Focal Points Magazine September 2020 issue by John Nilsson

Focal Points Sierra Club Camera Committee Magazine Septermber 2020

Focal Points Magazine

Contents

Due to current directives from The Sierra Club, we will be holding our October 8, 2020 meeting on-line. I will be contacting everyone when the time comes with instructions as to how to access via Zoom.

4. Cover Story 14. Meetings and Outings 16. Member Photos 110. Black and White Pages 122. Contributor's Bio's 134 . Notes and Announcements

Focal Points Magazine

144. Photo of the Month

Published monthly by the Angeles Chapter Sierra Club Camera Committee, John Nilsson, Editor.

145. Parting Shot

Questions and comments can be directed to John at 213-266-2224

Cover Photo Credit:

Notes from the Chairman Nice going Camera Committee Members! Focal Points Magazine is growing - this is the largest issue we’ve ever published - and it’s full of enviable photography. Our monthly circulation has also quadrupled with the advent of our new magazine format and our efforts to increase our mailing list to the many chapters and groups in the Angeles Chapter community. Our goal with all of this is to stimulate the production of photographs, videos and stories that advance the Sierra Club’s cause of Conservation, Renewable Energy, Outdoor Education and Enjoyment, Presevation of Natural Resources (to name only a few) and to promote inclusiveness and respect for all people. I believe that every time you submit a photo, story, or video for inclusion in Focal Points Magazine you are contributing immeasurably to these causes.

While Focal Points can be viewed by anyone and everyone without charge, if you would like to contribute your work for monthly publication, you must be a Member of the Angeles Chapter Camera Committee. Membership is easily arranged. Just contact our Membership Chairman,

Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time.

Wesley Peck - 562-420 -8543 wesdpeck@gmail.com 3615 Gondar Ave. Long Beach, CA 90808-2814 Membership is only $15.00 per Year! We hope to see many new contributors to Focal Points Magazine.

“Focal Points is only as good as it’s contributors!” 3

Cover Story

South Georgia Island photos and story by Pill and Becky Witt

For my 60th birthday, my wife, Becky, and I traveled by ship to

Antarctica. Although many Antarctic trips cross the Drake Passage from the southern tip of South America directly to the Antarctic Peninsula, we chose a longer itinerary, stopping first at the Falkland Islands and then at South Georgia Island before heading south to the Antarctic Peninsula. Although Antarctica is, by far, the most famous destination in the south polar region, S. Georgia island is spectacular—mountainous, glaciated, and full of wildlife. S. Georgia Island lies at roughly the same latitude south as the Falkland Islands. However, the climate on S. Georgia Island is far more frigid than on the Falklands. The Antarctic Convergence is a circular border around the Antarctic continent between the perpetually cold water flowing north from Antarctica and the warmer south flowing waters— perhaps warmer by a few degrees centigrade—of the subantarctic. The

Falklands lie to the north of the Antarctic Convergence, in the slightly warmer waters, whereas S. Georgia Island lies to the south of the convergence, in the colder Antarctic waters. Hence, the climate on S. Georgia Island is snowy, with abundant glaciers. Although geographically isolated, roughly 950 miles east of the Falklands, S. Georgia Island has had its share of environmental challenges. Originally a whaling and sealing center, reindeer were imported for food and sport hunting. The reindeer were completely culled in 2013, because they were destroying the native vegetation. Moreover, rats had been accidentally introduced by visiting ships. In 2018, the result of a multiyear extermination effort was finally successful in eradicating them. Our trip to S. Georgia Island across the open Southern Ocean from the Falkland Island was a rough one, even on clear days. The Southern Ocean is considered the windiest, stormiest sea in the world, and the 5

waves on our crossing easily reached 20 feet, crashing over the deck of our 150-passenger ship. Seasickness was a problem for many on this 21-day cruise, given the rough seas; I lost 7 pounds from seasickness on the trip, the result of what I call the South Polar Sea Diet. Nonetheless, the wildlife, even on the open ocean, was wonderful. When the seas were not too rough, I stood on the stern of the ship, photographing the pelagic birds that followed the ship, such as this soaring Black-browed Albatross. Our first sighting of the mountains and glaciers of the rugged coast of S. Georgia Island was exciting, given all we had heard from the staff naturalists about the diverse wildlife on the island. Wandering Albatrosses, with the largest wingspan of any bird (12 feet), come to S. Georgia Island to nest. Their range is circumpolar, and in fact an individual bird can navigate the entire Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. We visited a Wandering Albatross nesting colony on S. Georgia Island, watching a variety of courtship behaviors, such as this bill clicking pair.

The beaches in February when we were there were full of molting Southern Elephant Seals, having recovered from being hunted almost to extinction in the 19th century. 7

S. Georgia Island is home to nesting King Penguins. Second only to the Emperor Penguin in size, these beautiful birds allowed us to approach within a few feet, as did much of the wildlife on the island. Here my wife is photographing Gentoo Penguins, with King Penguins in the background.

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We were fortunate to see the King Penguins tending eggs and to observe the chicks.

The highlight of any trip to S. Ge colony at St. Andrews Bay, and we the hike to the rookery. 10

eorgia Island is the vast King Penguin were fortunate to get good weather for 11

Meetings and Outings

The Sierra Club National Chapter has ruled that due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, all in-person Sierra Club meetings and activites are cancelled until March 1, 2021. For this reason, we have not scheduled Outtings or Activities for the balance of the Summer months. Hopefully the fall will bring us all a better situation! The next meeting of the Angeles Chapter Sierra Club Camera Committee will be held via ZOOM on October 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM. The program presenter is currently in work and will be announced at a later date. Stay safe: Keep your distance, Wash your hands and Wear a Mask! The Zoom platform has recently been upgraded to provide high security and ease of operation. Be certain to download or upgrade to the latest vesion before the presentation! 12

This Month's Member Photos

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This Month's Member Photos

John Fisanotti

MAY 2015

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Slab City And now, a little distraction.....

