by Brian Lucy | May 23, 2020 | GNPA News
“The Wildlife Resources Division is so thankful for the Georgia Nature Photographers’ Association and the special partnership we’ve built. By providing beautiful Georgia-based photos, photographers are able help the agency spread the message of conservation while also showcasing the talented residents of the state of Georgia.”
Aubrey Pawlikowski, Assistant Manager for Public Affairs, Communications & Marketing
This week we are focusing on the winners of the Close Up category winners from our conservation photography project for Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division. Close Up photography is a type of shot that tightly frames a person or object. Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene. (Wikipedia)
Week 3 – Close Up Category
1st Place – Sara Asby
Ghost Crab at Jekyll Island, Sara Asby
Camera:
Lens:
Focal Length: 8.7mm
Aperture: f/4
Exposure: 1/1000
ISO: 160
Location: Jekyll Island, GA
Date: April 4, 2014 9:39AM
The annual project is a key piece of GNPA’s Conservation Committee, whose primary goal is helping GNPA members become aware of how they can engage in GNPA’s conservation efforts, and help members develop the skills to make valuable contributions to conservation in Georgia.
2nd Place – Ricki Forbes
Camera: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM
Focal Length: 100mm
Aperture: f/9
Exposure: 1/50
ISO: 400
Date: September 7, 2019 9:20AM
With 8 official conservation partners of GNPA across the state, there is always a need for your help. From documenting cleanup events and families in nature to helping build a database of plants and wildlife, you can make a difference!
3rd Place – Steve Rushing
Camera: Olympus
Lens: Olympus 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II
Focal Length: 80mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure: 1/1250
ISO: 200
Location: Terrell City, GA
GNPA is extremely proud of the difference that our Conservation Group members are making to have their photographs inspire current and future generations to connect with our natural world.
To join the GNPA Conservation Group email cons_volunteers@gnpa.org
by Brian Lucy | May 14, 2020 | From The President, Newsletter
Eric Bowles, GNPA President
We are delighted to share with you the first issue of the GNPA newsletter. This is something we have wanted to provide our membership for a long time. The newsletter is intended to deliver valuable, practical information about photography, GNPA and your membership. And, of course, good photos.
We’ve had a great team, headed by Tom Wilson, working to build the GNPA Communications platform. This newsletter is the first big step. We’re very lucky that Ken Dunwoody has agreed to be the editor of the publication. Ken has a wealth of experience as the editor of a number of outdoors-related magazines. The team also includes Brian Lucy, Stewart Woodard, Chris Dekle and Alfie Wace, all of whom have contributed articles and expertise. Brian is taking on the heavy lifting of leading the development of the newsletter format, layout and design. Our newsletter will feature plenty of member content, so thanks to all of our early contributors. Likewise, thanks to these team members for the hard work required to produce this first edition, and develop a platform for the future.
Raise your hand if you’re going to EXPO next year!
We were extremely disappointed, of course, that the 2020 GNPA Expo was cancelled. In light of Covid-19 and the threat of illness, we really had no choice. But it’s a shame, because Alfie Wace had done a terrific job in building the Expo program at Jekyll Island, and other GNPA members and speakers had put a great deal of effort into the preparations. We had a record number of registrants, a full schedule of sold-out workshops, and a great lineup of speakers. On the bright side, we’re rescheduling that Expo so that it can be held at Jekyll Island next year, and we can deliver the great program we planned – and more. The new Expo dates are March 25-28, 2021. While this weekend does conflict with Passover and Palm Sunday, the other options all had serious conflicts or booking issues. Villas by the Sea will remain our host venue.
Coastal Chapter Social Distancing Manager
In addition to the Expo, Covid-19 has led to the cancellation of all in-person chapter meetings, at least through May, as well as field trips. However, we are beginning to ramp up a new webinar program that gives us the ability to offer both webinars and virtual chapter meetings. A couple of our chapters are testing these concepts in May, and we hope to develop a program for ongoing webinars that can supplement the chapter meetings. We’re planning to record and archive our webinars, so members will be able to access them later if they can’t attend the live event.
The GNPA Smokies event is still scheduled for this fall, with some minor modifications to support social distancing. The dates are November 5-8, 2020, so put it on your calendar now. Registration will open in a few of months, with Mike Thornton and Tricia Raffensperger leading that event.
