Home Page

The photo contest entries and the winners have been put on our website’s homepage slide show. https://www.fontenelleforestphotoclub.org/ is the link to the website. Please watch the slideshow and through the comments or mail me at webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org any omissions, mistakes…etc you may find. I will correct them.

New Member

We would like to welcome Lorrie Taylor to our club.

Donna Turner

Old Member

From Donna;

Good morning,

I had a phone call from Jeff Grill who is the late Essie (Ethel) Grill’s son.  Essie was a former member of the Fontenelle Forest Photography Club.  She passed on at the age of 101.  Her son came across several boxes of slides of wildflower photos taken by his mother.  These slides are of wildflower photos taken all over the USA.  Jeff was wanting to know if the Club or any of its members might be interested in these slides.

Jeff Grill’s cell phone number is left out of this post. Contact webmaster at webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org if interested

I told them the Club itself wouldn’t be interested but that I would pass on the information to the membership.  If you are interested, give Jeff a call.

I also stated he might check with local schools, etc., to see if anyone might be interested but that slides might be a hard sell due to technology issues.

Fontenelle Forest apparently is not interested as they gave Jeff my name.

Kathleen and  Phil, please forward to the membership and put something on the website.

If interested, the obituary is available at   https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/omaha-ne/ethel-grill-11926694

Thank you,

Donna

Lorraine Feldhausen
Lorraine Feldhausen

Meeting Minutes

For September and October will be posted in a separate post/blog

Video for beginning Photoshop (basic)

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Photo Club Meeting Reminder

October 17, this Thursday at 7:00 PM

At Fontenelle Forest. Please attend!

Send Me Photos

We are going to show off our best photos from the Summer. Send me 4-5 photos of your favorite shots. Send to webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org

I have received photos from 6 members. I could use more.

Photo by Keith White

Treasurer’s Report

Photo Club Treasurer’s Report

September 1 balance                                   $322.77

Income from due diligence         300.00

Expenses                                              none

September 30 balance                 $622.77

Raging River

Photo by Margaret West

You May Have Noticed…

I have inserted a couple of photos from two of our members. The photos are from their summer photos they have sent to me. I am thinking of putting photos from our members into these post to show off to the world. Our post are being see around the world. My proof is the number of emails I receive from Russia, Germany, and other countries. Not all of them are wholesome, oh well! If you wish to see your picture taken by you on these post, I will set up a folder and place photos in it that I will draw from and place in these post. Send to webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org If you send me a photo, indicate “for post/blog”. I would recommend putting a copyright symbol in your photo. I will ask one of you to tell us how to do that. Better yet please comment below on how to do it.

Photo Tips Video

Comment Below

Please leave a comment below. I will also like to hear from you on what you would like to see in my post/blogs. Hope to see you all at the October meeting. Remember to bring your dues in if you have not already done so.

Phil

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SUMMER PHOTOS

October 17 Photo Club Meeting

At the forest, starting at 7:00 PM.

Slide Show

I was unable to procure a speaker for the October meeting. So let’s have a “Show Off Your Favorite Photos from this Past Summer” night at our meeting.

Send me 4 or 5 of your favorite photos you have taken this summer. I will put them together and present them to our members. Remember you will be asked about your shots and maybe press you on how you took them.. Send your .jpg files to me; webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org .

Contest Photos

Award winner’s photos are posted in our ZEN gallery; https://fontenelleforestphotoclub.org/ClubPortfolios/2024-Photo-Club-Contest-Entries/

I have copies of all the photos entered in our past contest. I am working on putting them on the home page of our website’s slide show. It has been a very busy summer with other time consuming activities, which may be a good thing. I am not posting as many times as in the past.

And Another Thing

Please comment below! I will post a reminder before the October meeting about the meeting. I will have a treasurer’s report. If you haven’t paid your dues, please bring them to the October meeting. Again you have to also be a member of Fontenelle Forest to be a member of the photo club. Updates on the photo displays for the forest and Bellevue Library will be given.

