July 2023

From the President... 

Summer is usually a slow time for those of us who are here year-round. Highway traffic is much less, restaurants are easy to get into and stores aren't so crowded. However, it does not mean everything comes to a standstill and such is the case with the Club's redesign project. There is progress to report.

The construction of the classroom wall, HVAC system and electrical work is well under way and continues. This project has taken much longer to complete than expected and is impacting previously scheduled activities. What we anticipated to be a three or four month project has become a year long odyssey. I appreciate your patience and understanding and am hopeful completion will take place this month.

Sadly, we lost a valued member in May, Bob Martin. He served for over 15 years as a teacher to those who wanted to mat and frame their photos. He loved to tell us he was the “Mat Man.” To honor his years of service to the club, the Board of Directors has named the Mat Room in his honor. It is now the Bob Martin Mat Room.

From time to time, we are asked by members if there is someone who can help them with their specific camera, software, or equipment. We recently sent an email to all our members asking for volunteers to help others, and what specifically they are willing to help with. We received fifteen responses. The names and contact information for the Volunteer Helpers are now on our website. You must be a member to view the list. Log into the website, hover over the three horizontal lines at the right end of the menu bar and click on Volunteer Helpers. Scroll down to see the full list. The list is also posted on the bulletin board at the Club.

I will continue my review of the history of photography from Thomas Ang's book Photography, The Definitive Visual History in next month’s newsletter.

In the meantime, stay cool this month.

Danny Valenzuela, President

Looking for Vacation Photos

I know summer is a time for relaxing, laying back, vacations and those sorts of things. But while laying back or on vacation, you can help me and the Club demonstrate the degree of photographic expertise that you have, promote the benefits your Club has to offer and have fun along the way by doing what you do well, taking photos and then sending them to me for posting on the Club’s Facebook page.

Our members have lots of photographic talent. Let’s show it off. Have fun with your camera this summer and send me your vacation photos.

Sue Ready, Facebook Coordinator

Member Photo Exhibits Ongoing

Exhibited work at the West Center and Canoa Hills will remain on the walls through summer and into fall. If you want your work back before then please contact Kirk Hively, Exhibits Coordinator.

Photo of the Month

The July Photo of the Month is by Dave Erickson, taken on the Yavapai Trail South of Sedona, along Hwy 179.

"This shot was taken with my Canon 5D Mark IV camera with a Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens. I shot this at ISO 800, 22mm, f-11, 1/320 sec., exposure compensation -1, auto focus, hand-held while sitting on a ledge with the camera pointing slightly downward."

Congratulations, Dave.

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

Library News

Summer is a time to relax and catch up on those things that we just haven't had time to do. A perfect time to stop by the Club and peruse the recently completed changes and update of our photography library. Old outdated  books and magazines are gone, new books have been added and the shelves have been raised making it much easier to look through the collection.

Check it out. It's a great resource for you to use and enjoy. 

Becky McCreary, Librarian

Summer is here, many members have retreated north and Camera Club activities have gone on hold. Even so, wherever you spend your summer, you can still satisfy your interest in becoming a better photographer by taking advantage of some on-line activity.

If you’re looking for a good basic photography class, there are several online on the Udemy website. They offer some excellent classes at $15.00 or so. One of my favorites is the one on basic Android and iPhone photography, which you can find here.

Creative Live has some excellent courses that use sound pedagogical techniques. They are more expensive than the Udemy classes, but have greater depth. At specific times you can watch the “Live” classes for free.

YouTube is another repository of photographic instruction. You may have to wade through multiple videos to find instructional gold, but it’s worth the effort. Just search on a photographic topic and start watching.

Don’t let your photographic educational interests lay dormant during the summer. Find alternative learning experiences online to stay involved and learn a new trick or two.

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. 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.

Travelogue

Closed for the Season

As many of you will be traveling this summer, I encourage all our members, especially those who haven't tried to make a Travelogue, to photograph your adventures. Creating a Travelogue video is fun and rewarding, not only to share with others, but to preserve your travel memories. Check out the Multimedia SIG's Software Resources on the Club's website for guidance on how to make a video. If you have questions please contact me at 970-596-1505 or email me here.

