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Old Stuff from 2006:

DECEMBER 2006

PHOTO CONTEST: Federal Recreation Lands. Enter through 31 December, 2006.

Friday evening, December 15th: Clairemont's Candy Cane Lane light fiesta. It is a entire block of houses, all decorated in fun holiday lights.

The neighborhood is off of Mt. Abernathy, near 805 and Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

Meet at Starbucks at 7:30 pm, corner of Balboa and Genesee, and we'll car pool over. The lights are about 1 mile from Starbucks. Rita, our leader, will be at Starbucks at 7:30 and wait until 7:45 pm. Afterwards, if anyone is interested, we can get coffee back at Starbucks.

Leader: Rita Spiegel. (858) 361-6373, work: (858) 756-4117 ext. 305.

Saturday, December 2, 6:00pm: Peter Nagainis at OPT Underground Gallery, 918 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA, 760-438-4786.

Peter has joined the OPT Underground Gallery and will be showing recent prints beginning on December 2nd. This will be Peter's first showing of a collection of his work, so please drop in and have a look. The opening hours will be from 6 to 9, so please, do drop in, have a glass of wine and check out the photography. WeI hope you will be able to make it.

Friday, December 8th, 7PM: Club Christmas Party in Festive Coronado! This replaces the usual monthly meeting. Bring a home-made dish and photos to share!

What to bring:

1.) Your appetite! Create a dish to share. Each year we're asked who should bring what. Don't worry: we have so many members that we always seem to have just the right mix of every possible home-made salad, desert, meat, cookies, drinks, poultry, fudge, breads and everything imaginable. Make your own favorite or personal specialty dish and impress everyone! Thank goodness many of our members are talented culinary as well as photographic artists and don't just put Costco items on fancy plates.

2.) Photos! The photos start after we eat. Bring some great slides and digital files to share. (guidlines for files here.) We'll have a 35mm projector and a computer projector. If you shoot prints or some other film or digital format please fell free to bring your own medium or other format projector, and if you're using some other digital format or software other than the file guidelines feel free to bring your own computer and projector, too. Fun!

Where:

We are graced with the use of a home on the Island of Coronado thanks to our member Theresa Vernetti. The bridge toll has been waived for club members and guests attending the party.

Sunday, December 10, 2006, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Holiday Gathering at The Jacobsons.' This isn't the official club party or a slide show. It is many of the same great people and will be potluck. You can bring a food dish or beverages. It's at

Bob and Rose Jacobson
13532 Penfield Point
San Diego, CA 92130
858-794-8900

RSVP to 858-792-8400 or via email to awish4roses@san.rr.com. Please contact via email or telephone if you need directions.

NOVEMBER 2006

San Diego Photo Expo: Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 November, 2006. This is the second annual. I went last year and it was great, saving me a trip to NYC for the same thing. Our sponser, George's Camera, does a fantastic job of bringing in top speakers, like Monte Zucker, Douglas Kirkland, Eddie Tapp, Vincent Versace, Scott Frier and Bambi Cantrell.

Best news yet: It's still FREE, and that includes the seminars! See all the details at SDPhotoExpo.com.

PHOTO OUTING: Thanksgiving in the Sierras, Wednesday - Sunday, 22 - 26 November 2006. Meet in Lone Pine at dawn to photograph stone arches in the Alabama Hills. Volunteer coordinator needed. There is no outing for anyone until just one volunteer steps up by contacting Ken to be the phone contact to let everyone know where and when to meet.

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, November 9th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Paul Renner.

Paul Renner's appreciation for the environment and wildlife began in his youth while living in East Africa. Born and raised in Tanzania, Paul recognized the uniqueness of his surroundings which influenced him to trade in his boyhood sling shot for a 35 millimeter camera. His passion for travel and photography has taken Paul from the California coastline to the Fall colors of New England and ultimately back to his childhood home in Africa to capture images of landscapes and wildlife illuminated by dramatic light.

Paul sells his photography in the Sawdust Festival, the Festival of Arts, the Art A Fair and, the Laguna Craft Guild in Laguna Beach, CA and also in various art shows around the southwestern United States.
This year he exhibited his photos at NANPA (North American Nature Photographers) Summit conference. He is serving on the board of the Art A Fair and Laguna Craft Guild.

Paul currently leads three photographic safaris each year to Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa. His knowledge of photography, of the location and habits of the African wildlife and the fact that he speaks fluent Swahili
all come together in some of the most exciting photographic safaris in Africa.

Through his photography, Paul inspires others to protect and preserve our beautiful natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations. Come, see and be inspired by exciting stories and photographs from Paul's latest safaris.

