Focal Points Magazine June 2020 Issue by John Nilsson

Focal Points Sierra Club Camera Committee Magazine May 2020

Focal Points Magazine

Due to the Current Unpleasantness we will be holding our June 11 meeting on-line. I will be contacting everyone soon with Contents instructions as to how to access the live 4. Cover Story presentation via Zoom. 10. Meetings and Outings

An Announcement: It is with great pleasure that I can announce the Camera Committee has a new home for its meetings beginning with the February 2020 meeting.

Our new meeting place will be the Garden Room of the Culver City Memorial Complex, 4117 Overland Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 During 2020 we will be sharing this facility with the West LA Chapter of the Sierra Club on a rotating basis - West LA will have the space on odd months, the Camera Committee will have the space on even months of the year. Our new meeting night will be on the 2nd Thursday of even months.

82. Black and White Pages

88. Notes and Announcem 96, Photo of the Month 97. Parting Shot Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,

Cover Photo Credit:

kill nothing but time.

16. Member Photos

ments

Notes from the Chairman So here we go looking at another month or

so of sticking around the homestead. I’ve got to admit to a good bit of boredom right now with 6 or 7 weeks of “sheltering in place” behind me. However, it’s been good to finally have the time to get a handle on a lot of photo files that have built up over the last few years – good riddance to many! I’m getting itchy to get out there and take some more photos! But I've got to remember, even though there is pressure everywhere to get back to normal and enjoy a trip to the beach and a drink with my buddies, this virus is still out there and case counts are going up – not down. Science tells us that Covid-19 will be on the rise worldwide until either 65% to 70% of us get the virus or we come up with a vaccine. Be careful out there! This thing is far from over. While we have been marking time, the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has obtained a new Senior Director. A big “Hello” to Morgan Goodwin who has hit the ground running with enthusiasm and great ideas primed to take our local Sierra Club Chapters into the future. We have a challenging time ahead of us - as usual. I’m sure we are all looking forward to a continuation of the great leadership we’ve enjoyed from the Angeles Chapter over recent years! I have a reminder for everyone about the great database of Sierra Club related photos that we have been building over the last 6 months. As always, I encourage you to offer up your best to be placed in this database to be used in backing the various Sierra Club causes. Nothing is more effective than a great photograph in pressing our efforts to preserve the natural world or fight back against those who would damage our environment out of stupidity or greed. I promise you will receive credit for your photos when they are used in Sierra Club publications! Contact me if you’ve got some photos you’d like to contribute. John Nilsson - Editor

Cover Story:

The Great Migration of East Africa consists of 1.5 million wildebeests,

200,000 zebra and thousands of other plains animals. It is the planet’s largest mammal migration, and for of those who have had the privilege to witness it, it is perhaps the most amazing spectacle on earth. The migration takes place across parts of the world’s most breathtaking ecosystems as it moves from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park into Kenya's Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The migration runs in a clockwise pattern traversing 2,900 kilometers or about 1,800 miles. Meanwhile, the journey is fraught with peril and it’s estimated a quarter of a million wildebeest and 30,000 zebras die en route every year from predators, exhaustion, thirst or disease.

Not for the faint of heart Beginning in Tanzania, herds gather in by the thousands to cross the waters of the Grumeti and Mara Rivers running a gauntlet of strong currents, lurking crocodiles and stealthy lions and leopards. Predator kills and hordes of panicked animals also means the crossing isn’t for the faint-hearted. However, for those who can handle it, the

crossings offer some of Africa's most dramatic wildlife encounters; and if you’re a photo enthusiast, this is about as close to Mecca as you’ll ever get. The migration’s route that occurs between May and December each year is sometimes thought of as a circuit between Tanzania and Kenya. But nature doesn’t operate like a Swiss watch, so don’t let the detailed timeline maps predicting the migration’s pathway fool you—there are numerous factors that influence the timing of the migration and the safari goer must always be mindful that nature doesn’t operate on a schedule. Nonetheless and generally speaking the herds begin aggregating in Tanzania in June, and by July they encounter the Grumeti River. If the rains have been heavy the Grumeti can get deep in places, and many of the animals drown making it quite common to see hundreds of bloated carcasses floating down river with plenty of crocodiles to take advantage of the situation. By mid-August the grasses of the western Serengeti are turning yellow so after crossing the Grumeti River in Tanzania, the herds head to Kenya's Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle. But before arriving on the lush plains of the Mara, they have to make another crossing—this time it’s the Mara River, which is also filled with hungry crocs and big cats waiting along its river’s banks. From September through November the Massai Mara is filled to the brim with large herds—and with them come lions, cheetah, leopards, hyena as well as the scavengers. During a ‘normal’ season, i.e., by November, the rains begin again in the south, and the herds start their long trek back to the Serengeti plains to give birth to their young. For those who have never been, witnessing the migration is an “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” And if you’re a photographer or 5

just someone looking for an adventure, this needs to top your bucket list. Now having said be tricky, and being in the right place at the right time is never assured.

