January 2023

From the President...

Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) was an American photographer and modern art promoter who was instrumental over his 50-year career in making photography an accepted art form. In addition to his photography, Stieglitz was known for the New York art galleries that he ran in the early part of the 20th century, where he introduced many avant-garde European artists to the United States. In 1935 he wrote:” Wherever there is light, one can photograph.”

Happy New Year to all of you. I trust your holidays were enjoyable and you captured many pictures of your travels, celebrations, and loved ones. After all, we are photographers. We have light; thus, we can photograph.

The past year started a transformation of your club. Field trips are once again taking place, and members are becoming more active in the club’s other activities and events. Recently, forty members participated in a field trip to the Mescal Movie Set. A week later 16 went on a second trip to Mescal. Members are ready to start enjoying the benefits of field trips.

Two new SIGs are being explored: one for astrophotography, another for drone photography. If there is sufficient interest these could be additional opportunities to expand our knowledge of different types of photography.

The redesign of the club started in earnest and while progress has been slower than we had hoped, progress is being made. Sconce lights are being installed in the digital darkroom and the room will be painted to minimize glare on monitors. Cabinets to store the photo equipment will soon be completed and television sets in the classroom and multipurpose room will be mounted on the walls making these rooms more aesthetically pleasing and functional. The major work pending is the construction of the wall and installation of doors for the large classroom.

We are also in the process of changing the name of the “GVR Camera Club” to “GVR Photography Club”, and a new logo will be designed. The hope is that we can order shirts and caps with the new logo on them.

You, the members, must approve the name change and a change from a two-year to a one-year term for officers. The Board of Directors will be submitting the name change for your approval. As required, the bylaws change was submitted to GVR for approval prior to a membership vote, and GVR has approved. The membership vote will take place on January 12th.

Look for an email soon from me explaining the name change and the change in the term of officers. This email will also explain the process for voting and will include a link so you can download and review the revised bylaws before you vote.

Finally, in our continuing efforts to promote membership, the club will be actively participating in the GVR Showcase Event on January 26th, including a short class on making documentaries and a drone photography demonstration. We will have a table to promote the Club and are looking for volunteers to help staff the table. Be on the lookout for an eBlast seeking volunteers soon.

We start the New Year with high hopes that the year ahead will be full of accomplishments and opportunities. A special thanks to all our volunteers who have kept the club functioning and operational as we navigate in these new times of change.

Danny Valenzuela, President

Photoshop Elements SIG

Now Meeting Only at the Club

Starting January 5th Linda Gregory’s Photoshop Elements SIG will meet only in-person at the Club on their regular Thursday schedule at 9:30 am to 11:30 am.

Linda demonstrates the use of simple Photoshop tools to enhance member’s photographs and welcomes beginners as well as experienced users to learn new techniques. Join the fun and learn a few tricks to  improve your photos.

Kaleidimal Art at Posada Java

What happens when you combine animal photographs, Photoshop and unique artistic talent? You get fantastic works of art called Kaleidimal Art! Kaleidimals (Ka-lei-di-mals) are kaleidoscope-like designs made from animal photographs. Parts, or sometimes the entire photo of these animals, are arranged repetitively by the artist to create a totally different pattern or image.

Club member Marilyn Gaizband is currently exhibiting her Kaleidimal Art at Posada Java. Some members may remember the class she gave at the club a few years ago. View her amazing art here and check out her exhibit at Posada Java. It’s a must see event. -ed

Looking Ahead for Exhibit Displays

Camera Club members currently have their work displayed in the Palo Verde Room at the Canoa Hills Rec Center. Members who have had their work hanging at the East Center may pick up their pieces at the Club on January 2nd.

In February, members will have an opportunity to display their work at the Las Campanas Rec Center in the hallway and lobby. The exhibit display will run from February 1st to the 28th. Members who would like to participate in this exhibit can drop off their work at the club with the monitor starting on January 2nd and by January 30th at the latest. Please make sure an exhibit information sheet is filled out for the coordinators and camera club. The sheet is available behind the monitor desk in a container on the wall. Also, each photography piece should have a hanger on the back and be clearly marked with your contact information, name of the piece and price if you are interested in selling.

