Overview • Galleries (See Galleries) • Monthly Themes • Field Trips • Speakers • Projects
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Speakers for 2023
January 2023 - Irene Hinke-Sacilotto - Tangier Island, Virginia
Irene will give a presentation on Tangier Island, Virginia featuring her photography of a unique waterman community and local wildlife. Just south of the 
Maryland line, in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, Tangier Island covers approximately 1.2 square miles, Tangier Island, which is actually a series of 3 ridges connected by narrow wooden bridges spanning marshes and tidal creeks, is a charming community of waterman and shop owners. Many inhabitants make their living, as did their ancestors for more than 400 years, by crabbing, fishing, and oystering.
Since 1979, Irene Hinke-Sacilotto has led numerous tours under the auspices of Osprey Photo Workshops and Tours, and has conducted many photographic workshops for zoos, nature centers, and organizations like the National Wildlife Federation and the Assateague Island Alliance.
Visit Irene's website, Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours., not only for her galleries and workshops, but also her blogs on many wildlife photography sites.
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Speakers for 2022
November 2022 - Ben Greenberg - Photographing Public Lands in Virginia
Although his initial passion for photography came with the birth of his first son, Ben’s primary goal 
for this 50-year passion has been capturing the full range of diverse natural beauty in landscape images of his native Virginia, and 20 other states, and encouraging preservation of this beauty.
Ben has received numerous awards in juried competitions. His images are represented in galleries and shops, primarily in central Virginia and West Virginia. Ben’s first book, Natural Virginia, is available in bookstores and gift shops throughout the state. Numerous art consultants in Virginia and Maryland frequently purchase large versions of his color and black and white images for their clients. Ben has devoted significant time to helping others learn, including teaching classes for UVA, OLLI, leading workshops, group presentations, and providing mentoring in the field. He was a featured speaker for two presentations at the Nature Visions Photo Expo in Northern Virginia in 2016. He more recently has been adding wildlife to his landscapes and planning a second book to emphasize the importance of preserving national, state, regional and local parks, preserves, and refuges, as shown by the sample images below.
Ben's scenic landscapes, wildlife and plant photos can be seen at Ben Greenberg Photography. His book, Natural Virginia, is also available through the website.
October 2022 - Robert Kelberg - Journey to Puglia in Southern Italy
Bob invites us to share his photographic journey to Puglia, relating the adventures of his recent 
vacation. We'll enjoy the culture and the many beautiful sights of the region, though we'll need to use our imagination to enjoy the gastronomic delicacies. 😉
September 2022 - Wayne Wolfersberger - The Best of Iceland in a Day
On a budget including time constraints, the presentation will illustrate the planning and execution for maximizing what Iceland has to offer photographers. Scenes of rugged coastlines, waterfalls and glaciers to cityscapes including the streets in Reykjavik will illustrate some of the best of Iceland. Only one day, two nights based on research, a few phone calls to Iceland, and careful planning led to wonderful results using one camera and lens.
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Nature is Wild Photography
www.waynewolfersberger.com
[email protected]
Wayne, an ecologist-naturalist, educator and nature photographer by professional education and passion, integrates all areas 
and is a well-respected professional nature photographer. His photographic expertise was honed while working for a D.C. area commercial photography firm, the US Navy Photographic Center, involvement in numerous professional seminars and workshops and working in Yellowstone NP and others for many years. He is a member of NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association), FCC, VPS & NVPS (VP & P). He is cochair for the student competition with Mid-Atlantic Photo Visions.
