August 2026

From the President...

Wow, another month is almost upon us. As the old saying goes, times flies when you are having fun. I hope that all of you have been having a fun, and hopefully productive summer. We are finally starting to see some of that monsoon rain, but we could certainly stand to see a bit more. Keeping my fingers crossed.

My choice this month for a city to visit is Yuma. Yuma was first incorporated as a city in 1871 and renamed in 1873. It is the 13th largest city in Arizona, but from what I found, a lot of the cities larger than Yuma are suburbs of Phoenix. So, is that a really fair comparison? Agriculture is the number one business in Yuma. More than 91% of leafy greens produced in the winter are grown here. Looking for places to visit? Overlooking the Colorado River, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is home to the preserved cells and guard tower of a Wild West-era prison. For those that like haunted places, it was recently named “Best Haunted Destination in the U.S.” Not far from there is the Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park which was a 19th-century military warehouse and telegraph station. Yuma is also home to the Marine Corps Air Station. For other places to visit, check out the Colorado River State Historic Park and Castle Dome Mines Museum and Ghost Town.

Fun fact time: There are more wilderness areas in Arizona than in the entire Midwest. Arizona has 90 wilderness areas while the Midwest has 51. Only California has more areas than Arizona.

Club news: As part of GVR’s “One Big Event” we are conducting a photography and videography event/competition. This is open to all club and GVR members. You will be receiving E-Blasts with email addresses to find out more information about this event. From what I have been told, the club held a Film Festival a few years ago, before Covid, and it was very well received. Then, like a lot of things during Covid, it disappeared. We are going to give it another try. I truly hope we get a lot of club member participation. What better way to promote the work that our members create than to let everyone in the area see it. We are hoping that both the videos and photos will be shown at the West Center. That is still in the works.

There are some changes coming to our “high season” programming. Showtime, Travelogue and Speaker Series will be remaining on Tuesday afternoons, just as we did last year. The only difference is that we are moving everything back by one week. So instead of the first, second and third Tuesdays of the month, they will now be on the second, third and fourth Tuesdays. This will allow our members, who are also members of the Computer Club, to attend their programs and still be able to attend ours. Speaker Series will not be starting until January because of this change.

Jim Gardner is in the process of creating a class for our existing members to get better acquainted with the software programs in the digital lab. Look for new things coming from the education chair. We have a lot to offer, and we want everyone to have the opportunity to learn how to use these programs.

Our field trip committee has been busy. I’m sure you have been getting the notices. If you are in town, I hope you can take advantage of at least one of them. These folks put a lot of time into finding places for us to go see and photograph.

I hope you are all having a good summer. If you are on the East Coast or in the Midwest, I hope that the smokey conditions clear for you soon.

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera.”

-- Dorothea Lange

Kim Holmes, President

GVR Centers' Photo Exhibits 

I encourage you to join our photographers who are currently exhibiting. If you wish to participate, you can find instructions in the Photo Exhibit Guidelines page on the Club's website here.

We have photos displayed at the reopened Café Del Sol. We will change those out in a couple months. GVR currently is requesting the photos to be a desert theme.

Feel free to drop off your framed photos at the club. If you have a preference of where to place your photos, leave a note on your submittal paperwork.

For displays at the GVR centers we are going to use this label to be consistent with other clubs.

Click here for the exhibit website.

If you have questions please contact Kirk Hively, kehively@yahoo.com (520-349-5593) or Julie Howard (402-202-4423).

Kirk Hively, Exhibits Coordinator

Keep Our Facebook Page in Mind

Be sure to submit your photos of vacation and summer events, both in and out of Arizona, to the Facebook page for others to enjoy. Submit to suready@yahoo.com.

Sue Ready, Facebook Coordinator

Photo of the Month

Kim Holmes states, "This photo is from our trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park in June.  It was a very windy day, so there was quite a bit of blowing sand, and at times it made it difficult to stand still.  That being said, I was very pleased with the photos I got.  I left people in the image to show a sense of scale.  As windy as it was, it was amazing how busy the dunes were."

This was taken with my Canon EOS R7.  ISO 160, F8, 1/800sec at 150mm."

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

Summer is here, and the club is winding down a bit. We’re using this time to get ready for the next busy season!

We’re working on updating the SIG pages with the latest descriptions and meeting times.

