Secretary's Report
SUNFLOWER PHOTO CLUB
November 11, 2008
10:00 AM VILLAGE CENTER
MEETING RECORD
President Helen Viera presiding
HELEN WELDOMED EVERYONE AND:
1) Recognized Treasurer Al Marshall for his splendid presentation, on our behalf, at the Sunflower Annual Meeting.
2) Recognized newcomers John Wu and Laurel Ambrosio
3) Thanked member Chuck Lanska for his work on the Photo Club display center
4) Reminded us that we need a few more volunteers to tend the display for the Craft Show on Friday and Saturday 11/14 & 11/15. In response to her request we now have enough volunteers
5) Reminded us that we must remove our photographs from the Artists Wall on 11/30.
6) Reminded us that December is the month for elections and a volunteer Nominating Committee includes: Bob Snelson, Nancy Peek & Chuck Lanska. They will present their nominations at the December meeting.
7) Told us that the December program will be an educational presentation on night photography.
8) Told us that the January program will be a slide presentation on the Grand Canyon by renowned photographer Jack Dykinga. Jack will have copies of his most recent & excellent photo book for sale.
SHOW AND TELL:
This excellent program involved most photography Club members in presenting and discussing their favorite photographs. It proved to be very interesting and very educational. We saw a photo of and learned the name of a bird which is a cross between a turkey and a chicken called a TURKEN. The photo was taken in Ecuador.
MORE:
1) Just prior to adjournment, Chuck Lanska reported on behalf of the Program Committee: Potential field trips are being researched. He stated that there are currently a number of photogenic birds at Sweetwater and there is a new water collection pond there.
Al Marshall, a member of Tohono Chul, invited us all to attend the holiday light extravaganza which will include traditional luminaria. The event occurs on December 5th and 6th from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Non member charge is $8.00. If there is a small group of members attending en mass we will notify the membership, however the event conflicts with the holiday dinner here in Sunflower.
Meeting adjourned at 11:05 am.
NEXT MEETING
December 9th @ 10 am
Minutes are posted on our web site
@ sunphoto.s5.com
Or through the Sunflower web site
SUNFLOWER PHOTO CLUB
CASUAL
September 09, 2008
10:00 AM VILLAGE CENTER
MEETING RECORD
Helen Viera presiding
ATTENDANCE:
14 members attended this informal meeting and 3 visitors joined us.
Past president Lewis Rothstein also attended.
GENERAL DISCUSSIONS:
1-Photo printers
2-Computers and computer experiences
3-Removing and re-enabling Photo Shop programs into new computers
REMINDERS BY HELEN:
* Photos for the Artists Wall will be installed on Saturday morning November 1 @ 9:00 am. Please bring 2 photos, however if there are too many we will be able to hang 1 only. We may rotate in the middle of the month.
* We will have a booth at the Art and Craft Show on November 14 & 15. Please consider bringing unframed but matted photos to sell. Cards also sell well. Set-up will occur at 7 pm on November 13th. Please bring photos to display. SPECIAL NOTE: If you display or sell your photos at the Show you will be expected to volunteer 2 hours to attend the booth. A sign-up sheet will follow so you may make your time commitment via email.
* Our colleague, Don Walker, will present a useful Photography 101 program at the October 14 meeting. We will also have refreshments at that meeting.
GROUP BRAINSTORM:
program suggestions:
Archiving old photos How-to demonstration
Photos showing movement Wild life photography
Free programs available for download Photo journalism
Night photography
Filters and other attachments Workshops
Field trip suggestions :
Night photography
Architectural photos (corbels, doors etc)
Ruby AZ
Agua Caliente
The program committee will develop and circulate a program/field trip schedule for the coming year which starts in October.
FOR SALE:
1. Don Walker has a 2 gig computer, cleaned and ready to go $225
2. Lee Stevens has a carefully used EPSON 1800 printer $100 complete with manual, all accessories, extra ink and installed on your computer
SUNFLOWER PHOTO CLUB
CASUAL
AUGUST 12, 2008
10:00 AM VILLAGE CENTER
MEETING RECORD
Pat Keegstra presiding
Attending this summer event: Al Marshall, Lee Stephens, Bob Snelson, Don Walker, Gloria Mix, Jo Baker and of course Pat The Presider.
Discussion Items:
1. The value of neutral density filters:
This filter is especially useful in situations where the sky “turns” white when the camera is focused on a more “macro” object. The general impression was that it is OK if you wish to spend the money but there are ways to manipulate any “fading sky” difficulties within Photo Shop or other computer programs.
2. How best to back-up and protect photographs:
Flash drives: This is a good way to transport photos but probably not ideal for long term storage though some photographers use it. Flash drives now have increased gigabyte capacity. Reasonably inexpensive.
Disks: A good method. Don Walker uses this method because of his concern that any hard drive can crash. Efficient and less expensive..