One of the most anticipated events during the migration is the arrival of the herds from la the guidebook says—because the first time my wife Bobbi and I traveled there we arrived du never arrived. But several years later during another trip to Kenya we witnessed ten (10) sep

Bobbi and I are more familiar with the Massai Mara than the Serengeti, and found the wi continent. Yes, wildlife viewing on the Mara is excellent year round but for those looking fo from July to October.

Ok, the foregoing was the Nat Geo version of what, where & when. Now I’d like to give y important thing you need is a knowledgeable guide. And just like anything else, whether w and not so good ones. And if your goal is to photograph “the Crossing,” allow me to make a focus on shooting the crossing. 6

that, the mobile nature of the migration means that planning a trip around the spectacle can

ate July through August and into early September at the Mara River. But that’s just what uring “peak crossing time,” i.e., mid-August. And with our cameras at the ready, the herds parate crossings in late September, with the herds comprising as many as 10,000 animals..

ildlife viewing there the most abundant of anyplace we visited during eight trips to the or an opportunity to watch the migration unfold, the best time to witness a river crossing is

you a photographer’s perspective. As noted previously, aside from a bit of luck the most we’re talking about doctors, plumbers, schoolteachers or ski instructors, there are good ones a suggestion: Hire a private guide & vehicle or go with a professional photo group with a

The images appearing on these pages were taken in late September 2015 as the herds were crossing the Mara River into Kenya. As an aside and what is absolutely critical for photographers is being able to photograph the spectacle with the animals moving towards the camera rather than away from it—and for that all the budding Ansel Adams’ out there need a knowledgeable guide and a bit of luck.

Jungle Photography (no pun intended) Photographers know there are certain places and times when “jungle photography” is the order of the day, e.g., the Grand Canyon’s South Rim at sunset with people jamming together looking for that ‘perfect’ viewing location while others think nothing of positioning themselves right in front of your tripod—I can’t tell you how many shots of blurred heads I’ve captured there while taking long exposures there. And in many ways photographing ‘the crossing’ is ‘jungle photography’ on steroids. Safari goers know shooting African wildlife can be hit and miss. There are just so many variables; and it’s no different with the crossing. During one crossing you may be joined by 10 other vehicles, but at another you might find yourself surrounded by 100 vehicles or more lined up 50 abreast and three deep. And while you wait with several hundred of your closest friends a lone wildebeest will spot a croc in the water and get spooked; suddenly there are five thousand animals waiting for just one to have the courage to cross the river. So you wait and wait and wait and wait. In the meantime, nature calls. Considering the vehicles on either side and in the front and back of you are about two feet apart—what do you do? You can figure that out for yourself, but suffice it to say I had an easier time of it than my wife did. Most folks who’ve been on safari agree that the vast majority of safari guides are considerate and respectful. But during the migration there are tons of discount daytrip safari vans that can make the Mara look like an auto dealership parking lot, many of whom think nothing of pulling their vehicle right in front of yours destroying your sight lines to the subject. And while we only had a couple of occasions as described above I felt it necessary to at least point that out. Nonetheless, the African bush is unlike any place on earth—it is truly magical— and words simply cannot convey the sense of excitement and adventure of an African safari. Yes, the bush is raw and unpredictable, but its authenticity washes over the visitor in ways one can’t imagine, making it easy to become addicted for those fortunate enough to have the time and resources to travel there. So allow me to close this essay with an old African expression, “If you can visit two continents in a lifetime—go to Africa twice!”

SIERRA CLUB ANGELES CHAPTER CAMERA COMMITTEE

Bio - Butch Mazzuca

MAY 2015

Born in Chicago IL I attended the University of Dayton and after graduation I served four and half years as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. My last official ‘work' position was President & CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co-Denver. Retired in 1999 and moved to Vail where I taught skiing, a “fundamentals of photography” class at our local community college and wrote (still do) commentary for the Vail Daily Newspaper. Started taking pictures in 2008 when my wife Bobbi “talked me” into traveling to Africa (we returned seven more times! ) My images have been published in Shutter Bug Magazine, Sarasota Magazine, Travel Africa Magazine (5 times) and Africa Geographic (6 times including two photo essays) I consider myself a generalist although African wildlife and landscape photography are my favorites. © 2020 Butch Mazzuca, All Rights Reserved

You can see more of Butch Mazzuca’s images on his website at www.butchmazzuca.com 9

Meetings and Outings

Sierra Club Camera Committee June 11, 2020 Meeting Where:

In the Comfort of your own home via ZOOM Live!