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NEW YEAR, NEW SEASON, First Meeting September 19

We are having our first meeting of the calendar year on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 7:00 PM, at Fontenelle Forest.

Ni Drehmann

Ni is our guest speaker for the September 19 meeting. She is a Photo Journalist at Wildlife Photographer. She will be talking about her journey into photography. From Ni “I was going to talk about how I got started in photography and the current projects I am working on specifically with the gray wolves of Yellowstone and Colorado. A thesis photography documentary I’m working on. “

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s report for August, 2024

No income and no expenses. 

Balance remains $322.77

Mary..Dick and Patrick keefe and I will bring treats to the Sept meeting. 

Kathleen

Dues Are Due

For the first time since the club’s inception dues have been increase. Your dues. $20.00 for single and $30.00 for family. To be a member of the Fontenelle Forest Photography Club, you must also be a member of the Fontenelle Forest. The present forest admin staff will audit our member’s list to make sure our members are also members of the forest.

Please bring your dues at the September meeting!!!

Photo Displays

Photo Displays

In October, after Feather Our Nest, we will put up a new display in our Fontenelle Forest Gallery.  The topic is Fall in Fontenelle Forest.   This is not just fall foliage but wild flowers, animals, fungus, etc.

AT the end of Sept. WE will also be putting up the first photo display in the new  Belleuve Public Library.  The topic here is also Fall but anything goes here.  Show off your beautiful fall shots from anywhere.

                                                          

Volunteers Needed!

We are still looking for a president and vice-president. We should discuss where there are other areas of administering our club.

Photos of Contest Winners

https://fontenelleforestphotoclub.org/ClubPortfolios/2024-Photo-Club-Contest-Entries

Smartphone’s Cameras are Rubbish

This is an approximately 18 1/2 minute video.

I have had a wonderful summer off the grid. Not living and breathing photo club. Now it is time to get back to work.Please comment below about anything.

Phil

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2024 Photo Contest Winners

Congratulations to all our winners. There were not as many entries this year as in the past. Now is a good time to start thinking about next year’s photo contest. This year’s came way too soon for me. We all need to start thinking about all those hints mentioned by our two judges.

We hung the winning photos at the Bellevue Library for display.

Perhaps now is the time to think about doing our contest digitally. This would remove the print process variable. Let me know in the comments below how you feel.

I will be posting all the photo entries soon! I haven’t decided yet whether to place on the website’ home page slideshow or link them to the Zen photo gallery.

CategoriesMember NameTitle
Flora
1stMary HeadleyPink Water Lily
2ndMargaret WestPas de Deux
3rdDonna GrayMagnolia Blossoms
Hon MentionHoward CarsonBrophilla
Hon MentionTory EwingSpider Flower
Scenic
1stMargaret WestShimmering Icebergs
2ndLinda ShuettOld Dead Tree
3rdMargaret WestUndulations
Hon MentionBrent HeadleyRoughlock Falls, S.D.
Hon MentionHoward CarsonNature’s Majesty
Animals
1stMargaret WestOn The March
2ndDonna GrayYou Look Tasty
3rdKieth WhiteThe Eyes Have It
Hon MentionDianne KinneyIn The Eye Of The Beholder
Birds
1stAllen KurthPrairie Chicken Courtship
2ndTerry TurnerUpset Spotted Towhee
3rdAllen KurthWood Duck at Sunset
Hon MentionAllen KurthProthonotary Warbler
Hon MentionDiane KinneyGoldfinch
Anything Goes
Combined Class
1stDonna GrayThe Stories I Could Tell
2ndAllen KurthNova Scotia Sunset
3rdBrent HeadleyGlobal Warming
Hon MentionDonna TurnerCircles
Hon MentionTory EwingCancer Survivor Park
Best Black and WhiteMary HeadleyMoth Sitting On Lily
Best Fontenelle PhotoAllen KurthWood Duck at Sunrise
Best Of ShowAllen KurthPrairie Chicken Courtship
People’s Choice (Tied)Howard CarsonNature’s Majesty
Donna TurnerI’m Hungary
Member’s Choice (Tied)Donna GrayWho’s That
Margaret WestShimmering Icebergs
Terry TurnerUpset Spotted Towhee
Terry TurnerPeaceful Mountain Lake
List of photo contest winners.
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Photo Contest and Awards

