Focal Points Magazine, Jan/Feb 2023

Chair Programs

Treasurer Membership

Editor Communications

Meetup

Instagram Outings Outings

SCCCLeadership

JoeDoherty

SusanManley

EdOgawa

JoanSchipper

JoeDoherty

VeldaRuddock

EdOgawa

JoanSchipper

JoanSchipper

AlisonBoyle

joedohertyphotography@gmail.com

SSNManley@yahoo.com

Ed5ogawa@angeles.sierraclub.org

JoanSchipper@ix.netcom.com

joedohertyphotography@gmail.com

Vruddock.sccc@gmail.com

Ed5ogawa@angeles.sierraclub.org

JoanSchipper@ix.netcom.com

JoanSchipper@ix.netcom.com

AlisoniBoyle@icloud.com

FocalPointsMagazineisapublicationoftheSierraClubCameraCommittee,AngelesChapter.The CameraCommitteeisanactivitygroupwithintheAngelesChapter,whichwesupportthroughthe mediumofphotography.Ourgoalistoshowthenaturalbeautyofourworld,aswellasareasof conservationconcernsandsocialjustice.Wedothisthroughsharingandpromotingourphotographyand byhelpingandinspiringourmembersthroughpresentations,demonstration,discussion,andoutings.

Forinformationaboutmembershipand/ortocontributetothemagazine,pleasecontacttheeditors orthemembershipchairlistedabove.Membershipduesare$15peryear,andchecks(payabletoSCCC) canbemailedto:SCCC-JoanSchipper,6100CashioStreet,LosAngeles,CA90035.

Themagazineispublishedeveryothermonth.Acallforsubmissionswillbemadeone-monthinadvance viaemail,althoughsubmissionsandproposalsarewelcomeatanytime.Memberphotographsshouldbe resizedto3300pixelsonthelongside(ifvertical)or2550pixelsonthelongside(ifhorizontal)forthe highestqualitylayouts.Theyshouldalsobejpg,inthesRGBcolorspace.

Coverarticlesandfeaturesshouldbebetween1000-2000words,with4-10accompanyingphotographs. Reviewsofshows,workshops,books,etc.,shouldbebetween500-1500words.

Copyright:Allphotographsandwritingsinthismagazineareownedbythephotographersandwriters whocreatedthem.Theyholdthecopyrightsandcontrolallrightsofreproductionanduse.Ifyoudesire tolicenseone,ortohaveaprintmade,contacttheeditoratjoedohertyphotography@gmail.com,who willpassonyourrequest,orseetheauthor’scontactinformationintheContributorssectionattheback ofthisissue.

https://angeles.sierraclub.org/camera_committee

https://www.instagram.com/sccameracommittee/

FocalPoints

January/February2023

DEPARTMENTS

2 NotesfromtheChair

3Announcements

14MemberPhotos

32BlackandWhitePages

38Contributors

40PartingShot

FEATURES

4TheMagicofCowboys

ACovid-eraZoompresentationbyphotographerLisaLangellledfour SCCCmemberstoanin-personworkshopataworkingranchoutsideof Phoenix.ByJohnNilssonandVeldaRuddock

COLUMNS

10ShoottheDunes

Sanddunesarethesubjectofmanygreatlandscapephotographs.This columnoffersadviceonhowandwhentoshoot,plussometipson survivingwithyourgearintact.ByJoeDoherty

“MagicofCowboys”workshopparticipantsshootingportraitsagainstthesaguarobackdrop.©JohnNilsson

CoverPhoto:RyckeScheierdemonstratesropingskillsatsunset.©VeldaRuddock

NotesfromtheChair

WhenIbecametheChairoftheSCCC twelvemonthsagoIwasfillingabigpairof shoes.JohnNilssonnavigatedusthrough decliningmembership,throughthe transitiontobi-monthlymeetingsinanew location,andthroughCOVID.Hekeptus activeduringlockdownusinganewand untestedtechnologycalledZoom,an effectivestrategythatisgoingtocontinue tobetheprimaryvenueforourspeaker series.Thisissue’scoverstoryisadirect consequenceofoneZoommeeting.