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In early February of 2016 I attended a workshop with Bobbi Lane and David Nightingale in Venice, Italy. For a week we photographed people during the Carnivale celebration. The city goes wild and people spend thousands of dollars making their costumes and traveling to Venice to party and just be photographed by the many photographers lined up to take their pictures. The serious ones carry business cards and if you look and act like a pro they will pose and let you take as many shots as you desire. All they ask in return is that you send them an image after you get home.

The image taking generally starts a half hour before sunrise and within a few minutes San Marco Plaza starts filling with costumes and photographers. Bobbi specializes in portraiture and the use of flash and a lot of time is spent with a partner who holds the flash off camera as you compose and shoot the subject. The props are the 25

iconic buildings, cathedrals, gondolas and waterways of Venice. Generall and the light goes bad. The models and photographers melt away and the

As a side note, the week with Bobbi also includes a day trip by boat to Bu relaxed life style. Another half day is spent at a private glass blowing fac the kilns you can roam the floor and shoot the artisans making their beau for another time.â&#x20AC;? 26

ly by 9am or so the models get tired, the sun climbs higher in the sky e general tourists take over the plazas.

urano, a wonderful little island with pastel colored buildings and a ctory in Murano. So long as you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get in their way or too close to utiful glassware. Those two trips in themselves can make a picture story 29

Velda Ruddock

Flowers in a

In Aug and I di trip. W along a so I coul studio w were ca Althou Flowers of Quara seems l should en of the lig being o

Wild Thistle 30

time of Quarantine

gust Joe id a road We took light tent ld have a while we amping. ugh still in a Time antine, it like they njoy more ght of just outside.

Wild Lupine

Wild Rose

Pink Wild

Mountain Wildflower

Wild Sweet Pea

Wild Dandilions

Saul Miller ÂŠ 2020, Saul Miller, All Righs Reserved

These photos were taken at the Keukenhof Gar

garden. The garden has a floral display of 7 millio

Many growers display their latest hybrids at the ga

deep to ensure that there is a spectacular display f

visitors per day at the peak of the flowering season

rdens near Lisse, Netherlands on April 16, 2019. This date was the ideal time to view the

on flower bulbs. Not all of them are tulips but tulips do play a starring role in the floral design.

arden and many are for sale in the gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gift shops. The bulbs are planted several layers

from march to May. The garden had the feel of Disneyland because the garden gets 50,000

ÂŠ 2020 Saul Miller,

JW Doherty

Just Connect

These are all f

from our recent 11 day trip into the Sierras

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Complicated

Tule Fog, Truckee

Truckee River Sun

Truckee River Sunset

nset

Sheltered in the Stream

Sl We A

lowly earing Away

Morning in the Meadow 47

The Sun 48

Shine 49

Allen Der

NEOWISE comet over Cro 37°36’27.502» N 118°43’8.5 zoom lens. The foregrou It was used by EarthSky

owley Lake taken over the east shore near the volcanic tuff columns 535â&#x20AC;? W. A composite to two images. Fujifilm X-T4 with XF16-55 f:28 und was 1/4 sec @f:5.6 with ISO 160 and the sky for 15 sec, ISO 4000. y.org and the Weather Channel.

Wild Mustangs at Dobie M

Fujifilm X-Pro2, 16-55mm at 1

Meadows, Mono County.

16mm, ISO 200, 1/120 sec at f:8

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Pronghorn, doe and fawn, are the fastest mam minutes northeas

Taken with Fujifilm X-T4, 20

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mmal in the northern hemisphere. Taken a few st from my cabin.

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00mm, 1/340 at f:5,6 ISO 160

Thomas Loucke

Williams Fork forest fire, north-central Colorado The Williams Fork forest fire was first observed on August 14th and, located in a canyon where it is too dangerous to send fire crews, the fire is burning freely. The William Fork is a tributary to the Colorado River which flows northward from its headwaters located NE of Dillon and NW of Fraser, Colorado. Saturday night, August 15th, the fire had caused dramatic cumulus clouds which were dramatically illuminated at sunset. Tenderfoot Mountain, located immediately east of Dillon, forms the silhouetted peak.

Joyce Harlan

This one has tiny little bug bits in the center of each flower!

I have decamped to my cabin Gorgeous & safe, easy to socia Huntington has gifts at my fe

at Huntington Lake for the duration, maybe until it snows?!? al distance, even had the pleasure of a visit with Joe & Velda! eet and in the sky - here is a sampling of both.

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NEOWISE Comet

Ed Ogawa

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Glendale from Griffith Park

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Relaxing on Winston Ridge

MAY 2015

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Culver Point 65

Dead Yucca Leaves

Textures in nat as gray scale imag

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ture have always fascinated me. I find that portraying them ges make the viewer concentrate on the subtle features.

