This was the LPA’s 9th year of participating in the California Poppy Festival, held at Lancaster City Park.  Our booth was located in the Fine Arts area.

Our Purpose…

• To provide information to the public about our club and educational opportunities:  programs, workshops, field trips and activities and to provide wildflower photography tips
• To spark inspiration and interest within the community about photography
• To provide members an opportunity to learn how to display and sell their work

Due to a lack of rain this year, Mother Nature could not provide her famous display of fields of Poppies out to the west.  If one wanted to see Poppies this year, they were best seen at the Poppy Festival, in photographs.

Member participation was good, with over 13 volunteers, and 10 members selling photographic items including framed photos, matted photos, and greeting cards.  While not a record breaking year for sales, roughly $750 was made in sales, and 20% of all sales were donated to the LPA.  We also gained 3 new members.  New this year, we processed credit card payments for both sales and memberships.

Volunteers kept busy answering people’s questions about photography, promoting the LPA, and enjoyed working together on a club project and making new friends.

Thank you to all the volunteers and sellers who made this LPA event a big success!

Sue Craft & Scott Shackelford
LPA Poppy Festival Chairs 

On Saturday afternoon, the 25th of March, LPA member Sue Craft was the guest speaker at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve in Lancaster. Her topic was “Wildflower Photography” and she was assisted by LPA member Tylene Trout. Using the large overhead flat screen tv that the LPA had donated to the PDWP last year, Sue showed a great variety of photos that enhanced her message. Some of the sub-topics covered included specific flowers and plants that grow at the PDWP (during years we have more rain than this year), where those flowers are located, other locations where blossoms are often found in the AV, camera lens suggestions, specific photo taking techniques, as well as book and web sites that may be of help.

The annual Winter Ball for seniors was held at the Senior Center in Lancaster. The LPA was pleased to volunteer to photograph for the day. Norma Boggs and Rock Myers were kept busy photographing the enthusiastic party goers. Rock Myers photographed in a more formal soft box/ backdrop set and Norma worked the crowd taking impromptu shots of the crowd. If you would like to view some of the photos, you can access this Shutterfly website...  http://winterballavseniorcenter122112.shutterfly.com/

The day featured a DJ playing festive holiday music, a live 2 piece band, dancing, a young motivational speaker as well as a great meal for all.

Thank you Norma and Rock for volunteering… the senior center is greatly appreciative!

If you are interested in photographing an event for the senior center, please contact sue@suecraftphotography.com. 
 

FOTC 30th Anniversary

Time to celebrate!  The Friends of the Senior Center (FOTC) decided to have a party in honor of their 30th Anniversary as a non-profit organization.  Of course… they wanted it to be photographed!  Sue Liberto, Holly Peskin, and I teamed up to make their wish come true.

The room was transformed, filled with holiday decorations, candle lit tables, and the air filled with holiday music.  The center was packed with many dressed up in their holiday attire.  Members of the FOTC treated guests to a hand delivered lunch plate followed a scrumptious piece of cake.

We just had a photography program in the Antelope Valley one rarely gets to experience.

Through the courtesy of the Lancaster Photography Association, the Antelope Valley Fair, and many volunteers, the first “Southern California Photography Conference”(SCPC} was conceived, organized, and accomplished in less than a year. It should be noted that admission was free, and there was no charge for the Fair Hall – normally a thousand dollars a day! Attendance was by reservation, and 160 people registered. Many were from out of town, from organizations all over Southern California.

The guest speakers shared their experiences and knowledge of the field of photography in which they specialize, to an attentive and appreciative audience. Many of us follow the fascinating stories about far off places these speakers feature in national magazines, and it was a great opportunity to meet them and have a personal discussion concerning the subjects they speak about.

What an opportunity- the 2012 edition of the Amgen Tour of California started the sixth stage here in the Antelope Valley in Palmdale.  No entrance fee, free parking and the chance to get up close and personal with the riders. One could stand outside the team RV and wait for the riders to exit for the sign in.  Team members would usually sign autographs and pose for pictures.  I watched NBC Sports commentator Bob Roll interview Tejay Van Garderen standing next to the team RV.  Several LPA members took advantage of the opportunity to catch the start of the race or catch the riders out on course or both.  Lots of color and lots of action for everyone.

Chris and I went to the time trial stage the day before in Bakersfield.  We had 3 hours to practice panning and other techniques for getting the perfect shot. 

More images can be found in the gallery.

By David and Chris Wilkins

The Lancaster Photography Association (LPA) hosted a photography contest for images taken at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Saddleback Butte State Park and Ripley State Park. All the parks were located in the Antelope Valley, CA. The images were taken between March 25th, 2012 and May 1st, 2012. Entries reflected the flora, fauna, and activities available at these scenic State Parks.   The competition was “free” and open to all photographers. We received many entries! Thank you to all who participated.  Our local state parks are very pleased to have such beautiful new images to add to their collection.

The winning entries are:

This was the LPA’s 8th year of participating in the Lancaster Poppy Festival, with a booth in the Fine Arts area.

Our Purpose…

• To provide information to the public about our club and educational opportunities:  programs, workshops, field trips and activities and to provide wildflower photography tips
• To spark inspiration and interest within the community about photography
• To provide members an opportunity to learn how to display and sell their work

It was an unusually HOT weekend, but no wind!!!  This year, Mother Nature did not provide much of a showing out to the west, so if one wanted to see Poppies, they were best seen at the Poppy Festival.