Tomorrow night at 7:00 PM we will be awarding ribbons for winners. Critique will be on Thursday at 7:00 PM on June 2024. It will be held at Bellevue University. This is a reminder to all to attend.

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Slideshow

Fontenelle Forest spring photos are up on the home page slideshow. Check them out. If you haven’t sent your forest spring photos yet, you still can send them to me at webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org . I only size the portrait oriented photos to fit page. We can still use more photos.

Calendar

Check out calendar/events. Brent has fixed the presentation of the page. The student has become the master. Thanks Brent.

Photo Club Contest

Rules

Are posted here https://www.fontenelleforestphotoclub.org/2022-photo-contest/ . It is on the menu at the top of the page “2024 Photo Contest “. Please pay particular attention to sizes, no watermarks/copyright…etc.

Meeting Minutes

I am working on putting our minutes to the our meetings on the menu (top of page).

Raptor Shoot May 16

To take advantage of the daylight, we will meet at 6:30 PM, May 16. We will meet at Camp Brewster. It is north of Fontenelle Forest. See this page for directions/map. https://www.fontenelleforestphotoclub.org/event/raptor-shoot-may-16630-pm/?instance_id=285 . We will have the business part after photos are taken. Come earlier to take photos around Camp Brewster.

Contest Video

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Photo Club Meeting Tonight April 18 @ 7 PM

Nothing like waiting to the last minute. Hey did know we are having our Fontenelle Forest Photo Club meeting tonight at 7:00 PM? I apologize for the lateness in this reminder. I will update you all about upcoming items and what we need for our displays,…etc on another post, coming real soon.

Our speaker had to cancel due to her work requirements. She was sent out of town. But your executive board has arranged a “Behind the scenes look at the Zoo? Those of us who went to the zoo prior to its opening on November 4 of last year is going to give you some insight and show some of their photos. They will share their insights about the experience. Please attend. Thank you for your support.

Phil

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Contest Rules and Dues Increase Approved

But First;

Your webmaster would like to change out the slide show of last year’s Christmas photos with new ones for the website’s home page. I would like to have 3-4 photos from each member. The subject would be photos taken at Fontenelle Forest in spring. The present spring or past springs. You can send you photo files to webmaster@fontenelleforestphotoclub.org . I hate deadlines, so let’s choose the end of April 2024. This will give us a lot of time to get our photos taken/processed and sent to me. I have already received photos from two members. I will edit only for size to fit the slideshow format. Some photo files can be quite large.

2024 Photo Contest Rules

Contest Rules for 2024 have been approved by majority votes at the March 21, 2024 photo club meeting. These rules are also posted on the website menu under “Photo Contest 2024”.

2024 Photo Club Contest Information and Guidelines

Guidelines for the 2024 Annual Fontenelle Forest Nature Association

Photography Club Show

Bellevue University Hitchcock Humanities Center / Criss Auditorium

Hello to All Fontenelle Forest Nature Association Photo Club Members:

Set – Up – Saturday, May 25, 2024, 10:00 AM

Critique and Awards Presentation – Thursday, June 20, 2024, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Take Down – Saturday, June 29, 2024, 10:00 AM

Questions – Contact Contest Coordinator: Donna Gray – Email: djg618@yahoo.com

Who:  Any member in good standing of the Fontenelle Forest Nature Association Photo Club.  (***Only Fontenelle Forest Photography Club members who are up to date regarding Club dues are eligible to enter photographs. If you are unsure of your status, check with Club Treasurer Kathleen Crawford Rose.***)

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.