OCTOBER 2006

PHOTO OUTING: Zion National Park. Friday, October 27th to Sunday, October 29th 2006. Volunteer coordinator needed. There is no outing for anyone until just one volunteer steps up by contacting Ken to be the phone contact to let everyone know where and when to meet.

LODGE WEEKEND: Saturday - Sunday, October 14 - 15, 2006. (Going to the Miramar Airshow? No problem: go on Friday or Sunday.)

This is a great weekend at the Sierra Club's Foster Lodge in the Laguna Mountains! The air is crisp and the trees are turning color.

The focus this year is on digital cameras, but the basics that are taught, the workshops, and the instruction applies to both film and digital. Classes are given over the weekend at both the beginner and intermediate/advanced level.

Saturday evening is a Potluck, followed by people sharing 10-15 of their own favorite digital images.

Here's the application for downloading. Contact Fred Hill (Chairperson), fhill@san.rr.com for more information.

FREE SONY DIGITAL PHOTO CLASS/INFOMERCIAL: October 7 and 8 , Saturday and Sunday (postponed from August 19 and 20). This is an event to promote Sony cameras to users of Canon and Nikon. Adobe and Popular Photography will be there, too. It's billed as a class, but free since they want to pitch you on Sony Cameras. For free registration go to digitaldaysphoto.com and use FSDCC13360 as a discount code at checkout (otherwise it's about $100). LOOK OUT: The first day, Saturday, is the same as our scavenger hunt.

MONTHLY MEETING: Thursday, October 12th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Roy Toft: “Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.”

The Osa Peninsula, near Corcovado National Park, is flanked on one side by the beautiful Golfo Dulce and on the other by the endless Pacific Ocean, offering unparalleled photographic opportunities. Literally teeming with life, the Osa Peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse places in existence, boasting over 400 species of birds (of which 20 are endemic), 117 species of reptiles, and almost 10,000 species of insects. Roy Toft’s presentation will display the multitude of species inhabiting most significant remaining rainforest of Costa Rica, and the necessity to preserve (and in some instances re-establish) jungle corridors for select endangered species throughout Costa Rica.

Dedicated to documenting our natural world for future generations, professional photographer Roy Toft is one of the premier wildlife photographers of our generation. With a background in wildlife and conservation biology, Toft chooses to focus solely on wild images that convey a sense of the animal’s character and spirit. His images have been featured in National Geographic, Smithsonian, Audubon, Wildlife Conservation, Discover magazines and other notable publications to advance conservation efforts globally. As a result, he has been named a founding fellow of the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP). Toft's striking wildlife images are also available worldwide through the National Geographic Image Collection and Getty Images.

Roy shares his love for teaching & photography by regularly instructing photographic classes, tour groups and workshops in the field. Roy's popular Rainforests of Costa Rica workshop was recently filmed for television. The show, Fine Living Network's Fantasy Camp, has appeared on T.V. and airline flights. When he is not in the field, Roy offers his popular "Shoot Like the Pros " classes from his Gallery in Solana Beach, California. His home office is in the scenic mountainous region of beautiful north county San Diego.

SEPTEMBER 2006

PHOTO OUTING: Thursday, September 7th, 6:00PM: Harvest Moonrise over San Diego from the top of Lucinda Street in Point Loma. More info about the harvest moon here. Moonrise is 6:30PM and sunset is 6:38PM. Sun and moon data here.

LECTURE: 13 September 2006, 4PM and 7 PM: Steve McCurry will be giving a lecture again this year at MoPA. This time it is possible to purchase tickets in advance. MoPA members can buy them from Aug 1-31 and non-members can buy from Sept. 1-12. Plan ahead. This event always sells out. Details can be found on MoPA's website.

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, September 14th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Scavenger Hunt Results. Come see over 100 winning images from our Scavenger Hunt!

This will be a great show, even for your non-photographer friends. Come one and come all! Of course we'll have the members' share after the contest presentation.

This year's Scavenger Hunt was a great success. For the first time this year we went completely digital. A few minor challenges aside everything ran smoothly with the digital process and we received some great images, showcasing the various categories.

Every year a different theme is chosen, and the photographers are unaware of the theme or what the categories are until they arrive the day of the scavenger hunt. This year the location was Hillcrest. The photographers could only travel by foot and had to stay within the Hillcrest area. The theme was Independent Movies that have played or were coming soon to the Hillcrest Landmark movie theatre. Since most of the participants had not seen or heard of any of the movies, it made for some interesting interpretations of the categories.

For the presentation we will showcase some images of the various interpretations that people came up with and the winners of each category. A best of show will also be awarded.

Don't miss this opportunity to view some intriguing, interesting and amusing interpretations of the Independent film world shot in our own backyard by the talented people in the Photo Club.

AUGUST 2006

PHOTO CONTEST: B&H, Deadline: 15 August 2006. Info.

