Volume 4

December Newsletter

December 2009

December 14 - 6:30-8:00 pm
Woodlands Community Center
2235 Lake Robbins Road

Club Holiday Party

Bring a side dish or desert to share as we celebrate the holidays at the December club meeting. Fun and games will abound at the yearly celebration.

2010 WPC Board

Thanks to the 2009 board for the work and effort presented in a year of transition. Welcome to the new board members. Please send any ideas or information you would like to share to the board.

President – Don Reuter
Vice President – Patty Chimene
Treasurer – Lenora Stein
Workshops - David Meine
Field Trips – Doug Wilson
Webmaster - Mike Guidry
Advisor – Lenora Stein
Publicity/Promotion - Melinda Culpon
Historian – Barry Dolton
Photographer – Pam Moore
Hospitality - Open

Volunteers:
Wil Kennard

Andy Biggs
Photo by Pam Moore

Wildlife Photographer

Our thanks to Andy Biggs for an exceptional presentation last month. Andy, an outdoor photographer and safari leader, provided insight into the wildlife of Africa. We learned about modes of transportation, equipment and techniques used for getting the "shot". In addition to viewing a slideshow and discussing the various aspects of a safari, we also discussed the basics of any photography expedition. We learned the importance of spending time with a subject, studying the gestures and paying attention to detail. Making a conscience decision to 'move' if you don't like the results of what you are currently shooting.

Andy also shared with us his check-off list of the 7 types of photographs that tell the story: 1) opening, 2) wide angle, 3) zoom, 4) detail, 5) portrait, 6) special moment (defines a moment in time) and 7) closer. He suggested shooting all seven in both vertical and horizontal. For those that were not able to meet Andy at the November meeting, you may catch him at the Houston Zoo Photo Day on December 12th. Further details can be found on the Houston Zoo website. www.houstonzoo.org/photographyday

Glenwood Cemetary

Photo by Susan Long

We had wonderful weather for our November guided field trip/photo shoot at Glenwood Cemetery. Our visit was guided by Gary White who knows the really cool facts about all the Houston area cemeteries so it was a nice treat to hear all the historical details that we would otherwise miss had we self guided ourselves. We learned that it was designed in a way to appear very ‘park like’ with it’s winding roads, rolling hills and magnificent trees. As we photographed the many picturesque and historic statues, buildings, plots and landscape, Gary continued to fill in the blanks with all sorts of details. It is really nice to see such a wonderful green area right in the middle of a huge U.S. city. If you have never gone to Glenwood, you will not be disappointed with the history or the photo ops. With the great fall weather upon us, take some time to visit www.glenwoodcemetery.org

Mini Contests for 2010

Participate in the monthly mini contests. Simply bring up to 2 - 8x10 prints or email digital entries to Mike Guidry by the Friday prior to the meeting date.

The following are the themes for the monthly mini contests:

January - Statues Located in The Woodlands
February - Reflections
March - Spring Contest (No Mini Contest)
April - Reflections
May - Macros
June - Windows and Doors
July - In the Kitchen
August - Trees
September - Things with Wheels
October - Fall Contest (No Mini Contest)
November - From My Backyard
December - Holiday Lights

Spring Contest Categories

The categories for the upcoming Spring Photography contest have been established. There are themes set for specific categories - for instance - Black & White - submit photos of architecture in black & white. Please remember the only category where photographs can be digitally altered is the Open category. Contest date to be announced.

1. Black & White - Achitecture
2. Nature - Landscape
3. Techinique - Motion Blur
4. Look Alikes
5. People - In Motion
6. Open

Shooting Opportunity
Not a WPC Sponsored Event
Photography Day at the Zoo
Saturday - December 12
7:00 am
Capture images of the Zoo's animals and lush landscaping two hours before our normal opening time. Take advantage of morning lighting and cooler weather and get memorable shots of some of the Zoo's early risers as they start their day. Entrance fee includes a continental breakfast, all-day access to the Zoo and a photography presentation located at the Karamu Outpost tent at 9:00 a.m. by Andy Biggs, African Wildlife Photographer. For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.houstonzoo.org/photographyday

Field Trip Information/Workshops

No Club Field Trips are scheduled for December - Please watch the website and WPCnews for updates for events scheduled for January

December 5
9:00 am to
12:45 pm

ProShow Gold:

Learn how to create amazing slide shows and multi-media presentations. This workshop will step through the creation of at least two slide show/video presentations – one to show the simplest version with an emphasis on ease of use along with a more complex show to demonstrate more advanced capabilities of the software. These slide/video shows can be output in dozens of ways, including DVD’s, upload to You Tube, etc. Presented by Janice Braud at the South Branch Montgomery Library large meeting room. Sign up here!

All members are welcome to attend board meetings which are held from 7:00-8:00pm the last Wednesday of each month at Cafe Express in The Woodlands. For a complete listing and contact information of current board members please visit our website.

Club's Website - www.woodlandsphoto.org