When:

7:00 PM

What:

A 60 minute Presentation via Zoom: This Presentation gets to the heart of Dave’s creative approach to his photography that has spanned 40 years. Featuring career images from 12 Olympic Games and Professional SPORTS ... High Speed Sync Action Lighting in the Commercial & Advertising industry ... and Dave’s creative work featuring his artistic imagery with LIGHTPAINTING for the National Geographic and Commercial clients. AMA wrap-up: Dave’s evening Presentation will finish with an AMA (AskMeAnything) Q&A from the audience.

The Zoom platform has recently been upgraded to provide high security and ease of operation with Upgrade Version 4.6.12. Be certain to download or upgrade to the latest vesion before the presentation 12

Dave Black, is an Internationally

recognised photographer and teacher. A freelance photographer for over 40 years, Dave’s work has primarily centered on the sports industry for such publications as Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek and the award winning TV show Sports Century on ESPN. His list of event coverage includes The Masters, Kentucky Derby, National Football League, NASCAR and extensive work with the United States Olympic Committee, Olympic athletes and coverage of twelve Olympic Games. He is well known for his creative use of Speed lights and in particular with the artistic technique of Light Painting. Dave’s portfolio continues to broaden into the commercial and advertising industry, and with specialized lighting projects including work for the National Geographic and their book "Where Valor Rests, Arlington National Cemetery." He is a Nikon Ambassador and a member of Nikon’s “Legends behind the Lens”

See more of Dave's Work at www.DaveBlackPhotography.com

Outings

O: Iva Bell Hot Springs Backpack Date and Time:

Wed, Jul 8, 2020 7:00 AM (Local Time) - Sun, Jul 12, 2020 9:00 PM (Local Time)

These Trips are still "unofficially" on. Let's hope we will get back in the hills by July/August!

Organized By: Angeles Chp Backpacking Comm Event Organizers: Mark Jacobs guitarpack@aol.com (818) 783-4882 Jeremy Evans jceevans@me.com (818) 749-4998 Moderate 22 mile, 1000' gain backpack to Iva Bell Hot Springs, one of the few undeveloped, natural hot springs in the Sierras. We'll head out from Reds Meadow for a two day backpack to the hot springs, layover one day and then take two days hiking out; camping on Fish Creek along the way. A beautiful canyon with several hot springs to soak in should make this trip a relaxing and memorable trip. Send check for $50 (refundable at trailhead) payable to the Sierra Club Backpack Section, 2 SASE, H & W phones and recent backpacking experience/ conditioning and carpool info to Leader: MARK JACOBS, 15300 Ventura Blvd Ste 502Sherman OaksCA91403-5836 Level: Moderate(O-2) Signup Instructions: Send check for $50 (refundable at trailhead) payable to the Sierra Club Backpack Section, 2 SASE, H & W phones and recent backpacking experience/ conditioning and carpool info to Leader: MARK JACOBS, 15300 Ventura Blvd Ste 502Sherman OaksCA91403-5836 Cancellation Policy: Participants who fail to show up at the trailhead, lose their deposit 14

Photos courtesy Jeremy Evans

O: Mineral King Backpack Date and Time: Sat, Aug 8, 2020 6:00 AM (Local Time) - Sun, Aug 16, 2020 8:30 PM (Local Time) Organized By: Angeles Chp Backpacking Comm Event Organizers: Mark Jacobs Jeremy Evans

guitarpack@aol.com jceevans@me.com

(818) 783-4882 (818) 749-4998

Moderate 41 mile, 4200 gain backpack through the extraordinary Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park. With one layover day, well start this loop trip heading through the Franklin Lakes, Little Claire Lake, Moraine Lake, Big Five Lakes and Columbine Lakes with a spectacular finish crossing Sawtooth Pass for an exciting glissade back to our trailhead. This beautiful foray into the Great Western Divide area should prove both invigorating and refreshing with high snow peaked ranges and pristine alpine lakes. The trip also coincides with the famous Perseid Meteor Shower. Signup Instructions: Send check for $50 (refundable at trailhead) payable to the Sierra Club Backpacking Section, 2 SASE, H & W phones and recent backpacking experience/ conditioning and carpool info to Leader: MARK JACOBS, 15300 Ventura Blvd Ste 502 Sherman OaksCA91403-5836 Cancellation Policy: Participants who do not show up at the trailhead will lose their deposit

