August Meeting - "The American West" by Greg Russell

Sue Craft our President welcomed 53 members and 7 guest to our August General meeting this evening.

We started our evening off with David Wilkins our Vice President introducing our guest speaker tonight, Greg Russell. Mr. Russell’s presentation “The American West” is a wonderful presentation. He shares many of his beautiful pictures, explaining how and where the pictures were taken. He went over his philosophy on processing an image, some of the digital darkroom tools we should be taking advantage of, the difference between HDR and luminosity masking (look up Tony Kuyper for tutorials) and image blending using Photomatix Exposure Fusion.  If you are confused, don’t be and he stressed DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE CREATIVE! Visit Mr. Russell’s website Alpenglow Images at http://www.alpenglowimagesphotography.com/index.html. His blog is at http://www.alpenglowimagesphotography.com/blog/  We gave him a Honorary Membership and a Certificate of Appreciation for the excellent program this evening.

LPA & Fairmont Butte Motocross Project: Save the “Poppy Reserve” Dean Webb, Sue Craft and Bonnie Matthews put together a letter. Sue read the letter to the membership and then it was passed around for membership signatures if they support encouraging the LA Co Dept of Regional Planning to protect the more scenic areas for future generations.

David Wilkins our Vice President gave his report on the upcoming programs.   Sept 21 – Landscape Photographer by Micheal Gordon.  Nov 16 – Nature & Landscape Photog by Dan Sniffin. Dec 20 – Holiday Photo Contest & Dinner.

Douglas Wade our Workshop Chair announced the upcoming workshops. They are:  Aug 24th  Wordpress for Photographers – Douglas Wade.Oct 26 – Adobe Lightroom Demo

Helen Henry our Competition Chair reminded us of the upcoming competitions. The schedule is: Oct 19th Prime Desert Woodlands, Jan 18th or 25th 2011Portraits, Mar – Open, May – Step Into The Past and June – “Best of Year” competition – Judged event, and Member’s Choice awards.

Bill Sutton our Fieldtrip Chair reminded us of the next upcoming field trips. Be sure to mark your calendar and watch the website for more information.  Aug – Aquarium of the Pacific – Bill Sutton; Sep 24-25– Alabama Hills – David & Chris Wilkins.

Bonnie Matthews, our Secretary, spoke about the Release of Liability Forms. We are having all members complete updated information sheet as well as sign a Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk. This document is usually required for private property events and after speaking to other clubs since we are working diligently towards our non-profit status, we are choosing to follow their lead. In acting so responsible, there could be other benefits the board will be looking into once we can prove the general membership is compliant with the waiver. For those attending the Tropico field trip this must be signed  before attending the field trip as it was a requirement from the owners in order for us to schedule the trip.

David Wilkins is still doing the newsletter while seriously looking for someone to take over the editor’s position, so if you are interested, please contact David or Sue. David will teach you and work with you and the members supply the pictures and stories to print. You can download a copy of the newsletter from our website.

Dave Anderson gave his fair report. IT IS APPROACHING FAST!!! There is a sign up on the web site, we need monitors. Please help. We have been very busy this past week and a BIG THANK YOU to those who worked so very hard. Dave handed out passes to those who are signed up to work.

Lyle Trusty said the S4C new year is coming up fast, beginning October 1. Your entries are due the end of Sept, so be sure you have your UEN numbers.

Nan Carder gave her PSA report reminding us, the 72nd  PSA Annual Conference will be held in Charleston, SC form Oct 3 to Oct. 7, 2009. PSA will offer many fieldtrips, workshops and classes during that time. The results for the year end Creative Interclub still have not been completed. We were tied for first after the first competition.  We need your help getting pictures this year for the PSA Interclub Competitions. Pictures need to be 1024 x 768.  Lancaster Photography Association will be judging the PSA Nature Interclub contest in May 2011. This year PSA competitions start October 1, 2010.  There will be at least 18 competitions and we need 6 entries per competition. We have reorganized the Interclub Competitions. You can now upload to that area for either or both sections. Lyle Trusty is a mentor for PSA in the landscape category. You can see information about what he offers at http://psa-newmember.org/firstyearhappenings/landscapes.html
There are articles for you to read, and some of Lyle’s landscape pictures. Lyle is a wonderful resource. If there are any questions or if any needs help, please contact me. Please join the Photographic Society of America.  https://psamembership.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4z5/

Bonnie Matthews our secretary, reminded everyone we need to have them complete a “Release of Liability/Members Info Update” form so we can update our directory information. Since we deliver our information to our members via the internet, it is very important our records are updated yearly

Cheryl Ross our library chair has books, magazines and information out on non-competition night for all to view. If anyone wants to donate to the Library, please contact Cheryl Ross. If you would like to check out books, magazines or items in the Library, please contact Cheryl.  Items available for checkout can be found on the LPA website, under the Members Only section

Sharna Lee was the featured member this month as she has been published due to her beautiful action photography. Congratulations Sharna

Saddleback Butte 50th Anniversary photo contest / exhibit: 3rd or 4th weekend in Oct, looking for photographer. Dean Webb will be in charge of project. They are looking for prints. If you have any questions see Sue Craft or Dean Webb

The Sr Center is having a Christmas party and would like to have a photographer shoot the party and put it on CD for them, donating their time etc. If you would like more information please see Dave Anderson.

Everyone is invited everyone to attend the Friday night discussion group which meets every Friday night, 6:30pm at Denny’s, 20th West and K, Lancaster. Everyone is welcomed regardless of knowledge and all subjects covered. If you have any questions please contact Glenn Olson.

By Bonnie Matthews