PHOTO OUTING: Saturday, August 19th, 11AM: SCAVENGER HUNT and SUMMER POTLUCK.

The Annual Scavenger Hunt will take place on Saturday, August 19th. We will meet at 11am in front of the Corvette Diner ion Hillcrest. At that time you will get the list and categories of pictures to be taken. You will then be free to walk around the Hillcrest area for about 3 hrs to fill in the 12 categories (no driving to other areas allowed).

This year will be digital only. Feel free to use a Digital SLR or Digital point and shoot camera, your choice.

After the Scavenger Hunt we will go down to Theresa Vernetti's house in North Park (about 2 miles away). (Directions to follow). There we will have a pot luck and we will download all of the photos. The results of the Scavenger Hunt will be shown as our Feature Presentation in our September Meeting.

Workshop: Montana Magic: Glacier National Park, August 13-17, 2006

Join photographer and Angeles chapter member Eric Plante in one of North America's most celebrated national parks. Eric will teach the beginning and intermediate photographer the basics of composition, lighting, using the camera's meter and all the techniques needed to capture memorable images of this revered park.

Workshop (only) fee: $575.00. Includes 7-passenger vehicle rental. Limited to 7 participants.

Send an email to inquire further: eric.plante@us.initiative.com

LA JOLLA ART ASSOCIATION Exhibit: 14 - 27 August, 2006.

EXHIBIT: 24 August - 05 October: "Selections: Photographs from the 2006 San Diego County Fair" at The Photographer's Gallery . Calumet Photographic (in Escondido), 830 West Valley Parkway (in the Michael's, Barnes and Noble Gateway Shopping Center at the corner of Tulip and Valley Parkway)

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, August 10th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Stephen Burns.

Stephen Burns, author of "Photoshop CS Trickery & FX" and "Advanced Photoshop CS2 Trickery & FX" will give a presentation on "Digital Darkroom techniques For The Nature and Landscape Photographer."

This presentation will focus on intermediate and advanced solutions to enhancing your images with Photoshop CS2. Part of this presentation will deal with masking, the use of LAB, proper application of Curves, techniques for tonal control and much more.

Stephen Burns, who is also the president of the San Diego Photoshop Users Group (www.sdphotoshopusers.com), has discovered the same passion for the digital medium as he has for photography as an art form. His background began as a photographer 28year ago and in time, progressed toward the digital medium. His influences include the great Abstractionists & the Surrealists including Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Mark Tobey, and Lenore Fini, to name a few. Color is extremely important because it can evoke certain elements in our psyche. By varying intensities and contrasts a spiritual vibration is set up which can generate new awareness in the viewer. On a simple level, colors such as red might denote qualities like will-power, freedom, vitality, action while blue could reflect love, spiritual enlightenment, gentleness etc. If those qualities are accessed in the artwork the viewer should relate to the work on more of a spiritual and psychological level rather than merely emotional. It is important that my creations are contemplated in an analytical manner in order to really appreciate them. It is important that the viewer receives a harmonious experience. After all, the viewer is the end-product and the goal of art is the stimulation of the imagination.

On the fine art level, Stephen has organized exhibitions with galleries and artists from South Africa, Europe, Mexico, and Switzerland. He is currently on a subcommittee for the prestigious Siggraph 2003 Convention setting up digital art exhibitions that will be included in addition to the Siggraph Digital Art venues.

PHOTO OUTING: Friday - Sunday August 27 - 29: Montaña de Oro State Park and Morro Bay. Maybe even see cute elephant seals at Piedras Blancas!Volunteer coordinator needed. There is no outing for anyone until just one volunteer steps up by contacting Ken to be the phone contact to let everyone know where and when to meet.

JULY 2006

THERESA VERNETTI PHOTO EXHIBIT at Honey's Bistro and Bakery, 623 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024-3540. Honey's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The photos should be up until sometime in July, hopefully the middle of the month.

NELSON'S PHOTO WALL OF FAME: Richard Hoppe is on display through July, 2006.

PHOTO CONTEST: The California Coastal Commission is now accepting entries for its 2006 Annual Amateur Coastal Photography Contest. Up to five photos may be submitted depicting scenery of the California coast, native coastal wildlife, or people using the coast. Postmark deadline is July 28, 2006. Entry is free and excellent donated prizes include luxury hotel stays and tickets aboard a yacht cruise. For an entry form and full contest guidelines, see the photo contest link at www.coastforyou.org or call (800) COAST-4U.

PARTY: Sunday, July 2, 2006 at 2:00 pm at Robert Jacobson Photography. Annual Artists and Photographers Rendezvous. Here we go again everyone…it’s party time!!! We are having a summer gathering and Everyone is Invited to Join Us! It will be potluck, you can bring a food dish or beverages. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and everyone is encouraged to bring samples of their work!!!

