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October 2025

From the President...

I ended last month’s photography history lesson stating that I would now head to digital photography. Boy is this ever confusing and did it start rapidly changing.

The first digital image happened in 1957 and it was not an image captured with a camera. It was a photo that was scanned by an employee, Russell Kirsch, of the National Bureau of Standards. He, and his team, built a drum scanner that allowed them to make a digital scan. What did they scan? It was a photo of Russell’s newborn son. The image was only 173 pixels on each side and was 5x5cm.

In July of 1965 NASA’s Mariner 4 had it’s camera switched on and began sending pictures of Mars back to Mission Control.

Sony claims to have made the first true digital camera in August 1981. The quality of the images were a lot like that of televisions at that point in time. In 1986 Nikon came out with the first DSLR camera, the Nikon SVC. By the 1990s the flood gates opened. Logitech Fotoman, Kodak, Canon, Nikon, Minolta and others all brought out cameras. Some have survived. Now, of course, we have mirrorless cameras and those handy little things that we carry in our pockets and purses. My how things have changed.

Thus ends my history lessons.

Do you know what JPEG stands for? It is the logo for the Joint Photographic Experts Group.

As you have probably noticed, Monica and the field trip committee have been really busy. We have a lot of trips coming up in the next few months. If you see one you like, act quickly as it may fill up right away. Also, we are looking for volunteers to lead the field trips. Right now we have four dedicated folks and we could use a few more. Consider attending the Field Trip class in October to learn what is all involved in leading a trip. I promise you, it’s not that difficult.

I’m still looking for photos from trips/events for our club’s 50th celebration next year. Go through your archives and see what you may have.

Kim Holmes, President

Keep Our Facebook Page in Mind

Thanks to all those members who submitted their field trip photos for the Facebook page. Don't forget to send in your summer vacation photos.  

Be sure to send me your favorite photos so I can post them in Facebook. Those photos are also where I get to choose the Photo of the Month featured in the newsletter each month. Your photo could be chosen next!

Sue Ready, Facebook Coordinator

Photo of the Month

The October Photo of the Month is by Bud Brown, a dramatic shot of Elephant Head Peak.

Bud explains, "I managed to catch this image of Elephant Head at sunset, when the light was beginning to move toward the red end of the spectrum. It was shot on September 10, 2022, at 6:08 pm.

“I used a Sony a7 III, with a Tamron 70-300 zoom Lens at 300mm, shutter speed 1/320 @ f6.3, ISO 200. If memory serves correctly, I shot this from a small hilltop overlooking I-19 near West Camino Encanto. The RAW file was edited in Lightroom. I applied the Adobe Vivid Color profile, pulled back on the shadows and boosted Clarity and Dehaze."

Congratulations, Bud!



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

One of the initial projects I undertook upon joining the club was scanning numerous family photos from my father’s thirty-five mm slides. As with many photographers, some of his photos had slight out-of-focus areas. I attempted to sharpen them, but my efforts were limited. Until the advent of AI, I was unaware of effective methods for sharpening photos. However, photo editing software now utilizes algorithms capable of correcting some soft, out-of-focus photos.

Another challenge posed by both analog and digital photos is the presence of noise, which creates a grainy appearance. Shooting in darker conditions often results in excessive noise. Fortunately, photo editing software now incorporates algorithms that can reduce noise and enhance the visual appeal of backgrounds.

We have two editing programs that utilize AI to sharpen and reduce noise: Topaz AI and Luminar Neo. These programs are available on both PC and Mac computers in our lab. Additionally, many of the current SIGs are incorporating AI elements into their sessions. Feel free to come in and give them a try.

Don’t stop learning!

Jim Gardner, Education Coordinator

Library News

October is Photographer Appreciation Month.


Stop for a moment and think of all the ways we enjoy the talents of photographers, whether it is documenting news events, recording family images, creating art with a variety of tools, or just recording a moment’s wonder.

In the Photography Club, there are dozens of men and women who share their talents by hanging their photography in the club and at GVR centers, teach SIGs, create movies for Showtime and Travelogue, assist members with photography questions, and much more. Thank you! You are appreciated.

The Library has a shelf of books about well-known photographers. The display on the bookcase will feature some of those. Check them out!

Becky McCreary, Librarian

This Month's Club Activities

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

Preparing for Next Season

Now is the time for all good men and women to start submitting videos to me for our upcoming SHOWTIME season. You have three options for getting videos to me.

  • You can load it onto a thumb drive and give it to me at our Monday morning Multi Media SIG.
  • You can load them onto a thumb drive and drop it off at our club. Please ask the monitor on duty to place it in the SHOWTIME folder in the desk drawer.
  • You can email them to me, toddftaylor.taylor@gmail.com, at FileMail.com or WeTransfer.com.