Please contact Sue Ready or contact Julie Howard if you have any questions about our exhibits.

Thank you for your support of the Club's exhibit program.

Sue Ready & Julie Howard, Exhibit Coordinators

Photo of the Month

The January Photo of the Month is from Mary Martin, showing the Hotel at the Mescal movie set decorated for Christmas. Congratulations, Mary.

The Photo of the Month is chosen from new and archived photos submitted by current and former members. Keep sending the best of your work to Judith Pollard at jmp7741@gmail.com so we may continue to showcase the refined capabilities of GVR Camera Club members. -ed

Library Open Again

A new year is upon us, bringing some new classes and activities for GVR Camera Club members.

First and foremost is the Big Winter Photography Class.

Big Winter Photography Class

The class will be held at the Club in five sessions on Thursdays, January 12th through February 2nd at 1:30 pm. Find more information and register here. In-person attendance is limited so register soon.

___________

Next, I am excited to announce that we have two new Special Interest Groups forming this season.

Astrophotography Special Interest Group

The Astrophotography SIG is being formed to provide education and training on all aspects of amateur astronomy. Absolutely no experience is required, just abiding amazement of the beautiful universe available to us when we look up at the night sky.

David Kenney has volunteered to facilitate this SIG. Join everyone on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 10:30 am in the small conference room at the Club. Find more information and register here.

Drone Photography Special Interest Group

A Drone Photography SIG is in the early planning stages. Watch for eBlasts in the near future about this new SIG.

____________

Finally, members are encouraged to take advantage of the other activities offered by the GVR Camera Club.

Showtime, Speaker Series, Travelogue

Your Club offers as many activities as some Community Colleges and these activities are free to members. Find them featured in this newsletter and announced in eBlasts. Look over the Club Calendar. You're sure you’ll find activities that build your talents and stimulate your photographic interests.

Special Note

Some of our members attend SIGs and other activities without registering through the Club’s website. If you are attending any SIG or activity and haven’t registered via the Club’s website, please do. That’s the only way that the club can contact members during closings or cancellations.

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. Camera 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.

Travelogue

Tuesday, 1/10 at 7:00 pm

The Pantanal in Brazil

Linda Sparks

A Trip to China

Arlene Meteyer

Ancient Adriatic Treasures - Part 2

Sherrie Lucia

Grand European River Cruise - Part 1

Kirk Hively

If you have a program to share, drop off your thumb drive with a .mov or .mpeg4 show of your adventure at the camera club. Leave them in the travelogue folder with brief information about your work. And if you have questions, please contact Paul McCreary at 970-596-1505 or email me here.

Paul McCreary, Travelogue Coordinator

Showtime

Monday, 1/9 at 7:00 pm

SHOWTIME is back big time and you are again invited to come to the Desert Hills GVR center on Monday, January 9 at 7:00 pm. Attendance was fantastic at the December SHOWTIME with 47 members at the center and an additional 22 ‘Zoomers' viewing remotely. No matter how you plan to attend we hope to see you there one way or the other. And below is the planned lineup which I know you will enjoy. Don’t miss it!

• Las Vegas – Arlene Meteyer
• El Capitan – Arlene Meteyer
• Ride of Silence – Tom and Monica Parker
• Ford Tri-Motor – Kirk Hively
• Rose Parade 2022 – Todd Taylor
• El Tour 2022 – Chuck Hill
• Gulliver’s Home – Kevin May
• Gammon’s Gulch – Jerry Marrion
• Galapagos Snorkeling – Sherrie Lee Lucia

If you can't make it to Desert Hills, make sure you register here and you'll get the Zoom link to view the show from wherever you are.

Thank you all for the great programs you have sent in for SHOWTIME. Keep up the good work. Take photos from your favorite field trip and make them into a slide show, or show us how you have spent your summer. Use Windows Photos or iMovie to assemble the photos and add music of your choice. Please contact me if you need help or have questions.