Paul McCreary, Travelogue Coordinator

Showtime

Closed for the Season

SHOWTIME is now on ‘snooze’ until December. It was a great SHOWTIME season. Thanks for your attendance and special thanks to those contributing programs for the events. Between now and December gives you plenty of time to gather some of your photos and videos, add some music, and turn it into a short program for others to enjoy.

Use Windows Photos or iMovie to assemble the photos and add music of your choice. Need help?? Try coming to the Multimedia Special Interest Group that meets regularly on Monday mornings. We'd love to meet you and show you how it's done.

Chuck Hill, Showtime Coordinator

Speaker Series

Closed for the Season

The Speaker Series is on summer hiatus but we're already contacting potential guest speakers for the 2023-2024 programs. It's lining up to be an exciting season! Hope to see you in October for our first presentation.

Deb Sanders, Speaker Series Coordinator

Field Trips

Field Trip activity continues in this summer season. We have a trip to the Linda McCartney Photography Exhibit on July 19th. If you haven't registered, do it quickly because there are only a couple of slots left. And a backstage tour at the Fabulous Fox Theatre is still in the works for August. We will keep you posted.

I also want to remind you that the Field Trip Committee meeting will be on July 5th at 10:00 a.m. Please join us if you have ideas of places to visit or would be willing to lead a field trip. The number and success of our field trips depends entirely on the number of people who step up to lead the trips!

You can always find the latest information and register for future field trips, as well as the Field Trip Committee meetings, here. And please contact me if you if you have questions or want to participate in our Field Trip activities.

Thank you for your support and have a wonderful summer! 

 Monica E. Parker, Field Trip Facilitator

Photo Opportunities

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

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

Tucson's Historic Downtown Food Tour

• Ongoing Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm - $70
• Mercado San Agustin - 100 S Avenida Del Convento, Tucson, AZ.
• Find more information here.

• Ongoing, Thursdays to Mondays, 9:45 am to 5:00 pm – Fees vary.
• 1580 W Duval Mine Road, Green Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo

• Ongoing, Saturdays in July, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Fees vary.
• Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here

Hummingbird Banding at the San Pedro House

• Jul 1, 8, 15, 22, 27; 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Free
• San Pedro House Visitor Center, 9800 East Highway 90, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Find more information here.

Sahuarita Stars & Stripes

• Jul 4, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Free
• Sahuarita Town Hall, 375 West Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita, AZ
• Find more information here.

• Jul 6, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Pay what you wish, reservation required.
• Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 North Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Mainly Murals Walking Tour

• Jul 8, 8:00 am to 10:00 am – $25, registration required.
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Turquoise Trail Walking Tour

• Jul 8, 7:00 am to 9:30 am – $25, registration required.
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Sunset Historical Tours at the Mescal Movie Set

• Jul 8 and 22, 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm – $15, Reservations required
• Mescal Movie Set, 1538 North Mescal Road, Benson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Night Wings

• Jul 8 and 29, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – $10
• Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

• Jul 9, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Pay what you wish, reservation required.
• Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 North Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Vigilante Sunday

• Jul 9 and 23, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm - Free
• 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here.

Kartchner Caverns State Park Photo Tour

• Jul 15, 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm - $125, Registration required
• Kartchner Caverns State Park, 9 miles South of Benson on Hwy 90.
• Find more information here.

Barrio Viejo Walking Tour

• Jul 15, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm – $25, registration required.
• El Tiradito Wishing Shrine, 418 South Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Public Art and Murals Walking Tour

• Jul 22, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – $25, registration required.
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 North Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

National Day of the Cowboy

• Jul 22, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm – Free
• Empire Ranch, East Empire Ranch Road, Sonoita, AZ
• Find more information here.

14th Annual Garlic Fest

• Jul 29 and 30, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – $5 donation per car
• Historic Triangle T Ranch, 4190 Dragoon Road, Dragoon, 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

Photoshop/Lightroom SIG

Field Trip 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

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 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