External Hard Drive: A good method. Most expensive method currently available.
Network storage services: Not ideal and perhaps risky.
3, Photo Club Library: The group feels that we should begin to develop a library of photography books. Some members have books that are perfect for beginning photographers as well as more advanced books they would be happy to contribute to a Photo Library. The club currently has one book in circulation: THE ARIZONA HIGHWAYS PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE. Temporary librarian is the club secretary. Please notify her if you wish to peruse this book. There currently is a waiting list.
4. Matting photographs: This process requires equipment and cannot be done satisfactorily without proper equipment. The people at Aarons are helpful & very good at selecting appropriate mats. Michaels: not so much. Common sized mats are available at various locations but normally only is white or cream colors.
5. Glass: Non glare glass actually distorts a photograph and reduces the intensity of color. Regular window glass can be purchased and cut at Ace Hardware. Normally a person pays for only the size needed however, in some cases must pay for scrap glass, created by the cut, which Ace cannot use in the future.
6. Lee Stephens has a printer for sale. Details will be sent to you in a separate document.
SUNFLOWER PHOTO CLUB
MAY 13, 2008
10:00 AM VILLAGE CENTER
MEETING RECORD
Pat Keegstra presiding
Refreshments were provided
Treasurers Report: Al Marshall
Expenses since last report: $17.57 to Jo Baker for Photo Display
Reception
Current Balance $144.04
Al explained that the current bank we’re using has not performed to our
expectations and Al will place our money in another bank to be announced
at the next regular meeting.
Coming events: Pat Keegstra
JUNE:
We have committed to the Artist’s Wall for the month of June as well as this month of May.
Please participate and select a photo or two to hang.
SUMMER:
Informal meetings will be held each month, same time, same location.
OCTOBER:
We again will have the Artist’s Wall. Please participate: It will be prior to our
October meeting! A reminder will be sent.
Regular meeting: October 14 - Don Walker will present “Back to Basics.”
NOVEMBER:
Arts and crafts show November 14 and 15. We will need people to attend the
booth on both days.
Field trip: Chuck Lanska
We will meet on May 14, 7:30 AM to photograph saguaro cactus in our
neighborhood. Chuck also has prepared a satisfaction survey which will be sent by e-mail.
PROGRAM: Ethan Myerson, president of the Tucson club
Ethan presented an interesting and instructive perspective on photo composition. Those
present participated in the discussion.
PHOTO CLUB
Record of
April 8, 2008
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
President Helen Viera welcomed everyone, including any visitors and new members.
Lee Stephens talked about a security issue on our website. Photographs can be downloaded from our website and copied. This is because this is a free website. Members who wish to have their photos removed should contact Lee Stephens.
Lee also mentioned a new Adobe program called “Adobe Express” which is a very limited, free, photo editing program similar to Picasa.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Al Marshall gave his Treasurer’s report. We currently have $176.61 in the treasury. There are 35 members.
DISCUSSION & COMMENTS
Helen reminded all members that we will have our photos on the Artists Wall in May. We will meet May 1 at 9 a.m. to hang our photos. Everyone is encouraged to bring at least one framed photo to be hung. This wall should ideally include photos from everyone. Don and Helen offered to help with printing if anyone needs a photo printed to hang.
Also May 1 at 6 p.m. we will host a reception “meet the artists” with cookies and punch. Please come if you can. We would like to have a good representation from the Photo Club.
Pat Keegstra announced that April Field trips will be to the Desert Museum and the Sanctuary.
Chuck Lanska announced that the President of the Tucson Photo Club will be our guest to present a program on composition. He will also show a beautiful slide show.
This May meeting will be the last formal meeting until October. However, members meet informally during the summer at the same time in the same room. Please drop by for an informal discussion and bring any questions you might have about your camera, or photography in general.
PROGRAM
Russ Keegstra presented an interesting program on the use of tripods. He brought and set up several models for the members to see. Tripods are very necessary when photographing longer exposures and are a good idea at all times. Russ passed around several interesting photos he had taken, many of water “slowed down”. This king of an exposure, of 2 or more seconds, is only possible with a tripod.
Russ also answered general questions from members.
PHOTO CLUB
Record of
March 11, 2008
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
President Helen Viera welcomed everyone, including any visitors and new members.
She announced Board approval of Charter Club status for our club.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Member Dixie Whipple asked for people to photograph the Garden Walk April 5, 2008 which will operate from 1pm to 4pm.
We’ve also had a request to photograph the Mystery Dinner(s).
Several members stepped up to these challenge.
Remember to send photos to Lee Stephens or Helen for adding to our web site: www.sunphoto.s5.com
TREASURER’S REPORT
We have operated on a cash basis in the past but there will be a change due to our status as a Charter Club. The Treasurer will open a bank account and all expenses will be paid by check.