Chuck Hill, Showtime Coordinator

Speaker Series

Thursday, 1/12 at 9 am

Jessica Gonzales

Muralist and Artist

You’re in for a treat this month, as our speaker for January is Jessica Gonzales, Tucson muralist and artist. Jessica has painted dozens of murals in and around Tucson, and was voted Tucson's Best Visual Artist 3 years in a row by Tucson Weekly magazine. A graduate of the University of Arizona, her life and work was recently featured on the University’s Alumni website. You can also view her art and murals on her website.

Please note the special time for the January Speaker Series, 9:00 am Arizona time. Join us in the Anza Room to enjoy Jessica’s presentation. But if you can’t make it, register here to get the Zoom link to attend remotely.

Enjoy the present.

Holly Chorba, Speaker Series Coordinator

Field Trips

Heads up! There are only 3 slots left for the bus trip to Whitewater Draw on January 11th! Please sign up, pack a lunch, and come with us to watch in wonder as 30,000+ Sandhill Cranes return to the lake to roost for the night! And you won't be seeing just the cranes—there’s a wide variety of geese, ducks, and shorebirds!

Also coming up this month are trips to the HF Coors Dinnerware Factory on the 11th, a birding/nature trip to Canoa Ranch Lake on the 24th, and the Tucson Windows and Doors Walking Tour on the 26th. Take a look, register and join in on the fun!

Future trips to consider and look forward to:

• A behind-the-scenes visit to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® in February.
• If you’re fascinated by Old West memorabilia at Gammon’s Gulch and the Mescal Movie Set, you’ll really enjoy the trip to the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum in March.
• A trip to the Ignite Neon Sign Art Museum in the March-April time frame.

Remember, if you have suggestions on locations for future trips, be sure to contact me. We have gotten some great ideas from club members that are in the works. As soon as they are finalized, we will let you know.

Patty, Sue, Lynn, and I are looking forward to providing you a great 2023 Spring season!

 Monica E. Parker, Field Trip Facilitator

Photo Opportunities

Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival

• Jan 12 to 15 – Tours, Seminars and Nature Expo - Hours and fees vary.
• Willcox Community Center, 312 West Stewart Street, Willcox, AZ
• Find more information here.

Living History Day: The People of Tucson

• Jan 14, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – $10
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance Art on the Lake Festival

• Jan 14, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – Free
• Sahuarita Lake Park, 15466 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ
• Find more information here.

Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Rabbit

• Jan 14, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm - $5
• Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 West River Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Dillinger Days

• Jan 15, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Free, registration required.
• Hotel Congress 311 E. Congress St. Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Cross Border Tour to Nogales, Mexico

• Jan 18, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm – $95, registration required.
• Border Community Alliance, 2221 East Frontage Road, Tubac, AZ
• Find more information here and here.

22nd Street Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show

• Jan 26 to Feb 12, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm - Free
• 993 S Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85713
• Find more information here.

American Indian Fine Arts Show

• Jan 27 to 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.

Car Nuts Car Show

• Jan 28, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm – $5
• Veterans Municipal Park, 1905 North Old Nogales Highway, Sahuarita, AZ
• Find more information here.

Public Art and Murals Walking Tour

• Jan 28, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm – $25, Registration required.
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Native Nations Demonstrations and Craft Market

• Jan 28, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – $10
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

American Indian Art Expo

• Jan 29 to Feb 12, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Free
• 2830 South Thrasher Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85713
• 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 informative. Any member of the Camera 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

Bird 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 Camera 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

Items for Sale

Logan model 301-S 32 inch mat cutter

In good condition and complete. Price: $45.

Contact Merry Archer at photowoman75@gmail.com

SLIK mini pro table top tripod

In good condition and complete. Price: $20.

Contact Merry Archer at photowoman75@gmail.com

Amazon Basics monopod

In good condition and complete. Price: $10.

Contact Merry Archer at photowoman75@gmail.com

Do you have any used photography equipment that you want to sell or are looking for to buy? List those items in the newsletter.

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.

Green Valley Recreation Camera Club

The GVR Camera Club is one of the largest camera 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  gvrcameraclub@gmail.com. 

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