Johnhasnowsteppeddownfromhislast jobwithSCCC,asthepublisherandeditor of FocalPointsMagazine.Duringhistenure heturnedanewsletterintoamagazine, encouragedmemberstocontributetheir highestqualitywork,andwrangledacover storyforeveryissue.Itwasalotmorework thanmostpeoplerealize,andhedeserves ourgreatthanksforkeepingusinformed andentertained.

Withthisissuewe’rebuildingonwhatJohn started,andalsochangingsomethings.The biggestchangeisthatwe’resplittingthe SCCCcommunicationstrategyintotwo branches:newsandevents,and photography.

Newsandeventswillnowbesenttoyou twiceamonthviae-mail.Ifyouhavea show,abook,acalendar,apresentation,or anyothereventyouwouldlikefellow memberstoknowabout,sendittome (joedohertyphotography@gmail.com)and itwillbeinthenextnewsletter.

Theprimarypurposeof FocalPoints Magazine willbetoshowoffyour photographyinasglossyastyleaspossible. Itwillcomeoutsixtimesayear,anditis sportinganewlooktoshowcasethework ofourmembersandauthors.Pleaselook throughthisissueandletmeknowwhat youthinkofit.

–JoeDoherty

FebruaryZoomPresentation

AlyceBender

WildlifeofSeaandSand: SuggestedDestinations forSoCalPhotographers

February9,2023at7:00pmPST

AlyceBenderisanaturephotographer, writer,educator,andadventurer.Camerain handsincechildhood,herfascinationfor photographydevelopedintoacareerafter servingintheU.S.AirForce.Herpassion forwildlifeandthenaturalenvironment compelshertoconnectotherswithnature throughsharingbothvisualartandin-field experiencesthatpromoteconservation, creativity,andethicalphotography.

SheisaTamronUSAAmbassador,contributingwriterandphotographerforthe Journalof WildlifePhotography,andherworkhasbeenfeaturedingroupandsologalleryshowsacrossthe USaswellasininternationalpublicationsfromtheUKtoJapan.Benderleadsphotography adventuresaroundtheworldtohelpbeginnerthroughadvancedphotographersexploreand expandtheirpersonalvisionandnaturalistskillsethically.Whennotinthefield,sheoffersa varietyofeducationalprogramsbothinpersonandvirtuallyforphotographyorganizations largeandsmall.

PleaseregisterforAlyceBender’stalkinordertogetalinktoparticipate.RegistrationisZoombomberrepellent.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuce-urDktHNG24FBNy4lESO2-BIfUFr3W

TheMagicofCowboys

ACovid-eraZoompresentationby photographerLisaLangellleadsfour SCCCmemberstoaweekendinArizona,

wheretheyphotographedcowboysand cowgirlsonaworkingranch.

ByJohnNilssonandVeldaRuddock

Theideacametogetheroverayearago (October14,2021)duringthedarkdaysof theCovidLockDown.LisaLangell,ofLisa LangellPhotography,providedacompelling presentationaboutherphotographyteachingand-outingbusinesstotheSierraClub CameraCommittee(SCCC)membership overZoom.Duringthepresentationshe announcedathree-dayworkshopinPhoenix ontheDonDonnellyRanchatSuperstition Mountain.Thegoaloftheworkshopwasto offeranopportunitytophotographareal workingranch,itsinhabitantsandoperations, andtolearntechniquesandsettingsto accomplishthistask.

Wewaitedadayandthenapplied,discovering thatbothsessionswerealreadysoldout!So wejumpedattheopportunitytogetintothe

2023session!JohnNilsson,andlong-time friendandfellowSCCCmember,Basil Katsaros,traveledtogether,asdidhusbandand wifeteam,JoeDohertyandVeldaRuddock. Thefourofuswereanenthusiasticblockofthe attendees.

WearrivedattheranchonFriday,January13th , forthe2:00kickoffandorientation.Lisa reviewedthereviseditineraryandbestsettings fortheupcomingworkshop.Sheintroducedus totheranchcowboy/cowgirlphotographic modelsandarobuststaffwhowouldworkwith ustherestoftheworkshop.Althoughthere weremoreparticipantsthaninmostworkshops, wealwayshadaccesstoassistance,andbecause webrokeupintosmallergroups,weneveronce feltlikewewerenotseen,heard,orhelped.

