Author Archives: Art Arizpe

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Mike Zarella

Congratulations to Mike for winning Honorable Mention in the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society 2016 Photo Contest for his photo of a manatee.

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society has established an annual photography contests on behalf of Jay Norwood Darling, the Refuge’s namesake, who recognized the importance of art to convey powerful messages about the importance of conservation and protecting our wildlife and habitats. The contest uses wildlife and outdoor photography as great way to educate visitors about the beauty of the wildlife that calls the Refuge “home” in hopes to inspire future conservation stewards.

https://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/photo-contests/2016/DDD_photoContest_2016.html

manatee_zarella

Florida Manatee
Mike Zarella

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Wes Odell

Wes Odell’s monochrome image of a broken down wagon in historic Bannock Montana, titled “Out of Commission” was selected to be in the 2016 “High and Dry” exhibit.

The exhibit is part of Texas Tech University’s International Cultural Center’s emphasis on “The Dry Lands of the World” and features the people, places and culture of these lands.

The exhibit will run from December 2nd to January in Lubbock, Texas.The results of the Photographic Society of America 2016 Green Eagle Award in the Pictorial Print Division were just announced.

odell-wes-out-of-commission

Congratulations, Wes!

November 2016 Program

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Adventure Photography

We were all disappointed when our September presenter became ill and had to cancel. But the good news is, Jason is looking forward to coming to our November meeting, and will share his awesome images, and tell us how he was able to capture some of them.

Jason Weingart, an Austin freelance photograher, specializes in landscape photography, including severe weather (tornadoes, lightning, etc) and night time photography (Milky Way). You will be amazed at his dramatic images.

You won’t want to miss our next meeting on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 pm.  Jason Weingart, an Austin freelance photographer specializing in landscape photography including severe weather (tornadoes, lightning, etc) and night time photography (Milky Way), will share his dramatic images and tell you about them, and how YOU might get the same results. 

Agenda:

7:00 – 7:25  Welcome, Member Share, and Announcements. Discuss Officer Elections – we are looking for someone to consider the role of President for 2017 – please let me know if you would consider this “opportunity” or let me know if you would like to know more about what is involved. 

7:30 – 8:20   Adventure Photography with Jason Weingart

8:25 – 9:00  Critiques: Holidays

About Our Program: Adventure Photography with Jason Weingart

Jason Weingart is a freelance photographer from Austin, Texas. He specializes in photographing nature including, severe weather, bluebonnets and the night sky.Jason_Weingart_Collage

Jason graduated from the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in photography. His photographic and timelapse work has been featured by educational and media outlets across the globe including National Geographic, AP, ABC World News, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, and many more.

Jason is the co-author of The Anatomy of Severe Weather. The comprehensive visual guide to understanding severe thunderstorms hit the shelves in January 2016. He also recently led a lightning research project for the BBC series Wild Weather with Richard Hammond.

Jason hosts photographic workshops and adventures. Whether you would like to shoot fields of wildflowers, chase violent storms, photograph the night sky, explore ghost towns, or simply improve your shooting or editing, there is a workshop to fit your needs.

Critiques: Holidays

You may send 2 images to share in the Critique portion of the meeting. Please re-size your files to 2000 pixels on the long side, and name them FirstName_LastName_1.jpg, etc. Email them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 15th.

You may ask for a critique, or simply “show and tell.”

Reminders

  • If you have a Facebook account, you may join our club’s Closed Group page and keep up with current member news as well as postings of Calls for Entry that you may wish to enter, or share other important or interesting information with our group. Go to HCPC Members. You must be a paid member to post and use this account. It is the easiest and best way to keep current on photo opps and member news. Carolyn Whiteside is the administrator of this page – thank you Carolyn!
  • You may also send a write-up of Accomplishments and Awards information that you would like to share on our website by submitting your information in a concise manner, and email to Art Arizpe at webmaster@hcphotoclub.org.

October 2016 Program

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

How Did You Do That?

We have a special meeting planned for Thursday, October 20th at 7:00 pm. Club members will share their vision, techniques, and tools as we review their images. You don’t want to miss it!

Agenda:

7:00 – 7:25   Welcome, Member Share, and Announcements

7:30 – 9:00   How did you do that? – Club particpants

About Our Program: How did you do that?

oct-16-beforeoct-16-after

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I first started coming to the photo club meetings, one of the most helpful activities for me, was seeing other club members’ “before and after” images. It was then that I realized I was taking pretty good pictures, but didn’t have a clue how to edit them in a way that brought out the best in my image. Hearing other members share the various ways they chose to improve their images was a game changer for me. I think it will be a fun exercise whether you are a seasoned photographer, or a beginner.

For this month’s meeting, we are going to ask you to submit one (or two) “Before and After” sets of images. We want to know HOW you arrived at your final image, by sharing some of the following information:

  1. Was the image taken with a digital camera, or a phone camera?
  2. How did you make your edits – with Photoshop, Lightroom, Picasa, phone apps (which ones) or other programs?
  3. If you used some Plug-in filters, please (try to) tell us what you used…. the name of the plug-ins (On1, Topaz, Nik, etc.), plus any specifics you want to share beyond that.

