September 2013 Focus by Renee Pierce

September • 2013

Volume 30 • Issue 9

President’s Message

page 2

Food for Thought page 3

Speaker Info

page 4

Field Trips page 10

Contest Winners page 17

Think Project! page 26

Member Photos page 29

SEPTEMBER EVENTS September 19, 2013 7:00 pm Monthly Meeting Garden Center, Independence Park Monthly Competition Medium: Digital Theme: Open Theme Date: Images due by Tuesday 09/17/13

September 28, 2013 6:30 am Meet at McDonald’s in Denham Springs 7:00 am Leave McDonald’s for Global Wildlife Center, Folsum, LA

Cover photo : Renee Pierce

Louisiana Photographic Society meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Baton Rouge Garden Center 7950 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA

Across from Louisiana State Police Headquarters Guests are always welcome! Membership dues are $25/year Each additional family member $5/year

PO Box 83834 Baton Rouge, LA 70884 www.laphotosociety.com

President's

Message Toys!!!

Remember how it felt on Christmas morning when you were a kid? The excitement of some new toys to play with was nearly overwhelming! I think that we experience a similar feeling when we get some new photographic toys to play with. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a bellows. A bellows is a device for taking macro photos. A lens is attached to one end and your camera to the other. The accordion of the bellows is adjusted on a sliding rail to move the lens closer or farther away from the film plane. This allows adjustment of the magnification up to and exceeding 1:1. Focus is accomplished by moving the subject closer or farther from the front of the lens. All of this was originally used with film cameras, but with some adapters, you can mount your DSLR to the bellows. Olympus made one of the best bellows systems available; however, they stopped production in 2003. Since I have always used Olympus cameras, this bellows was the object of my desire. I periodically looked on eBay for this system and a few weeks ago, I won an auction for a bellows and slide copier attachment. The system is pristine with no obvious signs of use. I felt like that kid on Christmas morning!! I have researched the topic to death since receiving the bellows and am just about ready to start taking photos. I need just a few more adapters to make the system complete. Can’t wait to start playing! I hope that each of you feels the same way when you get a new attachment. It is a way to energize ourselves to explore new ways to create art and satisfy our creative desires. Don’t let your photography techniques stagnate. Go out and find something new to play with. You will be amazed how great it will make you feel! -Gene Bachman

ood for

hought

Another PSA Membership Opportunity By Renee Pierce

The information below is copied from an email I received shortly after joining PSA. It is one of the many learning opportunities you membership in PSA offers. I plan to join one of these groups and look forward to sharing my images for a small group of international photographers to comment on. There is a link at the end that will take you to the forum and allow you to view the assignments, see the photographs and read the comments. This will give you insight to the way the forums operate. I hope you will check them out. Welcome to the Photographic Society of America! I’m sure you’ll find that membership in PSA will provide you with many opportunities to hone your photographic skills. If you haven't already joined one of PSA's Projected Image Division's Digital Dialogues, I’d like to tell you about this wonderful aspect of PSA. Digital Dialogues are a way for PSA members to hone their photographic skills and become part of a thriving photographic community. With more than 50 different groups currently available, these popular entities, geared from beginners to professional-level, gather electronically in small units to share their knowledge and gain increasing expertise. Working in these small groups, members submit one image and a “How-I-Did-It” each month, and comment on their fellow group members’ images later in the month. The dialogues concentrate on, but are not limited to, post-processing skills. And because of the open structure of these forums, members of one digital dialogue are able to view and learn from all members of the larger photographic community. Please understand that this is not a place to display your photographs but is a means of sharing techniques and ideas. There is no charge to join a Digital Dialogue - it's a free service as part of your P.S.A. membership. Digital Dialogues can be viewed at: http:// psadigital.org but by joining a Digital Dialogue yourself, you’ll learn so much more.

cell phone no computer needed.), nature plus (for nature photos that, unlike Nature Division requirements, may include manmade objects) and Creative (altered reality), an invitation-only group. We are also excited about two new groups we plan to introduce: macro, and sports photography. Please let us know if you wish to join any of the specialized groups, some of which may have a waiting list. However, if you are interested in a general Digital Dialogue, it is not necessary to pick a particular group number - you will be placed in one according to availability. And if you have some computer skills and the ability to upload images and text to a web site, we would also invite you to head your own Digital Dialogue by becoming an administrator. You will be given instructions in setting up your own group. By clicking on the link at the bottom of this page, you’ll be able to see current Digital Dialogue activity. But by joining one yourself, you will experience the greatest benefits. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to join a group. Then we will try to find the best placement for you. We’d love to have you join us! Sincerely, Marie Altenburg PID Digital Dialogue Coordinator MEA714too@AOL.com You can view current Digital Dialogues by clicking on the link shown below. Click on Groups/All Groups, and then scroll down the list and choose one to view. Next, click on a member’s name to see how they work. http://psadigital.org