Feldspar Outcrop

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Pine Stump

MAY 2015

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Winston Ridge Burl

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Yucca F 70

Fibers

LARRY MILLER

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Rocky shoreline at Ocean Trails Reserve, Rancho Palos Verdes 72

MAY 2015

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Rose of Sharon flower at Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes

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Rocks chemically stained by volcanism in Abalone Cove Reserve, Rancho Palos Verdes

MAY 2015

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Rocky shoreline at Little Corona Del Mar Beach

John Clement

My pilot and national award winning

aerial photographer and friend David Wyatt and I have been talking about flying together for years but never have until the past 2 weeks when we decided on a project of the Palouse harvest from the air. Unfortunatly none of the farmers cooperated. We like the calmer air of morning flying. In 500+ miles of flying the Palouse region we only saw one harvester operating and he was on the last pass of the field. We will do an evening flight later this week to see if we can find a series of harvesters working together. All the images were taken in August of this year. The late wet spring and spring planting provided plenty of soil moisture and greens abound late into summer season. All images captured with my Olympus OMD EM1-II and 12-40mm F2.8, ISO 200. The Palouse from the air is a stunning array of colors, patterns, texture and designs that are a feast for the eyes. Early morning or late evening or on partly cloudy days when light dappels the landscape to create a palette of quilt patterns, and abstract art 76

Above t

the Palouse

Four Barn Farm and Road 79

with the plowing, strip farming, and color shadings that had us zig zagging, looping around for different angles on the same subject. The plane, a cessna 180, has custom window that is removable for clear windowless shooting. You do not want to put yor camera too far in the the 80100mph air stream zipping by the plane for fear of having it ripped out of your hands! David uses a camera harness attached to the camera so as not to have the wind snatch it. Many of my shots were taken thru the passenger window with acceptable results but when necessary I would shoot out the open window over David's back shoulders. These are just a few of my captures of this beautiful region. To see more you can visit my FB page. Enjoying His wonderful creations...

"Textures" along the western edge of the Palouse region are the channeled scablands cut durning the Ice Age Floods thousands of years ago. You can see more of these amazing landscape features at the Ice Age Flood Institues web page. Below you can see mima mounds at the head of the ancient waterfall escarpment and a loess island remanent below. The rich wind blown loess deposited in this region makes for fertile farm lands of the Palouse region.

"Golden Hills" with eyebrows of greens. The steep unplowed ridges they call eyebrows in the Palouse. Some are planted with pine trees for stablization and shelter for the deer and other critters in the region, others with native grasses and flowers.

"Drill Skip Art" When the seeder drill fails to plant the seeds. Planned or unplanned I'm not sure but created a nice piece of artwork soon to be gone in the standing wheat from the air. Note the deer trail coming from the lower right corner into the art piece. 83

"Straw Man" or a duck head or maybe even "Partick Star" from Spunge Bob series. The left over wheat stalks have become a second crop for many of the farmers in the region laid in lines then bailed and sold. The straw line patterns are endless in this region in the late summer.

"Grand Palouse View" The Palouse river meanders thru the region cut into solid basalt part of the great floods. Ancient granite remenant Steptoe Butte juts from the gentle rolling Palouse lands and provide photographers with grand views of the region.

"Six Pack" Like abs on a well toned body the p the Idaho border. This image n 84

palouse hills echo green and golds all the way to near Dusty Wa. looking south 87

Paul Reinstein

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard it said th Angeles. These are just season or what habitat I try to capture behavio i love to shoot birds in fl possible. So far, their co

Black Necked Stilt - Baloona Freshwater Marsh Common Yellowthoat

hat there are over 500 species of birds that live in, or pass through, Los a few of them. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve barely begun to spot them all, let alone know what to look for them in. All these birds are wild in Los Angeles, not baited. ors when i can, small passerine birds like sparrows and finches, and flight. My goal is always to capture as much excruciating detail as olors and variety continue to astound. Common Tern San Joaquin Marsh

Elegant Turn Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve 89

Common Grackle - Baloona Freshwater Marsh

Double Crested Cormorant Bolsa Chica Ecological Pres.

ÂŠ 2020 Paul Reinstein

Eared Grebe Baloona Freshwater Marsh

Elegant Turn - Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve 91

Elegant Turn - Bolsa Chica Ecologica Reserve

Elegant Turn - Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Gadwall - Baloona Freshwater Marsh

Great Blue Heron - Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve 92

Great Blue Heron El Dorado Park

Great Blue Heron Malibu Lagoon State Park

Comet NEOWISE over Mono Lake

Basil Katsaros SAND WASH BASIN MAYBELL, COLORADO The end of June found a friend and I at the wild horse management area called Sand Wash Basin. The area is home to one of the few remaining herds of freeroaming wild mustangs. Located in northeast Colorado near Craig, it is an open range of BLM land, ranches and oil fields. Vegetation is primarily desert sage brush with little water. With over 155,000 acres to roam, the herd of 300 is relatively easy to spot from gravel roads. There is actually an interior road system for wild horse watching. The secret is knowing where the watering holes are located. Wild horses live in groups called bands. The dominant stallion has the role of protecting the band from danger as well as increase the number of mares in his harem. The dominant mare is generally older and leads the group to grazing, water and general well-being. A satellite stallion will assist the dominant stallion in protecting the band. A dogging stallion will follow the band in hopes of stealing a mare from the band. A fight may follow. Young stallions are called bachelor stallions and roam together in groups. They too will try to steal a mare and another fight begins. Sometimes these get serious but rarely lead to death. Once formed, these social groups become territorial. They mark territory with large piles of manure. Once one understands the social dynamics of bands interacting with each other, it is interesting watching the interactions and mutual respect at watering holes. If a stallion tries to move in early for a â&#x20AC;&#x153;drinkâ&#x20AC;? he is quickly escorted away from the rest of the band so they may enjoy their time at the watering hole without outsiders. 96

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ÂŠ 2020, Basil Katsaros, All Righrs Reserved

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ClICK LINK FOR VIDEO https://vimeo.com/user88307343/review/452404182/4e5c123b93

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John Nilsson

Since the Lock-Down I have foresaken the woods and peaks and h inspiration in the nighttime cityscape. To me, unlike New York City, D hours. After the sun goes down this all changes for me. With the Colo

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have been sticking around home in Downtown LA where I have found Downtown Los Angeles is rather "pedestrian" during the daylight ors of the Night the city comes alive!