 

Please come prepared to share more specific details of your editing workflow. It does not need to be a drastic edit, but something that shows where you started, and how you chose to make your final image. This will NOT be a critique session, unless you specifically request suggestions for your particular image.

To prepare your images, please resize them to 2,000 pixels on the long side, and label them 1FirstName_LastName_BF, and 1FirstName_LastName_Edit, and 2FirstName_Last Name, etc. Please try to get these submitted to hcphotoclub@gmail.com by October 18.

Please Note:

Since we will be talking about our images in more detail than our normal “Critiques”, we will show at least one set of images from each person who chooses to send one, and then look at additional sets as time and interest allow.

Reminders

  • If you have a Facebook account, you may join our club’s Closed Group page and keep up with current member news as well as postings of Calls for Entry that you may wish to enter, or share other important or interesting information with our group. Go to HCPC Members. You must be a paid member to post and use this account. It is the easiest and best way to keep current on photo opps and member news. Carolyn Whiteside is the administrator of this page – thank you Carolyn!
  • You may also send a write-up of Accomplishments and Awards information that you would like to share on our website by submitting your information in a concise manner, and email to Art Arizpe at webmaster@hcphotoclub.org.
Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Nancy Naylor, Michael Penn Smith, and Winifred Simon

Club members Nancy Naylor, Michael Penn Smith, and Winifred Simon had images selected for the Texas Photographic Society FotoTexas: People, Places & Culture exhibit, juried by Dan Burkholder.

Congratulations Nancy, Michael, and Winifred!

Naturescapes Awards Reception

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

We held the 12th Annual Naturescapes Awards Reception on September 3rd at the San Marcos Activity Center. The reception opened the Exhibition at the Walkers’ Gallery and also gave an opportunity to recognize the award winners.

We had a nice turnout and it was great to meet all the photographers, their families, and supporters. We were treated to snacks, drinks, cake, desserts, and wine and champagne. Music was provided by the ensemble, Wimberley Friends of Music. Many thanks Linda Kelsey-Jones, the Walker’s Gallery Director and exhibition curator, for organizing the reception.

The program was presented by Carol Serur, Beth Ramey, and Art Arizpe. Carol is President of the Hill Country Photography Club. Beth is President of the Hays County Master Naturalists. Art is the contest coordinator.

Naturescapes is the only juried exhibition at the Walkers’ Gallery and this year we were pleased to have John and Kendra Abbot as the contest jurors. —John and Kendra are professional nature photographers, educators and outdoor enthusiasts.

The contest received 235 entries from 42 photographers. The jurors selected 60 images from 23 photographers.

Here’s the complete list of the Naturescapes 2016 Award Winners.

Awards of Merit

  • Black-chinned Hummingbird 3 – Jørgen Høg
  • Red Thorns – Nancy Naylor
  • Water Lily with Bees – Winifred F. Simon
  • Soldier Butterfly on Purple Coneflower – Drew Wilson
  • Serene Queen – Drew Wilson

Awards of Excellence

The contest has four Awards of Excellence and each wins a $50 prize.

  • Favorite Swimming Hole – Rose Krohn Epps
  • Bluebonnets and Lightning – Andrew Heatwole
  • bee in flight – Best Insect, Scott G. Mitchell
  • Texas Mockingbird – Nancy Naylor

Best Natural Waterscape

The Best Natural Waterscape Award is sponsored by the Hays County Master Naturalists and wins a $75 prize. This Award was presented by Beth Ramey.

  • Jacob’s Well in the Moonlight – Andrew Heatwole

Best Youth

The Best Youth Award is sponsored by the Hill Country Photography Club and wins a $75 prize.

  • Flame Skimmer Dragonfly – Drew Wilson

Best in Show

The Best in Show Award wins a $100 prize.

  • Gulf Fritillary Egg – Linda Avitt

September 2016 Program

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Adventure Photography

You won’t want to miss our next meeting on Thursday, September 15th at 7:00 pm.  Jason Weingart, an Austin freelance photographer specializing in landscape photography including severe weather (tornadoes, lightning, etc) and night time photography (Milky Way), will share his dramatic images and tell you about them, and how YOU might get the same results. 

Agenda:

7:00 – 7:25   Welcome, Member Share, and Announcements

7:30 – 8:20   Adventure Photography with Jason Weingart

8:25 – 9:00  Critiques: Recent Work

About Our Program: Adventure Photography with Jason Weingart

Jason Weingart is a freelance photographer from Austin, Texas. He specializes in photographing nature including, severe weather, bluebonnets and the night sky.Jason_Weingart_Collage

Jason graduated from the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in photography. His photographic and timelapse work has been featured by educational and media outlets across the globe including National Geographic, AP, ABC World News, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, and many more.

Jason is the co-author of The Anatomy of Severe Weather. The comprehensive visual guide to understanding severe thunderstorms hit the shelves in January 2016. He also recently led a lightning research project for the BBC series Wild Weather with Richard Hammond.