In the meantime, stay safe and make your health the top priority. We’ll return to a new normal soon, and hopefully that will involve plenty of photography. Until then, if there is anything you need, don’t forget our good friends at Hunt’s Photo.
Enjoy the newsletter.
Eric Bowles, GNPA President
by Brian Lucy | May 14, 2020 | Meet a Member, Newsletter
In our newsletters, we’ll be featuring short profiles of GNPA members from across the state. This month, it’s Gordon Wilson from the Gwinnett Chapter.
When did you join GNPA?
Seven years ago.
What’s your occupation?
Retired. I was Senior Systems Developer on Student Systems at Emory University.
How did you get into photography?
My father was a studio photographer with his own darkroom in the basement, so I’ve been around cameras all my life. Unfortunately, his skills did not rub off on me. I’m still learning.
What are your favorite photography subjects?
Wildlife, structures and landscapes; sometimes small events and street scenes.
A cardinal in my front yard, waiting his turn at the feeders. Nikon D810, Tamron 150-600G, f/8, 1/160, ISO 400.
What are your favorite places to shoot?
I really enjoy the Georgia coast and the barrier islands.
What would be your photographic “dream trip?”
New Mexico and some of the southwestern states. Possibly Maine coast or Canadian Rockies.
Sandhill cranes from one of Larry Winslett’s Tennessee trips, back when Show Case (now Atlanta School of Photography) was still around. Nikon D600, Tamron 150-600mm, f/8, 1/640, ISO 500.
Which camera and lenses do you use most often?
Nikon D800 or D810 camera body with Nikkor 28-300mm or Tamron 150-600G, or 15-30mm lenses.
What are your go-to websites for photography information?
I am a very visual person, so I find a lot of my information on YouTube-type tutorials.
Have any photographers inspired you?
Ansel Adams is one of my favorites, not only for his great images but also because he, like John Muir and others, was an environmentalist and advocate for the West and the protection of our resources.
What’s your favorite part of belonging to GNPA?
The programs are great, and the members are so willing to help no matter what your skill level.
Something about you most people don’t know:
I’m interested in my Scottish heritage, so I am a director for the Stone Mountain Highland Games, and a director on the board of The Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center in Franklin, NC. I performed with a bagpipe band for more than 40 years.
Where are you from?
Atlanta GA
by Brian Lucy | May 14, 2020 | Newsletter, Where to Shoot Now
Reusset-tipped Clubtail, Tom Wilson, GNPA
Editor’s Note: As a part of each newsletter, we will explore some of the best places in Georgia for nature photography. This issue, Tom Wilson tells us about his favorite May destination for dragonflies and damselflies.
By Tom Wilson
I miss being able to visit GNPA Chapters to share my favorite photography locations, so I’m happy to feature one of them in our first newsletter. JJ Biello Park, at Riverside Athletic Complex (610 Druw Cameron Dr, Woodstock, GA 30188), is a great choice this month for finding both dragonflies and damselflies.
Located adjacent to the Little River, its wide-ranging habitats offer a tremendous variety of species and settings. You can expect to find pond species in the small ponds near the parking lot, gliders in the fields, and many river and swamp species on the back trails that parallel the river. I’ve photographed over 40 species of Odonates here in the past six years, and May is an ideal time to take a loop hike and look for dragonflies.
Photos by Tom Wilson, GNPA
JJ Biello is actually a good venue for dragonflies from now through September. I prefer to visit on sunny days, typically from about 10 a.m. until noon. My gear of choice is the Nikon D500 equipped with a 200-500 Nikon lens, carried on a Black Rapid Strap. The accompanying map illustrates my favorite route through the park, and the photo composite shows only some of the available species you may find.
Base photo from Google Earth
Tom Wilson is a nature photographer working primarily in Georgia and the Southeast. He serves on the board of GNPA, is past chair of the Conservation Committee and current chair of the Communication Committee.
by Brian Lucy | May 14, 2020 | Newsletter, Through the Lens
By David Akoubian
I have always found solace in rivers and waterfalls. When I need to relax, listening to the sounds of water can be very calming. I grew up fishing and photographing the streams and rivers of North Georgia, and have continued to do so all my life. These days I photograph more than I fish, but the enjoyment is still as great.