©VeldaRuddock

Thethirddayoftheworkshop,Sunday,was expectedtobeveryrainysoLisapackedmore eventsintoFridayandSaturdaythanoriginally planned.Thesessionsincludedportraiture, action,silhouettes,reenactmentsand demonstrations,someprocessingtips,andasa bonus,aperformancebysongwriter,Steve Holmquist.FridayandSaturdaywewere treatedtogreatcateredchuckwagondinners providedbyBarbKennedyofCowgirlsForever. Thisworkshopdidnotgohalfway!

AfterorientationonFridaywewarmedupwith posingandphotographingourranchhand modelsandtheirhorses.Afterthatitwasoffto theranchentranceroadforeveningworkand somebacklit/silhouettephotography.Breezy conditionsandlotsofatmosphericdustand beautifulcloudcoverofanapproachingstorm resultedinacolorfulstageforthegreat horsemanshipofourcowboysandcowgirls.

Whenitgotdarkerwefocusedonsilhouettes. Weweretreatedtoanabsolutelymagnificent sunsetandasaresultourphotosweredramatic.

Afterphotographingalmostnon-stopforfour hoursitwasdarkandtimetoenjoyadinner underthestars.

Saturdaymorningdawnedclearandwarm.We weretreatedtophotographingranch-hand silhouettesonafarcactuscoveredhillsideinthe earlymorninglight.Themodels,Mikeand Lexaalreadyhadaromanticrelationshipand hammedituptoourgreatdelight.

Whensilhouetteswerenolongeranoptionwe transitionedtoarenaactivitieswherewe photographedthehorsesrunning.Thesewere greatactionshots!

©VeldaRuddock

©JohnNilsson

©JohnNilsson

Afteraquickbreak,Lisa,withtheassistance oftwoprofessionalportraitphotographers, MaryMannixandLoriFigueroa,introduced ustotheelementsofportraiture.Their presentationswerewell-organizedandfullof informationonsettings,howtoposeyour model,andattentiontonaturallighting.She thenintroducedustoalivelygroupofwestern “reenactors”whobroughtadepthtoour sessionsweotherwisewouldnothavehad.

Duringtheportraitureandreenactment shootswewentfromstationtostationto photographvariousscenarios.Several cowboysandcowgirlsandtheentiretroupeof reenactorsprovidedsubjectsforthisshoot whichwasaninterestingmixofstreet,scenic, andportraiturephotography.Wewere expectedtoposeourmodels,somethingmore difficultthanweexpectedbutthereforealso morerewarding.

©VeldaRuddock

©VeldaRuddock

Nextwehadactionshotsofvariousranch sceneswhichincludedahome-builtwagon. Wepracticedcapturing[ortryingtocapture] gunflare.Ahighlightoftheafternoonwas presentedbyAndellaPartenwhoisa championmultitalentedrider.Shetreatedus toanamazingshowinwhichsheshotballoon targetswithherpistolsatfullgallop.Forus, thechallengewastocapturetheflarefromthe gun,theballoonexploding,andthedramaof thisshowchampion.Andella’shorseonlyhad twospeeds–awalk/trotandflat-outracing–andwekeptourfingerontheshutterbutton foreachpass.Bothgunfireshootsamounted toalotofimages–mostofwhichwecould throwawaylater.AsanFYI,whilethe reenactmentactorsusedquarter-round blanks.Andellausedgunpowder. Thefollowingandlastmorningwasgreeted bysignificantrainasexpected.Lisahad anticipatedthiseventandrentedameeting hallwherewediscussedvariouscameraand photofinishingtechniques.Wehadthe

advantageofbeinginstructedbyLisaand highlyexperiencedcommercialphotographers MaryandLoriwhosharedtheirexperience withPhotoshop,LightroomandPhoto Mechanic.Theexperiencewascappedby lifetimearearesidentSteveHolmquistwhosang andplayedmanyofhisoriginalstory/songs aboutthehistoryoftheimmediateareaaround theSuperstitionMountains.

Thelastevent,beforegoodbyeswasaroundup demonstrationofaherdofLonghornCattle drivenbythecowboysandcowgirlsinandout oftheirpensandbackontothedesertrange behindthemainranch.Allthreeranchhands lassoedsomeofthecattleandbroughtthem downsafely.Thisispotentiallyadangerous activity,especiallyonthewetground,butan experiencedcowboyexplainedofhowthiswas donesafelyandresponsibly.