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The Black and White Pages Havasu Falls,

on the Havasupai Reservation in Arizona. John Fisanotti Nikon D700 Nikormat 35mm f/2 f/9.5 @6.7 ISO 200

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Nikon D700 Nikor 35-mmf/2 @ 35mm f/9.5, ISO200

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Nikon D850 Tamron SP 24-70 F2.8 Di VC@ 70mm 1/5000 @ f/4, ISO 200

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The Bugaboos - 1971 I had been climbing in the Bugaboos (British Columbia) in a quick trip that was far too short, and it was now time to head back out of this glorious alpenscape. My climbing partner and I had descended our last route and were reconnoitering on the glacier when we noticed the spectacular light on Pigeon Spire, a peak we hadn't really focused on till it was too late in the trip. What a stunning mountain! Thomas Loucks

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Buddies Valley of Fire State Park, NV

John Nilsson Sony 7RMIII Sony 70mm-200mm f/4 @ 141mm 1/8000 @ f/5.6

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Yucca Spikes

Black and White Textures of Nature

Steve Anderson

FUGIFILM FinePix Hs30 EXR f/8 @ 60, ISO 200

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Notes and Announcements

Contributor Bios

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Steve Anderson

John Clement

Steve worked primarily in the

John began his career in photography in the early 70’s after graduating from Central Washington University with a double major in Geology and Geography. Since then he has earned a Masters of Photography from the Professional Photographers of America. He has received over 65 regional, national and international awards for his pictorial and commercial work. His photographs grace the walls of many businesses in the Northwest and has been published in numerous calendars and coffee table books. He has provided photographs for Country Music Magazine and for Northwest Travel Magazine. He has supplied murals for the Seattle Seahawks Stadium and images for The Carousel of Dreams in Kennewick, WA. Current projects include 17 – 4x8 foot glass panels featuring his landscapes in Eastern Washington for the Pasco Airport Remodel. Last year he finished a major project for the Othello Medical Clinic where almost 200 images were used to decorate the facilities ranging in size from 24” to 35’ in size. His work can be viewd at:

conventional medium of Black and White silver-based photography for many years as he explored the natural landscape of the local San Gabriel Mountains and his beloved High Sierra in California. In the last 20 years he has engaged in digital photography as it has opened up new avenues and excitement about making images of the natural scene. His interest in photography began in junior high school when he developed his first roll of film from a Kodak Brownie camera. He became very interested in combining photography and traveling adventures as a member of the Highlanders, a mountaineering club at Pasadena City College. His work turned more serious during military service as the landscape became his focus of attention. Steve’s interest in the environmental movement, starting in his college days, led him to actively seek ways of using his photography to help in a personally significant way. He joined the Mono Lake Committee 40 years ago and has been an active leader in the Sierra Club since 1981. He served as the chairperson of the Camera Committee of the Angeles Chapter for 5 years. Steve’s images have appeared in Sierra, the Southern Sierran, Images of the West, A Portrait of Bodie, and the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Schedule of Activities. Some of his monochrome images were significant contributions to help save Mono Lake. He has had work shown in a number of local galleries. Steve was the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Artist in Residence in 2015. Steve has published four photography books that are available through Blurb.com. “My images sum up my feelings about the grandeur of nature. It is never just one thing that touches me when I try to capture a moment, but always a vast array of emotional and photographic textures. Most of my images are therefore complex and detailed.” Email: sandersonimagery@outlook.com Viewingwebsite:www.pbase.com/ spanderson 122

www.johnclementgallery.com John Clement Photography Face Book Professional page The Kiona Winery in Benton City, and at Allied Arts Gallery in Richland, WA.

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JW Doherty

John Fisanotti

Joe Doherty grew up in Los Angeles and developed his first roll of film in 1972. He has been a visual communicator ever since. He spent his teens and twenties working in photography, most of it behind a camera as a freelance editorial shooter. He switched careers when his son was born, earning a PhD in political science from UCLA specializing in American politics and research methods. This led to an opportunity to run a research center and teach at UCLA Law, where he became best known as an empirical bankruptcy scholar. After retiring from UCLA in 2016 he continued to consult, but now he and his wife Velda Ruddock spend much of their time in the field, across the West, capturing the landscape.

As a youth, John’s interest in photography stemmed from an interest in astronomy. His first photos were attempts to photograph the night sky using a folding Kodak camera, that once belonged to an uncle. Later, John used a 35mm rangefinder camera to photograph nature, particularly the San Gabriel Mountains above his home in La Crescenta. After high school, John sold his telescope to purchase a 35mm SLR camera outfit. John was a photography major in his first three years of college. He has used 35mm, 2-1/4 medium format and 4x5 view cameras. John expected to be a commercial photographer. His personal work leaned heavily to shooting landscapes and outdoors. In 1977 John changed majors. After graduating from California State University Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies in 1979, John’s first post job college was in a commercial photo laboratory. In 1980, he pivoted from photography and began his 32-year career in public service. John worked for four Southern California cities in city planning, community development and redevelopment, and concluded his career as a Project Manager for the Culver City Redevelopment Agency. During these decades, he continued to shoot outdoor scenic images whenever possible. After retiring from public service in 2012, John has pursued his astronomical and photographic interests. Beginning in 2013, John has been a telescope operator for the 60" reflector telescope at Mt. Wilson Observatory. And John has increased his photographic portfolio concentrating on outdoors, landscape, travel and astronomical images. Beginning in 2018, he has expanded his repertoire to include architectural and real estate photography. Occasionally, John has been fortunate to have photographs selected for various exhibitions or publications. He currently shoots with Nikon DSLR cameras. John’s photographic websites: Landscape, Travel and Astronomical images http://www.johnfisanottiphotography.com; Architectural and Real Estate photography are at http://www.architecturalphotosbyfisanotti.com. Contact John at either

jfisanotti@sbcglobal.net or fisanottifotos@gmail.com.