When I set out to photograph rivers and waterfalls, I try to choose an overcast day to lessen the contrast in the scenes, and to expand my shooting hours. Because I don’t always know what my subjects will be, such as a large waterfall or detailed cascades, I pack both wide-angle and short telephoto lenses. My preferred lens for waterfalls is somewhere in the 17mm to 24mm range. For more detailed images, 50mm to 210mm usually gets the job done.
Photo by David Akoubian
I always bring a sturdy tripod, since many of my exposures are one second or longer. My tripod is also waterproof, so I can set up in the water. Other essentials for me are circular polarizers and neutral density filters. Circular polarizers reduce the glare and increase the saturation of any foliage in the frame. Neutral density filters simply reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor, thereby allowing me to use longer exposures. I like slow exposures for rivers and waterfalls, as they provide a silkier, softer look to moving water, and better capture the mood I feel when I visit a river. To avoid camera movement during long exposures, I recommend using a cable release, or at the very least, utilize the self-timer or shutter-delay capability of your camera.
For many of the rivers that I have visited previously, I tend to repeat compositions, which is a theme I have followed for many years. To achieve a different look to a familiar scene, I like to revisit places in every season. I live in a wide-angle world when I compose landscape images. By this, I mean I find a foreground object and then use the river as a leading line to either carry the viewer’s eye up the river or to a waterfall. That foreground subject can be almost anything — a log, a rock, or even a small plant. It doesn’t need to be strong enough to carry the image by itself, but sufficient to grab the viewer’s attention and let the leading lines of the river do the rest.
Photo by David Akoubian
My goal is to control the viewer’s attention from the second they see the image until they have arrived at the primary subject. That’s another reason for slow exposures; the air bubbles in the water become lines at about 1/15th of a second or slower, and grow even more pronounced with longer exposures. One second is my ideal shutter speed for most situations, but when necessary, I will throw on the neutral density filter to drag it out to 8, 15, 30 seconds or longer if I need to connect lines. I always use the circular polarizer turned to its maximum effect unless there is light reflecting on the water; then I simply turn it until it captures the beautiful reflections of light.
No matter why you visit rivers and waterfalls, photographing them can help share a part of yourself with your audience, and that’s a connection worth making. In this time of social distancing, connecting with others who share or appreciate your vision is more important than ever. Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep creating images.
David Akoubian has been a professional nature photographer for more than 25 years, spending much of that time photographing in his home state of Georgia. He is a Tamron Image Master and conducts numerous educational seminars and workshops across the country.
by Brian Lucy | May 14, 2020 | GNPA News, Newsletter
Each year, when your GNPA membership is about to expire, you’ll receive an email renewal notice. You can use that email to renew your membership, and/or change your membership category. We encourage you to use the link in the email to renew, rather than going directly to your Member Page.
The email you receive should look similar to this, with your invoice attached:
Just click the ‘Click here to view this invoice’ link at the bottom and you will see your complete renewal invoice, with the invoice number, invoice date, amount due and membership category.
If you agree with all this information, click on the first grey PAY button (circled in red) toward the bottom of the example invoice shown to the left. That should complete your renewal.
However, you may want to change your membership category, or have questions about the information in the invoice. Perhaps it’s about your expiration date, or you want to upgrade to a Lifetime or Family membership. In that case, save and forward your email to membership@GNPA.org with an explanation of what you’d like to change. We will get back to you as soon as possible and assist with making any corrections or changes.
When your renewal is processed, you will receive an email stating your renewal has been successful. If there is a problem with your credit card information, a similar email will be sent stating your credit card was declined or failed to process correctly.
Should you receive a notice that your credit card was declined, and you believe it should not have been, please forward your email to membership@GNPA.org with an explanation of the issue. We will reply as soon as possible and assist you with completing the process.
Once your membership is renewed, we recommend you log into the GNPA website using your username and password.
When logged in, you have access to the GNPA home page and member home page (see image to the right). At this point you can view your Member Landing Page.
(This is also where you can register for any current open activities or field trips. These notices change frequently, so check often to find new activities or trips).
Now, go to your Member Profile to verify that your membership status has been updated to “active,” and your expiration date has been extended out one year.
Just below the name badge that shows your name, chapter and membership type, select My Profile (circled in red above). This is where you can view, update or change any information about your membership.
We suggest checking your profile to confirm your new expiration date, member type and status, email preference and chapter affiliation.
