each holds 140 35 mm slides. They sell on Amazon
for $21.84 + $5.49 shipping. I will sell them individually at
$5.00 each or best offer.
Submission deadline: June 30
www.jasphotocontest.com
info@jamestownaudubon.org
(716) 569-2345
All submissions must be made online.
$10/photo to enter contest.
Whether I have any takers on these two items or not, I
hope Renee and I can come by an upcoming VPS meeting
to say goodbye to many of our VPS friends from whom
we have learned so much about the pleasures of
photography and friendly competition over the years
since 2007.
The Nik Collection is now Free
Phil Kronenberg philkvt@vt.edu 703-476-9036 in Reston
Photo enthusiasts all over the world use the Nik Collection to
get the best out of their images every day. As Google
continues to focus our long-term investments in building
incredible photo editing tools for mobile, including Google
Photos and Snapseed, they’ve decided to make the Nik
Collection desktop suite available for free, so that now
anyone can use it.
Bits and Pieces
This column is for things of interest to photographers. It can
include contest, exhibitions, and general information on
cameras and software.
I am asking members to send me notices that they are aware
of any items that fit into these categories.
The Nik Collection is comprised of seven desktop plug-ins
that provide a powerful range of photo editing capabilities –
from filter applications that improve color correction, to
retouching and creative effects, to image sharpening that
brings out all the hidden details, to the ability to make
adjustments to the color and tonality of images.
Canon USA partners with Eyes on Main Street
Eyes on Main Street and Columbia College
Chicago announce Canon U.S.A., Inc, as the
newest sponsor for the Outdoor Photo
Festival in Wilson, NC April 9 - July 10, 2016.
Starting March 24, 2016, the latest Nik Collection will be
freely available to download: Analog Efex Pro, Color Efex
Pro, Silver Efex Pro, Viveza, HDR Efex Pro, Sharpener Pro and
Dfine. If you purchased the Nik Collection in 2016, you will
receive a full refund, which they’ll automatically issue back
to you in the coming days.
Nash Street, the main street of Wilson, NC,
will be transformed into a vibrant gallery of large-scale
photographs. For 100 days, 100 photographs will be
displayed on storefront windows, spanning six city blocks
and taking visitors across the railroad tracks with the
exhibition linking east and west Wilson into one shared
community.
Google is excited to bring the powerful photo editing tools
once only used by professionals to even more people now.
www.google.com/nikcollection
As part of the sponsorship, Canon U.S.A., Inc. will provide
the cameras and printers for the student workshops hosted
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MORE EXHIBITIONS
June 13-19, 2016
MISSION Our mission is to celebrate the vision of
extraordinary photographers, ignite conversations about
critical issues, and foster the next generation of artists.
VISION As a nonprofit organization, LOOK3 challenges
assumptions about photography by presenting diverse work
by a variety of artists, developing innovative educational
initiatives, and offering immersive community events.
The Festival features exhibitions and talks with legendary
photographers as well as outdoor projections, events, and
workshops. All events at LOOK3 are located along
Charlottesville's historic pedestrian corridor known as the
Downtown Mall as well as in the Jefferson School African
American Heritage Center.
Celebrate our 20-Year Anniversary!
Best of the Best Exhibition
Windland Smith Rice International Awards
National Museum of Natural History, 2nd Floor
Open now through late August 2016
NBP presents the "Best of the Best" exhibition, a collection of
113 large-format prints with the stories behind the shots, an
HD video, vintage cameras, and a brief history of nature
photography. Winning images from the past to the present
will take you on the journey from the wild to the walls of the
Smithsonian.
In partnership with the Smithsonian's National Museum of
Natural History, the Winners of each photographic category
and a selection of the Highly Honored images from the
Windland Smith Rice International Awards are displayed FREE
to millions of visitors. The print exhibition is accompanied by
HD video on a large-screen TV. View some of the awards
videos from past exhibitions (see
http://www.naturesbestphotography.com/competition_over
view.php).
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in
Richmond is holding an exhibit on Virginia
360
The noted American contemporary photographer Thomas
R. Schiff uses a panoramic camera to create dynamic and
startlingly original images of well-known buildings and
familiar places: “I always like to go to places people are
familiar with and show the perspective from a panoramic
camera,” he recently stated. “The camera distorts
everything in the picture – straight lines become curved
and it throws off your perspective. It challenges your
relationship to what is familiar or thought to be
understood.”
