September 2022

From the President...

If you are not spending the summer season in Green Valley, believe me when I tell you that we have had an abundance of rainfall this monsoon season. And more will fall before it is over.

While some rainfall has caused minor flooding, hail damage, broken skylights, and leaking roofs, it is rainfall we surely need. But this additional rainfall has also created great photo opportunities. I do not remember Green Valley living up to its name like it has this year. The landscape is lush, and the rainy season has created extraordinary photo opportunities. We have had great rainbows, sunsets, and cloud formations to photograph.

Wildlife has also benefited. There seems to be more birds, rabbits, and toads. There was even a deer roaming in our neighborhood recently, grazing among the public area grasses that have become abundant. While the recent weather has not been hot, it has been very humid.

As we await the changing of the weather, we also equate this with being ready to address new opportunities and activities within the Camera Club. Just as we prepare for a changing season, we are preparing for changes within the camera club.

New photo classes are being planned, as well as traditional and new field trips. But the most notable change I am looking forward to is the report from the Design Review Committee. They have been working diligently the past few months addressing our space needs and use. Decisions made by GVR seem to be limiting the meeting spaces available to clubs and we must stay ahead of the curve so that we can continue to provide additional activities for you.

The Design Review Committee will report to the Board at the September board meeting on the space design changes they are recommending. Once we have Board discussion and approval, we will meet with GVR to discuss how best to proceed to implement any approved changes to our internal space design. From what I have seen so far it looks like we will have more flexibility to provide resources and meeting space for our immediate and future needs. Flexibility has become a key theme that the committee has addressed.

There are other changes besides space planning that are being considered and discussed, and the Board will present those to you once they have been thoroughly vetted.

As always, we appreciate those who have given of their time and expertise, and I thank you for your continued support.

Stay well, stay safe, and if you are in Green Valley, stay dry.

Danny Valenzuela, President

Scavenger Hunt is back!

The Scavenger Hunt will resume after a long absence due to you know what.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Scavenger Hunt, you can submit up to five photos that depict the theme. I then put them into a slideshow which is shown at Chuck Hill's Showtime.  You can send them to me at lsgregaz@gmail.com (that's a small L).  Please label your email “Scavenger Hunt”.

The theme is Red.  The focus of your photo should be something red.  The final due date is November 15. I look forward to seeing entries from our many new members as well as those who remember what the Scavenger Hunt is all about. Let’s Get Clicking.

Linda Gregory, Scavenger Hunt Coordinator

Request for Photos to Exhibit

Many members will be returning from their summer away and we would like to invite you and all the year-round members to share your photos for exhibiting at East Center in November and December, as well as on the board at West Center. We also would like our members to display their works at the Camera Club.  If you are interested in sharing your art at any of these venues, please contact Sue Ready or contact Julie Howard to participate. You may also phone Sue at 612-240-2818 or Julie at 402-202-4423.

The photos submitted for display at East Center and West Center should be submitted by October 24 to the monitors at the Camera Club.  These photos will be hung November 1.  Submissions for Camera Club display are accepted any time after September 1.   

Here are some guidelines and policies you will need to get started:

1. Each artist must complete an Exhibition Center Registration Form (at the Club)

2. All photos must have the following information on the back of the art:

• Name of the Artist
• Title of the Piece
• Date Submitted
• Price (if for sale) and Email and/or phone number

3. Photos should be presented to the on-duty monitor at the Club and that monitor will place the photo and information in bubble wrap and place it on the shelves in the storage room.

4. Exhibit Committee will create labels and maintain a logbook of photos offered for display.

5. Exhibit Committee will place photos at the Community Centers and retrieve them when the display is done.

6. Photo owners will be contacted when photos are retrieved from the Centers so the owners can make plans to pick them up from the Club.

The complete list of policies will be posted on the bulletin board at the Camera Club along with the display criteria.  If you have any questions, Sue or Julie will be glad to answer them or get the answer for you.  We look forward to hearing from all our talented members.

Thanks.

Sue Ready & Julie Howard, Exhibit Coordinators

Photoshop Elements SIG Back at the Club

The Photoshop Elements SIG will resume on Thursday, September 8 from 9:30-11:00 am both in the club and on Zoom.  We'll be meeting in the Ansel Adams room.  I hope to see you regulars there, and I welcome those who have requested that the SIG be held live in the club.