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Jeff Gottesman

Wiebe Gortmaker

I first became interested in photography back in high school sometime in the last century. My father worked for many years in a professional camera store in Pittsburgh (Kadet Photo Supply) where he did the picture framing. I spent a few summers working in that camera store mostly doing shipping and receiving but every chance I got, I would be talking with and learning from the salesmen who knew everything about cameras and photography. At the end of the summer they gave me a used Pentax Spotmatic 500 and there began my love of photography. I did all the shooting and darkroom work for my high school yearbook and later as a photographer and writer for college newspapers. At the same time, I developed a love of nature and graduated college with a degree in Geology (with several electives in Photography). That was where all the environmentalists spent their time. The love of nature and photography were a perfect match and after retiring from IT a few years ago (there was a career change somewhere in there) Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve returned to those early loves and am able to spend a lot more time on photography, enjoying workshops and especially the Sierra Club trips :).

I am based in Boulder, Colorado and consider myself a full-time hobbyist. After retiring from the airlines, I have devoted a high percentage of my time to travel and learning photography. In the past few years I have moved from travel photography to primarily wildlife and landscape photography. Prior to the airlines, I spent considerable time in remote areas of Alaska and Central and South America. I am now able to revisit those places with a focus on photography. I have lived in Colorado since college and spent a lot of time flying, hiking, and climbing in the wild places in my back yard. With my new hobby I am looking at these places in a new way, trying to preserve the image and feelings I have of the wildlife and landscape. This process motivates me to learn and discover. Wiebe is concentrating on his photography at this time and is not currently active on social media. He does plan to have a website together in the near future.

My photos can be seen at https://www.jeffgottesmanphotography. com/

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Joyce Harlan I have always loved photography! First to document and save photos of my sons. We had little to no money for film developing in the beginning but I kept shooting. Every year my husband would ask me what I wanted for Christmas/birthday and I would always say “develop my film”!! After several years he finally did, but everything was yellow but the memories were there. From there, when I was coaching downhill skiing for Westside Special Olympics, I took photos of my athletes and created a book for each of them. The pure joy I saw on their and their family’s faces was priceless! Finally, I was at Mammoth skiing with my family (grandkids!!) and we had lunch at Bergers Burgers. They had the most gorgeous landscape photos on they walls. I asked the waitress about them and she said they were by Vern Clevenger and that he often came in for lunch after skiing and she would point him out for me. She did, I asked about workshops and he said “absolutely”. That was it!! I took one workshop from him and many, many more with Mountain Light in Bishop with Jack Dykinga, John Shaw, Jerry Dodrill, David Meunch and Jeff Foote. One of the most memorable was their ten day inaugural rafting the Grand Canyon trip with Jack & Jerry. Over the years I have been blessed to travel the world with Muench Workshops (Cuba, Yukon, Mongolia, Alaska) Visionary Wild (Botswana, Kenya, Patagonia, Greenland), Aurora Expenditions (Antarctica), and Nathaniel Smalley (Iceland, Maine fall color). Photography mixed with travel has been my favorite soul food for a long, long time. And will continue to be for as long as I am able. Sadly, I am missing a trip to China in April and Uganda in June to see the gorillas. But I’ll get there as soon as it is safe again.

Allen Johnson I'm a PhD in psychology with

a passion for photography. I'm also the author of several books: a memoir on France entitled "Pardon My French" and two novels: "The Awakening" and "Spike, Benny, and Boone."

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Butch Mazzuca

John Nilsson

I was born in Chicago IL and attended the University of Dayton. After graduation I served four and half years as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. My last official ‘work' position was President & CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co-Denver. I Retired in 1999 and moved to Vail where I taught skiing, a “fundamentals of photography” class at our local community college and wrote (still do) commentary for the Vail Daily Newspaper. I Started taking pictures in 2008 when my wife Bobbi “talked me” into traveling to Africa (we returned seven more times! ) My images have been published in Shutter Bug Magazine, Sarasota Magazine, Travel Africa Magazine (5 times) and Africa Geographic (6 times including two photo essays) I consider myself a generalist although African wildlife and landscape photography are my favorites.

I have a fond memory from my early years of my father dragging me to the Denver Museum of Natural History on a winter Sunday afternoon. He had just purchased a Bosely 35mm camera and had decided he wanted desperately to photograph one of the dioramas. I distinctly remember the display was of several Seal Lions in a beautiful blue halflight of the Arctic winter that required a tricky long exposure. The transparency he showed me several weeks later was spectacular and mysterious to my young eyes. Although the demands of Medical School made this photo one of the first and last he shot, at 5 years old I was hooked. The arrival of the digital age brought photography back to me as a conscious endeavor - first as a pastime enjoyed with friends who were also afflicted, and then as a practitioner of real estate and architectural photography during my 40 years as a real estate broker. Since retiring and moving to Los Angeles, I have continued my hobby as a nature and landscape photographer through active membership in the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Camera Committee and my vocation as a real estate photographer through my company Oz Images LA. The camera is now a tool for adventure!

www.OzImagesLA.com dtlanow@gmail.com

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David DesRochers

Larry Miller

David is an accomplished speaker, instructor and writer and his wildlife and landscape photographs have been published in books, magazines and on calendars. As an Associate Naturalist with the New Jersey Audubon Society, he has been leading workshops and tours for over 10 years. In 2014, David was awarded the New Jersey Federation of Camera Clubs Citation in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of the art and science of photography in the State.