Wehighlyrecommendthisoutstanding workshopandanyotherworkshopofferedby LisaLangell.Herattentiontodetailand

©JohnNilsson

planningwasexceptional.Specific recommendationsforgearand photographingwasprovidedforeachevent andinstructionforspecifictypesof photographywasgivenwiththeassistanceof herteam.Allinallitwasagreatexperience.

LisaLangellPhotography

https://langellphotography.com/ MaryMannixPhotography

https://www.marymannixphotography.com/ LoriFigueroaPhotography

https://lpro.smugmug.com

SteveHolmquist(singer)

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/steveholmquist/1136955915

BarbKennedyofCowgirlsForever

https://cowgirlsforever.net/ DonnellyD-SpurRanch

http://www.dondonnellyd-spur.com/

©JohnNilsson

©VeldaRuddock

ShoottheDunes

ByJoeDoherty

I’vephotographeddunesinmanyplaces–DeathValley,WhiteSands,Oceano,Sand Mountain,Kelso,Oostduinen–andIalmost alwaysgetitwrong.Morespecifically,Ialmost alwaysfailtoachievewhatIsetouttoachieve. LikemanyofyouIamsteepedinthedune imagesofEdwardWestonandAnselAdams andDavidMuench,of NationalGeographic, andofDavidLean’s“LawrenceofArabia.”

Dunesarepristineplaces,withripplesandlines andshadows,andtoweringshapesof monumentalproportion.

Ialmostnevergetthoseimages.I’vefoundthat thosescenesareasephemeralasredaspenleaves atNorthLake,andaswell-visited.Tocapture theiconicimages,andtoextendthemabit, requiressomeplanning,someflexibility,and someluck.Thiscolumnofferssomeadviceon howtoincreasetheprobabilityofsuccesswhen

youdecidetoshootthedunes,onceyou’ve identifiedthedunesyouwishtophotograph.

Watchtheweather. Somelandscape photographsarebetterwhenthephotographer isuncomfortable.Dunesarenoexception. Classicphotographsofsandduneshavefewor nofootprints.Theyhavesharpedgesatthetop ofeachridge,andhavewell-definedtextureson thesides.Thesefeaturesarecausedbyastrong windblowingconsistentlyfromonedirection, suchasthewindsthataccompaniedthe atmosphericriverthatrecentlyhitCalifornia.It isn’tnecessarytostandinthesandstormto capturetheimages,butithelpsifyouarevery neartheduneswhentheyhappen,soyoucan beoutsidewithyourcamerawhentheyquiet down.

Iftherearefootprints,trytoincorporatethem intothestory(asaleadinglinebetweendunes, forexample)orlookforplaceswherepeople can’twalk.Somedunesaresosteepthatit’s impossibletowalkacrossthem.Thecorollaryto allofthisis,don’twalkthroughyour composition.Ifyouareblessedwithpristine dunes,beverystrategicaboutwhereyoustep. Stayofftheridgesandintheshadows.Your fellowphotographerswillthankyou.

Shootearlyorlate. Thisiscommonadvice giventolandscapephotographers.Theblue

hour,thegoldenhour,alpenglow,“thetime whenautofocusdoesn’twork,”allhappenon thecuspsoftheday.Shootingintheflatlight beforesunriseoraftersunsetaccentuatesthe contoursofdunes.Dependingonthecolorof theskyitcanalsomakeforaninteresting palette,withdarkblueshadowsandmagenta orgoldenhighlights.Thelightchangesasthe sunkissesthehorizon,risingorsetting.It subtlystrikesthedunesandaccentuatestheir texture,creatingcontrastbetweenthelightand darksideofridges,andrapidlychangingthe characterofthelandscape.Thisisamoment whenit’sbesttobeinapositiontoshootwhat isinfrontofyou,sinceitdoesnotlastvery longandyouwillnothavemuchtimeto explore.