In 2004 Schiff began taking panoramic photographs of
Virginia, which features exceptional historic buildings and
beautiful natural environments. This exhibition presents
40 photographs that Schiff made in the Commonwealth of
Virginia between 2004 and 2013, all of which were
included in the artist’s 2015 publication Virginia 360°:
Photographs by Thomas Schiff.
Combining Schiff’s passion for photography and his love of
architecture, the works on display in this exhibition
provide a fresh, new perspective for these notable Virginia
landmarks, thus encouraging the viewer to reevaluate
their perceptions of the world.
Read more at
https://vmfa.museum/exhibitions/exhibitions/virginia360-photographs-by-thomas-schiff
The photo above is of the State Capitol in Richmond. He
photographed many historic buildings around the state. If
you love architecture as I do, then this is an exhibit not to
be missed.
This exhibit is running through June 19th, so if you find
yourself in the Richmond area I would recommend you
stop in and check out Virginia 360.
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April 2016
Resource Center
This is a space to look for workshops, classes and other tips for the photographer in you. Please send in any
resources that you have tried and would like recommend to your fellow VPS members.
Instruction and workshops:
With Nikhil Bahl: www.NikhilBahl.com
With Capital Photography Center: http://www.capitalphotographycenter.com/
With Corey Hilz: http://coreyhilz.com
With Tony Sweet: http://tonysweet.com/
With Josh Taylor: http://joshuataylorphotography.com http://joshuataylorphotography.com/blog
With Bill and Linda Lane: http://www.lanephotoworkshops.com/
For Photoworks Classes: www.glenechophotoworks.org
For Infrared workshops with The New Life Photos Workshop: http://www.newlifephotos.com
Freeman Patterson/Andre Gallant: www.freemanpatterson.com.
Speakers We Have Heard:
Eliot Cohen, – Landscape and Lightroom
www.eliotcohen.com
www.facebook.com/eliotcohenphotography
Don Rosenberger, – Landscape and Night
www.donrosenberger.com and www.roadrunnerphotographytours.com.
www.Facebook.com/DonRosenbergerPhotography.
Irene Sacilotto, – Wildlife Photography
www.ospreyphoto.com
www.facebook.com/IreneSacilotto.
Corey Hilz, – Travel Photography
Website and blog: http://coreyhilz.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CoreyHilzPhoto
Matthew Schmidt, – Close Up Photography
Website: www.loreleistudios.com
Contact: mgs@loreleistudios.com
Frank Van Riper, – Travel Photography
www.GVRphoto.com
www.talkingphotography.com
Denise Silva, – Composition
Road Runner Photography Tours (http://www.roadrunnerphotographytours.com/).
Also see http://denisesilvaphotography.com/
Brian Zwit – Flash Photography
School of Creative Photography www.SchoolofCreativePhotography.com
brian@creative-pix.com
Robin Kent – Night Photography
www.photographybykent.com.
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Volume 4-8
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April 2016
VPS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: JULY 2015 through JUNE 2016
Mail this Application and your check (Payable to: “VPS”) or cash to:
VPS, P.O. Box 1212, Vienna, VA 22183-1212
or hand the payment and application form during any VPS meeting to:
Lou Coglianese, Membership Director or Burgess Levin, Treasurer
I am ( ) a New Member OR ( ) Renewing I have been a VPS member since the year (_______)
First Name*____________________ Middle Initial ____ Last Name*___________________________________
Street Address ___________________________________________ City-State-Zip __________________
Home Phone _____ - __________
Work Phone _____ - __________
Cell _____ - __________
Email* _______________________________________
*=required
NOTE: To receive the VPS Newsletter FOCAL POINTS and other membership messages, you must provide a unique and valid
email address. FOCAL POINTS is distributed by email and on the club website as a PDF file. You will need an installed copy of
Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to open it.
PRIVACY
Membership records are maintained by the Membership Director. Periodically, the records are distributed to members to manage VPS's business.
