August 2023

From the President... 

FINALLY, the redesign project has been completed. Your Photography Club looks fantastic and is more functional. If you are here for the summer, plan on taking time to stop by the club and see the finished product. I’m sure you will be pleased. For those of you not in Green Valley for the summer, I’ll plan to send a couple of photos in the next few days.

On another subject, but just as important, we have 587 members in our club. But we struggle to find volunteers to fill critical positions. Monitoring is one thing, but finding someone to be a back-up for other critical roles is a challenge. It would be ideal to have trained back-ups for the Systems Administrator, the Educational Chair, Newsletter Editor, Membership Coordinator and Monitor Committee Coordinator. Please consider becoming a back-up for one of these positions. Contact me, tell me which function interests you and I will get you in touch with the right person. The club functions well because of our volunteers. If one of these functionaries is unable to perform, we would be in a world of hurt. Please do your share.

Getting back to my review of Thomas Ang's book Photography, The Definitive Visual History, I found it amazing how photography has been intertwined with, and a key part of, our social and political developments over the years. Here are some highlights of the period from 1880 to 1914.

Social changes during the late 1800's opened people's eyes to their conscience. Reformers used every tool at their disposal to alter public policy and raise money as the population of the poor increased along with the size of the slums and tenements. The Child Welfare League utilized images of slums and the social situations of children, many of whom were employed in factories or coal mines, to support their campaign against child labor, proving that not everything was as it seemed.

Jacob Riis, the legendary activist photographer, is recognized as having given birth to photography conscience. His book, How the Other Half Lives (1890) had photos that startled and enthralled readers, ushering in a new era of documentary photography that was motivated by social conscience.

The Kodak Box Brownie fundamentally altered amateur photography. The Brownie had no view finder. Once the roll of film was finished, you would fill out a little memo book that came with it, then mail the camera to the Eastman factory. Five or 10 days later your prints arrived with the camera reloaded. This severed the connection between darkroom expertise and photography. The brownie was offered by Eastman for $1. As a result, more people were able to enter the photographic sector, increasing overall business.

As amateurs became familiar with their cameras, they started to record events. This included weddings, beach scenes, photos of exotic places, reflections, and other social events. This also led to the opening of galleries showing sculptures, paintings, and photographs.

Photographic history now included the contributions of pioneering women. Because of how swiftly photography evolved, discrimination against female photographers was nonexistent. Women were not allowed to vote, but those with the skills found professional photography to be a refreshingly fair playing field.

Alice Boughton established her own studio in New York in the 1890's. She managed it for 40 years, capturing photos of numerous famous authors and actors. Both Zaida Ben-Yusif and Gertrude Kasebier established their own portrait studios in 1897.

Cameras were ubiquitous despite the severe conditions, but photographs of the Antarctic only served to confirm the growing notion that nothing significant should ever occur without being photographed.

I have read and given presentations about Sir Ernest Shackleton and his Antarctic expedition to the South Pole in 1914. Sir Ernest Shackleton was an Antarctic explorer whose ship became stuck on the ice of the Weddell Sea. After ten months his ship, the Endurance, was crushed by the ice in the frozen sea. He and his men all survived due to his leadership skills. I consider him the best leader of all time. They survived for 497 days. The expeditions photographer, Frank Hurley, managed to rescue his camera and some of his glass plates but was forced to leave hundreds of them behind. The book, Shackleton’s Way, would not be the same without the photos to show the harsh conditions they endured.

In the late 1800's color photography was in its infancy and it took over 70 years for technology to catch up. The very first color photograph was produced in 1861. One process used in 1879 produced a color image by photographing the scene three times through three different color filters, then printing the exposures on pigmented sheets of bichromated gelatin and combining and combining the final transparencies. One shot color photograph came of age with the autochrome in 1903. The process utilized dyed starch grains, which functioned as color filters. Can you imagine what our Photo Lab would look like if the Photography Club were in existence at that time?

More on this next month. In the meantime stop by the Club and check out the completion of the redesign.

Danny Valenzuela, President

Still Looking for Vacation Photos

I know summer is a time for relaxing, laying back, vacations and those sorts of things. But while laying back or on vacation, you can help me and the Club demonstrate the degree of photographic expertise that you have, promote the benefits your Club has to offer and have fun along the way by doing what you do well, taking photos and then sending them to me for posting on the Club’s Facebook page.

Our members have lots of photographic talent. Let’s show it off. Have fun with your camera this summer and send me your vacation photos.

Sue Ready, Facebook Coordinator

Member Photo Exhibits Ongoing

Exhibited work at the West Center and Canoa Hills will remain on the walls through summer and into fall. If you want your work back before then please contact Kirk Hively, Exhibits Coordinator.

Photo of the Month

The August Photo of the Month is by Danny Valenzuela, taken of the Coffin Ship National Famine Memorial in Carrowkeel Murrisk, County  Mayo, Ireland. 