Wayne has taught photography classes for over 20 years, led workshops and seminars, delivered numerous photography programs in the DC area, Southern Appalachians, and internationally in the UK and Australia. His images have appeared in local, national, international magazines, on calendars, postcards, exhibited and sold as fine art prints, and now across the globe in the world of stock photography. Some awards include Nature’s Best (5), NANPA Showcase (4), PSA, Glennie, and many juried exhibits.
| Month | Speaker | Topic / Title |
| January | John Krout | Get Ready for Fireworks |
| February | Gary Perlow | Creative Use of Photoshop |
| March | Roy Sewell | Critique of Member Photos |
| April | Wayne Guenther | Work It! |
| May | Michael J. Glagola | Wildlife Photography in Your Own Backyard |
| June | David Kepley | Waterdrop Photography |
| July | Rosalyn Schanzer | Adventures in Cuba |
| August | On Hiatus | |
| September | Wayne Wolfersberger | The Best of Iceland in a Day |
| October | Bob Kelberg | Journey to Puglia in Southern Italy |
| November | Ben Greenberg | Photographing Public Lands in Virginia |
| December |
(Original template at end of page)
Speakers for 2021
July 2021 - Susan Bloom
OPC members will remember Susan Bloom's last presentation almost three years ago of her wonderful fine art photos 
and explanations of the techniques she employs to achieve those results. We once again welcome Susan on Friday, July 9th at 9:30 am, this time to discuss aspects of iPhone photography along with selected apps. Her iPhone Gallery provides examples of the power of the camera in our phone and its associated apps.
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Susan Ruddick Bloom is known for her fine art photography. She uses alternative photographic processes and digital manipulation. She holds a BFA and an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is Professor Emerita and former Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at McDaniel College, in Westminster, Maryland. Sue is considered one of the world leaders in digital fine art.
In addition to her college teaching, Sue conducts many workshops, including the Maine Photographic Workshop, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Glen Echo National Park for the Arts, and Common Ground - Scotland. She also leads photo tours throughout the world.
Sue has written two books: Digital Collage and Painting (2nd edition), and Digital Painting in Photoshop, both published by Focal Press (see Books for purchase details). Digital Collage and Painting showcases the work of twenty-one talented digital artists; each artist walks you through the creation of a piece of their art and lets you in on their secrets about equipment, software, favorite papers, and how their creative process begins. In Digital Painting in Photoshop Sue shows us how to retouch our images to become visually stunning re-interpretations; mimicking traditional fine art mediums like pastels, watercolors, oil painting, charcoal sketches and ink wash techniques; turning everyday pictures into breathtaking works of art.
Please see Susan's website for more information.
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January 2021 - Ben Greenberg
With "My Favorite Stories and the Photos behind Them," Ben Greenberg will share with us his 
passion for photography next Friday (8 January at 9:00 am - Note change of time for this meeting only). Although his initial passion for photography came with the birth of his first son, Ben’s primary goal for this 50 year passion has been capturing the full range of diverse natural beauty in landscape images of his native Virginia, and 20 other states, and encouraging preservation of this beauty.
Ben has received numerous awards in juried competitions. His images are represented in galleries and shops, primarily in central Virginia and West Virginia. Ben’s first book, Natural Virginia, is available in bookstores and gift shops throughout the state. Numerous art consultants in Virginia and Maryland frequently purchase large versions of his color and black and white images for their clients. Ben has devoted significant time to helping others learn, including teaching classes for UVA OLLI, leading workshops, 
group presentations, and providing mentoring in the field. He was a featured speaker for two presentations at the Nature Visions Photo Expo in Northern Virginia in 2016. He more recently has been adding wildlife to his landscapes and planning a second book to emphasize the importance of preserving national, state, regional and local parks, preserves, and refuges, as shown by the sample images below.
Ben's scenic landscapes, wildlife and plant photos can be seen at Ben Greenberg Photography. His book, Natural Virginia, is also available through the website.
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February 2021 - Derry Cox
We are fortunate to have Derry Cox discuss Fine Art Photography on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 9:30. Much of his photographic activity takes place within walking distance of his house. As Derry notes in his PBS interview (starting at 1:25), he “uses every crayon in the box, every brush in the jar, every tool in the toolbox” to create his works of art. In addition to image composition and processing, his toolbox includes the application of math and physics to photography, and the creation of mats and frames – all of that is “part of my art.”