I bought my first SLR camera in 1985 to document hikes in the local mountains that I did with friends. My first Sierra Club Camera Committee outing was a wildflower photo shoot in the Santa Monica Mountains led by Steve Cohen in 1991. Since then the SCCC has introduced me to many other scenic destinations, including the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, the Gorman hills, Saddleback Butte State Park, East Mojave National Preserve, the Eastern and Southern Sierras, Point Reyes, the Big Sur Coast, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Red Rock Canyon State Park, Tejon Ranch, and Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. At the same time, my own photography trips gradually expanded in scope over the years to include most of the western National Parks and National Monuments, with the Colorado Plateau becoming a personal favorite. Photography is an avocation that took a backseat to my career during the 32+ years that I worked as a radar systems engineer at Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon Company. Since retiring in 2013, I’ve been able to devote more time to developing my photographic skills. Experiencing and sharing the beauty of nature continues to be my primary motivation.

As nature photographers, we love to be outdoors, exploring and photographing our natural world. While stay-at-home and social distancing orders are keeping us indoors, what’s a NANPA member to do? David’s program will show you how to bring nature indoors by creating beautiful images of plants and flowers on your dining room table. Topics include equipment, camera settings, set ups, composition, and editing.

www.desrochersphography.com

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Phil Witt

Velda Ruddock

Phil Witt has been photographing nature since he got his first SLR camera in the late 70s. An avid birder, he is a volunteer at the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary of NJ Audubon in Bernardsville, where he coleads the photography workshop series. He is currently on NJ Audubon’s Board of Directors. He is a past president of the Camera Naturalist Photo Club, and program chair of the Somerset County Camera Club. He judges photography competitions and presents instructional programs at photography clubs throughout New Jersey. He received the NJ Federation of Camera Club’s 2017 Citation for service to photography in the state. He and his wife enjoy traveling the world for photography--Antarctica, the Galapagos, Tanzania, Iceland, Costa Rica, among others. When not birding or photographing, he is a (mostly retired) forensic psychologist, specializing in legal cases and court testimony.

Creativity has always been important to me. I received my first Brownie camera for my twelfth birthday and I can’t remember a time I’ve been without a camera close at hand. I studied the social sciences and art, and later earned a Masters degree in Information and Library Science degree. All of my jobs allowed me to be creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative. For the last 22 years of my research career I was Director of Intelligence for a global advertising and marketing agency. TBWA\ Chiat\Day helped clients such as Apple, Nissan, Pepsi, Gatorade, Energizer, and many more, and I was considered a leader in my field. During our time off, my husband, Joe Doherty and I would travel, photographing family, events and locations. However, in 2011 we traveled to the Eastern Sierra for the fall colors, and although we didn’t realize it at the time, when the sun came up over Lake Sabrina, it was the start of change in our careers. By 2016 we had both left our “day jobs,” and we started traveling – and shooting nature – big and small – extensively. Our four-wheel drive popup camper allowed us to go to areas a regular car can’t go and we were – and are – always looking for our next adventure.

https://philwitt.smugmug.com

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Susan Manley

Paul Reinstein

Susan Manley has more than 35 years experience as a photographer. Her career consisted mainly working in a Communications Department writing and shooting a wide variety of public relations and photojournalism photos. Since she retired approximately ten years ago, she switched her focus onto nature photography including landscapes and wildlife in America.

I have two lifelong hobbies; photography and fine woodworking. My father fostered both those interests. At 14, right before I went on a 1 week backpacking trip around Yosemite Valley with my friend Joe (16) who could drive, my father taught me the basics of using a camera on an Olympus camera that shot half frames on 35mm film. Can you imagine allowing a 14 year old to do that in today’s world? By 20, I was fully independent. In my 20s, I bought a Minolta SRT-101, and I also started dabbling in woodworking as a way to have simple furniture while working my way through college (Biochemistry, UCLA). I even had a simple B&W darkroom for a while. I shot mostly landscapes. After getting my degree, I decided I didn’t like working in that field, so I went back to school, and worked my way through a masters degree (Electronics Engineering, CSULB). I spent the majority of my career at The Aerospace Corp, working mostly on electrical power systems for rockets and satellites for the Air Force, NASA and the NRO. During that time, when not working, I began focusing mostly on fine woodworking, shooting occasional snapshots. By 50, my woodshop was enviable, my wife and I were flipping homes on the side, I was a manager at work, and digital cameras reignited my interest in photography. When the music stopped in real estate, we built our own home in Mar Vista. Then, my boss, and his boss both died unexpectedly (and independently), a huge layoff was announced, and I was retired. I got my general contractor’s license, and tried that for a couple of years. I retired fully at 60, earlier than I would have imagined. By 2016, I had amassed a number of bird photos, just by happenstance, so I decided to see what I could get that number up to, just for fun. That turned out to be eminently satisfying, albeit expensive, and now I spend much of my time shooting birds locally or travelling worldwide to do so. My big birding trips so far include the Galapagos and the UK, and my list is presently up to about 350 species, and I have a small presence on Instagram and on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/preinstein54/. I’ve sold a few images upon request, several of my friends have my images on their walls, and I still dabble in woodworking, including making my own frames.

