February 2024

From the President... 

In case you have not been to the Club recently or to any of our events, our members have been very busy. Field Trip Coordinator Monica Parker and her committee have done a fantastic job scheduling field trips. It is not just the volume of field trips that have been scheduled, but field trips to new locations and locations that we have not visited since before Covid impacted our activities.

Our Travelogue, Showtime, and Speaker Series events have recorded attendance not seen in quite some time. The January Speaker Series recorded 95 registrants, the highest registration in recent memory.

The recent Monitor Refresher course conducted by Tom Ransburg was a tremendous success. I received positive comments from long term monitors and new monitors. Tom did such a great job that eight new members signed up to become monitors, and they will begin training with mentors soon. Monitors are key to keeping the club open, so the more the merrier.

I also received a call from a member who wants to help reestablish the Cookie Brigade. The Cookie Brigade is made up of club volunteers who bring snacks to designated events such as Showtime, Travelogue, and Speaker Series. If she can find someone to assume that responsibility, the Club can provide refreshments to those in attendance at these events and other events. The Club will pay for the refreshments. If you are interested in leading this task or in helping, please email me or call me at 602-568-5759.

Plans are underway for the Annual Meeting on April 8th which will include dinner and a presentation. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us at 5:00 pm on April 8th.

I am currently working on two new ideas for the Club but do not want to get ahead of myself by sharing them until I have had the opportunity to present them to the Board for their consideration. So, stay tuned.

Thank you for helping us continue to grow and present more opportunities for you to sharpen your photography skills, explore new photo opportunities, and make new friends.

Danny Valenzuela, President

Alert!

Multimedia Audio Workshop

Friday, February 2nd at 1:00 pm

The Multimedia SIG will be holding a workshop for Club members who want some advanced help with audio issues on their video presentations. All Club members are invited to join us at the club to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about using audio to enhance your video presentation projects.

We will demonstrate general concepts of finding the right balance between narration and some background music and/or sound effects.  Because members are using a number of different video editing programs, this workshop won’t be specific to any software or Apple/PC computer platform.

Please join us at the club at 1:00pm on Friday the 2nd of February for this workshop. It will be fun and help you make better videos.

Kevin May, Multimedia SIG Moderator

New Full Spectrum Lamp in the Photo Lab

Members who use the Photo Lab may have noticed the new table lamp sitting next to the two Epson Surecolor  P800 printers in the Photo Lab. The lamp, an ILFORD ILFOLUX color viewing lamp, will improve viewing of your printed photos when doing color critical work.

The reflective colors that you see on a printed photo will vary depending upon the light source used to see the photo. Why is that?

Our human vision has two capabilities that work well when we need it. The first is color adaptability. Our brain changes colors to appear as they should look. A flower at evening light looks the same as the flower during the day. We perceive colors as we expect. A photograph looks the same to the photographer in any ambient light. Our capability to see colors consistently even when the light changes results in a uniform perception of our environment.

However, our vision has the amazing property of exactly comparing two colors. It’s called a metamerism effect and metamerism defeats color adaption. Under different lighting conditions, or spectrums, reflective colors will change. The florescent light bulbs in the photo lab’s ceiling have a limited spectrum, with more color frequencies in the blue range and fewer in the yellow range. This limited spectrum results, for example, in a yellow flower looking dull on a printed photo when compared to the yellow that you wanted as it shows on the monitor display. (Assuming the monitor has a full range of colors.)

The new lamp solves this comparison problem. It emits a light spectrum that is similar to the light from our calibrated monitors. The Club's technical committee calibrates our monitors to the graphic arts standard, a temperature of 5000K, with the ceiling fluorescents turned off and the sconce lights turned on. The sconce lights and our new lamp emit a similar spectrum.

To properly use the lamp, select the 5000K color temperature on the lamp, turn off the ceiling lights and if you need room light, turn on the sconce lights. Place your photograph under the lamp. You have now made the room part of a color-managed workflow, and your print will provide a good comparison to the colors on the monitor display.

In the next issue we will consider color variations from monitor to monitor and from monitor to printer.

Stephen Herron, Technical Committee

Help Wanted

Event Scheduling & Notification Manager

We’re looking for someone to help our systems administrator, Sam Schaen, with SIG and other club meeting scheduling, and generating the notices that go out for those meetings. The task involves filling out on-line forms using a web browser. Someone who is comfortable with computers and good with details would be ideal.

Please contact Sam at sam.schaen@gmail.com if you would like further information about volunteering for this job.