This Month's Member Photos

A few shots fr

rom a recent trip to the Krueger National Park

Jeff Gottesman ÂŠ 2020, Jeff Gottesmani, All Righs Reserved

Bio: Jeff Gottesman I first became interested in photography back in high school sometime in the last century. My father worked for many years in a professional camera store in Pittsburgh (Kadet Photo Supply) where he did the picture framing. I spent a few summers working in that camera store mostly doing shipping and receiving but every chance I got, I would be talking with and learning from the salesmen who knew everything about cameras and photography. At the end of the summer they gave me a used Pentax Spotmatic 500 and there began my love of photography. I did all the shooting and darkroom work for my high school yearbook and later as a photographer and writer for college newspapers. At the same time, I developed a love of nature and graduated college with a degree in Geology (with several electives in Photography). That was where all the environmentalists spent their time. The love of nature and photography were a perfect match and after retiring from IT a few years ago (there was a career change somewhere in there) Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve returned to those to those early loves and am able to spend a lot more time on photography, enjoying workshops and especially the Sierra Club trips :). My photos can be seen at https:// www.jeffgottesmanphotography. com/ 22

Lone Pine Sunrise

Lenticular - Alabama Hills

Owens Valley

Dreams of My Family

Beginnings

Tulips in a Time of Quarantine

Sheltering In Place 27

Ingenue

Innocense and Hope

Celebration in Paradise 29

Honey an

Aging in Gosimer Beauty

nd Sensibility

Unimagined Exploration

Resting in Place

s Reserved

Phil Witt

In April 2019, my wife and I went with a group of ou photographer friends to Ireland on a photo tour led by Gordan and Daragh Muldowney, our two favorite land photographer guides. We spent most of our time in the Killarney area, for lake and mountain views, and the D Peninsula, for wild shoreline images.

We began the trip at Lower Killarney Lake, where we used long exposures (in this case almost one minute) to smooth out the water and clouds, giving the black and white image a dreamy look.

ÂŠ 2020 Reserve

The next two images are different views of Upper Killarney Lake, the first with a fishing skiff nicely positioned in the beautiful reflection and the second another long exposure of sticks leading out into the lake. 32

ur Peter dscape e Dingle

0, Phil Witt, All Rights edR

An image of our photo group, shivering in the damp air at Upper Killarney Lake.

After that, we spent some time at Glanmore Lake on the Beara Peninsula, shooting the mountain's reflection at sunset.

We then went to the coast on the Dingle Peninsula to shoot the wild Atlantic as it broke against the rocky western shore of Ireland. The westerly winds make this area one of the stormiest and wettest in the country. First are the crashing waves at Ballyferriter Beach. The final two images are from Coumeenole Beach, first my wife, Becky, set up to shoot the receding water, and finally the rocky crags of Coumeenole Beach on a foggy, drizzly day.

BioPhil Witt Phil Witt has been photographing nature since he got his first SLR camera in the late 70s. An avid birder, he is a volunteer at the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary of NJ Audubon in Bernardsville, where he coleads the photography workshop series. He is currently on NJ Audubonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board of Directors. He is a past president of the Camera Naturalist Photo Club, and program chair of the Somerset County Camera Club. He judges photography competitions and presents instructional programs at photography clubs throughout New Jersey. He received the NJ Federation of Camera Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 Citation for service to photography in the state. He and his wife enjoy traveling the world for photography-Antarctica, the Galapagos, Tanzania, Iceland, Costa Rica, among others.

When not birding or photographing, he is a (mostly retired) forensic psychologist, specializing in legal cases and court testimony.https:// philwitt.smugmug.com

Wiebe Gortmaker

I made a trip to the Maritime highest mountain in Europe, at th border between Italy and France.

Images 1 and 2 were taken from high up on Mont Blanc loo

About Wiebe

I am based in Boulder, Colorado and consider myself a full-time hobbyist. After retiring photography. In the past few years I have moved from travel photography to primarily wildlife and la Alaska and Central and South America. I am now able to revisit those places with a focus o I have lived in Colorado since college and spent a lot of time flying, hiking, and climbing With my new hobby I am looking at these places in a new way, trying to preserve the im discover. Wiebe is concentrating on his photography at this time and is not currently active on social media. H 38

Alps in 2017 for a workshop. They run north-south from Mont Blanc, the he north and end; at the Mediterranean at the south end. They create the .

oking towards Switzerland. This area is referred to as the Graian Alps.

g from the airlines, I have devoted a high percentage of my time to travel and learning

andscape photography. Prior to the airlines, I spent considerable time in remote areas of on photography. g in the wild places in my back yard. mage and feelings I have of the wildlife and landscape. This process motivates me to learn and