If there are less than five entries in any novice category, those entries will be automatically transferred to the advanced categories.

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 man made objects, including urban, city, pets, and Humans.  Must be a nature-based photo taken by a club member.

Animals

Any living creature (not a bird), wild or domesticated, including pets. Not humans.

Birds:

Any bird, wild or domesticated, including pets. Not humans.

A minimum of ten bird or animal photos are necessary to have a separate category. If there are less than ten bird or animal photos, all photos will be included in the Animal category.

Flora:

 A photo where the following are the main subject of the photo – any flower, plant, fungi 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.

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. Members may enter a total of four photos in the contest. Watermarks or any feature that could identify the photographer are prohibited on the photos entered in the contest.

How to Present Your Prints 

  • Prints are to be either framed (wood, metal or plastic frames) with or without a mat or printed on a metal or mat board 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 prints 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.
  • Email a digital copy of the entered photos to the photo contest coordinator in jpg (jpeg) format. Don’t worry about file size. I will take care of any resizing that needs to be done. If you don’t know how to convert to a jpg (jpeg) file, just email what you have, and I will convert as needed. If your files are large, you may need to email them one or two at a time due to email restrictions on file sizes. Please have your photos to me between May 15 through June 7, 2024 . No earlier, no later. Email them todjg618@yahoo.com Failure to send a digital photo will result in disqualification in the contest. These are needed for the PowerPoint presentation on the critique/awards night.

The email information will include the category name, whether you are entering as a Novice or Advanced, the title of the photo and if it was taken at Fontenelle Forest. Make sure your name is also included in case it is not part of the email address.

Awards: 

In each Class and category:   First, Second, and Third Place (24 Ribbons)

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

Overall Show Awards: 

Best of Show – all classes, all categories

Public’s 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 32 Ribbons to be awarded at this Year’s Show (If all categories are filled)!

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 03/22/2024

Membership Dues Are Going Up!

We also voted to raise the price of membership, next year, to $20 for a single member and $30 for family. Price will be cut by half in February for new memberships. You will still need to be a member of Fontenelle Forest to be a member of the Fontenelle Forest Photo Club. The dues have never been raised till now.

Photo Displays

Bellevue Library “PLAYING WITH LIGHT: REFLECTIONS AND SHADOWS”

Forest “SPRING IN FONTENELLE FOREST” photos

More

I resolved some problems for members not receiving notifications when there is a new posting for our website. Please comment below if I forgot something and need to address.

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March 21 Photo Club Meeting reminder

The meeting will be at the forest at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM on March 21, 2024

Allen Kurth will be presenting Lightroom by Adobe. He will show his process in post processing photos. Allen is an excellent photographer. Please attend to see some of his secrets he uses in his photos.

Treasurer’s Report

 Feb. 1 balance                $787.14

Income                                                0

Expenses;                                65.42

display id cards

  Plexiglass print covers

Feb. 29 balance              $721.72

The dues have never been raised but our annual contest expenses and other expenses have more than doubled over the years. 

Comments?  Could this be an agenda item at the March meeting

Proposed: Member Dues going UP!

You know it has to be done. We need to raise the price of membership for next year. The executive board has discussed this. Presently membership dues are; Single, $12, Family, $20. I believe this has been this way for years. Proposed increase to; Single, $20, Family, $30. After February the price will be halved for new memberships. We will take a vote at the March 21 meeting.

Photos for Forest and Library Displays

We need to start collecting prints for the new photo displays.  The  topics are:

“PLAYING WITH LIGHT: REFLECTIONS AND SHADOWS”  for the library display.

And for the forest  “SPRING IN FONTENELLE FOREST”.

Thanks to Jean Lindfors for suggesting “reflections and Shadows”

Please bring prints to the March and April meetings so that the new displays can be put up after the April meeting.

Post Processing Editing Video

If you don’t have Photoshop or Lightroom, perhaps this video will help get you started post-processing without the expense of Adobe products. It is about 8 minutes long.

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