January 2021

Letter from the President...

Happy New Year, fellow GVR Camera Club members!  I’m sure we’re all glad to have 2020 in the rear view mirror, although the closing of our space has brought some valuable changes to how the club operates via the internet.

I want to give a huge thanks to Phil Rock and Gene Komaromi who took on the enormous job of bringing the club’s SIGs and entertainment to you via Zoom.  Kudos also go to all the facilitators who had to learn how this new technology works.  We’ve learned that we can now bring these events to members even if you’re not in Green Valley, and also make them available on our YouTube channel for viewing later.

It's my pleasure to welcome Danny Valenzuela to the board. He replaces Jerry Marrion who is stepping down, but will continue to contribute to the club. Danny has been an active contributor to the Field Trip SIG, planning several popular field trips for our members.

Lastly, our long-time member, Sally Wendt, has to give up her job as the person responsible for purchasing supplies such as photo paper and printer ink, so I am looking for someone who can take over that position.  This is an important job that helps keep the club running smoothly. Please contact me if you would be interested in this position.

I hope you will all join me in looking forward to what 2021 will bring, especially safety and good health for all of us.  Again, Happy New Year!

Linda Gregory, President

Photo of the Month

The January Photo of the Month is by Linda Gregory, showing us how creative we can be in composing thought inspiring visuals. Keep an eye out next time you stroll by the Undertaker in Tombstone. Congratulations, Linda!

The Photo of the Month is chosen from the Photo of the Day series published on the Club's Facebook page from the 26th of the previous month to the 25th of last month. Keep sending the best of your work to Judith Pollard at jmp7741@gmail.com.

Are your ears twitching? Do you have the urge to wag your rear? You just may be the Guinea Pigs we need for our experimental Big Winter Class on Zoom.

We’ve finalized the plans for the Big Winter Class, which has been adapted because of the visit of our little viral buddy, COVID. There will be 5 core classes, followed by a series of elective sessions. Participants will be encouraged to do a Personal Photographic Project. Special award certificates will be given to participants who complete and share their projects. Join us and encourage your friends to attend. We have room for 100 participants. Best of all, the class is free to all members!

The classes will be held on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am starting on January 19th and will continue on the next four Tuesdays. The elective classes will follow, topics and times have yet to be scheduled. Find more information and register to join the Big Winter Class on the Club website here or via your Big Winter Class E-Blast announcement. The Zoom link to attend will be provided in your confirmation email after you register.

While you’re at the website, take a look at all of the Camera Club’s activities. Every one has had excellent attendance in Zoom meetings. The Club is also increasing our Zoom proficiency. Our largest attendance seems to be in Special Interest Groups. Stop by and visit any of the SIGS. It beats reruns on TV! The Club’s Directors and Instructional staff are going to great lengths to provide meaningful activities during these trying times. Join in and enjoy.

For those of you new to Zoom, check out our Tips and Tricks for Camera Club Zoom Meetings below in the newsletter.

Stay safe and stay involved.

Gene Komaromi, Educational Chair

Camera Club Presentations on YouTube

Did you miss one of our latest Showtime, Speaker Series or Travelogue presentations? Did you miss one of your favorite SIG meetings?

Another benefit of the Club now doing these events on the internet via Zoom is that we also now have them available on the Camera Club's YouTube channel. This makes the shows and meetings available to all members wherever and whenever they want to see them. How good is that?

Check out the Club’s YouTube Channel and be sure to subscribe to be notified of the events as they become available.

Tips and Tricks for Camera Club Zoom Meetings

In order to participate in a Zoom meeting you must first register for the meeting. You can use the link in the meeting announcement or go directly to the Club website to register. All registrants will then receive an email that provides a link to join the meeting, and if used, the meeting ID and password. If you are a first time Zoom user you may have to download Zoom software on your computer prior to the meeting or get the Zoom app for your tablet or smartphone. If you need help in getting ready for the meeting, contact the meeting moderator at least one day prior to the meeting. More information on joining a meeting can be found at the Zoom website Support Center here.

When participating in a Zoom meeting you can help it to go smoothly by:

If you are using a tablet or smartphone: Providing a secure method to hold the device in place and stay in that one place during the meeting, as though you were in the same room as the other participants. Don’t walk around with your tablet or phone.