He does plan to have a website together in the near future. 39

A little south of a town called Courmayeur are cascading falls that fall over 5,000 feet. It is hard to capture the volume and power of the torrents roaring down the mountainside. Image 3 is an attempt to do so. Image 4 shows an area closer to the valley floor. Farther south just west of Soustieres on the French side of the border are spectacular views of numerous valleys in the Hautes-Alps. Images 5, 6 and 7 were taken in that area. 40

John Clement

The Columbia Gorge and Hood River V wonders of this region of old farms, orch

Dalles Mtn. Flower Preserve, on the Washington side of th Gorge. 3 image panorama. 3,000 acres of a wide array of flo

Blooming View-Laraway Barn Hood River Valley 42

ÂŠ 2020 John Clement, A

Valley in Spring an amazing location to spend 3-4 days exploring the hards, grand gorge vistas and great food. You should come on out!

he owers

Afternoon Light Mt. Adams taken from the Hood River Valley 43

Tulip

Blo

ps and Mt. Hood-Hood River valley

ossoms and Fire - Hood River Valley

Bio – John Clement John began his career in photography in the early 70’s after graduating from Central Washington University with a double major in Geology and Geography. Since then he has earned a Masters of Photography from the Professional Photographers of America. He has received over 65 regional, national and international awards for his pictorial and commercial work. His photographs grace the walls of many businesses in the Northwest and has been published in numerous calendars and coffee table books. He has provided photographs for Country Music Magazine and for Northwest Travel Magazine. He has supplied murals for the Seattle Seahawks Stadium and images for Th Carousel of Dreams in Kennewick, WA. Current projects include 17 – 4x8 foot glass panels featuring his landscapes in Eastern Washington for the Pasco Airport Remodel. Last year he finished a major project for the Othello Medical Clinic where almost 200 images were used to decorate the facilities ranging in size from 24” to 35’ in size. His work can be viewd at

www.johnclementgallery.com and on John Clement Photography Face Book Professional page, at the Kiona Winery in Benton City, and at Allied Arts Gallery in Richland, WA. 45

Morn

Dusk on the Columbia Gorge - Mt. Hood in the distance from the Goodnoe Hills area o

ning's Promise-Ruthon Park on the Columbia Gorge

on the Wash. side of the gorge.

Sunrise on Old Red - Columbia Gorge, Wash. side above John Day Dam

Beverly Houwing

Som

C tu cr

“Blue Jeans” Poison Dart Frog

Red-Eyed Tree Frog from above

me more photos from my February Costa Rica Trip

Catarata Del Toro Waterfall umbling into a volcanic rater

Top: Crowned Tree Frog Above: Yellow Eyelash Viper Right Above: Poison Dart Frog Right Below: Yellow-Eyed Tree Frog walking along a branch

Editor's Note: Joyce sent me a number of photos last month - some of which I could not work into the previous Focal Points. Here are the balance of her White Sands photos.

Here are s

I am so grateful that I was able to ta It was a wonderful experience - very grat Las Vegas!!! Tried to find a burka, but no ing and shooting beauty on my many wa post on Meunch University. They are giv

several of my shots from White Sands 3/8-3/12/20

ake this “China Consolation” trip - I was scheduled to leave for Bejing on 4/15!! teful that I made it home before everything got so scary! Had to connect thru o success. I’m finding that my photography is feeding and sustaining me - findalks and yesterday I went thru all of my Africa photos looking for bird pix to ving us weekly assignments and critiquing so we can all continue to learn.

Bio - Joyce Harlan

I have always loved photography! First to document and save photos of my sons. We had little to no money for film birthday and I would always say “develop my film”!! After several years he finally did, but everything was yellow but photos of my athletes and created a book for each of them. The pure joy I saw on their and their family’s faces was pric

Finally, I was at Mammoth skiing with my family (grandkids!!) and we had lunch at Bergers Burgers. They had the Clevenger and that he often came in for lunch after skiing and she would point him out for me. She did, I asked about Mountain Light in Bishop with Jack Dykinga, John Shaw, Jerry Dodrill, David Meunch and Jeff Foote. One of the mos Over the years I have been blessed to travel the world with Muench Workshops (Cuba, Yukon, Mongolia, Alaska) Visio (Iceland, Maine fall color).