Referring to his weddings and portraiture since the 1970, Derry says on his website, “I’ve made a lot of people happy. Today I produce Fine Art Digital Images. I think I’ve found my passion.”
Enjoy his work at Derry Cox Fine Art Images.
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March 2021 - Lori Saunders
Please join the OLLI Photo Club on Friday, March 12 at 9:30 am to meet Lori Saunders who will be discussing "Light Painting – Photographic Effects."
Lori is a photographer in the Northern Virginia area. During the past year, she has made presentations about Light Painting with Shutterbug Excursions Meetup and the Vienna Photographic Society (VPS). Over this time, she has found a special passion for Light Painting -- working with empty space and models to capture surreal visions from her imagination.
She has exhibited award winning photos through VPS, Nature Visions, Vienna Art Society, Herndon ArtSpace, The SE Center for Photography, and Joe Miller Abstract Exhibits. She also explored abstracts through macro and still life photography – Discovering Mystery in Everyday Objects.
See more of Lori's work on Flickr at @lo8i (https://www.flickr.com/people/lo8isimages/), and her Light Painting album at https://www.flickr.com/photos/lo8isimages/albums/72157685310729465. With your own Instagram account you may also see her work on Instagram @lo8is (https://www.instagram.com/lo8is/).
OLLI Photo Club Zoom Recording - Light Painting with Lori Saunders
Note: the OPC Zoom Recording Gallery is accessible via password.
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April 2021 - Frank Van Riper
Please join the OLLI Photo Club on Friday, April 92th at 9:30 am to meet Frank Van Riper who will be discussing his 
latest book ‘Recovered Memory: New York & Paris 1960-1980,’ telling about his experiences doing street photography in both places. Frank Van Riper’s award-winning career in journalism began in 1967 on the New York Daily News where for 20 years he served as White House correspondent, national political correspondent and ultimately Washington Bureau news editor. But he also has been a photographer for as long as he has been a writer and now, with the publication of his sixth book, he offers a documentary-cum-memoir about two of the world’s great cities: New York and Paris.
You may find more information about Frank on his website, Goodman/Van Riper Photography. You may also read the blurb for Recovered Memory.
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May 2021 - Robert D’Souza
The OLLI Photo Club is pleased to host Robert D'Souza who will discuss Nature and Wildlife 
Photography on Friday, May 14th at 9:30 am. With the help of photographs taken over the years, Robert will introduce viewers to the fascination of nature, which for him, never ceases to create a sense of wonder. He hopes to inspire us to travel, discover, and photograph the marvels of our magnificent planet.
Robert D'Souza Photography contains portfolios with his wonderful nature images and more.
Biography
Robert D’Souza is an electrical engineering graduate with a masters in technology education. He has had two careers: first in the automotive industry, followed by teaching Engineering & Technology in the Fairfax County Public School System.
His long-time hobby has been nature study and wildlife photography, and for this reason he have traveled extensively, covering all 7 continents.
Apart from wildlife and wildlife photography, Robert is also passionate about conservation and sustainability. He is a member of the Audubon Society, and, as a Life member of The Bombay Natural History Society, has been involved in bird and butterfly census activities. He has taught students the importance of renewable energy and energy saving practices, and was instrumental in installing an educational hybrid wind turbine/solar panel system at a school, the first such system at a middle school in the US.
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June 2021 - Marie Joabar
The OLLI Photo Club is delighted to welcome Marie Joabar, founder of the Capital Photography Center, on Friday, June 
11th at 9:30 am as she illustrates methods for photographing several challenging subjects. The title of her talk is "Tips and Techniques for Capturing the Moon, Snow scenes, Waterfalls and Fireworks Displays."
There are certain subjects that can be difficult to expose well such as the moon and snow. Marie will cover how to get proper exposures of each and will share tips to craft exciting shots of these subjects.