We’re also launching a new program for new members. After joining, they’ll get a welcome email from our president inviting them to schedule a tour of our facilities and learn about all the activities and programs we offer. We’re aiming to make the club more welcoming and user-friendly for everyone.

We’re always open to new programs and interests, and the club is always eager to hear your ideas and opportunities. If you’d like to chat about new classes or SIGs, please reach out to Jim Gardner at jgardner65@comcast.net.

As the fall season approaches you will receive information about the activities the club is going to offer so stay tuned.

Don't Stop Learning!

Jim Gardner, Education Chair

Library News

Traveling by Magazine 

My grandmother visited a few southern and western states, but the travels were mostly enjoyed from the comfort of her living room chair in Indiana. Her subscription to National Geographic magazine took her to countries and cultures of which she could never see. She just didn’t read about the place; she learned about them. On her bedroom wall she taped a large paper World map and each time she read or heard about a place, she found it on that map. That sparked my interest in history and geography.

Like most subscribers to the magazine, first published in 1888, with its contents printed on the front surrounded by the iconic yellow band, she kept every issue. As the stack grew and grew over the years, it took on an aura of reverence. The publication was kept as dearly as a member of her household, maybe loaned to a trustworthy relative or neighbor. Grandma’s collection grew into its own bookcases. When she died, it was, “Who wants Grandma’s National Geographics?” Guess who took them….

When we moved to Arizona in 2006, I learned of the same reverence for Arizona Highways. The magazine premiered in April 1925 by the Arizona Highway Department (now the Arizona Department of Transportation) to promote the development of good roads throughout the state. The magazine of breathtaking photography and interesting articles joins National Geographic in the “don’t throw it away” category.

The Library in the Photography Club has a number of donated Arizona Highways, testament to passing them on, rather than throwing them away. They are there for you to take, enjoy, and pass on when you finish with them.

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 Board of Directors meetings. The next Board meeting will be held October 12, 2026.  Check the Club Calendar for meeting specifics 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

Calling all video makers,

Lights, camera…Green Valley! We’re inviting filmmakers of every level--seasoned pros, passionate hobbyists, and first-time creators--to submit their best work to the GVR Green Valley Film Festival 2026. This festival is open to all GVR members.

Entry deadline: September 15, 2026. Email: gvrgreenvalleyfilmfestival2026@gmail.com

to get the full submission guidelines.

Bring your vision to the big screen this fall.

This is going to be a really big show, now get to work.

Todd F Taylor, Showtime Host

Travelogue

Happy Summer! We’ve started receiving some great videos for our upcoming Travelogue season – Ecuador & Galapagos, Sydney Australia, a cruise through Spain & Portugal and more… Please keep them coming. Mark your calendars for our first showing Tuesday Nov 10 at 2pm.

Send your videos to Anne Karakatsoulis at daveandanne@msn.com and Sherrie Lee Lucia at sherrie.LCBG@gmail.com.

Gratefully,

Sherrie Lee Lucia & Anne Karakatsoulis

Travelogue Co-Coordinators

Speaker Series

Field Trips

If you’ve checked your email or visited the club’s website recently, you’ve no doubt noticed we’ve got an active field trip schedule this summer season. The following field trips have been announced as of press time:

• Thursday 08/06/2026 – Sunset with the Bats – Elephant Head Bridge
• Wednesday 08/12/2026 – Bird/Nature Photography: 

• Thursday 08/20/2026 – Colossal Caves Guided Tour
• Thursday 08/27/2026 – Bird/Nature Photography: Agua Caliente Park
• Thursday 09/10/2026 – Sunset with the Bats – Campbell Ave Bridge
• Saturday 09/19/2026 – Skydive Arizona: Women’s Upright World Record Training Camp
• Monday 10/19/2026 – Bird/Nature Photography: Peña Blanca Lake

We had to cancel two of our field trips due to lack of participation; one to the Santa Rita Lodge at Madera Canyon, and the other to the Mini Time Machine of Miniatures in Tucson. On the other hand, we had pretty good participation at two pop-up events that took us to the Elephant Head Bridge to watch SpaceX Starlink launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base, over 600 miles away in California. You just never know what you’ll experience. During the first outing, the bats made quite a showing, and the Starlink launch was visible even though the launch vehicle was tracking away from us. On the second outing, the bats had already flown the coop for their evening feed, and haze near ground level obstructed the view of the Starlink launch. That said, I’ll continue to watch the launch schedule for more pop-up opportunities. These usually occur with less than a week’s notice.