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Thomas Loucks Tom has been a longstanding amateur photographer, but only in recent years has he had more serious time to devote to the hobby. He garnered first place in National Audubon’s 2004 Nature’s Odyssey contest and has placed well in several contests by Nature’s Best, Denver Audubon’s Share the View, and the Merrimack Valley’s George W. Glennie Nature Contest. He has two images of “Alumni Adventurers” on permanent display at Dartmouth College. He is also the incoming President of Mile High Photo Club in Denver (2021-2022) where he currently serves as VP and as a Director. His photographic interests are landscape, wildlife, and travel photography, though his favorite subjects are alpine landscapes. Recently retired, Tom is looking forward to spending more time on photography and other outdoor activities. He recently signed up as a volunteer with Denver Audubon to assist with field trips and hopes that those will soon resume.

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Basil Katsaros A native of Denver, Colorado, I first attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Not understanding humidity or seeing the sun for 30 days, I transferred to the University of Colorado. During my junior year, a roommate needed money and sold me his Pentax 35mm camera. That moment launched my interest in photography. My interests and knowledge were expanded by the Nikon School of Photography. In the earlier days, subject matter centered around my twin sons with travel photos and Christmas cards. As a real estate appraiser, I used photography in much of my work. I must admit, however, the 70’s primarily utilized a Polaroid as film was too time consuming for client demands. I have since graduated to two Nikon digital cameras and too many lenses. While attempting to downshift in work, I occasionally use my photography skills to testify as an expert witness in real estate. My interests include travel, landscape, and wildlife photography. I’m not smart enough to have a website, maybe someone can show me how. Most images are for personal enjoyment and mainly remain in my computer. My goal at this time is too not only become a better photographer, but to conquer Photoshop!!!

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Notes and Announcements

ses, Notes, and Announcements

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Notes and Announcements Alan Jacknow Writes: Three years ago, Robert Glenn Ketchum (RGK website Home - Robert Glenn Ketchum ) presented to the SCCC about using photography for environmental activism. He used his photographs of Alaskan rainforests to help create the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in America. He also talked about Bristol Bay and Pebble Mine. His stunning photography was being used to protect Bristol Bay from the creation of a large Gold and Copper Mine. During the presentation, participants were given information on how we could help kill the mine. Yesterday in a shock, the Trump Administration reversed course and asked for much further environmental documentation from the Canadian company that was leading the way towards destruction. Many observers believe this request will kill the mine. Hopefully they are right, but pressure must continue. Here is a link to a Washington Post article about the fight: Trump administration to pause permit for Alaska’s Pebble Mine on Monday Editor’s Note: See ‘Causes’, Next spread.

Christopher Grey Writes: Here’s a timelapse from the Perseid Meteor Shower. Not many meteors but pretty stars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyWEQk5WMco&feature= youtu.be tech: Sony RX1005A 30 second exposures, f/2.4 1600 iso Vela intervalometer 134

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Anrdea Erhgott Writes: I think you will enjoy this link: http://view.bbcearth.bbc.com/?qs=fd8a484c033cb8693ca 615f9cfe495a9e8757294f183b1721f5d1e69580aa01ed421b0 724b022e6e2a550d67ac36b5ccba20f3ab5955a9583a039b66 935f2663c93fd76af4d5bc46a679753a0ec242fe

Alan Jacknow Writes....Again: Optic West is a free event sponsored by B&H. 2 days of nature photography education. Currently it is scheduled to be live in SF, but they offer a livestreamm. Speakers include Art Wolfe and Franz Lanting. Sure to become the west coastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier outdoor, wildlife, travel photography and videography conference, OPTIC West is the brainchild of B&H Photo and Lindblad Expeditions. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve chosen to hold the event in San Francisco to take advantage of the many adjacent natural wonders and eco-friendly vibe of the City by the Bay. Join in for inspiring lectures, photo walks, conservation showcase, selective trade show with top brands, plus workflow and critique sessions. OPTIC West - Learn More/RSVP today!

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David Haake, West LA Group Chair, Writes: Here is the link to the new August Words of the Wild CA/NV Wilderness Newsletter. There is something here of interest to every Sierra Club member: https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/ files/WOW-August%202020.pdf

Brian Leary Writes: There seemed to be a lot of questions about time-lapse after the talk. I made a time-lapse tutorial series for zeiss a couple of years ago. I’ll be posting them on Thursday’s starting on the 17th for the subsequent five weeks. Here is a link to my time-lapse reel: https://youtu.be/MmgdaK7miYM I also have a how to on YouTube about cleaning and caring for a twist lock style tripod that is really popular: https://youtu.be/fRsiidANKBI

Cobra Lily (Left) The true name is DARLINGTONIA CALIFORNICA. It grows in bog areas along the SW coast of Oregon and northern CA. Insects are drawn to the “petal like” appendages by the nectar which is sticky. The insect tries to escape and moves into the hood that looks like a maze and disorientation occurs. The insect eventually looses footing and falls into he :throat” of the plant to be digested!!! It is a carnivorous plant!!! I’ll text you a photo of the sign that gives a better explanation. We found the area outside of Crescent City Oregon.

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CAUSES We Did it! What’s Next?