If you are using a desktop PC or tablet:Turning off your phone during the meeting to avoid the chance that your ringtone will interrupt the meeting. If you want to have a personal conversation or use your phone, mute yourself first so not to interrupt the meeting.

Whatever device you use you always have the choice to turn on your camera or not, and to mute your microphone to avoid unwanted disturbances. Check out additional Tips and Settings at the Zoom website Support Center here.

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

With the exception of the on-line Zoom meetings and some scheduled Field Trips, the Camera Club remains closed and in-person club activities remain suspended in accordance with the latest government and GVR guidelines regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We value the health and safety of all our members and encourage you to stay safe and sensible during these trying times.

Please check the club calendar here for the latest information on future club activities.

January Travelogue

Tuesday, 1/12 at 7:00 pm

This month's Travelogue features four enjoyable presentations that you will want to see.

Travels to California

by Paul McCreary

Waters of the World

by Jeanette Nathan

Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyon

by Jack Sharrock

Find more information and register to join this presentation on the Club website here or via your Travelogue e-blast announcement. The Zoom link to attend will be provided in your confirmation email after you register.

If you have a program to share, drop off your thumb drive with a .mov or .mpeg4 show in the Travelogue Drop Box located outside the Camera Club door, or email it to me at traveloguecc@gmail.com.

Paul McCreary, Travelogue Facilitator

Field Trips

• Birding/Nature Trips with Linda Gregory

01/12 - Tubac / Santa Gertrudis Lane / Tumacacori

01/24 - Sweetwater / Columbus Park

02/09 - Ft. Lowell / Tucson Urban Parks

02/16 - Canoa Ranch

02/24 - Patagonia State Park

03/09 - Pena Blanca Lake/Hawk Watch

• Gammons Gulch Trips with Danny Valenzuela

02/26 - Gammons Gulch Movie Set and Museum

03/22 - Gammons Gulch Movie Set and Museum

Find more information and register for a field trip on the Club website here or via your Field Trip E-Blast announcement. As more guides feel comfortable leading field trips during Covid, the trips will be arranged and announced to the membership for sign up. 

Thank you for staying safe.

Sue Rock, Field Trip Facilitator

January Photo Opportunities

Venues are still limited for photo opportunities as the dreary pandemic continues. Here are two that you can still take advantage of. Venture out, wear a mask and enjoy!

Wonderland, A Holiday Garden Stroll at the Tucson Botanical Gardens

• Dec 2 - Jan 3, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
• Reservations and masks required. Seniors - $13.
• Tickets and more info here.

Wings Over Wilcox Birding and Nature Festival in Wilcox, Arizona

• Jan 15 - 16
• Registration and more Information here.

Events that have been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic

• Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show
• Tubac Home Tour

Patty Ferguson, Photo Op Coordinator

January Showtime

Monday, 1/4 at 7:00 pm

You viewed the December SHOWTIME at one of the GVR virtual drive-in movie theaters.  For the Monday, January 4 event you will travel to New York to one of the well-known Broadway theaters.  You will want to dress your best for this show.  Please show your tickets to any usher who will show you to your seats.  Social distancing and masks are required.  You may purchase your tickets from Ticket Master at www.ticketmaster.com, but you can save money by acquiring them directly from the Green Valley Camera Club.

Act I

• Minnesota Winter – Paul Legenhausen
• Up and Away – Todd Taylor
• Photo Mania – Jerry Marrion

               -Intermission-

Act II

• 2020 Field Trips – Jeanette Nathan
• More 2020 Field Trips – Club Scavengers
• PSA – Stay at Home

Register to join this presentation on the Club website here or via your Showtime e-blast announcement. The Zoom link to attend will be provided in your confirmation email after you register.

Chuck Hill, Showtime Coordinator

January Speaker Series

Thursday, 1/21 at 1:30

Julia Margaret Cameron:

Susan Hill

Speaker Series will ZOOM to you again the third Thursday in January, 1/21/21, 1:30 PM Arizona time. We welcome back Susan Hill, a Green Valley La Posada resident who did a great job for us last year highlighting the photography of Steve McCurry. This January she will be presenting another very interesting Art Talk on Julia Margaret Cameron and her "Scandalous Photography".