We have several different types of groups: General, Monochrome, HDR, Assigned Subject, iPhoneography photography (all photos will be taken and edited on the 3

Kyra Elliott Louisiana Art & Science Museum September 19, 2013 Kyra Elliott is originally from Connecticut, and moved to Baton Rouge earlier this year. She started her career in the planetarium field as a high school volunteer at The Treworgy Planetarium in Mystic, CT. Kyra attended Vassar College for a degree in Astronomy and Physics, but also took classes in Computer Animation. She took a position at the Travelers Science Dome Planetarium in West Hartford, CT partway through college. After

graduation she became the Assistant Director of the planetarium. Here she began to focus on the visualization of astronomy for the digital planetarium. Kyra accepted the position of Producer & Animator at Louisiana Art & Science Museum where she produces both CGI and live action full dome video for the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium. She enjoys taking trips to the National Parks to capture time-lapse footage for use in the planetarium.

In keeping with the theme of Astrophotography and in preparation for the speaker coming in September, check out theses websites: http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/TOC_AP.HTM http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/astrophotography 4

Monthly Competition GSCCC has a competition for prints and digital projection for most months of the year. Categories include Photojournalism, Nature, Black and White, and Pictorial. All prints from last year have been returned and the supply is low. Don’t worry about what the category is each month, just bring in prints of your best images, especially those which have won monthly competitions here at LPS to the meeting this month. Theresa Low will collect your prints and enter them at the appropriate time. Please email your digital submissions to Gene Bachman.

Earl Arboneaux won 1st place with Midnight Flight for July 2013.

LPS members usually submit 11 X 14 prints that are matted to 16 X 20. A clear sleeve to protect the image is encouraged along with a backing. Prints must be no larger than 16”x 20”, either mounted or un-mounted. For a mounted print, the mounting board should be no larger than 20”x 24”. There is no minimum size. Prints may be printed commercially or self printed. Each print must be identified with a title, the maker’s name, and the name of the club. 5

Theme: The Nature and Culture of Louisiana All media welcomed. Entry fee $15 per submission Paintings and 3-D Juror: Billy Solitario, renown en plein aire artist from New Orleans Photographic Art Competition Jurors: CC Lockwood, David Humphreys, and Beverly Coates November 30, 2013 Deadline for entries Details and entry form

100 Tutorials for Beginners and Professionals. Here is a link to a blog by Josh Johnson on his page Photo Tuts+ They are divided into categories which include Theory, Lighting, Macro, Tricks, DIY, How-To and even Video. Check them out!

Did you know Theresa Low writes a Town Favorites Online Magazine Blog each month? It is called Picture Perfect.. Be sure to check it out here!

The Brush with Burden art show has expanded the show this year to include a separate venue for photography. We are pleased to have three distinguished jurors, C.C. Lockwood, David Humphries and Beverly Coates. As well as hanging at the Conference Center at Burden during the show. Winning entries will be displayed for the month of April 2014 at the Shaw Center. Merit winners and other select pieces will be displayed during the month of April at Beauregard Gallery and Bistro.

Bernard Gillette is planning on visiting the Smoky Mountain National Park this fall. Tentative plans are to depart Oct 22, 2013 and return Oct 26, 2013. He has made this trip on several occasions and is familiar with the area. Should any members be interested simply send him an email to gillettephoto@aol.com

2013

Monthly Competition Schedule Month

Medium

Theme

September

Digital Projection

Open Theme

October

Prints

LPS Field Trip Photos

November

Digital Projection

Night Photography

December

No Competition

Christmas Party

I wanted to share Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area’s 2013 “Capture the Heart of America” Photo Contest with you. If you have any club members who photograph agriculturally-related subjects, this contest may be of interest to them. Awards are presented in each of five categories, as well as $500 for Best of Show. You can find additional info by visiting www.silosandsmokestacks.org Each year, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) hosts the Capture the Heart of America Photo Contest to let photographers share their agricultural photos from across the nation. Federally designated with preserving and sharing America’s agricultural story in a 37-county region of Northeast Iowa, the contest allows Silos & Smokestacks to reach beyond the borders of the Heritage Area and help tell this nationally significant story on a broader scale. The contest let’s photographers share their stories in five categories, with four of them open to photos taken nationally and one category solely dedicated to Silos & Smokestacks Partner Sites. Contest categories include:

  

 

American Farmscapes – From rustic farms to rolling hills of patchwork fields, the rural countryside holds a beauty

uniquely American. This category captures this beauty through artistic depictions of farm and field scenes scattered throughout rural America. Life on the Farm – Farm life is characterized by hard work combined with a connection to the land. This category shares the story of the American farmer who helps feed the world, along with day-to-day life on the farm. Silos & Smokestacks Partner Sites – From dairy farms and museums to vineyards and tractor assembly tours, more than 100 Designated Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area Partner Sites are sharing their own part of America’s agricultural story in a 37-county region of Northeast Iowa. This category lets visitors share their experience at Heritage Area Partner Sites. Celebrations of Agriculture – Steeped in culture, festivals and fairs have long been held to celebrate American agriculture and the fruits of the harvest. From nationally recognized state fairs to a hometown rhubarb fest, this category commemorates the agricultural experience at countless events throughout the country. America’s Agricultural Industry – America’s agricultural industry has helped to shape agriculture worldwide. From the relics of smokestacks that once dotted the American landscape to the barges that transport grain on the Mississippi River, this category captures this important story.

This year’s contest awards include:  Best of Show – $500 (overall winner)  First Place - $100 (each category)  Second Place – $50 (each category)  Third Place – $25 (each category) Photo contest entries are due by October 9, 2013, with winners announced no later than November 22, 2013. Click here for guidelines and online entry form. For additional information, please email photocontest@silosandsmokestacks.org or call 319-234-4567. Thank you to the generous support of the Solon Andreas Foundation and Land O’Lakes, Inc. for helping to make this year’s contest possible.

The Nature Conservancy invites photographers to enter its 2013 Digital Photo Contest The Nature Conservancy 2013 Digital Photo Contest is open to ALL photographers at least 18 years of age, except employees of The Nature Conservancy and the immediate families of such employees. The contest is open to all participants regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation.

WHAT TO ENTER: We are looking for striking digital images to celebrate people and nature – and their important connection to each other. Your images should highlight the diversity of life on Earth, including portraits of wildlife in natural habitat, animal behavior, the relationship between people and nature, plant life, weather, and seasons.

We are especially interested in images that showcase the wide range of habitats across our planet, including:     

Forests Grasslands Fresh Water - lakes and rivers Deserts and arid lands Marine – coral reefs, oceans and coasts

DEADLINES: Online entries can be uploaded starting 12:01 pm Eastern Standard Time on June 10, 2013. Deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on September 9, 2013. Entrants may be asked to supplement their submission (such as a paragraph about their photo, the highest resolution version of their photo, or a watermark-free version of their photo) anytime on or after October 1, 2013. Finalists will be announced in November 2013. Public voting for the grand-prize winner will be held for at least a two-week period to begin after the finalists are announced and to end no later than December 16, 2013. Grand Prize Winner and Runners Up will be announced in early January 2014.

Country Roads Magazine is celebrating it's 30th Anniversary, 1983-2013, in it's September issue. Thirty for Thirty, a master list of must-do events, experiences and destinations that anyone who lives in or loves - our part of the world should experience at least once in his or her lifetime. Cathy Smart's Bonfire on the Levee photo is featured as their #28: Start a Bonfire Christmas Eve, which describes the St. James Parish's annual Christmas Eve lighting of the bonfires on the levee celebration. Also, featured as #19: Visit Afton Villa when the azaleas are in bloom, is a photo by Helena Reynolds. Congratulations to both these ladies.

Earl Arboneaux stands under his photograph at Pierreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing dining area on the LSU campus. Wow, Earl, what an honor!

Global Wildlife Center, Folsum, La. September 28, 2013 Meet at the Denham Springs McDonald’s at 6:30 am and LEAVE at 7 AM

Plan to purchase a bin of food for $75; If you don’t feed the animals, they don’t get as close as you want!! One Vehicle: $280 (2 hours)+ $75 = $355.00 = $89/ person. Also plan to tip your driver. We will start a two hour tour at 8AM; the animals are more active When its cooler! We will travel 4 people in a 4x4 Pinz vehicle at a cost of $35/person x 4 = $140 per hour x 2 hours = $280.00. Two hours give everyone an opportunity to get great images of most everything!