That’s it! Easy peasy! We’re only a month away from our first SHOWTIME of the season, Tuesday November 4th at 2:00 PM at Desert Meadows. Now get busy and send me some videos.

Also a reminder about February’s SHOWTIME, it will feature videos you put together about your Home Town.

See you at SHOWTIME,

Todd F Taylor, Showtime Host


Travelogue

Returning in November

November is almost here! We have a wonderful show prepared for you. Thanks to each of you who have sent us videos. Please keep them coming. You can send your travel videos free via WeTransfer.com or Filemail.com to Anne at daveandanne@msn.com - or if you prefer, bring a video on a flash drive to the club and we can make the transfer that way. There is a folder in the front desk for Travelogue.


Have questions or need help? You can also contact us directly, Anne Karakatsoulis at daveandanne@msn.com and Sherrie Lee Lucia at sherrie.LCBG@gmail.com.

Thank you so much!

Sherrie Lee Lucia & Anne Karakatsoulis, Travelogue Co-Coordinators


Speaker Series

Returning in November

The programs are starting to come together for this season’s Speaker Series. November, January and March are already scheduled with two new people and one returning guest. Plan to put these events on your calendars.

The programs will occur on the third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 in the afternoon, November and January through April. They will once again be held in the Desert Hills auditorium.

Kim Holmes, Speaker Series Coordinator


Field Trips

My poor little fingers are bleeding! I cannot thank Denise LeCount-O’Brien, Danny Valenzuela, Patty Ferguson and Tom Parker enough, stepping up to make the start of our “high season” spectacular!

Some Field Trip Trivia: Did you know where we go and how many times we go there is entirely dependent on you? Most venues give us the maximum number of attendees they can handle. When we post a trip, once that number has been reached, it triggers a waitlist. The waitlist is what generates another trip which is why you should always sign up for a trip even if it has been sold out.

As a reminder, Friday, October 24th at 2 p.m., I will be having an orientation discussing how to lead a field trip, what the field trip staff does making your job as a field trip leader easier, and some of the benefits of being a field trip leader – for instance, did you know the club covers the cost of your admission? I hope you will mark your calendar and join Lynn Rozema, Sarah Sheehan and me at this important meeting.

Thank you for your continued support!

Monica E. Parker, Field Trip Facilitator


Photo Opportunities

The weather is pleasant, so treat yourself to artisan markets in Oro Valley and Patagonia or find yourself at the aptly named Meet Yourself Folklore Festival in Tucson. Check out car shows in Tucson and Sierra Vista, a rodeo in Benson, a horse show in Sonoita, or the Fall Festival in Marana. You can also take in several western-themed events in Tombstone, Native American events in Amerind, Art in the Park in Sierra Vista or the Celtic Festival & Highland Games in Tucson.


Butterfly Magic at the Tucson Botanical Gardens resumes this month, and there’s Rex Allen Days and a wine festival in Willcox. We’ve even tossed in some evening events and spooky stuff in keeping with the Halloween season, including a Halloween Hoedown at Historic Canoa Ranch.

Be sure to grab your favorite digital device and take some great shots.

Historic Canoa Ranch

  • Dates, times and events vary - $10 per event, registration required
  • Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 South I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, AZ
  • Find more information here. 

Tombstone Terrors: Ghosts and Gunslingers of the Wild West Tour

  • Ongoing nightly, 8:00 pm – prices vary, reservations required
  • 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Butterfly Magic

  • Oct 1-31, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm – Free with admission, registration required
  • Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

First Thursday at the Tucson Museum of Art

  • Oct 2, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Pay what you wish, reservations required
  • Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 North Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Rex Allen Days

  • Oct 2-5, times, events, and fees vary, parade on Oct 4 at 10:00 am
  • Multiple venues and numerous events in Willcox, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Sonoita Quarter Horse Show

  • Oct 3-5, 8:00 am Friday & Saturday, 7:00 am on Sunday – Free
  • Sonoita Fairgrounds, 3142 South Highway 83, Sonoita, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Southern Arizona Home Show

  • Oct 3-5, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm - $8, free for seniors 65+ on Oct 3
  • Tucson Convention Center, 260 South Church Avenue, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Mainly Murals Walking Tour

  • Oct 4, 8:00 am to 10:00 am – $35, registration required
  • Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here. 

Water Lantern Festival

  • Oct 4, 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm – $57.99 (34% discount for registration before Oct 4)
  • Gene C. Reid Park, 900 South Randolph Way, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Glow! – A Nighttime Art Experience

  • Oct 4, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm - $65 per carload
  • Triangle L Ranch, 2805 North Triangle L Ranch Road, Oracle, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Art in the Park

  • Oct 4-5, Sat 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sun 9:00 am to 4:00 pm - Free
  • Veterans Memorial Park, 3101 East Fry Boulevard, Sierra Vista, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show

  • Oct 4-5, Sat 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – $15
  • Pima County Fairgrounds, Old Pueblo Hall, 11300 S Houghton Road, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Barrio Viejo Walking Tour

  • Oct 5 & 19, 9:00 am to 11:00 am – $35, registration required
  • Rosendo Perez Park, 424 South Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here for Oct 5 and here for Oct 19. 