Thelandscapeistransformedagainwhenthe sunisfullyabovethehorizonbutstilllowin thesky.Thisperiodoftimewilllastthelongest duringthemonthbeforeandaftertheWinter Solstice.Thatisalsothetimeoftheyearwhen weatherismorelikelytotransformthe

landscape.Atthispointintheday,whetherin themorningorlateafternoon,youhavethe leisureofroamingaroundlookingforleading lines,shadows,andtextures.It’salsoagood timetohuntforcompositionsthatyoumight

wanttoshootwhenthelightchanges,soyou canbeinpositionatthedecisivemoment.

Don’tchangelensesinthefield. Itisabad ideatoopenyourcamerabodywhen surroundedbyblowingsand.Evenifitseems quitecalm,don’tdoit.Trustme.Planaheadso thatyouhavetheequipmentyouneedtorealize theimagesyouwanttocapture.Ifyouwantthe greatestvarietywithonelens,somethinglikea 28-300isagoodchoice,withaprotectivefilter onthefront(skylightorUV).Carryingtwo cameras,onewithwide-anglezoomandanother withatelephotozoom,isalsoagoodoption,if youcanswingit.Asmartphonewithagood camerasubstitutesforthewide-anglezoom.Or youcancommittooneperspective,wide-angle ortelephoto,andcarryjustthatlensonone body.Suchconstraintscanbeaspurto creativitybynarrowingtheavailableoptions.

Isolateshapesandjuxtaposetextures. Sand dunesaredefinedbytheshapeoftheircurves

andthetextureoftheirsurfaces.Ihaveheard thatthesearesodistinctivethatsomepeople canidentifythelocationofadunewithoutany furtherinformation.Takeadvantageofthis.Use thecharacteristicsofthesandtoexpressyourself bycomposingimagesthatemphasizethemost dramaticoruniquefeaturesofthedunesatyour location.Contrastrippleswithsmoothsand,or sharpridgesagainstsoftcurves.

Varyyouraspectratios. Wetendtoshootfirst andcroplater.Itiseasytogetsettledintothe standardfull-frameratioof2:3(from35mm filmdays).Leadinglinesaredramaticinthat ratio,andit’saformatthatlendsitselfto dramaticnear/farcompositions.Ifweonly shootinthatratio,however,theothers(like1:1 and4:5)becomeanafterthought,akindof post-processingrescue.Isuggestthatyou intentionallycropin-cameraattheseother ratios.Eachofthemhastheirownconstraints, andtheirowndynamicpower,andseeingthe

dunesinthosetermscanchangehowyourelate tothem.

Processforfeeling,notrepresentation. In landscapephotographythereisatension betweenmakinganaccuraterepresentationofa sceneandusingthescenetoconveyanemotion orathought.Withsanddunesit’seasyto resolvethattensioninfavorofbeingemotional andthought-provoking.Theaggressiveuseof color,contrast,andsharpness(byadditionand subtraction)ismoreacceptablewhenthereare noreferencepointslikeridges,rivers,or roadways.It’saperfectopportunityto experiment.

Don’tgetlost! Sanddunesaredisorienting. Theremaybenotrails,noobviouslandmarks, andnosignal.Gettinglost,orfindingyourway backonlytorealizethatyourshootingpartner islost,isapossibility.ToavoidthisnightmareI usetwostrategiestogetbacktomycar.The firstistodownloadtheGooglemapforthearea

IplantoexplorewhileIstillhaveconnectivity. IdropaplacemarkeratmylocationwhenI parkthecar,andthenusegpstogetbacktothe placemarker.ThisworkedwellinWhiteSands, wheretheparkingareasarewithinthedunes themselves.Thesecondstrategyistoregularly climbhighpointsandorientyourselftodistant landmarks.Perhapstakeaphotoateachplace, soyoucanworkyourwaybackvisuallyif needed.Andbringenoughwater.

Finally,keepinmindthatthisisnota competition.Alloftheimagesofsanddunes thatyouhaveeverseenwillobviouslyinfluence yourapproach.Buttoinfluenceisnotthesame astodictate.Useyourknowledgeandyour emotionalresponsetotheworkofothersto informwhatyouaredoing,butdon’ttryto copyit.Youcan’tcopyit.Thelight,the location,theseason,andthesandallmake reproductionvirtuallyimpossible.