Julia Margaret Cameron was 48 years old in 1863 when she was given a camera as a gift.  She fell in love with photography, becoming an innovator in the use of soft focus and dramatic lighting in her portraits of famous men of her era.  She also enjoyed setting up and photographing illustrative allegories. It is her photos of children that Susan will discuss as “scandalous.” 

Register to join this presentation on the Club website here or via your Speaker Series e-blast announcement. The Zoom link to attend will be provided in your confirmation email after you register.

Our Speaker Series in winter 2020 has received rave reviews. Gene Komaromi, Grace Pitzer, and Paul McCreary, all GVR Camera Club members, have done an exceptional job presenting interesting photography topics via Zoom. Kudos to them! Join them and Susan in offering your expertise through this venue by contacting me for a Speaker Series spot.

Happy Trails and Happy New Year!

Special Interest Groups are fun and informative. Any member of the Camera Club is welcome to attend any of the SIGs. Many are meeting on-line during the pandemic closures. Details below.

• Multimedia SIG - Gene Komaromi, moderator.
• Learn what it’s all about. Bring your video project to share for comments & suggestions.
  
• Mondays @ 10:00 am - Meetings are online via Zoom. Register here on the GVR website to join and get the Zoom link to attend.

• Black and White SIG - Wendell Werner, moderator.
• Members bring their images to examine the special qualities of monochrome photography and share editing techniques in composition and lighting.
• Tuesdays @ 1:30 am - Meetings are online via Zoom. Register here on the GVR website to join and get the Zoom link to attend.

• Studio and Fine Art Photography SIG - Sandy Ostroff, moderator.
• Explore new techniques and broaden your skills.
  
• Monday's @ 1:30 pm - Meetings are online via Zoom. Register here on the GVR website to join and get the Zoom link to attend.

• Hit me with Your Best Shot SIG - Jerry Marrion, moderator.
• Bring five examples of your best efforts to show.
  
• Tuesdays at 9:30 am - Meetings suspended until further notice.

• Photoshop/Lightroom SIG - Al Crawford, Moderator.
• Study techniques found in Photoshop CS and Lightroom that are not found in other photo processing tools.
• Wednesdays @ 9:30 am - Meetings are online via Zoom. Register here on the GVR website to join and get the Zoom link to attend.

• Field Trip SIG - Sue Rock, moderator.
• Plan, arrange, guide and advertise field trips.
• Wednesdays @ 4:00 pm - Meetings suspended until further notice.

• Photoshop Elements SIG - Linda Gregory, moderator.
• Learn how to use the magic of Photoshop Elements post processing on your photos.
• Thursdays @ 9:30-11:00 am - Meetings are online via Zoom. Register here on the GVR website to join and get the Zoom link to attend. Participants have the option to send a few photos to Linda in an email for processing here. Submit at least one day prior to the SIG. Put "Elements SIG" in the subject line and describe what you want improved. 

• Bird Photography SIG - Mike McMinn, moderator.
• Improve your bird photography skills and share your best shots of our feathered friends.
• Wednesdays @ 1:30 pm - Meetings are online via Zoom. Register here on the GVR website to join and get the Zoom link to attend.

• Rebel Rousers SIG - Al Crawford, Moderator.
• Share your interest in Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras.
• Fridays @ 9:30 am - Meetings are online via Zoom. Register here on the GVR website to join and get the Zoom link to attend.

Monitor Notes

Help us provide all the benefits the Club offers to its members by volunteering as a monitor. 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.

Monitors typically check in club members, answer the phone, and welcome those seeking information about the Club. You are not expected to know how to use the equipment. Training takes about an hour.

Contact: gvrcameramonitors@gmail.com for more information.

Green Valley Recreation Camera Club

The GVR Camera Club was established in the early 1970’s as one of many Green Valley Recreation organizations to serve its members and our community. Our main interest is photography, both still and video imaging. The Club has grown into one of the largest camera clubs in the country with over 750 active members.

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 GreenValleyCameraClub@wildapricot.org 

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