Photography mixed with travel has been my favorite soul food for a long, long time. And will continue to be for as l as soon as it is safe again.

developing in the beginning but I kept shooting. Every year my husband would ask me what I wanted for Christmas/ the memories were there. From there, when I was coaching downhill skiing for Westside Special Olympics, I took celess!

most gorgeous landscape photos on they walls. I asked the waitress about them and she said they were by Vern workshops and he said “absolutely”. That was it!! I took one workshop from him and many, many more with st memorable was their ten day inaugural rafting the Grand Canyon trip with Jack & Jerry. onary Wild (Botswana, Kenya, Patagonia, Greenland), Aurora Expenditions (Antarctica), and Nathaniel Smalley

long as I am able. Sadly, I am missing a trip to China in April and Uganda in June to see the gorillas. But I’ll get there

Miscellanious Ramblings I've been unable to get out to shoot anything but empty city streets lately. This has left me cycling through my Lightroom files for a contribution this Month. The result is this sample of unrelated images that I doubt have ever seen the light of publication. Here's to positive musings that we will all be out shooting the Natural World again soon!

Boy's Saturday Out Valley of Fire State Park

The Hand of Man Englewood Oil Field - all the time

The Hand of God Owen's Valley, Fall 2019

Bio John Nilsson I have a fond memory of my early years of my father dragging me to the Denver Museum of Natural History on a winter Sunday afternoon. He had just purchased a Bosely 35mm camera and had decided he wanted desperately to photograph one of the dioramas. I distinctly remember the display was of several Seal Lions in a beautiful blue half-light of the Arctic winter that required a tricky long exposure. The transparency he showed me several weeks later was spectacular and mysterious to my young eyes. Although the demands of Medical School made this photo one of the first and last he shot, at 5 years old I was hooked. The arrival of the digital age brought photography back to me as a conscious endeavor first as a pastime enjoyed with friends who were also afflicted, and then as a practitioner of real estate and architectural photography during my 40 years as a real estate broker. Since retiring and moving to Los Angeles, I have continued my hobby as a nature and landscape photographer through active membership in the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Camera Committee and my vocation as a real estate photographer through my company Oz Images LA. The camera is now a tool for adventure!

www.OzImagesLA.com dtlanow@gmail.com

Fern Garden - California Redwoods

iPhone XS 1/60 @f/1.8 ISO 320

Southwest Window Seat to....Anywhere?

iPhone XS 1/4 @ f/1.8 ISO 500

ights Reserved

How many times have we heard the adage to remember to look behind ourselves while we are taking pictures?

was one in a group on a photo shoot in the Dolomites, Italy, in the fall of 2013. We had driven up to the Passo Sella to get some early morning shots, hoping to simultaneously capture a clearing storm and rising sun. The storm had lingered and we were pressed to capture any dramatic landscape images; light rain came and went. I

My shot of the cliff face opposite was one of my best for the morningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort, and it gives a hint of what might have turned into a dramatic morning, but again and again the fog came back in. Finally, we decided to call it a morning and return to our cars.

As I turned around to leave, the light was behind me! As a former geologist, I the limestone which pointed toward a highlighted crest on a more distant ridge top camera gear so fast to capture the image that had been behind us all along.

Both images were taken with the same gear and, coincidentally, similar setting f/2.8 zoom, ISO 200, EV -1.7, and aperture preferred mode. The monolith was ta 1/1600th. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thomas Loucks

was struck by the converging beds in p. You’ve never seen anyone unpack

BioTom Louchs Tom has been an amateur photographer for over 40 years. While photography had been more of a favored hobby until recently, he did maintain a black-and-white darkroom for some years. More recently, he has taken some photo-workshops and joined two Denver-area photography clubs to raise hisskills. Critiques and contests have opened his eyes, and he is very flattered to have been invited to join Butch's nascent Vail Valley group.

gs: Nikon D300S, Nikon 70-200mm aken at 1/640th and the distant ridge at

Tom had images published in Vermont Life magazine in the 1970s but didn’t start entering contests till this century (!). He garnered first place in National Audubon's 2004 Nature's Odyssey contest and has placed well in several contests by Nature's Best, Denver Audubon's Share the View, and the Merrimack Valley's George W. Glennie Nature Contest. He has two images of "Alumni Adventurers" on permanent display at Dartmouth College and regularly places in monthly competitions held by the Mile High Wildlife Photo Club. He is also the incoming President of Mile High (20212022) and currently serves as VP and as a Director. His photographic interests are landscape, wildlife, travel, and "street" photography. He has traveled widely and lived and worked in several countries. Tom is recently retired as a corporate executive and is looking forward to spending more time on photography and outdoor activities. He has just signed up as a volunteer with Denver Audubon and will be assisting with field trips as well as administrative activities at HQ. © 2020 Thomas Loucks All Rights Reserved

Basil Katsaros

Yanky Bo

Columbine

oy Basin outside of Ouray, Colorado

Elephant Trunk

Oh....Hello!

Falcon Chick

Bio: Susan Manley Susan Manley has more than 35 years experience as a photographer. Her career consisted mainly working in a Communications Department writing and shooting a wide variety of public relations and photojournalism photos. Since she retired approximately ten years ago, she switched her focus onto nature photography including landscapes and wildlife in America.