Call to our Multimedia Savvy Members

Thanks to all who have submitted your wonderful photos for posting on the Club’s Facebook page. Keep them coming. I look forward to your continued support, showing off the photographic talents of our club members.

Last month I posted a short video submitted by Diane Marr featuring sandhill cranes from Arizona’s Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. Check it out if you haven’t visited our Facebook page recently. It shows that short videos are a great way to show off the Club’s talents even more.

So, for those of you doing multimedia projects, get creative and send me some short videos to post. Keep them short, about 30 to 60 seconds. Topics can vary, be they about your vacation, a field trip or some other adventure. How about your 2-year-old granddaughter’s birthday?

Send your short videos to me at suready@yahoo.com. I’d love to see what you can do.

Sue Ready, Facebook Coordinator

Photo of the Month

The February Photo of the Month is by Sam Schaen titled Flying Kestrel, taken on a trip with his wife, Marilyn, at the Bernardo Waterfowl Area near Bosque del Apache, NM.

Sam recalls, "In early January we noted this kestrel was repeatedly diving for dinner. Kestrels can hover, unlike most other birds. In this photo around 3 PM, I caught the kestrel looking directly at the camera. The photo was taken with a Nikon Z8 and a Nikon 200-500mm lens at 1/1250 second, f/13, ISO 9000."

Congratulations, Sam!

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

Photography Club members should take advantage of the “E” in February. Right away, I can think of three "E" options.

The first “E” option is "Education". The club has varied educational opportunities offered during February. Go online and visit the Photography Club’s website regularly. Current Special Interest Group activities and new classes will be posted. Get educated during February.

The second “E” option is “Exhibit”. Show off your work. The club is continually looking for prints to exhibit. A YouTube video on the Club’s website shows how to prepare prints for the exhibitions.

The third “E” option is “Enjoy”. Attend some special events at the club, such as Travelogue and Showtime, and have some plain old fun.

Can you think of more "E" options? How about "Engage"? Get involved, participate, make new friends. The Club is here for you. Take advantage of it.

Gene Komaromi, Education Chair

Library News

For those who use Photoshop Elements, Mastering Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023 is now on the Photoshop shelf in the library. Also, for those interested in street photography, Understanding Street Photography is on the Miscellaneous shelf.

The library is a Photography Club member benefit and the books are the property of the Club. Some are donated and some are purchased. None are for members to keep unless they are designated as a free book. If books are not returned in a timely manner, I will contact the borrower one time with a reminder. After that I will ask the borrower to replace the book, which could be costly. For example, the new Photoshop edition was $58. There is a Return Shelf in the bookcase. Books may be borrowed for three weeks. Remember, someone else may be waiting for it.

“Thank you” to a member who donated a number of older Arizona Highways magazines. They will be placed periodically in the magazine rack.

If you have library items to donate, please contact me first to see if we already have them and if they are appropriate for the library.

Thanks for supporting our library!

Becky McCreary, Librarian

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.

Showtime

Monday 2/5 at 7:00 pm

This is truly a collection of amazing videos done by our own club members, and it could be you. Come join our Monday morning Multimedia SIG at 10:00 AM to view some videos in production by club members and their critique served up just the way you want. You may even impress your grandchildren.

Speaking of videos, visual media is king. If you don’t think so ask your Grandchildren to show what’s on TikTok. Old fashion billboards and radio, they are still around, but look at all your current media options! There is broadcast TV, cable, satellite, streaming, and phones. Video is everywhere you look.

Come out to SHOWTIME at GVR’s Desert Hills on Monday, February 5th at 7 PM for an evening of fun and FREE entertainment. I’ll bring the popcorn, coffee and ice cold water. But hey, you can also bring any beverage of choice. It will be a fun evening for all.

See you at SHOWTIME.

Your Host,

Todd Taylor, Showtime Coordinator

Travelogue

Tuesday, 2/13 at 7:00 pm

We have another wonderful Travelogue presentation for you to enjoy this month at our new location in the Desert Hills center auditorium. Come and enjoy traveling with us.

Our Travels to Europe and Mexico

Paul and Becky McCreary

River Cruise to Belgium & Holland

Sherrie Lee Lucia

Iceland - Part II

Holly Chorba

The Cappadocia Region of Turkey

Todd Taylor

Paul McCreary, Travelogue Coordinator

Speaker Series

Monday, 2/19 at 3:00 pm

Stephen Vaughan

Hummingbird

Photography

For our February Speaker Series, we will be given a wonderful presentation on those beautiful, fast-moving Hummingbirds and how to improve our chances of photographing them.