BIG news in our fight to stop the Pebble Mine: Responding to mounting public pressure, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected the disastrous open-pit gold and copper mega-mine because it poses «unavoidable adverse impacts» to the water and marine life of Alaska’s Bristol Bay, one of America’s last truly wild places. This is a promising victory for the Yup’ik, Dena’ina, and Alutiiq Tribes who have relied on Bristol Bay’s world-renowned salmon fishery for generations and have been forced to spend decades leading the fight to shut down this project.

The Pebble Mine Photo by Robert Glenn Ketch

And it’s an incredible win for Pebble Mine activists like you. I wrote to you last summer (see my email below) with an urgent request to submit a public comment to the Army Corps opposing the Pebble Mine. I was overwhelmed by the response we received — tens of thousands of you answered the call to help save Bristol Bay. Your voices were heard — and heeded.

Here’s the bottom way to permanen to the disastrous for the Environme Agency (EPA) to v Will you please sp by sending the EP opposition today?

But John, the fight is not over. The owner of the project has 90 days to respond with a new plan that addresses the Army Corps’ concerns about the thousands of acres of pristine wetlands and over a hundred miles of streams that would be destroyed. And they will respond. 138

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m line: the only ntly put an end Pebble Mine is ental Protection veto the project. peak up again PA a message of ?

There is incredible momentum right now behind shutting down the Pebble Mine and we must seize on it to call for a permanent solution. Our case is strong. If fully developed, the Pebble Mine would produce 10 billion tons of mining waste that would threaten the communities and ecosystems that depend on the bay’s abundant wildlife, and it would exacerbate our climate crisis by emitting millions of tons of greenhouse gases. This is one critical victory in our fight — now, we must use that momentum to finish the job. Let’s use our voices to pressure the EPA to permanently shut down a project that would devastate Bristol Bay and the Indigenous Communities who live there. Take action now. Thank you for your unwavering support and activism. It’s making a difference. Sincerely, Joel Reynolds Western Director & Senior Attorney, NRDC NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)

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The Member’s Choice Photo Contest What’s your favorite photo in this Focal Points? Continuing with this issue I am asking all members to vote for their favorite photo. Here’s how: 1. Please e-mail me at dtlanow@gmail.com (Heading: Member’s Choice) and let me know your choice for the best photo by the 20th of the month in which the issue is published. 2.

In your e-mail, give me the page and the name of the photographer and a brief descrip- tion so I can identify your choice.

I will tally up the votes and announce the winner in the next issue and republish the photo with a paragraph from the photographer about how it was captured, where, when, and even the dreaded mire of camera, settings and lens. This should be a fun feature!

..........John Nilsson, Publisher

Wanna Go on a Hike?

Just in case you didn’t realize it........... The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has litterally 100’s of outdoor activities that Sierra Club Camera Committee members can attend.

You can find these activities at http://angeles.sierraclub.org/activities If you have an idea for a trip that the Camera Committee might like to plan for, tell a leader. They are always open to ideas of new places to go, new places to shoot. See the end of the newsletter for a list of contact information for the leaders.

CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. To read the liability waiver before you participate on an outing, go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms

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Do you enjoy receiving your monthly copy of Focal Points? If your answer is "Yes" and you want to continue receiving Focal Points, please send us your check for $15.00 and your full name and email address for a yearly subscription to: Sierra Club Camera Committee c/o Wesley Peck 3615 Gondar Ave. Long Beach, CA 90808-2814

As a bonus, you will enjoy: An invitation to contribute your photographs to Focal Points for publication Full membership in The Sierra Club Camera Committee and access to our extensive programming and trips 143

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Get out there and get involved! Our natural world is under attack and we all need to fight to preserve the things that we hold dear.

CONTRIBUTE

YOUR TIME, YOUR DOLLARS.... OR BOTH! Do you know anyone who would like to become a member of the Sierra Club Camera Committee? We are seeking new members to share their outdoor experiences and photographs. If you have a friend or acquaintance whom you feel would benefit from and add to our membership, please ask them to join us at our next meeting.

Membership costs only $15.00 per year - a tremendous value! To join or renew, please mail a check for $15 (payable to SCCC): Wesley Peck, SCCC Membership 3615 Gondar Ave. Long Beach, CA 90808-2814

More members - More to share 145

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Photo of the Month

Early Morning Downpour from Bailieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Harbor, Wisconsin by John Fisanotti Nikon D810 Nikor 24mm-70mm @ 38mm 1/1000 @f/8, ISO 500

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The Parting Shot Last nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s storm at sunset. It was expensive, went to plug in my phone in the car and my camera and tripod were hit by a micro burst of about 70mph and blew both over the hill smashing my lens, broke it off the front of the camera.

Leader Contacts John Nilsson, Chairman

213-266-2224

Carole Scurlock, Leader

626-794-5207

Steve Anderson, Leader

714-962-2054

Allan Der, Leader, Instructor

714-892-4857

dtlanow@gmail.com

sandersonimagery@outlook.com

cscurlock@charter.net ader@sprynet.com

Ed Ogawa - Treasurer

Alison Boyle, Leader, Co-Chair: Outings alisoniboyle@icloud.com

John Boyle, Leader jboyle6300@gmail.com

ed5ogawa@angeles.sierraclub.org

310-994-1019

Wesley Peck, Membership

562-420-8543 wesdpeck@gmail.com NOTE: Send Membeship Checks to Wesley at 3615 Gondar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808-2814

310-828-6300

Joan Schipper, Leader, Co-Chair: Outings joanschipper@ix.netcom.com

Peter Mason, Leader peter@petermason.com

323-828-8334

John Nilsson, Leader, Focal Points Editor dtlanow@gmail.com

530-265-2528

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213-266-2224

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