Allen Johnson ÂŠ 2020 Allen Johnson, All Righrs ReservedA

All photos have been taken in Southeast Washington State. The ones on water were taken early in the morning during my routine morning bike ride. I always have a camera close at hand. "From Columbia Park 2019" is a shot of the Columbia River taken from the Kennewick, Washington shore. "Wheat Country" and "Farm House" are photos of the many enormous wheat fields near Benton City, Washington. "From Candy Mountain" overlooks West Richland, Washington. "Geese in Flight" was taken one morning when discovered a flock of geese on a dock in Kennewick. I'm afraid I awakened them from their slumber when I approached, but was able to get this image. Editor's Note:

Welcome to Allen Johnson - the newest member of the Sierra Club Camera Committee! Allen hails from Kennewick, WA

Farm House

Colum

mbia River From Columbia Park

From Candy Mountain to Red Mountain and Rattlesnake Majesty Yakima Delta Refuge

Allen Johnson Bio: I'm a PhD in psychology with a passion for photography. I'm also the author of several books: a memoir on France entitled "Pardon My French" and two novels: "The Awakening" and "Spike, Benny, and Boone."

Yakama in Fall

SIERRA CLUB ANGELES CHAPTER CAMERA COMMITTEE

Geese in Flight 76

MAY 2015

Rattlesnake with Clouds

Yakama River With Birds 77

Allan Der

Please Recycle Me “Please Recycle Me!” is a self portrait taken at the remote White Pocket in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona. White Pocket is a result of “soft sediment deformation”, meaning the contortions and twisting and turning at White Pocket occurred back in Jurassic time before the saturated sand dunes turned into sandstone. The area requires a four wheel drive and self rescue equipment as there are no cell service nor auto service. With the popularity of 4x4’s and social media this area is getting damaged by over use and improper waste disposal. The popularity of “The Wave” and unavailability of permits has created additional pressure on White Pocket and I expect similar restrictions here in the future. 78

This image is a panoramic “Stereographic” projection sometimes called “Little Planet”. I start by creating a equirectangular panorama, that is shooting a panoramapanorama 360 degrees around and up and down 180 degrees. The way to explain a equirectangular panorama is think of taking a map of the world and flatten it out on a flat surface, the poles are stretched across the tops and bottom of the map/image. A stereographic projection puts one of the poles near the center and the other pole is moved to the outside edges. Many projections are possible for a panoramic image with the panoramic software. To make a panoramic photograph, I shoot a minimum of 9 photographs rotatingthe head with click stops. I shoot three images looking down at 180 degrees to cover the panoramic head rails, I shot one with the tripod off to the side of my original spot, so I can see below the tripod and tripod head. I often shoot HDR and super hight resolution up to a giga-pixel and then my image handling can be intensive. I bring all my images into Adobe Lightroom Classic and make any adjustments and make sure they are close in overall match. I then export them as 16 bit tiff images into PTGui software, a panorama stitching software program. After stitching together the image, I export the resulting equirectangular image back into Lightroom. To create the Stereographic image by importing the composite back into PTGui and remap my image as a Stereographic image. My basic equipment includes: Fujifilm X-Pro2, Rokinon 8mm f/2.8, Nodal Ninja Panorama Head, Benro Travel Angel Carbon tripod, wireless remote, magnetic compass, Fujifilm App, iPhone, GPS app. Software: Adobe Lightroom Classic, PTGui, Adobe Photoshop and LizzardQ viewer. 79

The Black and White Pages

Eastern Slope of the Sierra Nevada near Bishop John Nilsson

Hasselblad 500C/M Zeiss Planar 2.8 80mm Ilford Delta 100

Alabama Hills: Shark's Fin framing Mt. Whitney Geff Gottesman

Josephine Lake, Glacier National Park John Fisanotti

ÂŠ 2020 John Fisanotti, All Rights R

Reserved

Announcements Notes and Announcements Notes and Announcements

Notes and Announcements Susan Manley Writes: Because of the coronavirus quarantines, I just cancelled

my photo trip for the caribou migration in the Canadian Arctic.