LarryMiller RedRockCanyon

Allphotos©LarryMiller

RedRockCanyonisoneofthegemsofthe CaliforniaStateParksystem.Yetits colorfuldesertbadlandsattractfewvisitors, whoaredeterredbyintensesummerheat,a paucityofgoodmaps,andalackoftrail signage.Icapturedtheseimagesona Novemberdaytripwithoutventuringmore thanamilefromthepark’svisitorscenter.

JoeDoherty

WinterJourney

Allphotos©JoeDoherty

WetrytospendmostofJanuaryonthe road,capturingtheAmericanWestinits dormantandsnow-cappedglory.Inpast yearswe’vevisitedYellowstone,Owens Valley,andthevastopenspacesof centralNevadaandUS50.

Thisyearwespentsometimein California,ArizonaandUtah.The weatherchasedusoutofYosemiteValley afteronenight,andafterre-supplying ourcamperweheadedeast.Twoplaces inparticularcalledtous.Navajo NationalMonumentinNortheast Arizonaisanisolatedandbeautifulspot betweenTubaCityandKayenta.It containsbeautifulredrockformations, andanalcovethatprotectsacliff dwellingsettlement.

JoeDoherty

AllPhotos©JoeDoherty

WealsospentthreenightsinMonumentValley. Freshsnowfellduringourfirstnight,andweawoke toawhite-outoffogandfallingflakes.Bylate afternoonitclearedalittlebit,andwecaughtbrief glimpsesofthelandmarkmittensandothericonic rockformations.Onourlastfulldaywehireda guide,RayBegay,whotookusdeepintothepark.

Winterwanderingsfrommybackyard tothePalouseandHorseHeavenHills

MoonFurrows.TheskiesclearedovernightandthefullWolfMoonwassetting.Ihadanimageinmind withanoldfarmI’vebeenvisitingforyears.Onthebackroadin,thesettingMooninthealpenglowsky andthesnowyfurrowscaughtmyeye.AquickstopandafewshotsandIwasonmyway.

Allphotos©JohnClement

DivineLines.CountryBible Churchwasnearmylocation whentheserowsofcirrusclouds movedin.Iknewimmediately whatIwantedtocaptureaftera shortten-minutedriveinthe winterPalouse.

DrivewayArt1. Headingout thefrontdoortodeliversome artworktoagallery,Iwas quicklysidetrackedbythe frozenice/frostpatternsonmy drivewayandcar.Iwentback forthecameratocaptureafew images,whichturnedinto45 minutesofwonderfulfrosty capturesallaroundtheyardin theearlymorningsunlight.

EnwrappedinWinter. IntheNEPalouseseveralyearsagoImadea2-daydriveintoareaswhereIhadn’tspentmuchtime duringthewinter,andwasrewardedwithsomewonderfulimages.

SnowedUnder. Alargesnowdrifthadburiedthispieceofsage,andthewindsdelicatelycutaway thesurroundingsnowtorevealtheplant’sstructure.

DrivewayArt2. ThebluedoorpanelonmySUVcoveredinfrostydesigns.

JohnClement

Allphotos©JohnClement

FrostyStingers. Fromthedriedsunflowerportion ofmywildflowergarden.Ileftasectionofthe gardenjustforthispurposeofmakingwinterimages.

Heaven’sPorthole. ReturningfromawinterseminarthatIwasleadingintheHoodRiverValley,theheavyovercaststartedto openup.IwasaboutfivemilesfromthislocationbutIknewimmediatelytheimageIwantedoverthisolddesertedhomestead. Knowingwherethingsarewhenthelightishappeningcanhelpyoucapturesomewonderfulimages.

VeldaRuddock JanuaryAdventures

Allphotos ©VeldaRuddock

YosemiteValleyafter thesnows,and lightingupthetrees.

DunesintheMojave Desert(belowandbelow right)

CentralCalifornia,wherethesnowgeeseliftedawaytheoldyear.

SnowinNavajo NationalMonument.

MonumentValleyafterthesnow.Theparteveryoneknows(above),andthepartonlyguidesshowyou(below).

JohnNilsson

VeldaRuddock

JoeDoherty

©JoeDoherty

Contributors

JohnClement

JohnClemmentbeganhiscareerinphotography intheearly70’saftergraduatingfromCentral WashingtonUniversitywithadoublemajorin GeologyandGeography.Sincethenhehas earnedaMastersofPhotographyfromthe ProfessionalPhotographersofAmerica.Hehas receivedover65regional,nationaland internationalawardsforhispictorialand commercialwork.Hisphotographsgracethe wallsofmanybusinessesintheNorthwestand hasbeenpublishedinnumerouscalendarsand coffeetablebooks.