February expenses: $153.00 to Chuck Lanska for the cost of the display table @ the Craft Club November 2007 show.
February receipts: $20 from new members.
Balance $146.61 (Details can be obtained from the treasurer)
Membership dues are payable and have increased to $5.00/year
The treasurer again circulated a roster to record paid dues & to be signed with email address and phone number
DISCUSSION & COMMENTS
A) The Photo Club ceases formal meetings following the May meeting and will start again in October . There will be informal gatherings at the usual time and in the usual location.
B) Lee Stephens continues to be our Webmaster and welcomes more photos to place in our albums.
C) Our meeting time remains at 10:00 am.
D) Please remember that during May we will have a display on the Artists wall at the Center.
This event is for all members and Helen urged each of us to contribute a framed photo.
PROGRAM
John Nemeth presented an interesting program on portrait photography and lighting options. He advised us that shadows are less of a problem on cloudy days but the photos can be just as impressive, or have greater depth of field as on a sunny day if you are working outside.
Use a flash outside and it will have positive impact up to 20 feet from subject.
In posing a subject create the illusion of action not stiffness.
Don Walker gave us some useful tips on photographing flowers.
Bob Snelson shared some of his recent photo experiences and brought some examples.
FIELD TRIP
Friday March 14, 2008 at Tohono Chul. Cost is $4.50 per person. We will pay Al and he will conduct our business with the park.
NEXT MEETINGS
APRIL 8, 2008
Program: Russ Keegstra will discuss and demonstrate the use of tripods and answer questions from members
MAY MEETING
(last meeting until fall)
Program: The President of the Tucson Photo Club will discuss composition
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
February 12, 2008
The meeting was called to order by President Helen Viera
A discussion of becoming a charter club was held. The club voted to become a charter club.
There was discussion about changing the meeting time. The club voted to keep the 10:00 AM time.
We have a new website—Sunphoto.s5.com. Lee Stephens has set this up. This is a free site, and members are encouraged to send photos to either Lee or Helen Viera, in JPEG format with a file size of 50 MB or 4” by 6” at a resolution of 100dpi. Lee will be webmaster, with Helen and Nancy Peek assisting.
Treasurer Al Marshall gave the treasurer’s report, telling us that we have a balance of $126.61, and that some dues were still being paid.
Chuck Lanska gave a brief report on the club’s trip to Bosque del Apache, saying that we had a good time, it was cold, and we got some good pictures.
Pat Keegstra announced that there would be a field trip to Sentinel Peak on February 20 to takes pictures of the full moon and the city lights coming on. We will leave at 4:45 from the Community Center.
Our major presentation was by Al Marshall, who spoke on the process of using Picasa, which is a free download from Google. He talked about the process of importing the pictures and editing the pictures. There was a discussion of how to save the pictures. Then he talked about storing them on the web, and about how to have them printed by an outside source.
Nancy Peek announced that our program for March would be member John Nemeth, discussing studio lighting and set-up.
The March field trip would be to Picacho Peak to photograph wildflowers.
Submitted by Pat Keegstra, Vice-President
PHOTO CLUB
Record of
January 8, 2008
WELCOME &INTRODUCTIONS
President Helen Viera introduced the officers for 2008:
President Helen Viera
Vice-President Pat Keegstra
Secretary Jo Baker
Treasurer Al Marshall
Progream Pat Keegstra, Chuck Lanska & Nancy Peek
GUEST
June Dudas reminded us about the approaching Senior Olympics and requested assistance with photography.
The President asked for a volunteer to coordinate. None offered so she will handle the coordination.
Several offered to photograph specific events.
TREASURERS REPORT
We operate on a cash bases.
January expenses: $39.88
Balance $269.61
Membership dues are payable today and have increased to $5.00/year
The treasurer circulated a roster to record paid dues & to be signed with email address and phone number
DISCUSSION
A) Increase in dues is a response to the Craft Club request.
Don Walker will research:
Functioning under the auspices of the Computer Club
Petitioning the Board to become a Charter Club
B) Lee Stephens will research the possibility of connecting our web site to the Sunflower site. Mark Karwoski’s wife will assist.
C) Our meeting time is currently 10:00 am. After discussion about changing the time it was
Tabled until next month.
PROGRAM
Chuck Lanska shared photos of birds. Some taken with a point and shoot and some with more sophisticated equipment.
Software to crop photos is very helpful to creating final photo
Get mentally prepared – calculate angle of sun, time of day etc.
Exert patience
Focus on the animal’s eye/s
Remember rule of “thirds”
NEXT MEETING
FEBRUARY 12
10 AM
PROGRAM
MARK AND AL WILL DISCUSS AND DEMONSTRATE “PICASSA”
(a highly useful software program available for download)
March program: John Nemeth – lighting and portraits