Bob and Rose Jacobson www.asmphoto.com
13532 Penfield Point
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 794-8900

Directions to our home/studio/gallery:

Coming from the south on the 5 Fwy:

-Take the 5 Fwy north --- Take the Del Mar Heights Road exit and turn right onto
Del Mar Heights Road ---
-go approx. 1.1 miles and turn left onto Lansdale ---
-go approx. 1/2 mile --- turn left onto Winstanley Way ---
-go approx. 1/4 mile and turn Right onto Chelterham Terrace – (you will be turning right but the street sign is on the left)
-go one block and make a right onto Penfield Point --- we are the first house on the right ---

Coming from the north on the 5 Fwy:

-Take the 5 Fwy north --- Take the Del Mar Heights Road exit and turn left onto
Del Mar Heights Road ---
-go approx. 1.1 miles and turn left onto Lansdale ---
-go approx. 1/2 mile --- turn left onto Winstanley Way ---
-go approx. 1/4 mile and turn Right onto Chelterham Terrace – (you will be turning right but the street sign is on the left)

-go one block and make a right onto Penfield Point --- we are the first house on the right ---

Coming from the East – via the 56 Fwy.

-Come west on 56 Fwy.
-Take the Carmel Country Road exit – at top of ramp - turn right onto Carmel Country Road - go one short block to
Carmel Canyon Road (this street comes up almost immediately) – turn right onto Carmel Canyon Road - take it all the
way up the hill until it ends
-Turn right onto Del Mar Heights Road go about 1/4 mile
-Turn left onto Lansdale Drive and go about 1/10 of a mile
-Turn right onto Winstanley Way and go about 1/4 mile
-Turn right onto Chelterham Terrace and go one block — (you will be turning right but the street sign is on the left)
-Turn right on the first block – Penfield Point – we are the first house on the right

Please do not hesitate to call us if you run into any problems with directions.

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, July 13th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Travels Along Route 66, by Blake Shaw.

Blake Shaw presented to our club in July 2004, sharing photos from Route 66 between Barstow, California and Amarillo, Texas. Since then he has spent more than seven weeks traveling every mile of Route 66 many times. Join him as he shares his travels between Chicago and Los Angeles with a completely new set of photos. In addition to his slide shows accompanied by Rt. 66-themed music, he will share anecdotes about his favorite motels, people, restaurants, deserted alignments, lightning photography, wildlife, birds, and natural beauty he found along the way.

Blake is a member of the Ordover Project collective of fine-art photographers exhibiting monthly in Solana Beach. In February he had a two-person show entitled Motion and in October he will display his images from Route 66.

His photography has been recognized with multiple awards, including Best of Show at the Del Mar Fair, first place in the San Diego Union's Nature and Eye Photo Contest, and finalist in contests in Smithsonian Magazine and National Geographic Traveler Magazine. His photography website, www.blakeshawphotography.com, was been named photo website-of-the-month by Shutterbug Magazine and England's Outdoor Photography Magazine. He has sold travel and sports photography through alamy.com stock agency, has had four cover photos in local publications, and plans to publish a coffee-table book of Route 66 photography.

JUNE 2006

PHOTO OUTING: Friday - Sunday June 23 - 25th, Mono Lake (east of Yosemite.) Meet at Murphy's Motel in Lee Vining at 4PM on Friday and go to Mono Lake Committee headquarters for information and then South Tufa for sunset. Also visit the park's own visitors' center for ideas and inspiration. The sun drops below The Sierra at about 7.45PM at South Tufa. Info: Ken Rockwell. Photos from previous outings here and here. Volunteer coordinator needed. There is no outing for anyone until just one volunteer steps up by contacting Ken to be the phone contact to let everyone know where and when to meet.

Directions: EASY! See the hotel's website or just head north about 2 - 1/2 hours or 125 miles on I-15. Exit right at Rt 395. Continue a several more hours on Rt. 395 north for a total of about 5 - 1/2 to 7 hours or 425 miles since leaving San Diego. Murphy's Motel is on the left hand side of the street in Lee Vining, a three-block-long town through which Rt 395 is the main street.

If you miss us Friday afternoon then look for us at dinner probably at Nicely's. The best restaurant in town actually is the Mobil Station, if they're open.

If you miss us at dinner then meet down at the picnic grounds for 6AM sunrise. Try to meet at Murphy's Motel at about 5AM to head down. The sky becomes blue at 5.15AM, pinkish at 5.30, peach at about 5.45 and the disk of the sun appears 6AM. Try a very long lens (like 600 mm) to get all the tufas to appear to be in your foreground. By 7AM the light gets duller than sunrise and we typically meet at Nicely's about 7.30 or 8AM for breakfast. Then we shower, nap, and explore the rest of the day till sunset. Go to the Mono Lake Committee headquarters and look at the books and ask the people if you're out of ideas. The area is loaded with great subjects, and there's Bodie, too.