Birding at the Zoo

  • Oct 10, 9:15 am to 11:15 am – Free with zoo admission, registration required
  • Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

37th Annual Cars in the Park

  • Oct 11, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm - Free
  • Veterans Memorial Park, 3101 East Fry Boulevard, Sierra Vista, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Turquoise Trail Walking Tour

  • Oct 11, 7:00 am to 9:30 am – $35, registration required
  • Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Benson Butterfield Rodeo

  • Oct 11-12, Sat starts at 8:00 am, Sun starts at 12:00 pm - $15
  • Benson Arena Bar & Rodeo Grounds, 250 North Prickly Pear, Benson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Patagonia Fall Festival

  • Oct 11-12, Sat 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Free
  • Patagonia Town Park, 325 McKeown Avenue, Patagonia, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Second SundAZe at the Tucson Museum of Art

  • Oct 12, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Pay what you wish, reservations required
  • Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 North Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here. 

Vigilante Sunday

  • Oct 12 & 26, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm - Free
  • 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
  • Find more information here for Oct 12 and here for Oct 26. 

Helldorado Days

  • Oct 17-19 - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, parade Sunday at 11:00 am - Free
  • 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Tucson Meet Yourself - A Folklife Festival

  • Oct 17-19, Fri & Sat 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Sun 11:00 am to 6:00 pm - Free
  • Jacomé Plaza, Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 North Stone Avenue, Tucson AZ
  • Find more information here.

Bisbee 1000 - The Great Stair Climb

  • Oct 18, starting at 9:00 am – Free for spectators
  • 201 Tombstone Canyon Road, Bisbee, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Tucson Classics Car Show

  • Oct 18, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - $10
  • The Gregory School, 3231 North Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Marana Fall Festival

  • Oct 18, 2:00 pm to 9:30 pm - Free
  • Marana Heritage River Park, 12375 North Heritage Park Drive, Marana, AZ
  • Find more information here.

Bull Riding in Tombstone

  • Oct 18, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, pre-show at 6:00 pm - $15
  • Shoot-Out Arena, 365 South 3rd Street, Tombstone, AZ
  • Find more information here.

    Wilcox Wine Country Fall Festival

    • Oct 18-19, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm – Prices vary
    • Railroad Park - 157 North Railroad Avenue, Wilcox, Arizona
    • Find more information here.

    Anza 250 Celebration

    • Oct 23-25, times and events vary – free
    • Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel Street, Tubac, AZ
    • Find more information here.

    Boo at the Zoo 2025

    • Oct 23-26, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm – $16, registration required
    • Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ
    • Find more information here.

    Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

    • Oct 24-26, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm – ticket prices vary
    • Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ
    • Find more information here.

    Tucson Celtic Festival & Highland Games

    • Oct 24-26, Gates open: Fri  at 5:00 pm, Sat & Sun  at 8:00 am – Prices vary
    • Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 North First Avenue, Tucson, AZ
    • Find more information here.

    Amerind's Autumn Fest

    • Oct 25, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - $10 per vehicle
    • Amerind Museum, 2100 North Amerind Road, Dragoon, AZ
    • Find more information here.

    Oro Valley Fall Foodie, Art and Wine Festival

    • Oct 25-26, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Free
    • Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, AZ
    • Find more information here.

    Murals and More of the 4th Avenue District

    • Oct 26, 9:00 am to 10:30 am – $35, registration required
    • Corbett’s, 340 North 6th 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.

    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

    Olympus E510 is digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera

    • 40 – 150mm 1:4 – 5.6 lens
    • 14 – 42mm 1:3.5 – 5.6 lens
    • Olympus Digital EX-25 Extension Tube
    • Olympus LH-61C Lens Hood
    • Olympus LH-61D Lens Hood
    • 8GB 133X Compact Flash elite pro memory card
    • 4GB 120X Compact Flash memory card
    • Olympus 58mm UV Filter
    • Cokin 58CPL Circular Polarizer Filter
    • Four 7.4v 2100mAh batteries
    • Travel Charger
    • 18 Cokin Filters
    • Cokin lens filters, adapters, housings and hood
    • Camera remote

    Complete system $100 or best offer.

    If interested, contact Bob Kacmarcik at (262) 994-2902 or Bob@MysticSunshine.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.

    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 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. 

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


    The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.
    921 West Via Rio Fuerte, Green Valley, AZ 85622 
    Phone 520-648-1315

    If you have any questions or concerns please call the above number during business hours or email us at: gvrphotographyclub@gmail.com

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