Clementhasprovidedphotographsfor Country MusicMagazine and NorthwestTravelMagazine. HehassuppliedmuralsfortheSeattleSeahawks StadiumandimagesforTheCarouselofDreams inKennewick,WA.

Currentprojectsinclude17–4x8footglass panelsfeaturinghislandscapesinEastern WashingtonforthePascoAirportRemodel.Last yearhefinishedamajorprojectfortheOthello MedicalClinicwherealmost200imageswere usedtodecoratethefacilities.

www.johnclementgallery.com

JohnClementPhotography(FaceBook)Allied ArtsGalleryinRichland,WA.

ThomasCloutier

ThomasCloutierhasbeenwithSCCCsince 2001,andhehasbeencontributingto Focal PointsMagazine sincethattime.

Cloutier’sinterestinphotographycoincides withhisinterestintravelandgiving representationtonaturelandscapes.Hisformal educationinphotographycomesfromCSU LongBeach.

AtpresentCloutierisavolunteeratCSU, LongBeachwherehetaughtWaterColorsand DrawingattheOsherLifelongLearning Institute(OLLI),designedforSeniorsover45. HealsoisadocentatKleefieldContemporary MuseumCSULongBeach.HeisLiaisonfor theArtAndDesignDepartmentsfora scholarshipprogramforstudentsatCSULong Beach,FineArtsAffiliates,FineArtsAffiliates. org.

Cloutieratcde45@verizon.net

JoeDoherty

JoeDohertygrewupinLosAngelesanddeveloped hisfirstrolloffilmin1972.Hehasbeenavisual communicatoreversince.

Dohertyspenthisteensandtwentiesworkingin photography,mostofitbehindacameraasa freelanceeditorialshooter.

Heswitchedcareerswhenhissonwasborn, earningaPhDinpoliticalsciencefromUCLA, specializinginAmericanpoliticsandresearch methods.Thisledtoanopportunitytoruna researchcenterandteachatUCLALaw,wherehe becamebestknownasanempiricalbankruptcy scholar.

AfterretiringfromUCLAin2016Doherty continuedtoconsult,butnowheandhiswife, VeldaRuddock,spendmuchoftheirtimeinthe field,acrosstheWest,capturingthelandscape.

www.joedohertyphotography.com

JohnFisanotti

Asayouth,JohnFisanotti’sinterestin photographystemmedfromaninterestin astronomy.Hisfirstphotoswereattemptsto photographthenightskyusingafoldingKodak camera,thatoncebelongedtoanuncle.Later, heuseda35mmrangefindercamerato photographnature,particularlytheSanGabriel MountainsabovehishomeinLaCrescenta. Afterhighschool,Fisanottisoldhistelescopeto purchasea35mmSLRcameraoutfit.

Fisanottiwasaphotographymajorinhisfirst threeyearsofcollege.Hehasused35mm,2-1/4 mediumformatand4x5viewcameras. Expectingtobeacommercialphotographer,his personalworkleanedheavilytoshooting landscapesandoutdoors.

In1977Fisanottichangedmajors.After graduatingfromCSU,LosAngeles,witha BachelorofArtsDegreeinUrbanStudiesin 1979,hisfirstpost-collegejobwasina commercialphotolaboratory.

In1980,Fisanottipivotedfromphotography andbeganhis32-yearcareerinpublicservice. JohnworkedforfourSouthernCaliforniacities incityplanning,communitydevelopmentand redevelopment,andconcludedhiscareerasa ProjectManagerfortheCulverCity RedevelopmentAgency.Duringthesedecades, hecontinuedtoshootoutdoorscenicimages wheneverpossible.

Afterretiringfrompublicservicein2012,Fisanotti haspursuedhisastronomicalandphotographic interests.Beginningin2013,Johnhasbeenatelescope operatorforthe60"reflectortelescopeatMt.Wilson Observatory.Heincreasedhisphotographicportfolio -concentratingonoutdoors,landscape,traveland astronomicalimages.Beginningin2018,heexpanded hisrepertoiretoincludearchitecturalandrealestate photography.