Sunrise is 5.45AM and sunset is 8.15PM calculated at the horizon, which of course you can't see. Mountains make the effective sunrise about 6AM and sunset somewhere around 7:45PM.

Photo Event: Monday, June 12th, 7PM, Outdoor Photography Clinic: Don Gale. REI Encinitas. Free. More info.

Photo Event: Tuesday, June 13th, 7PM, Outdoor Photography Clinic: Don Gale. REI San Diego. Free. More info.

Photo Exhibit Opening Reception: Thursday, June 15th, 6 - 8:30PM, Ordover Project Gallery, 444 South Cedros Avenue #172, Solana Beach, CA 92075. (858) 720-1121

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, June 8th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: MEMBERS SHOWCASE EXTRAVAGANZA!

Pull out the stops! This meeting is all about YOUR images. Boot up your computer now and cull your best archives for your blockbusters, the awards, and the images that define who YOU are in the world of photographic art. WE WANT TO SEE THEM! BRING THEM IN!

The inventory of mind boggling imagery in SCPS is vast as its diversity: Carol Brody in snow covered Yosemite, Karl Grobl in the midst of civil war in Haiti, Rockwell in front of a broken down motel, Carrie Barton hanging out the door of her helicopter, Rita Spiegel's calendar art, Cline in the streets of Cuba, Theresa Vernetti in India, Cirone crawling through mud to the birds, Jonathan Fennell at Ding Darling, Eric Eilers on a polar icebreaker expedition. This is only a tiny sampling of what defines SCPS as the premier cutting edge photographic group on the planet.

We are opening up the entire evening to enjoy our own art. AND we are raising the maximum number of images per member to 20. Our digital wizard President, Jonathan Fennell, will be loading the images into his laptop, so lets all get there early. Remember that our new super digital projector is very sharp and contrasty, unlike last year's projector.

Our images of this evening will define and explore the next level up in photographic art!

Slides are OK, too. Bring up to 20 of your best images. See updated tech tips here if you're bringing files.

MAY 2006

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, May 11th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Howard Lipin, SD Union Tribune.

PHOTO OUTING: Saturday, May 13th, 3PM: Birds at San Diego Riverbed. Meet at Robb Field in OB at 3PM. If you can, bring the longest lenses you can borrow or rent, and waders for crawling around in mud. Sunset is 7.34PM.Volunteer coordinator needed. There is no outing for anyone until just one volunteer steps up by contacting Ken to be the phone contact to let everyone know where and when to meet.

Saturday, May 13; 9–10:45 AM: Lecture and book signing with Art Wolfe: Edge of the Earth, Corner of the Sky. Covering desert, ocean, forest, polar and mountain regions, this entertaining presentation is informative and visually thrilling as famed photographer Art Wolfe shares his personal experiences and adventures in filming for the much-anticipated new book, Edge Of The Earth, Corner Of The Sky. This artful collection of atmospheric landscapes captured on seven continents is Wolfe's most personal statement to date. SDNHM Member, Senior, Student, Military $6; Non-SDNHM members $8. More info.

APRIL 2006

DEL MAR FAIR PHOTO CONTEST entries due by April 26th.

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, April 13th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Thomas Kranzle.

Time-lapse cinematography is a motion picture special effect that dramatically speeds up both motion and time. In the blink of an eye you can watch a flower bloom, the sun set, or a storm pass overhead. Join cinematographer Thomas Kranzle as he presents his breathtaking collection of time-lapse imagery. He will discuss in detail the creation of these visuals and present all the difficulties faced along the way. Although they are difficult to shoot; Thomas will provide the audience with the basic knowledge needed to create time-lapses on digital SLR cameras.

Thomas Kranzle spent his early childhood years in the scenic Black Forest Mountain of Germany. It is there that he developed his love for nature as his parents exposed him to the beauty of this magnificent mountain region. At the age of five he and his parents immigrated to Southern California, where nature continued to have a special attraction for Thomas. Specializing in time-lapse and nature cinematography, those roots are still evident today.

His cinematography spans commercials, music videos, and documentaries. Thomas’ love for the outdoors, travel, and exploration serves as inspiration to his work. Thomas' client list includes Acopa International, Prana Clothing and he is currently working on a feature length documentary entitled "Cabin Fever". When he is not filming, Thomas spends much of his time rock climbing, skiing, or backpacking in the California backcountry.

Don't miss this special opportunity to view the incredible work of master time lapse photographer Thomas Kranzle. Invite some friends to this show, it's going to be amazing !

