2020 Photo Club Contest Information and Guidelines

Our annual photo contest is only a couple of months away. So here is the updated information and guidelines for the upcoming competition.

Guidelines for the 2020 Annual Fontenelle Forest Nature Association 

Photography Club Show

Bellevue University Gallery – Humanities Building

Hello to All Fontenelle Forest Nature Association Photo Club Members:

Set – Up – Saturday, May 30, 2020, 10:00 AM

Critique and Awards Presentation – Thursday, June 18, 2020, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Take Down – Saturday, June 27, 2020, 10:00 AM 

Questions – Contact: Donna Gray – Email: djg618@cox.net

Who:  Any member in good standing of the Fontenelle Forest Nature Association Photo Club.  Prints can be color or black and white.  Prints that have been previously designated as award winners – including honorable mention at previous FFNA club shows are not eligible for entry.

We ask that members remember that we are sponsored by a nature association and as such the photographs we show represents that organization to our members and the general public.  The show contest coordinator and current President of the club reserve the right to remove an entry not following the rules set forth in the category descriptions below.

“Novice Class”:  This is open to club members who have NOT won a first, second or third place in any individual category, or Overall Show award in prior years’ photography club shows.

“Advanced Class”:  This is open to club members who have won a first, second or third place in any individual category, or an overall show award in the prior years’ photography club shows.

No exceptions for class designation.  If any member new or old feels they belong in the advanced class, they are welcome to enter their photos into this class.

Categories:

• Scenic/Landscape: Continental US, outside continental US, any nature themed image where the focus or subject IS NOT manmade objects, including urban, city, pets, and Humans.  Must be a nature based photo taken by a club member.

• Animals: Any living creature, wild or domesticated, including pets. Not humans.

• Flora: A photo where the following are the main subject of the photo.  Any flower, plant or tree.

• Anything Goes: (Combined category – Novice & Advanced) 

Any photograph not meeting the requirements of the 3 categories listed above.   Also, any photo that is over enhanced or un-naturally manipulated will be entered into this category.

* Photos may be moved to another class up to the point of judging for awards if the Contest Judge, Photo Contest coordinator or club president feel an entry was categorized incorrectly at check-in.  These contest rules are their guide, and any corrections to classification are final.

How to Present Your Prints 

• Printed presentations are to be either framed (wood, metal or plastic frames) with or without a mat or printed on a metal or matboard surface. A wire hanger must be attached to the back.   

• Size of frame: Minimum outside dimension of the shortest side of the presentation will be no shorter than 5 inches, maximum outside dimension of the longest side of the presentation will be no longer than 25 inches. 

• Entries that are presented with no glass or Plexiglas are accepted at the entrant’s risk for damage by print handlers/displayers.

• Each entry is required to have the Photographer’s name, address, and phone number on the back of each photo.

• Contestants may enter up to 4 print presentations into the show. The contestant is responsible for deciding which category to place entry(s).   (One in each category or all in one category or any combination you desire.) Contest coordinator and club president have final say of excepting entry or on category classification at time of set-up.  The Judge may also move a photo to another category at the time of judging.

• Entry Cards (White) for Novice, (Yellow) for Advanced, (Blue) for Anything Goes will be available starting at the April Club meeting. Contestants will need to complete entry cards prior to arriving at the show set-up.

Awards: 

In each Class and category:   First, Second, and Third Place (18 Ribbons)

Anything Goes Category:       First, Second, and Third Place (Combined Classes) (3 Ribbons)

Overall Show Awards:  Best of Show – all classes, all categories

Public Choice – all classes, all categories

Club Members Choice – – all classes, all categories

Best Black and White – all classes, all categories

Best Photo Taken at Fontenelle Forest (Must designate on entry card)

Total of 26 Ribbons to be awarded at this Year’s Show!

All first and second place winners and overall show winners will be displayed at the Bellevue Public Library over the summer months and returned at our first club meeting in September.

All winning photos will be displayed on the Fontenelle Forest Photography Club’s Website.

Last revised on 01/30/2020

2020 Annual Fontenelle Forest

Photography Club Show

Set – Up Saturday, May 30    ( 10:00 AM )

Critique and Awards Presentation – Thursday, June 18 – 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Take Down – Saturday, June 27    ( 10:00 AM )

Club February 20,2020

About 39 people attended

Minutes of the Fontenelle Forest Photo

President Phil Mininni,  Presided

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Five new people were present

PHOTO DISPLAYS: Judy Dye

Photos of Toads and Frogs are due along with reflections. Anything pink and rocks will be displayed in the near future and later on statues and vine photos will be due. Frank Dye emphasized that submitted photos should have no borders along the long edge. They should have the submitter’s name along with a title.

Treasurers Report: Kathleen There is $1724.74 in the club’s treasury

Donna Gray: mentioned that Timmy’s tree house donated a new sign for the photo club. Phil recommended that an additional 2 more be made for our exhibits.

Phil: mentioned that he is looking for the original webmaster so changes can be made in the club’s website. With regards to the website Phil talked about the gallery where photos can be submitted and displayed.  A photo submitted for the gallery will be displayed and could be commented on. In the Under the microscope section there is  space for comments and criticism of an individual photo. Phil encouraged members to submit photos. Comments about and criticisms of your photos help improve them.