If you have any questions or issues with your Member Profile, please send an email to membership@GNPA.org with your question. We will answer your questions and help you make any corrections.
We hope these instructions will make your next renewal quick and easy.
by Brian Lucy | May 14, 2020 | Newsletter, Tips and Tricks
Make Your Images More Compelling
By Alfie Wace
Whenever my photography is displayed, whether at an art show, festival or gallery, one of the most frequent comments I hear is “great composition!” Initially, I would attribute those kind remarks to the fact that I was following the Rules of Thirds and utilizing leading lines in my images. But as I analyzed my work more carefully, I realized there was an additional element at work, one that I learned years ago as a student at Southeastern Center for the Arts in Atlanta.
During my studies, I had the supreme privilege of working with some phenomenal photographers, including Neil Chaput de Saintonge, Bruce Barnbaum, Alison Shaw and, especially, Cole Weston. At that time, digital photography was far off on the horizon. Shooting in manual mode was the norm, and we relied on the basics: aperture, shutter speed, film ISO and composition. But I came to understand and appreciate an additional composition element, which I refer to as “The Western Eye.” And no, this has nothing to do with cowboys and Indians! Rather, it’s about how our eyes are trained to read.
For example, in the Far East, the Asian script system is written from top to bottom, as such:
In the Middle East, Hebrew and Arabic are written and read from right to left. This is how their eyes are trained from childhood: top to bottom, or right to left:
But in European and western cultures, our language is written from left to right. That’s how our eyes have been taught to perceive the world. It’s how we read, and what is most natural and comfortable for us.
That’s why the most compelling images, in my view, are the ones where the “story” begins on the left and moves across the page. David duChemin refers to this concept as “visual mass” in his eBook Drawing the Eye. (1)
Here are a few of my images that incorporate The Western Eye theory:
So yes, keep the basic composition rules in mind. But an understanding and use of The Western Eye, in my opinion, provides the opportunity to elevate your images to a higher level of visual excellence.
- David duChemin, Drawing the Eye https://craftandvision.com/collections/all/products/drawing-the-eye
Alfie Wace has been a professional photographer for 30 years. She has been a GNPA member for seven years, is the founder and member of the Coastal Chapter, serves as EXPO Committee Chair, as well as serving on the Communications Committee and Conservation Committee. Alfie resides on Tybee Island.
by Brian Lucy | May 1, 2020 | GNPA News
Brian Lucy, GNPA Conservation Communications Chair
This week’s post features the winner’s from the Landscape category.
“Landscape photography is the art of capturing pictures of nature and the outdoors in a way that brings viewers into the scene. From grand landscapes to intimate details, the best photos demonstrate the photographer’s own connection to nature and capture the essence of the world.” – photographylife.com/landscapes
Week 2 – Landscape Category
1st Place – Art Stiles
“Fishing at Marben PFA” by Art Stiles
Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II
Focal Length: 185mm
Aperture: f/8
Exposure: 1/30
ISO: 200
Location: Mansfield, GA
Date: Nov 10, 2017 8:45AM
During our monthly, now Zoom-held, Conservation Committee meeting we were discussing how this series of blogs is a great way to highlight the winning entries from the winter project. After about ten minutes talking about the winners Tom Wilson reminded us that while showcasing the top shots is important that the real win was hundreds of photos that GNPA was able to provide our conservation partner.
Week 2 – Landscape Category
2nd Place – Jenny Burdette
“Boat at Sunrise” by Jenny Burdette
Camera: Nikon D610
Lens: Nikkor 28-300mm
Focal Length: 62mm
Aperture: f/13
Exposure: 1/320
ISO: 1250
Location: Bryan County, Fort McAllister Park, GA
Date: July 7, 2015 6:40AM
“The Wildlife Resources Division is so thankful for the Georgia Nature Photographers’ Association and the special partnership we’ve built. By providing beautiful Georgia-based photos, photographers are able help the agency spread the message of conservation while also showcasing the talented residents of the state of Georgia.” Aubrey Pawlikowski, Assistant Manager for Public Affairs, Communications & Marketing
Week 2 – Landscape Category
3rd Place – Joseph Kovarik
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: Nikkor 16-35mm AF-S F/4G ED VR
Focal Length: 22mm
Aperture: f/11
Exposure: 3 sec
ISO: 100
Location: Dick’s Creek Waterfalls, Cleveland, GA
Date: July 7, 2015 6:40AM
Now is a great time to go through your photo library to find pictures to share with our conservation partners, The conservation page in the GNPA website has list of active requests for photos for you to select from.