See also ThomasKranzle.com and see Thomas's PDF guide to time-lapse photography ad cinematography.

PHOTO OUTING: Saturday, April 1st: California Poppies, Gorman, CA. More info to follow as the poppies mature. Poppy updates here. Volunteer coordinator needed. There is no outing for anyone until just one volunteer steps up by contacting Ken to be the phone contact to let everyone know where and when to meet.

MARCH 2006

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: MoPA has volunteer opportunities for a large special event, the Hollywood Star Nights with MoPA on March 5th at the Westgate Hotel downtown. The event is a special live screening of the Academy Awards and after party. MoPA needs photographers at the beginning of the event to work the paparazzi line. After the guests have arrived, we'll all be able to watch the Oscars and partake in the Westgate's extravagant dinner. It should be a lot of fun.

Contact:
Adrienne Suster
suster@mopa.org
Volunteer Coordinator
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619 238-7559 x 224
Fax: 619 238-8777

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, March 9th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: James G. Respess.

Digital Photography: Things your parents never taught you.

There are a fair number of photographic things that you can do digitally that are nearly impossible using traditional methods. Jim Respess will describe a number of those techniques, from clicking the shutter to developing the prints. In his presentation, Jim will demonstrate methods for B&W photography, panoramas and high dynamic range capture as well as basic methods for getting the best image out of your digital camera.

Jim Respess is an artist, a Photoshop Guru and the owner of Green Flash Photography, a business dedicated to the production of fine art photography and fine art reproduction (giclee) for artists and photographers since 1999.

James G. Respess is a San Diego based artist and fine-art printer. His formal education comprised a broad humanities curriculum, including music, literature, art history, studio and plein-air drawing and painting and photography but with a principal academic focus in science leading to a PhD in Molecular Biology. He had 12 years experience as a surgical assistant, and as a biologist he was a founding scientist of Viagene, Inc., designing human gene therapy products. He has traveled extensively throughout the US, Europe, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.

Since 1996, Jim has devoted full time to Fine Art Photography using traditional as well as digital composition techniques. His subject matter includes historic California settings, street photography and surrealistic compositions using digital imaging, alternative photographic processing techniques, painting, collage and mixed media.

Saturday, March 11; 9–10:45 AM: George Lepp Lecture: Digital Advantages in Capturing Nature Photographs. Lecture and book signing with George Lepp. Before excellent digital cameras, there was digital capabilities in computers and printers to optimize nature photography. Now with capabilities in cameras, nature photography is at a level that was never before imagined. Learn about optimizing images and composited images like the panoramas on display at the museum. Professional photographer George Lepp will demonstrate techniques and discuss where they might lead us in the future. SDNHM Member, Senior, Student, Military $6; Non-SDNHM members $8. More info.

PHOTO CONTEST: March 18 & Sunday, March 19 (during store hours: Sat. 10am - 6pm & Sun 12pm - 5pm): Photo Contest to help raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This contest is being sponsored by Oceanside Photo and Telescope.

The contest will be held in the parking lot of OPT on March 11th and 12th during store hours. The theme is "Unique Perspectives." Each contestant will pay a $2 entry fee. At the event the top 20 pictures will be displayed with an assigned number and jar. To vote, visitors will place coins/cash/checks into the jar that corresponds with their favorite photograph (or photographer). The photograph whose jar collects the most votes (each penny = one vote), will be declared the winner. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate for Oceanside Photo and Telescope. Second place will receive a $50 gift certificate. Third place will receive a $25 gift certificate. There will also be snacks and drinks available for purchase. 100% of the net proceeds will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

See the rest of the details and entry forms here.

PHOTO OUTING: Saturday, March 11th: Wild Animal Park. Meet at the front gate at 9AM opening. More Wild Animal Park logistical info is here. Organizer: Steve Cirone (858) 761-1020, stevecirone@cox.net. (PS - it's Steve's birthday, so be extra nice to him for offering to lead this for us!)

PHOTO OUTING: Friday - Sunday March 17 - 20: Springtime Mustard in Napa Valley. Every year the yellow mustard blooms all over wine country. See an example here.Volunteer coordinator needed. There is no outing for anyone until just one volunteer steps up by contacting Ken to be the phone contact to let everyone know where and when to meet.

FEBRUARY 2006

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, February 9th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Ron Garrison

Ron Garrison's interest in photography began at Tucson Senior High School, in Arizona.

During his fifty year career, he worked as photographer in the U. S. Army, KOLD-TV in Tucson, AZ and Ryan Aeronautical Company in San Diego. He joined the Zoological Society of San Diego staff in 1964, retiring in 2002. He is currently working with the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation.