Membership records may also be shared with the Nature Visions Photo Expo as part of VPS's participation in that event. Membership records are also
available on the VPS website to club members only. VPS will not provide member information to persons or to organizations outside the club, other than
specified above. Members may opt to restrict the display of their membership records to other members as follows. Please check one of the two options
below. This will govern how your records may be displayed to other members on the VPS website:
INCLUDE ___ my name, phone number, home and email addresses. (This is the default option)
DO NOT INCLUDE ___ my phone number, home and email addresses. Please, include only my name.
DUES PAYMENT
I have enclosed ( ) my check
or ( ) cash
for:
( ) $40 for a Single Membership
( ) $20 for non-renewing members joining after January 31.
( ) $60 for a Family Membership
( ) $30 for non-renewing Family Members* joining after January 31
( ) $15 for a Student Membership (age 18 or under)
*Family members, please make Separate Application and use Unique Email Address for each member
VPS Liability & Publicity Release
In consideration of being given the opportunity to participate in a Vienna Photographic Society (VPS) field trip or other event, I acknowledge, agree and
represent that I understand the nature of field trips and other VPS activities, and that I am qualified, in good health and in proper physical condition to
participate in such field trips and activities. I fully understand that field trips and other VPS activities are conducted in different environments, and that,
accordingly, my photography equipment and I may be exposed to dangers and hazards both natural and man-made. I fully accept and assume all risks and
all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages I incur as a result of my participation in VPS field trips or other activities. I hereby release, discharge, and
covenant not to sue VPS, its officers, directors, agents, independent contractors, volunteers, members and sponsors.
ADDITIONALLY, I authorize the use of any images submitted to VPS for use by VPS solely for publicity activities such as websites or brochures.
Acceptance of terms of VPS Liability Release (If under 18, parent or guardian must sign):
PRINTED NAME__________________________ Signature _________________________ Date _____________
PARENT NAME __________________________ Signature _________________________ Date _____________
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Volume 4-8
Focal Points
April 2016
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT VPS?
( ) A Friend
( ) VPSVA.ORG
( ) Meetup.com
( ) Web Search
( ) VPS Card/Brochure
( ) Photo Expo or Exhibit _________________________
( ) Photo Class or Store _________________________
( ) Newspaper _________________________________
( ) Other_____ ________________________________
PARTICIPATION IN VPS SUPPORT NETWORK
VPS has established a Support Network of members who wish to contribute a few hours each month to assist in VPS program
activities, including providing assistance to VPS officers. The Support Network is mentored by the First Vice President of the
Vienna Photographic Society.
Are you interested in being listed as a member of the VPS Support Network?
( ) Yes
( ) No
If yes, please indicate in what areas you might volunteer to help us (a VPS officer will follow up by email):
( ) WILLING TO HELP WHERE NEEDED
( ) PUBLICITY: Providing publicity and information to the community about VPS
( ) INSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT: Development of ideas for hands-on instructional programs like Forums
( ) FIELD TRIPS: Planning and arranging field trips
( ) AUDIO-VISUAL SUPPORT:
( ) Helping set up projection equipment at meetings.
( ) Learn to operate the projection program for competitions.
( ) SPEAKER PROGRAM: Help with planning guest speaker visits
( ) GREETING: Greeting new members and guests
( ) HISTORIAN: Assist in preparing historical documents about VPS activities
( ) TABLE SETUP: Help with setup for monthly photographic competitions
( ) COMPETITION JUDGING: Help with selection and planning of judges activity in monthly competitions
( ) PRINT HANDLING: Assist in passing prints during monthly competitions
( ) NATURE VISIONS EXPO: Help VPS Rep with the annual regional Nature Visions Photo Expo, Nov 11th-13th
( ) EDITORIAL HELP: Help by assisting Editor with editing/production of monthly newsletter
( ) ARTICLE DEVELOPMENT: Writing, soliciting or editing articles for monthly newsletter working with the Editor
( ) PHOTO DISPLAY: Help with planning and arranging member photo displays and external Exhibitions
( ) WEBMASTER ASSISTANCE: Help with assistance to VPS Webmaster
( ) PARTY ASSISTANCE: Help setting up parties and social events
PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR USE BY THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT:
(Please print)
NAME: _______________________________________
E-mail: _______________________________________
Telephone Number: ____________________________
Questions?: Contact David Kepley, kepley.david@gmail.com or 703-978-2961
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