Our speaker is Stephen Vaughan, an Arizona native and seasoned professional nature photographer and ornithologist. He has dedicated over five decades to capturing and exploring the wonders of natural history. His exceptional imagery has graced the pages of countless esteemed publications, including National Geographic, Audubon, National Wildlife, Sierra Club, and Arizona Highways. Steve will be sharing his tips, techniques and experiences with photographing hummingbirds.

Join us in the auditorium at Desert Hills Recreation Center for this live presentation. But if you miss it, you may also watch the presentation later on the Club’s YouTube channel.

I look forward to seeing you on the 19th.

Kim Holmes, Speaker Series Coordinator

Field Trips

Super Venues - Serious Fun

What a great January we had for field trips! The bus was full for Whitewater Draw, we learned so much history at both Mission Gardens and Presidio San Agustin de Tucson, and the trip to the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum (newly renamed to The Tucson Wagon and History Museum) was awesome.

Check out the field trip lineup on tap for February 2024:

• Reid Park Zoo – 2/6/2024

• Field Trip Committee Meeting – 2/7/2024

• Fox Tucson Theatre – 2/12/2024

• Birding/Nature Hotspot– 2/23/2024

• Birding/Nature Hotspot– 2/27/2024

• Tucson Auto Museum – 2/28/2024

Make sure you go online and check out all the future field trips. They have been filling up fast!

Watch for our E-Blasts on future trips. If you have any questions, ideas for future trips or want to participate in our Field Trip activities, please contact me,

See you soon!

 Monica E. Parker, Field Trip Facilitator

Photo Opportunities

Raptor Free Flight

• Ongoing thru Apr 7, daily(except Weds), 10:00 am – Free with museum admission
• Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

American Indian Arts & Collectibles

• Ongoing thru Feb 11, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – Free
• Red Roof Inn Downtown-University, 1300 North Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

22nd Street Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show

• Ongoing thru Feb 11, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm - Free
• 993 South Freeway, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

American Indian Arts Exposition

• Ongoing thru Feb 11, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Free
• 2830 South Thrasher Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Historic Canoa Ranch

• Various events – dates, times and fees vary – registration required
• Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 South I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Tombstone Art Gallery Annual Quilt Show

• Feb 1-27, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – Free
• Tombstone Art Gallery, 383 Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here.

Wuertz Farm Gourd Festival

• Feb 2-4, Fri and Sat 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am to 3:00 pm - $13
• Pinal Fairgrounds & Event Center, 512 S Eleven Mile Corner Rd., Casa Grande, AZ
• Find more information here.

Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace

• * Feb 3-Mar 31, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm – Fees vary
• * 12601 E. US Highway 60, Gold Canyon, AZ
• * Find more information here.

Tubac Festival of the Arts

• Feb 7-11, Wed to Sat 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - $10 parking
• The Historic Village of Tubac, AZ
• Find more information here.

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®

• Feb 8-11, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Thurs-Sat, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Sun – $13
• Tucson Convention Center, 260 South Church Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Living History Day: Statehood Celebration

• Feb 10, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – included with admission
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Cruise, BBQ & Blues Classic Car Show

• Feb 10, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm - $5
• Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Modern Streetcar & Walking Tour

• Feb 13, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm – $40, Registration required
• Mercado San Agustin, 100 South Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros – Tucson Rodeo

• Feb 17-25 - events, times, and fees vary
• Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 South 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Lunar New Year Celebration

• Feb 17, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm - $5
• Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 West River Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Barrio Viejo Walking Tour

• Feb 17, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm – $30, Registration required
• El Tiradito Wishing Shrine, 418 S. Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Bull Riding in Tombstone

• Feb 17, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm - $15
• Shoot-Out Arena, 365 South 3rd Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here.

Kartchner Caverns Photo Tour

• Feb 17, 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm – $125, registration required
• Kartchner Caverns State Park, 2980 South Highway 90, Benson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Tucson Rodeo Parade Grandstand Viewing

• Feb 22, entertainment begins at 8:00 am - $12
• NE corner of Drexel Road and Liberty Ave., Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Quilt Fiesta!

• Feb 23-25, Fri and Sat 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - $10
• Old Pueblo Hall, Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S Houghton Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Fort Lowell Day

• Feb 24, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Free
• Fort Lowell Museum, 2900 North Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Murals & More of the 4th Avenue District

• Feb 25, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm – $30, Registration required
• Corbett’s, 340 North 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention

• Feb 29-Mar 3, Event times and ticket prices vary
• Casino Del Sol, 5655 West Valencia Road, 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

On Assignment SIG

Photoshop/Lightroom SIG

Field Trip Committee

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

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