His early photographs appeared in The Army Times, Stars and Strips, Der Stern and aeronautical publications. His more recent work has appeared in Zoological Society publication, as well many major magazines, including: Life, Time, National Geographic, World, Ranger Rick, Sunset, and books including, Encyclopedia Britannica and World Book, and other textbooks dealing with natural sciences.

Mr. Garrison authored/illustrated Secrets of Zoo Photography published by Doubleday and photographic illustrations for A World of Animals, published by Abrams’ Publications.

He has judged photographic competitions for the Zoological Society, the Natural History Museum/Union Tribune, San Diego County Fair and many photographic clubs in the Southern California Camera Association.

He has judged photographic presentations for Senior Boards at Helix Charter High School in La Mesa.

He has also lectured and taught classes photographic for the Zoological Society, Natural History Museum, American Society of Photographers, Biological Photographer of America and San Diego area photographic clubs, colleges, and civic organizations.

He traveled to document Zoological Society projects and as tour leader taking him to locations in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North, Central and South America.

Garrison is a member of Board of Trustees of The Colyer Institute, and a life member of the American Society of Media Photographers and past member of The Exployers Club.

Contest open through February 10th: The Art of Photography Show. Entries accepted through Feb 10th, 2006. Opening Reception: Saturday, April 22nd, 2006. Details at The Art of Photography Show.

JANUARY 2006

Photo Exhibit: La Jolla Art Association, Jan. 24 through Feb. 5. All pieces cost between $5 and $200. The reception is at the La Jolla Art Association's Village Gallery on Jan. 27 from 5pm and 8pm.

Workshop: Sultans of the Sea, January 27-28, 2006

Join photographer and Angeles chapter member Eric Plante as he shows you how to photograph a truly unique and remarkable wildlife spectacle that takes place only once each year-the elephant seal birthing and breeding season at Piedras Blancas.

Eric has immersed himself in the wondrous world of these jovial giants each winter for the past seven years, and has come to know them intimately. He will teach the beginning and intermediate photographer the basics of composition, lighting, using the camera's meter, and all the techniques needed to capture winning images. The stunning stretch of coast at Piedras Blancas will also be explored and photographed.

Workshop fee: $170* per person. *Workshop fee only; limited to 10 participants

Send an email to inquire further: eric.plante@us.initiative.com

PHOTO OUTING (confirmed): Friday - Sunday, January 20th - 22nd: Death Valley National Park. Leader and information: Peter Nagainis (760) 438-4786.

A couple of first responders were concerned about the cost per night at Furnace Creek. The other option is at Stovepipe Wells where the rooms are $107 for double beds, TV and a fridge, and $87 for two twins, no TV or fridge. They have a pool through if anyone is interested.. One of our members who can't make it, sent me that recommendation it and said it was an OK place to stay. The reservation # is (760) 786-2378.

Camping is also available at $18 a night in a fairly basic campsite. Fortunately, we will miss the big biker convention the weekend prior. They like camping out.

Since it is a National Park, you must pay an entrance fee, and the rates have gone up in the New Year. New Rates: Entrance Fee $20.00/vehicle Good for 7 days. Per Person Fee $10.00 Good for 7 days. Death Valley Annual Pass $40.00 Camping Fees (daily rates) Furnace Creek (mid Oct-mid Apr) $18.

Here are directions to our first stop, the Pinnacles

Friday: If you have the time, we will meet at the Pinnacles National Monument near Trona. http://www.nps.gov/pinn/ These unusual volcanic rock formations are spectacular and make a great sunset shoot. Try to arrive by 3:00PM fir the best light. These formations are best known for the site for the beginning of the movie “2001 A Space Odyssey” and every auto manufacturer has done at least one car commercial there. Directions to the site are below. About 6 miles after joining 178, go Right at the sign and the direction from there is self evident. It’s about three miles of dusty washboard road to the formations, so take it easy. Sunset is about 5:00 PM but you start to lose the light a bit earlier because of the mountains to the West.

I-15 N to Riverside/San Bernardino
Continue on I-215 N toward Riverside/San Bernardino - go 35 mi
Take the I-215 N ramp to Riverside/Beach Cities/San Bernardino - go 0.2 mi
Take the I-215 N ramp to San Bernardino/Barstow - go 20 mi
Continue on I-15 N - go 16 mi
Take the US-395 exit to Bishop/Adelanto - go 69 mi
Turn right at Trona Rd - go 21 mi
Turn right at CA-178 - go 7.4 mi
Exit to Pinnacles Natl Monument on R.

After we finish at Pinnacles,

Pass through Trona and after about 15 miles bear left onto Panamint Valley Road then R onto 190 that takes you into Death Valley. Furnace Creek Ranch is about 30 min past Stovepipe Wells. We’ll all try to meet up there in the bar or the restaurant for Friday night at 7PM.