Phil: would like 2 volunteers to organize a field trip sometime in May. Suggested locations for this field trip are Neale Woods, Fontenelle Forest, Platte River Waterfall, Safari Park and a Walking tour. Other locations are also encouraged.

Phil: mentioned that in the Baright Gallery from April 4 to July 7,2020 will be a display by local artists of all types. See the forest website for rules and more info.  FF Club Photographers are encouraged to submit their work.

Phil: The  March 19, 2020 meeting will be on Architecture photography by Past President Jay Davis

PROGRAM TONIGHT

The program tonight will be given by Allen Kurtz and is entitled Bird Photography-How to get started.

Allen Talked a little of his background and how he got into photography and specifically how he got unto bird photographs. He then talked about the equipment he uses for bird photography and how it has changed over the last few years. The major equipment he used in the last few years was a 600mm lens (f4). He recommended a tripod (with no center post). Allen uses a Wimberly Gimbel head with a clamping device for mounting the lens on the tripod. He highly recommended that a person practice using the equipment a lot so when photographing a bird, one knows where everything is located and how it works. Because of the weight and difficulty in walking around with and photographing with this size lens Allen now uses  a 600mm Sony 200-600mm zoom lens. It is a lot lighter and more portable than his previous lens. Allen also talked about how to find birds (Sneak up on them, hide, listen, look for movement in trees). One should know what birds are around in the different seasons.

He  ended his program by showing several slides of his bird photography over the seasons

Thanks to Linda Schuett and Nea Baney  and for bringing treats

Submitted by Eric Scholar, Secretary.

Bird Photography-How to get Started

This is the subject for Thursday’s meeting. Our presenter is Allen Kurth. He is a past president of the Fontenelle Forest Photo Club. I should mention that Allan has several awards for his photography. I hope to see all of our members on Thursday.

Photo Contest

Here is a site that has a over 130 contest listings from beginners to professionals. It is called Photo Contest Insider . Our club’s photo contest is just around the corner. Start working on your selections now. This will allow more time to get that perfect picture for submission.

Display photos needed

Judy Dye would like to get photos for forest and library displays. Upcoming subjects for future displays;

• Toads and Frogs
• Reflections
• Anything Pink
• Rocks

Photo should be “8 X 10” or “11 X 14” size and unframed. There should be no boarders around the photo. Place your name, the location where photo was taken, and optionally the camera and lens used on the back of your photo.

Bird Photography

Here is a short video about photographing small birds. It is about 14 1/2 minute video. The first 5 minutes is about apps that are useful when planning a shoot. The rest of the video is about settings, techniques, and what to wear…etc. This will hopefully complement our guest speaker’s presentation.

Dana Meyer designed the sign.
Manager of Marketing and Events
dmeyer@fontenelleforest.org

Tim Wright

Timmy’s Treehouse printed the sign for the club at no cost to the club. Thank you Tim. Below is info for Tim’s business. Let’s give him our patronage.

Timmy’s Treehouse Print Studio

13595 Giles Road, Suite C 

Omaha NE 68138

Tele: 402.770.0065

Website:  https://www.timmystreehouse.com

Also on Facebook at Timmy’s Treehouse Print Studio

Hours:  Variable, call first or can place orders on-line

I want to thank Tim Wight, Dana Meyer and Donna Gray for their efforts to make the sign. Donna states the photo of sign does not do it justice. She will bring it to the February meeting.

February 20, 2020 meeting change

Our original speaker for the February meeting is unable to present a program.

Allen Kurth

Allen has agreed to be our speaker for the February 20, 2020 photo club meeting. Allen has been a past president of the club. He is an excellent photographer. He has won quite a few ribbons from our past photo contests. His presentation is “Bird Photography – How To Get Started”

Submit your artwork for consideration in Community. Submissions open tomorrow!

We are proud to present Community, a Baright Gallery Artist Series exhibit celebrating the artworks of the Fontenelle Forest Community. Community is a non-juried, salon-style exhibit that celebrates the creativity of our members, neighbors, staff, volunteers and friends. This show is a portrait of a vibrant, diverse, and multifaceted ecosystem of makers featuring artists of any age and working in any medium, style theme or concept.

The exhibit will be on view in our gallery from April 4 to July 7, 2020. An opening reception will take place on April 4, 2020. Visit fontenelleforest.org for requirements and to submit your artwork for consideration to be included in this exhibit. Submissions will be accepted January 27 – March 2. The Baright Gallery Artist Series is sponsored by Mutual of Omaha.

Audubon Society of Omaha website has been updated with details for the February 13 ASO General Meeting to be held at Fontenelle Forest.  ASO and Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery are co-hosting a viewing of FRAGMENTS, a documentary by Alex Wiles on the epidemic of lead poisoning in raptors. A panel discussion including several local experts will follow. A raptor expert will have two rehabilitated bald eagles on site.

Pre-register

Everyone who wants to attend must register, and a link to the registration page is included on our website, as well as on our Facebook page.  

Registration page

The website is omahaaudubon.com

“Fragments” Trailer