"The image was taken with my Nikon Z 50, ISO 100 at 1/400 sec. I was using a 16-50 mm lens and it was taken at 16mm. I applied haze removal to add contrast. A visit to this memorial was a favorite part of my trip."

Congratulations, Danny.

The Photo of the Month is chosen from new and archived photos submitted to Sue Ready, the Club's Facebook Coordinator. Keep sending the best of your work to Sue at suready@yahoo.com so we may continue to showcase the refined capabilities of GVR Photography Club members. Photos should be submitted in .jpg format and please include its title and location. -ed

Library News

The library rack is full of complimentary magazines. They do not have to be signed out nor returned unless you cannot donate or pass them on to someone. Just don’t throw them away.

If you have photography or Arizona Highways magazines to donate, please put them in the rack.

I hope that you browse the library shelves and find books that will enhance or teach you new photography skills.

Becky McCreary, Librarian

There’s a song called Summertime that says, “The living is easy.” With all the remodeling at the Photography Club and the rather warm temperatures, the living might not be so easy for Photography Club members. It may be time to consider the possibility of Summer School. Online learning, both paid and free, is probably the most efficient way to participate in Summer School in 2023.

The Photography Club’s website is most likely the first place to investigate for free instruction. There are several Special Interest Groups that offer ongoing educational activities.

In addition to that I recently found an excellent resource that I plan to explore this summer titled Digital Photography School. Their website offers Tips and Tutorials and is available as a newsletter. They also have a bi-weekly challenge to help sharpen your photography skills.

Domestika is another photographic educational site. They offer classes from professionals in various photographic areas. Each class is well planned, with downloads and completion certificates. Most of the classes require participants to submit a project. Their classes are not free, but the prices are reasonable. Domestika is an international organization, and several classes have non-English presenters, it seems that the self-contained translation services work well in those circumstances. Classes on Domestika often go on sale.

Use this summertime to shoot photos, experiment, try out new techniques, learn new skills, and be prepared to share your results in the fall.

Gene Komaromi, Education Chair

This Month's Club Activities

Jump to SIGs

Jump to Travelogue

Jump to Field Trips

Jump to Photo Ops

Jump to Showtime

Jump to Speaker Series

Check the Club Calendar for the latest information on all club activities. Photography Club members are also welcome and encouraged to attend the Club’s monthly Board of Directors meetings. Check the Club Calendar for the date of the meeting and attend in-person at the Club, or remotely by registering using this link. The Board is always interested in comments and new ideas from the members.

Need help with your digital camera, smartphone camera, slide/print scanning, photo printing or a photo editing software application? Photography Club Volunteer Helpers are available to help. Log in to the Club’s website. Click on the three bars at the far right of the home page menu bar and select Volunteer Helpers. Once you've found a helper, scroll down to see their contact email listed. Help is just a few clicks away.

Travelogue

Closed for the Season

As many of you will be traveling this summer, I encourage all our members, especially those who haven't tried to make a Travelogue, to photograph your adventures. Creating a Travelogue video is fun and rewarding, not only to share with others, but to preserve your travel memories.

Keep working on your travelogues for the upcoming series of them starting in November. If you need help putting them together, let me know. I will be happy to assist. Please keep them under 20 minutes, if at all possible.

Check out the Multimedia SIG's Software Resources on the Club's website for guidance on how to make a video. If you have questions please contact me at 970-596-1505 or email me here.

Paul McCreary, Travelogue Coordinator

Showtime

Closed for the Season

SHOWTIME is now on ‘snooze’ until December. It was a great SHOWTIME season. Thanks for your attendance and special thanks to those contributing programs for the events. Between now and December gives you plenty of time to gather some of your photos and videos, add some music, and turn it into a short program for others to enjoy.

Use Windows Photos or iMovie to assemble the photos and add music of your choice. Need help?? Try coming to the Multimedia Special Interest Group that meets regularly on Monday mornings. We'd love to meet you and show you how it's done.

Chuck Hill, Showtime Coordinator

Speaker Series

Closed for the Season

Speaker Series is gearing up for an exciting season in 2023-2024 which starts October 19th! I'm in the process of finalizing the speaker schedule but still have a couple of spots open. If you have recommendations for interesting speakers or topics, please forward those to me at debsanders01@gmail.com.

Deb Sanders, Speaker Series Coordinator

Field Trips

The field trip to the Linda McCartney Photography Exhibit was absolutely fantastic! It was followed by great conversation and delicious food at Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon and Barbeque on Stone Avenue. The Exhibit goes through mid-August, so there is still time if you want to see it on your own.

The backstage tour of the Fabulous Fox Theatre will not be in August. We will keep trying to set it up in the future.

Field Trip Committee meeting will be on August 2nd at 10:00 a.m. Please join us if you have ideas of places to visit or would be willing to lead a field trip. The number and success of our field trips depends entirely on the number of people who step up to lead the trips! Please note: There will not be a Field Trip Committee meeting on September 6th.