Saturday morning we plan to meet at the gate at Furnace Creek Ranch at about 5:30 AM to complain about how early it is, then head out to Zabriskie Point for sunrise. Light comes about 6:15 and sunrise is officially at 6:49. Amazing colors appear just before sunrise. Once that is over, we’ll head out to the Dunes and the Devil’s Cornfield. Must do the dunes. You may have to walk a bit to find untrodden dunes but it is worth it.

Lunch/Brunch could be in Beatty in Nevada on 374. A tiny desert town with a cheesy casino for eats, and lots of local “color” for photos.

I suggest we get back down to the desert floor for shots at sunset. In between, I am open to suggestions for sites to shoot.

Here are some suggestions so far. Mosaic Canyon looks impressive from the photos in some of the galleries. Also, Artist’s Palette near Zabriskie Point, Mushroom Rock, and the Devil’s Golfcourse. We can discuss some of these options on Friday night at dinner or the bar.

I understand that the road to Dante’s Peak is under repair and not likely to be open by the time we get there. Also the road from Scotty’s Castle to the Racetrack is about 25 miles of bad road with new washouts and recommended for travel by 4WD. Or you might want to rent a car if you plan to do a lot of dirt roading.

So called “ghost towns” were pretty well a bust the last time we were there. Not much remaining to photograph and sometimes difficult to get to.

The official site for the national park is found at http://www.nps.gov/deva/ for local conditions and maps and points of interest.

More info and photo galleries can be found at http://www.death-valley.us/ and lots more is available by searching the web.

Well that’s the bulk of it. If you have any experiences of other “must see spots, please let me know and we’ll see about including them

Please contact me if you are planning on attending and we will try to coordinate getting together.

I’ll be at the Thursday meeting this week and show some of my shots from the last trips. I hope to see you there.

BTW, there is a one hour documentary on PBS on Sunday at 8:00 PM on Death Valley compiled from literally hundreds of hours of tape. I have not seen this and have no idea of relevance to our outing, Just FYI.

Vicky Eydelberg is looking to car pool and/or share accomodations. Feel free to contact her here.

Peter Nagainis
PAN Art Photo
Tel: 760 438 4786
Mobile: 760 845 4808
Fax: 760 929 9839

PHOTO OUTING SUNDAY, JANUARY 15th: La Jolla Shores 3PM. Meet in La Jolla Shores at 3 PM at the end of Avenida De La Playa on the beach (just north of the Marine Room Restaurant). From San Diego North on I-5 to La Jolla Parkway Exit. Go down the hill and at the bottom where the gas station and Starbucks are take a right on La Jolla Shores Dr. Then a left at light Avenida De La Playa. Continue all the way to end of road. Free. We'll be taking advantage of the unusually low tides for sunset. Leader: Jonathan Fennell. Cell: 619-861-7873

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, January 12th, 7PM, Otto Center, San Diego Zoo: Neil Solomon.

During the winter of 2005, Great Gray Owls descended upon Northern Minnesota from the boreal forests of Canada in unprecedented numbers. This phenomenon, which occurs periodically, but unpredictably, provided a unique opportunity for observing and photographing North America's largest owl. Images of the Great Gray Owl in this winter habitat will be presented and the challenges faced by the photographer in capturing these images will be discussed.
 
Neil Solomon was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of ten he developed an interest in birding after watching Black-capped Chickadees feed on the seeds of giant sunflowers in a neighbor's yard. Some years later, after obtaining a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, he found myself in San Diego.
 
Through the years he dabbled with photography, mostly landscapes. In 2001 he purchased his first digital SLR, the Canon D30, and my interest in photography became more serious. After taking a local bird photography workshop, he became passionate about photographing birds.
 
Although he doesn't consider himself a birder, he's become intensely interested in observing the behaviors of the birds he photographs. Neil is a believer that the really good images can only come from knowing your subject.
 
Today, Neil travels whenever he can in search of birds to photograph. His equipment consists of the Canon 1DMkII body and the Canon 500mm f4, Canon 300mm f2.8, and Canon 100-400mm IS lenses.

PHOTO OUTING (proposed pending someone volunteering to be the contact person): Friday - Sunday January 7 - 9: Hundreds of thousands of migrating birds at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico. Be prepared for 0 degree weather at dawn. Commercial photo tours did this back in November. We go in January for better results without the hoards: the cold weather is what causes the fog from all the goose breath you see here. The tour guides keep that one secret! You've never lived until you've heard and seen a mass ascension at dawn like the one here. You can photograph these events each day there. (photos by Ken Rockwell in a previous year.) We need an attendee to volunteer as a contact person, please let Ken know you'll be going.

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