Jason hosts photographic workshops and adventures. Whether you would like to shoot fields of wildflowers, chase violent storms, photograph the night sky, explore ghost towns, or simply improve your shooting or editing, there is a workshop to fit your needs.

Critiques: Recent Work

You may send 2 images to share in the Critique portion of the meeting. Please re-size your files to 2000 pixels on the long side, and name them FirstName_LastName_1.jpg, etc. Email them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 13th.

You may ask for a critique, or simply “show and tell.”

Reminders

  • If you have a Facebook account, you may join our club’s Closed Group page and keep up with current member news as well as postings of Calls for Entry that you may wish to enter, or share other important or interesting information with our group. Go to HCPC Members. You must be a paid member to post and use this account. It is the easiest and best way to keep current on photo opps and member news. Carolyn Whiteside is the administrator of this page – thank you Carolyn!
  • You may also send a write-up of Accomplishments and Awards information that you would like to share on our website by submitting your information in a concise manner, and email to Art Arizpe at webmaster@hcphotoclub.org.
Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Wes Odell

The results of the Photographic Society of America 2016 Green Eagle Award in the Pictorial Print Division were just announced.

In the monochrome division, Club member Wes O’Dell won First Place for “Killer Instinct” taken at Georgetown’s Sterling Gloves Tournament, and an Honorable Mention for “Hand of a Young Cowboy” taken in Art, Texas.

Congratulations, Wes!PSA 2016 Green Eagle_The Killer Instinct _0479 OdellPSA Green Eagle 2016_Hand of a Young Cowboy_Wes Odell

Naturescapes Awards Reception

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Please join us at the San Marcos Activity Center on Saturday, September 3rd from 5 pm to 7 pm, for the 12th Annual Naturescapes Photography Contest and Exhibition Awards Reception.

This is a great way to support Naturescapes 2016 Postcardthe local arts and conservation efforts! You’ll see the beautiful and inspiring images selected by the contest jurors, John and Kendra Abbott. John and Kendra are professional nature photographers, educators and outdoor enthusiasts based in Austin, Texas. John has focused on dragonflies and damselflies throughout much of his career and has written three books on these beautiful subjects that contain much of their photography. Kendra is an ecologist and focused on endangered species and conservation issues much of her career.

You’ll also get to meet with the photographers, their families, and fellow supporters. We’ll have snacks, refreshments, and live music.

The contest is co-sponsored by the Hays County Master Naturalists Chapter and the Hill Country Photography Club.

A $100 prize will be awarded for Best in Show, $75 for the best Youth Category photo, and $75 for the best Natural Waterscape photo. Up to four $50 Awards of Excellence will be presented for the next most outstanding photographs. Additional Awards of Merit will be presented at the discretion of the contest jurors.

The unique beauty of the natural areas within San Marcos inspired the first Naturescapes Photography Contest. The contest now includes photographs taken in greenspaces and natural areas throughout Hays, Blanco, Comal, Guadalupe, Caldwell, and Travis Counties.

The Exhibition in the Walkers’ Gallery at the San Marcos Activity Center, runs from September 3rd through October 28th, so you’ll have a chance to see the photographs even if you can’t attend the reception.

August 2016 Program

Hill Country Photography Club Posted on by

Closeup/Macro Photography

We hope you join us at our photo club meeting on Thursday, August 18th, 7:00 pm at Brookdale San Marcos North (formerly Horizon Bay). Come a little early if you want to visit with your friends, and find your name tag.

Club member Linda Avitt will share her knowledge for making beautiful macro images. You don’t want to miss hearing how she captures such amazing images … indoors!

“One of my greatest joys is linda_avitt_programspending time in our pollinator garden. I love the vibrant colors, earthy smells, and how it feels in my hands. Looking beyond the obvious, many tiny treasures patiently wait to be discovered, and over the years I’ve come to know each little garden visitor and plant as an individual. Capturing those individuals in macro images presents unique challenges and rewards.

In this presentation I’ll share some of the tips and techniques I’ve learned (mostly the hard way!) for making interesting, beautiful macro images.” – Linda Avitt

Critiques: Recent Work

You may send 2 images to share in the Critique portion of the meeting. Please re-size your files to 2000 pixels on the long side, and name them FirstName_LastName_1.jpg, etc. Email them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com by Tuesday, August 16th.

You may ask for a critique, or simply “show and tell.”

Reminders

  • Accepted entries for Naturescapes and “Takin’ it to the Street” are due at the San Marcos Activity Center on Saturday, August 20th from 10:00 to 5:00. Also, remember to send your high-res file and title and price of your print if you have not done so already.
  • If you have a Facebook account, you may join our club’s Closed Group page and keep up with current member news as well as postings of Calls for Entry that you may wish to enter, or share other important or interesting information with our group. Go to HCPC Members. You must be a paid member to post and use this account. It is the easiest and best way to keep current on photo opps and member news. Carolyn Whiteside is the administrator of this page – thank you Carolyn!
  • You may also send a write-up of Accomplishments and Awards information that you would like to share on our website by submitting your information in a concise manner, and email to Art Arizpe at webmaster@hcphotoclub.org.