You can always find the latest information and register for future field trips, as well as the Field Trip Committee meetings, here. And please contact me if you if you have questions or want to participate in our Field Trip activities.

Thank you for your support and have a wonderful summer! 

 Monica E. Parker, Field Trip Facilitator

Photo Opportunities

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

• Ongoing daily, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – Prices vary
• 16721 East Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ
• Find more information here.

Taste of Tucson's Historic Downtown Tour

• Ongoing Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm - $72
• Mercado San Agustin - 100 S Avenida Del Convento, Tucson, AZ.
• Find more information here.

• Ongoing, Thursdays to Mondays, 9:45 am to 5:00 pm – Fees vary
• 1580 W Duval Mine Road, Green Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Hummingbird Banding at the San Pedro House

• Ongoing, Saturdays - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Free
• San Pedro House Visitor Center, 9800 East Highway 90, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival – Free Programs

• Aug 2-5, talks and times vary – Free
• Cochise College Library, 901 Columbo Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Find more information here.

• Aug 3, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Pay what you wish, reservation required
• Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 North Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo

• Aug 4,5,11 &12, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Fees vary.
• Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Mainly Murals Walking Tour

• Aug 5, 8:00 am to 10:00 am – $25, registration required
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Historic Canoa Ranch Tour

• Aug 5 &19, 8:30 am to 10:00 am - $5.00, Registration required
• Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 South I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Sunset Historical Tours at the Mescal Movie Set

• Aug 5 & 19, 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm – $15, Reservations required
• Mescal Movie Set, 1538 North Mescal Road, Benson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southeast Arizona Birding Festival

• Aug 9-13, event times vary - $30 registration plus applicable event fees
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson–Reid Park, 445 S Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Turquoise Trail Walking Tour

• Aug 12, 7:00 am to 9:30 am – $25, registration required
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Vigilante Sunday

• Aug 13 & 27, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm - Free
• 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

• Aug 13 - Sep 30, times and prices vary, reservations required
• Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

• Aug 14, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Pay what you wish, reservation required.
• Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 North Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Walking the Wall of the Original Presidio

• Aug 17, 8:00 am to 10:00 am – $25, registration required
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Celebration of All Things S-cuk Son/Tucson

• Aug 19, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm – Free
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Barrio Viejo Walking Tour

• Aug 26, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm – $25, registration required
• El Tiradito Wishing Shrine, 418 South Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Public Art and Murals Walking Tour

• Aug 26, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – $25, registration required
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

We are always looking for recommendations for future photo opportunities. Please feel free to contact me If you have suggestions for upcoming events of interest.

Tom Parker, Photo Op Coordinator

Special Interest Groups are fun and educational. Any member of the Photography Club is welcome to attend any of the SIGs.

Click on any of the links listed to get more information on each one.

Multimedia SIG
Black and White SIG

Studio and Fine Art SIG

Photoshop/Lightroom SIG

Field Trip SIG

Photoshop Elements SIG

Wildlife Photography SIG

Monitor Notes

Monitors typically welcome and check in club members, answer the phone, and inform those seeking information about the Club. We are all indebted to the dedicated team of monitors who volunteer to keep the Photography Club open. Many thanks to all of you.

We are always looking for additional monitors. Help us provide all the benefits the Club offers to its members. As you take advantage of the Club's activities and its extensive digital processing equipment, consider sharing the effort in providing these services by volunteering as a monitor.  You are not expected to know how to use the equipment. Training takes about three hours.

Contact: gvrcameramonitors@gmail.com for more information.

Photography Items

Wanted

or

For Sale

There are no listings this month.

All items:

• May be placed only by current, past or families of past members.
  
• Must be for used photography related equipment.
  
• Must include your name, or the name of the past member, and contact information.
• Should be submitted to neilwicai@gmail.com.
• Must be placed by the 25th of the month prior to the month of listing.
• Will run for one month, but may be resubmitted up to three times to be listed again.

GVR Photography Club

The GVR Photography Club is one of the largest photography clubs in the U.S. with over 600 active members. Regardless of your skill level, you'll have fun honing your skills in taking, editing, and presenting photos and videos. Share your photographic passion with others. Take FREE courses and join our Special Interest Groups to get the most from your digital camera, smartphone, action camera, or drone. Learn the ins and outs of post-processing software. Use our state-of-the-art equipment to digitize and edit photos, slides, and videos. Go on Club Field Trips to practice your photographic skills. Exhibit your photos/videos at our Showtime and Travelogue events. Come make friends and photographs!

The Club is located on the 2nd floor of the west wing at the Santa Rita Springs GVR Recreation Center. You may contact us at:

PO Box 1423, Green Valley, AZ 85622 or  gvrphotographyclub@gmail.com. 

Neil Wicai, Newsletter Editor - neilwicai@gmail.com - 575-224-1238