It’s a fun trip; yet a little out of reach for some. If you prefer, you may choose to ride the wagons (pulled by tractors). They have a designated trip path, and hold about 100 people. 10

A group of about 20 members met for the field trip to Donaldsonville and Thibodaux on Saturday, September 24th. We had overcast skies most of the day and dodged a few showers but had a great day of shooting. Thanks, Ken Wilson for a well planned trip. Here are a few shots taken by participants.

Sheila Eeds

Sheila Eeds 11

Sheila Eeds

Sheila Eeds 12

Sheila Eeds

Sheila Eeds 13

Linda M Medine

Navy Pier

Print Category A

W inners

Dancing Showgirl Earl Arboneaux 1st Place, Level A

Persian Shield Leaf Gene Bachman 2nd Place, Level A

Monarch Linda Medine 3rd Place, Level A

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Print Category B

Vortex Robin Stevens 1st Place, Level B

Can You See Me Now? Pat Beard 2nd Place, Level B

Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cano Johnnie Johnson 3rd Place, Level B

Morning Treat Bill Lane 1st Honorable Mention, Level B

W inners

Printed Black & White

Protective Pattern Kitty Kuhnert 1st Place, Black & White

Searching for Light Gene Bachman 2nd Place, Black & White

Think Project... Toni, Dede and Beverly made a very motivating presentation at the August meeting about shooting with a project in mind. Here is an excellent opportunity to include the entire family, expand and perhaps grow your technique. The 2013 Louisiana Hot Air Balloon Championships will be held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Ascension Parish from September 26 to 29. The skies will be filled with approximately 50 balloons morning and night, entertainment and fireworks. Be sure to check out their website for the complete schedule of activities. I can see a great photojournalism feature about the inflation, flight and competition or maybe just the people interacting with the balloons. What about different pilots as they go through the pre-flight and inflation process? And then there is the night time glows and fireworks. Too many possibilities to list! Just get out there with your camera and tripod and shoot something! Here are a few of mine from last year to get you started thinking -Renee Pierce

Stacked up and coming in on the target

Watching the â&#x20AC;&#x153;piâ&#x20AC;? ball to determine wind direction

Ready for some football?

Our competition theme for November is night photography...maybe a chance for a winning entry...

Member Nik Collection by Google Linda M. Medine I just bought the Nik Software. Below are some pictures that I used the software on. It is very easy to learn. You can get the 15 day free trial to see if you want to buy it. Nik has some videos you can watch to learn how to use the software. I have lots to learn but this is a start. This is the website. I used a code, hbrsoftware15, and got a 15% discount. The cost was $126.65 instead of $149.00. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Member

L- Sunset at Lake Martin B- Mono Lake

Graceful by Theresa Low

Theresa Low

We have been busy making plans to host the annual Gulf States Camera Club Council Convention here in Baton Rouge next spring. We have selected the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Constitution Ave as the Convention Hotel and host site. We have also drafted committee duties and responsibilities and have several committee chairpersons in place. In the next couple of weeks the committee chairpersons will start contacting those who expressed an interest in serving in their particular area. The steering committee is busy about setting the schedule, deciding what topics will be covered and finding speakers for the sessions and working behind the scenes to build the infrastructure for promoting the event and registering participants.

There is a lot to do and we are excited to be making progress. We will keep the membership updated at the monthly meetings and through the newsletter. You can help us by talking to your friends who may enjoy taking photographs or want to learn more about photography but may not be members of our club. LPS membership is not required to attend the convention and take advantage of the learning opportunities it will provide.

Committee Chairpersons: Competition: Equipment: Field Trips: Finance: Hospitality: Publicity: Registration:

Gene Bachman Mark Canatella Tony Thibodeaux Cindy Hunt Debra Babin Mark Claesgens Elizabeth Mangham

There will be plenty of opportunities to help out and we will make those know as the occasions arise and we get closer to the convention. If you have suggestions, we would love to hear from you. Linda Medine & Renee Pierce, Co-Chairs

LPS OFFICERS President:

Gene Bachman president@laphotosociety.com

Vice President:

David Arbour vicepresident@laphotosociety.com

LPS COORDINATORS Digital Projection:

Monthly Competition:

Education:

Newsletter:

Donald Ewing dpcontestcoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Jay Patel/ Debra Babin

educationcoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Past President:

Equipment:

Secretary:

Exhibits:

Elizabeth Mangham pastpresident@laphotosociety.com

Cathy Smart secretary@laphotosociety.com

David Howell equipmentcoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Kathy Reeves exhibitcoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Facebook:

Treasurer:

Ray Totty treasurer@laphotosociety.com

Stephanie Ross facebookcoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Field Trips: Louisiana Photographic Society is a member of the Gulf States Camera Club Council. The GSCCC Newsletter is available at: http://www.gulfstatesccc.org/html/ newsletters.html

Ken Wilson fieldtripcoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Greeter/Name Tags:

Stephanie Ross facebookcoordinator@laphotsociety.com

Tommy Graner monthlycompetitioncoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Renee Pierce newslettereditor@laphotosociety.com

Programs:

Linda Medine programscoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Publicity:

Mark Claesgens & Barry Spears publicitycoordinator@laphotosociety.com

Refreshment: Position Open

Website:

David Arbour websitecoordinator@laphotsociety.com

Competition Review Chair: Gene Bachman president@laphotsociety.com

GSCCC Representatives:

Theresa Low & Gene Bachman GSCCCcoordinator@laphotsociety.com

Library:

Helen Haw librarycoordinator@laphotosociety.com

The LPS website has a new, quick checklist for preparation of images for digital projection competitions. The new checklist can be found on the Monthly Competition page of the website, or by using this link: http://www.laphotosociety.com/ userfiles/Checklist%20for%20Entering% 20Digital%20Competition.pdf

http://www.gulfstatesccc.org/ Find us on Facebook

http://www.psa-photo.org/

Membership Drive While we are always eager to welcome new members our Membership drive continues. Please remember to pay your dues and to invite your friends and colleagues to our meeting and encourage them to join us this year. Our membership roster has been updated. To continue to be eligible for fieldtrips and competitions and receive the newsletter, you must be current on your dues. The membership form is at the end of the newsletter.

LPS Members are encouraged to submit photographs and articles for inclusion in FOCUS, the Louisiana Photographic Society Newsletter. Items received up to 3 days before the end of the month will be included in the following monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newsletter. Send your submissions to: newslettereditor@laphotosociety.com Please be sure to read the sizing guidelines before submitting.

Membership Form Mail completed form and dues to:

Louisiana Photographic Society P.O. Box 83834 ,Baton Rouge, LA 70884-3834 www.laphotosociety.com MEMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA AND GULF STATES CAMERA CLUB COUNCIL

WELCOME TO LOUISIANA PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY LPS communicates to members through website, e-mail, and monthly meetings. All members are encouraged to visit the LPS website at www.laphotosociety.com for the latest on club news and events. The monthly newsletter “FOCUS” is available on the website on the first day of each month. Please provide an e-mail address below to receive club updates. If you do not receive e-mail communications after 30 days, notify LPS at treasurer@laphotosociety.com. Select one: [ ] Membership Renewal [ ] New Member – If you are a New Member, how did you learn about LPS: [ ] Current Member [ ] LPS Website [ ] Newspaper/Magazine [ ] Social Network [ ] Other______________ Select one: [

] Individual Membership $25.00/year [

] Student Membership $5.00/year–Must be a current student

Name _______________________________________________________

Date ______________________

Address __________________________________________ City _________________ State ____ Zip______

Home Phone (

__ )_______________________ Cell Phone (

__)_________________________

E-mail Address ___________________________________________________________________________ [

] Additional Family Member $5.00/year–ONLY available with the Individual Membership, not Student Membership

Name _______________________________________________________

Date ______________________

Mailing Address ____________________________________ City _________________ State ____ Zip______ Home Phone (

_ )________________________ Cell Phone (

__)_____________________________

E-mail Address ____________________________________________________________________________ SPECIFY FOCUS OF PHOTOGRAPHY:

SPECIFY AREA OF LEARNING INTEREST:

SPECIFY AREA OF INTEREST IN CLUB PARTICIPATION: [ ] Competition (set up, tally votes, pr esent r ibbons) [ ] Education (plan/teach, set up wor kshops and seminar s) [ ] Equipment (stor e, tr anspor t, set up for LPS functions) [ ] Exhibits (explor e locations, set up/take down exhibits) [ ] Field Trips (plan and ar r ange to photogr aph at var ious sites) [ ] Gulf States Camera Club Council (GSCCC liaison, collect and submit entries for GSCCC competition) [ ] Library (display and maintain mater ials, check-in/out)

[ ] Programs (plan speaker s, make ar r angements for speaker s at monthly meetings) [ ] Projection (set up and oper ate equipment for digital projection competition) [ ] Publicity (publicize pr ogr ams, meetings, events) [ ] Refreshments (plan and set up r efr eshments)

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!