Occasionally,Fisanottihasbeenfortunatetohave photographsselectedforvariousexhibitionsor publications.HecurrentlyshootswithNikonDSLR cameras.

http://www.johnfisanottiphotography.comand http://www.architecturalphotosbyfisanotti.com jfisanotti@sbcglobal.netorfisanottifotos@gmail.com

LarryMiller

LarryMillerboughthisfirstSLRcamerain1985to documenthikesinthelocalmountains.Infact,his firstSierraClubCameraCommitteeoutingwasa wildflowerphotoshootintheSantaMonica MountainsledbySteveCohenin1991.Sincethenthe SCCChasintroducedhimtomanyotherscenic destinations,includingtheAntelopeValleyCalifornia PoppyReserve,theGormanhills,andSaddleback ButteStatePark.

Miller’sownphotographytripsgraduallyexpanded inscopeovertheyearstoincludemostofthewestern NationalParksandNationalMonuments,withthe ColoradoPlateaubecomingapersonalfavorite.

PhotographytookabackseattoMiller’scareer duringthe32+yearsthatheworkedasaradarsystems engineeratHughesAircraft/RaytheonCompany. Sinceretiringin2013,hehasbeenabletodevote moretimetodevelopinghisphotographicskills. Experiencingandsharingthebeautyofnature continuestobeMiller’sprimarymotivation.

lemiller49@gmail.com

JohnNilsson

JohnNilssonhasafondmemoryofhisfatherdragging himtotheDenverMuseumofNaturalHistoryona winterSundayafternoon.Hisfatherhadjustpurchaseda Bosely35mmcameraandhaddecidedhedesperately wantedtophotographoneofthedioramasofseveralSeal Lionsinabeautifulbluehalf-lightoftheArcticwinter.

Thephotorequiredatrickylongexposureandthe transparencyhisfathershowedhimseveralweekslater wasspectacularandmysterioustoNilsson’syoungeyes. AlthoughthedemandsofMedicalSchoolmadethis photooneofthefirstandlastNilsson’sDadshot,atfive yearsoldthesonwashooked.

Thearrivalofthedigitalagebroughtphotographyback toNilssonasaconsciousendeavor-firstasapastime enjoyedwithfriendswhowerealsoafflicted,andthenas apractitionerofrealestateandarchitecturalphotography duringhis40yearsasarealestatebroker.

SinceretiringandmovingtoLosAngeles,Nilsson continuedhishobbyasanatureandlandscape photographerthroughactivemembershipintheSierra ClubAngelesChapterCameraCommittee,aswellashis vocationasarealestatephotographerthroughhis companyOzImagesLA.Thecameraisnowatoolfor adventure!

www.OzImagesLA.com

VeldaRuddock

CreativityhasalwaysbeenimportanttoVelda Ruddock.ShereceivedherfirstBrowniecamerafor hertwelfthbirthdayandcan’trememberatimeshe’s beenwithoutacameracloseathand.

Ruddockstudiedsocialsciencesandart,andlater earnedaMastersdegreeinInformationandLibrary SciencedegreefromSanJoseStateUniversity.Allof herjobsallowedhertobecreative,entrepreneurial, andinnovative.Forthelast22yearsofherresearch careershewasDirectorofIntelligenceforaglobal advertisingandmarketingagency.TBWA\Chiat\Day helpedclientssuchasApple,Nissan,Pepsi,Gatorade, Energizer,andmanymore,andshewasconsidereda leaderinmyfield.

Duringtheirtimeoff,sheandherhusband,Joe Doherty,wouldtravel,photographingfamily,events andlocations.However,in2011theytraveledtothe EasternSierraforthefallcolors,andalthoughthey didn’trealizeitatthetime,whenthesuncameupover LakeSabrina,itwasthestartofchangingtheircareers.

By2016RuddockandDohertyhadbothlefttheir “dayjobs,”andstartedtraveling–andshootingnature –bigandsmall–extensively.Theirfour-wheel-drive popupcamperallowsthemtogotoareasaregularcar can’tgoandtheywere–andare–alwayslookingfor theirnextadventure.

www.veldaruddock

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