We’ll be conducting two more bat-related trips, including one more stop at the Elephant Head Bridge, and a trip to the Campbell Avenue Bridge in Tucson (with dinner beforehand at Villa Peru – yummy!!).

We’ve got other field trips in the works, so be watching for announcements during the month.

As always, we’re on the lookout for members who would like to become field trip leaders or help take care of the many behind-the-scenes tasks that help us make field trip administration look effortless. Please let me know if you are interested.

You’re also welcome to become a member of the Field Trip Committee. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month; just sign up on the club’s website so I’ll know to include you in the invitations.

Wishing everyone a fun summer and safe travels wherever your journeys may take you!

Tom Parker, Field Trip Chair

Photo Opportunities

August is for the birds, or so it seems. Although registration is closed for paid events, you can still take in free programs at the Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival in Sierra Vista. Or sign up for birding events closer to home at the Tucson Bird Alliance’s Southern Arizona Birding Festival. Keep cool by taking advantage of the Presidio San Agustin Museum’s evening celebration of Tucson’s 250th birthday. Go underground at Colossal Cave, Kartchner Caverns and the Titan Missile Museum, or keep cool by taking in the area’s unique museums and art centers. Take advantage of the free sunset markets at Old Tucson. Don’t forget to enjoy free entrance to the National Parks on August 25th, the 110th Birthday of the National Park Service. All great reasons to get out and have fun with your favorite camera, smartphone, or other digital device.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

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

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

• Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm – $15
• 4455 East Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Titan Missile Museum

• Thursdays to Mondays, 9:45 am to 5:00 pm – prices vary, reservations recommended
• 1580 West Duval Mine Road, Green Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center

• Daily, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Tours at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm) – Free
• Pima County Historic Courthouse, 115 North Church Avenue. Tucson, AZ

• Find more information here.

Harvestfest 2026 at Sonoita Vineyards

• Aug 1, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (grape stomping starts @ 1:00 pm) – events and prices vary
• 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin, AZ
• Find more information here.

Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo

• Aug 1 and 8, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – themes and prices vary
• Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Sunset Historical Film Tours at the Mescal Movie Set

• Aug 1 and 15 at 6:00 and 6:30 pm, Aug 29 at 5:30 and 6:00 pm – $20, Reservations required
• Mescal Movie Set, 1538 North Mescal Road, Benson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southwest Wings Summer Festival 2026 Free Events

• Aug 5-8, times vary - Free
• Fairfield Inn and Suites, 3855 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista, AZ

• Find more information here.

University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography

• Closed until Aug 7; afterwards, open Tue-Sat 10:00 am to 4:30 pm - Free
• 1030 North Olive Road, Tucson, AZ (short walk from UofA Park Avenue Garage)
• Find more information here.

Bisbee Pirate Weekend

• Aug 7-9; main event  Aug 8, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mermaid Parade @ 7:00 pm - Free
• Main event at Old City Park, 65 Brewery Avenue; Parade at Iron Man Statue, Bisbee, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Summer Night Market

• Aug 8 and 22, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm - Free
• Old Tucson, 201 South Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Vigilante Sunday

• Aug 9 and 23, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm - Free

• 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southeast Arizona Birding Festival

• August 12-16, times vary - $35 registration plus applicable event fees
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park, 445 South Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Kartchner Caverns Photo Tour

• Aug 15, 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm - $175, Registration required
• Kartchner Caverns State Park, 9 miles South of Benson on Hwy 90.
• Find more information here. 

Celebration of All Things S-cuk Son/Tucson the 251⁺ Anniversary

• Aug 20, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm – Free
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Hummingbird Banding at the San Pedro House

• Aug 22, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Free
• San Pedro House Visitor Center, 9800 East Highway 90, Sierra Vista, 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

Canon R Series 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

FOR SALE:

EOS Rebel SL1/100D, 18.0 megapixels

Excellent condition

I would be glad to meet with you and provide accessories.

I loved this camera but am traveling less and no longer using it.

Make offer.

Nancy Martin

nancytmartin@aol.com 520-207-0406

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Do you have any used photography equipment that you want to sell or are looking 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 mparker582@aol.com.
• Must be placed by the 20th 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 500 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 Photography 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. 

Monica Parker, Newsletter Editor 

mparker582@aol.com, 618-304-1164