I thought you might be interested in the article below about Arctic Haven where I would be staying. I don't know how how appropriate it would be for the club newsletter, but it does talk about the effects of climate change as well as other factors. We hear a lot more about polar bears than caribou, but thought this might be of interest to some. If you would like to talk with the writer, Tessum Weber, I am sure he would welcome you. He also has an article about musk oxen.

https://www.weberarctic.com/blog/details/ canadian-caribou-in-trouble-blame-thewolves

Basil Katsaros Writes: Attached is a link to a Sean Bagshaw video

covering the situation of stay-at-home. I have subscribed to Sean for a few years now. The content of the video is a resource of other photographers that we might want to explore for expanding knowledge. Wiebe and I use the TK7 add on that Sean discusses in his other videos. Be safe and stay well

https://youtu.be/bCRWVGVBJCo

The Member’s Choice Photo Contest What’s your favorite photo in this Focal Points? Continuing with this issue I am asking all members to vote for their favorite photo. Here’s how: 1. Please e-mail me at dtlanow@gmail.com (Heading: Member’s Choice) and let me know your choice for the best photo by the 20th of the month in which the issue is published. 2.

In your e-mail, give me the page and the name of the photographer and a brief descrip- tion so I can identify your choice.

I will tally up the votes and announce the winner in the next issue and republish the photo with a paragraph from the photographer about how it was captured, where, when, and even the dreaded mire of camera, settings and lens. This should be a fun feature!

..........John Nilsson, Publisher

Wanna Go on a Hike?

Just in case you didn’t realize it........... The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has litterally 100’s of outdoor activities that Sierra Club Camera Committee members can attend.

You can find these activities at http://angeles.sierraclub.org/activities If you have an idea for a trip that the Camera Committee might like to plan for, tell a leader. They are always open to ideas of new places to go, new places to shoot. See the end of the newsletter for a list of contact information for the leaders.

CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. To read the liability waiver before you participate on an outing, go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms

Focal Points

SIERRA CLUB ANGELES CHAPTER CAMERA COMMITTEE

MAY 2015

Sierra Club Camera Committee Newsletter

Focal Points Sierra Club Camera Committee Newsletter December, 2019

Focal Points Sierra Club Camera Committee Newsletter

January 2020

November 2019

Do you enjoy receiving your monthly copy of Focal Points? If your answer is "Yes" and you want to continue receiving Focal Points, please send us your check for $15.00 and your full name and email address for a yearly subscription to: Sierra Club Camera Committee c/o Wesley Peck 3615 Gondar Ave. Long Beach, CA 90808-2814

As a bonus, you will enjoy: An invitation to contribute your photographs to Focal Points for publication Full membership in The Sierra Club Camera Committee and access to our extensive programming and trips 93

Valley in the Haute-Alps French-Italian Border ÂŠWiebe Gortmaker

Get out there and get involved! Our natural world is under attack and we all need to fight to preserve the things that we hold dear.

CONTRIBUTE

YOUR TIME, YOUR DOLLARS.... OR BOTH! Do you know anyone who would like to become a member of the Sierra Club Camera Committee? We are seeking new members to share their outdoor experiences and photographs. If you have a friend or acquaintance whom you feel would benefit from and add to our membership, please ask them to join us at our next meeting.

Membership costs only $15.00 per year - a tremendous value! To join or renew, please mail a check for $15 (payable to SCCC): Wesley Peck, SCCC Membership 3615 Gondar Ave. Long Beach, CA 90808-2814

More members - More to share 95

Photo of the Month

Scarlet Macaw by Phil Witt On a recent trip to Equador my wife and I visited a clay lick near the

Napo River where parrots come to drink the salty and mineral-laden water. This can be hit or miss. We waited not-so-patiently for three hours with no bird activity, and then we got lucky. Scarlet Macaws descended and cooperatively drank individually and in groups. I was thrilled when able to capture this Scarlet Macaw against a dark cave background with drops of water lit by the sun. Olympus E-M1X, Olympus 300 mm f/4.0 lens @ f/4.0, 1/800 sec., ISO 1000 96

The Parting Shot

Soon.....

Leader Contacts John Nilsson, Chairman

213-266-2224

Steve Anderson, Leader

714-962-2054

dtlanow@gmail.com

sandersonimagery@outlook.com

John Boyle, Leader jboyle6300@gmail.com

Peter Mason, Leader peter@petermason.com

Allan Der, Leader, Instructor

714-892-4857

ader@sprynet.com

Ed Ogawa - Treasurer

ed5ogawa@angeles.sierraclub.org

310-994-1019

Wesley Peck, Membership

562-420-8543 wesdpeck@gmail.com NOTE: Send Membeship Checks to Wesley at 3615 Gondar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808-2814

310-828-6300

Joan Schipper, Leader, Co-Chair: Outings joanschipper@ix.netcom.com

626-794-5207

cscurlock@charter.net

Alison Boyle, Leader, Co-Chair: Outings alisoniboyle@icloud.com

Carole Scurlock, Leader

John Nilsson, Leader,Focal Points Editor

323-828-8334

dtlanow@gmail.com

530-265-2528

213-266-2224