To learn more about the GNPA conservation group email us at cons_volunteers@gnpa.org
by Brian Lucy | Apr 24, 2020 | GNPA News
GNPA Members Shoot it Out for DNR
Nearly 400 photos submitted for
GNPA’s Conservation 2020 DNR Winter Project
Last week we announced the full list of winners and this week we are putting our focus on the winning shots from the Challenge Category. With 384 submissions from 39 members across 5 categories our judges had their hands full selecting the top photos.
The biggest winner of GNPA’s first annual conservation photography project is Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division, which now has hundreds of amazing photos to use online and in their materials to help connect people to nature.
“The Wildlife Resources Division is so thankful for the Georgia Nature Photographers’ Association and the special partnership we’ve built. By providing beautiful Georgia-based photos, photographers are able help the agency spread the message of conservation while also showcasing the talented residents of the state of Georgia.” Aubrey Pawlikowski, Assistant Manager for Public Affairs, Communications & Marketing
Week 1 – Challenge Category
1st Place – Dale Asby
Roseatte Spoonbill Landing, Dale Aspy
Camera: Canon
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM
Focal Length: 140mm
Aperture: f/8
Exposure: 1/5000
ISO: 800
Location: Jekyll Island, GA
Date: April 6, 2016 9:39AM
The annual project is a key piece of GNPA’s Conservation Committee, whose primary goal is helping GNPA members become aware of how they can engage in GNPA’s conservation efforts, and help members develop the skills to make valuable contributions to conservation in Georgia.
2nd Place – Jenny Burdette
Brown Headed Nuthatch, Jenny Burdette
Camera: Nikon D500
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm
Focal Length: 550mm
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure: 1/400
ISO: 900
Location: Gwinnett Co, GA
Date: Aug 2, 2019 5:04PM
With 8 official conservation partners of GNPA across the state, there is always a need for your help. From documenting cleanup events and families in nature to helping build a database of plants and wildlife, you can make a difference!
3rd Place – Paul Thomas
Young alligators in Okefenokee, Paul Thomas
Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8
Focal Length: 200mm
Aperture: f/8
Exposure: 1/1000
ISO: 1600
Location: Okefenokee Swamp, GA
Date: April 2015
GNPA is extremely proud of the difference that our Conservation Group members are making to have their photographs inspire current and future generations to connect with our natural world.
To join the GNPA Conservation Group email cons_volunteers@gnpa.org
by Brian Lucy | Apr 17, 2020 | GNPA News
Ghost Crab at Jekyll Island – Sara Aspy, GNPA member
Congratulations to all the winning photographers of the first annual GNPA Conservation Winter Project!
The project was a great way to support one of our Conservation partners, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Georgia.
With 384 photographs from 39 contributors across the state the judges had their hands full selecting the top photos.
To participate in future GNPA Conservation photography events email consvolunteer@gnpa.org
Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute. We will be posting a full gallery of the winning photos on the website soon, and featuring a category in a blog post each week over the next five weeks.
And your winners are….
Wildlife
1st Place Blue Bird with Worms Jenny Burdette
2nd Place Coyote on Fallen Pine Joe Berry
3rd Place White Eyed Vireo Steve Rushin
Landscape
1st Place Fishing at Marben PFA Art Stiles
2nd Place Boat at Sunrise Jenny Burdette
3rd Place Dicks Creek Waterfalls Joseph Kovarik
Close Up
1st Place Ghost Crab Sara Aspy
2nd Place Cicada Metamorphosis Ricki Forbes
3rd Place Gopher Tortoise Steve Rushing
Story in 5 Shots
1st Place Eagle Drinking Steve Rushing
2nd Place Hummingbird vs Praying Mantis Diane Yancey
Challenge Shot
1st Place Roseate Spoonbill Landing Dale Aspy
2nd Place Brown Headed Nuthatch Jenny Burdette
3rd Place Young Alligators in Okeefenokee Paul Thomas
Grand Prize Winner
With one first place and two 2nd place photos Jenny Burdette