For those of you new to this SIG, I work on photos that you would like improved.  Bring a photo you would want me to work on, or you can send them to me at lsgregaz@gmail.com (that's a small L).  Please label your email "SIG."

Linda Gregory, Photoshop Elements SIG Moderator

Photo of the Month

The September Photo of the Month is by former member Nancy Moss, taken in Rocky Mountain National Park. I can feel the cool breeze just looking at it.

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.

Library Temporally Closed

The Camera Club Library is temporarily closed for checking out books. I am in the process of weeding out some of the older editions, books in poor condition, and those which have not been checked out for years. Fewer books on the shelves will make it easier for members to browse. Books that are currently checked out may be returned and put on the top of the refrigerator.

If you have books to donate, please keep in mind that if they are not books that we can use, they will be donated to Friends of the Pima County Library.

Please contact me if you have questions.

Thank you,

Becky McCreary, Librarian

Are you getting ready to return to Arizona? Are you in Arizona eagerly waiting for new activities to begin at the GVR Camera Club? You Education Team is getting ready for the full return to Club activities. The Club is going to need some help in a couple of areas.

First, we need to know the educational needs of Club members. We will be sending an educational survey out to members in a few weeks. We would appreciate you filling the survey out as soon as possible after you receive it.

Secondly, we need some help with setting up winter classes. The Club will have some quality instructional videos available from Creative Live, Udemy, and Domestika. But due to copyright restrictions we can’t use those online. We need our own AV Squad, people who can come in to the Club, setup a TV, and show videos. There will be a form to volunteer for this on the upcoming survey, please consider volunteering, you’ll get free training.

Stay tuned and get involved.

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 here for the latest information on all club activities.

Travelogue

Getting Ready for Next Season

With Travelogue starting in November, please let me know if you have one to share. Try to keep them under 20 minutes so that we can show 3 to 4 on Travelogue nights, giving more people a chance.

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.

If you have questions, please contact Paul McCreary at 970-596-1505 or email me here. 

Thank you,

Paul McCreary, Travelogue Coordinator

Showtime

Closed for the Season

Thanks for your participation in and viewing of this season's Showtime presentations. You can expect another great Showtime season starting in December. In the meantime think about putting a show together yourself for all to see next season.

Chuck Hill, Showtime Coordinator

Speaker Series

Volunteer Host Needed

I am looking forward to returning to in-person Speaker Series meetings starting again this fall. But as I will not be in Green Valley for several months, I will be remotely hosting the in-person meetings via Zoom. We will need an in-person host to coordinate with me and run the hybrid equipment at the meeting. This is YOU if you're technically adept and would like to meet our interesting speakers and serve the Club in this fashion.

Please contact me if you have interest in being a Speaker Series remote host and I can answer any questions you may have.

Enjoy the present.

Holly Chorba, Speaker Series Coordinator

Scheduling Next Season's Trips

We have received news that Michele Hamel, one of our Field Trip Coordinators, will be leaving the Green Valley area. We wish her all the best and safe travels in the future!

We are making great strides in setting up and finalizing our 2022-23 field trips. Thanks to Patty Ferguson and Linda Gregory, we have a fantastic birding season scheduled. Watch for the E-Blast in mid to late September.

Now it's time to work on other types of field trips, and we’re looking for your help to propose, arrange and/or guide additional field trips.  You don’t have to be a member of the Field Trip SIG to help plan or guide a field trip – you just need to be a member of the Camera Club.

As an Arranger, you would propose and build the field trip, decide the date (in coordination with the Field Trip SIG), determine the mode of transportation (convoy/carpool or bus), cost, registrant fee and number of registrants allowed, and complete arrangements with the people at the destination to ensure a successful trip. As a Guide, you’d meet registrants at the Camera Club and accompany them on the field trip.  Often, the Arranger and Guide are the same person for a particular field trip.

Whew, sounds like a lot!  Fortunately, the following locations have been visited in the past and information for these venues are on file. They just need to be updated with current information.  We have had several club members already volunteer to arrange field trips to several sites (their names are listed in parentheses), but the rest are available. I would also suggest that you take a look at the upcoming attractions in the Photo Opportunities newsletter article for additional ideas. Trips can always be added to the schedule, time permitting.

• Paul Bond Boot Factory
• San Xavier Mission tour
• HF Coors (Jane Forester)
• Degrazia Gallery and Museum (Jane Forester)
• Tohono Chul festivals (Patty Ferguson)
• Tucson Botanical Gardens (Linda Gregory/Patty Ferguson)
• Gammon's Gulch (Danny Valenzuela)
• White Stallion Ranch
• Locomotive Saturdays @ Southern Arizona Transportation Museum
• Tumacacori Dia de Los Muertes (All Souls Day)
• Presidio San Agustin de Tucson/ Mission Gardens
• Streetcar/Art Tour
• Pontoon Boat ride on Patagonia Lake
• St. Anthony’s Greek Monastery (do in Jan/Feb)
• Odysea Aquarium, Scottsdale
• Rancho de la Osa
• Wild Wild West Steam Punk Convention
• Hotel Congress/Transportation Museum
• The Neon Attraction in Tucson (Patty Ferguson)
• Equine Voices (Patty Ferguson)
• Pow Wow at San Xavier Mission (Jane Forester)
• Tucson Windows and Doors
• U of A College Rodeo
• Bisbee by Bus (closed on Tuesdays)
• Celtics Festival & Highland Games
• Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch
• Mescal Movie Set (Danny Valenzuela)
• Buffalo Soldiers Museum at Fort Huachuca
• Ruby Ghost Town (West of Rio Rico)

Please contact me if you’d be interested in arranging trips to any of the above locations, or if you have other photo opportunities in mind. I’ll be happy to step you through the process of arranging and guiding a field trip.

We welcome all members who wish to help plan, lead, or participate in one or more of our many planned trips. Your help in reaching this goal will be greatly appreciated!

 I’m looking forward to a fantastic field trip season!

 Monica E. Parker, Field Trip Facilitator

Photo Opportunities

First Thursdays at the Tucson Museum of Art

• Sept 1, 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.

Tucson Comic-Con

• Sep 2 to 4, hours and fees vary
• Tucson Convention Center, 260 South Church Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

Hummingbird Banding at the San Pedro House

• Ongoing, Saturdays, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Free
• San Pedro House Visitor Center, 9800 East Highway 90, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Find more information here and here.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch

• Ongoing, Saturdays, 8:30 am to 10:00 am - $5.00, Registration required
• Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 South I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Friends of the San Pedro River Bird Walk

• Ongoing, Sundays, 7:00 am to 10:00 am – Free, maximum 15 participants
• Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Find more information here.

Mainly Murals Walking Tour

• Sept 3, 8:00 am to 10:00 am – $25, Registration required
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here and here.

Showdown in Tombstone 2022

• Sept 3 & 4, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Free
• 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here.

Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo

• Sept 3 to 5, Gates open at 10:00 am - $17
• Sonoita Fairgrounds, 3142 South Highway 83, Sonoita, AZ
• Find more information here.

Second Saturdays at Steam Pump Ranch

• Sept 10, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm – Free
• 10901 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, AZ
• Find more information here.

Turquoise Trail Guided Walking Tour

• Sept 10, 8:00 am to 10:30 am – $25, Registration required
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here and here.

Second Sundaze: Family Day at TMA!

• Sept 11, 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.

Oktoberfest

• Sept 16 &17, Fri 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am to 11:00 pm - Free
• Veterans Memorial Park, 3105 East Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Find more information here.

Santa Cruz County Fair

• Sept 16 to 18, Gates open at 9:00 am - $5
• 3142 South Highway 83 Sonoita, AZ
• Find more information here.

Heirloom Farmers Markets - 20th Annual Roasted Chile Festival

• Sept 16 to 18, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm - Free
• Different Farmers Market each day - See schedule on-line.
• Find more information here.

Mexican Independence Day

• Sept 17, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm – $10
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Barrio Viejo (Old Neighborhood) Walking Tour

• Sept 17, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm – $25, Registration required
• El Tiradito Wishing Shrine, 418 South Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here. and here.

Public Art & Murals Walking Tour

• Sept 24, 8:00 am to 10:00 am – $25, Registration required
• Presidio San Agustin Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here and here.

Rex Allen Days

• Sep 29 to Oct 2, Hours, events, and fees vary
• Multiple venues and numerous events in Willcox, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southern Arizona Home Builders Association - Fall Home & Garden Show

• Sep 30 to Oct 2, Fri and Sun 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 pm - $8
• Tucson Convention Center, 260 South Church 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 informative. Any member of the Camera Club is welcome to attend any of the SIGs. Most all are meeting only via Zoom.

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

Hit Me with Your Best Shot 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.

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