Marie will also cover tips and techniques for capturing waterfalls as a silky flow and will cover the tools that make it easier to be more creative. She’ll also discuss how to freeze the fireworks displays and capture them with multiple burst in one frame.
Biography
Marie has been immersed in photography and photography education for more than 20 years and is passionate about sharing her knowledge about photography, cameras and digital technology with others.
Whether she’s teaching photography, helping one better understand their camera or “see” better compositions, she works to build one’s confidence and take away the intimidation and sense of overwhelming that often accompanies learning new things. She finds just the right way to take complicated concepts and explain them in a logical, easy to understand way.
Marie founded Capital Photography Center in January 2012 to help those with a love of photography grow their skills and reach their goals - be it to capture better snapshots or become a professional photographer. To this end, her company offers a wide variety of photography classes taught by professional photographers and renowned photographic educators where amateurs, hobbyists and professionals can learn about the areas of photography suited to their interests and experience level.
In addition to running her business and teaching, Marie finds time to enjoy her own photography and loves capturing people; both candid and posed, country landscapes, and dynamic cityscapes; especially at nighttime. Her travels have given her the opportunity to photograph in Venice, Tuscany, London, New York and various other locations in the United States. Her work can be viewed on her website at www.mariejoabar.com.
Originally from Michigan, Marie has lived in Alexandria, Virginia for the past 30+ years with her husband.
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July 2021 - Susan Bloom
OPC members will remember Susan Bloom's last presentation almost three years ago of her wonderful fine art photos and explanations of the techniques she employs to achieve those results. We once again welcome Susan on Friday, July 9th at 9:30 am, this time to discuss aspects of iPhone photography along with selected apps. Her iPhone Gallery provides examples of the power of the camera in our phone and its associated apps.
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Susan Ruddick Bloom is known for her fine art photography. She uses alternative photographic processes and digital manipulation. She holds a BFA and an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is Professor Emerita and former Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at McDaniel College, in Westminster, Maryland. Sue is considered one of the world leaders in digital fine art.
In addition to her college teaching, Sue conducts many workshops, including the Maine Photographic Workshop, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Glen Echo National Park for the Arts, and Common Ground - Scotland. She also leads photo tours throughout the world.
Sue has written two books: Digital Collage and Painting (2nd edition), and Digital Painting in Photoshop, both published by Focal Press (see Books for purchase details). Digital Collage and Painting showcases the work of twenty-one talented digital artists; each artist walks you through the creation of a piece of their art and lets you in on their secrets about equipment, software, favorite papers, and how their creative process begins. In Digital Painting in Photoshop Sue shows us how to retouch our images to become visually stunning re-interpretations; mimicking traditional fine art mediums like pastels, watercolors, oil painting, charcoal sketches and ink wash techniques; turning everyday pictures into breathtaking works of art.
Please see Susan's website for more information.
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Speakers for 2020
January 2020 – O. Lou Mazzatenta
His first "retirement" job was to take charge of National Geographic's first foreign language venture. He directed the launch of National Geographic Japan, the first of over 30 foreign language editions of the magazine.
After the successful Japanese launch, Mazzatenta "retired" again. Within two months, he traveled to Xi’an, China, to photograph excavations of the life-size terra-cotta army of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. His photographic report, "China's Warriors Rise From the Earth," was published in the October 1996 issue of National Geographic. It and two subsequent articles brought the magnificent army to the world’s attention.
Mazzatenta photographed 31 stories for National Geographic and handled studio and other photographic assignments. His work has appeared in U.S., Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Ranger Rick, and international publications. Exhibitions of Mazzatenta's photographs have appeared in China, Japan, Spain, Italy, and the United States.
Though he photographed all over the world, his favorite locations were in China and Italy where he focused his camera on subjects involving archaeology and paleontology. In China, in addition to the terra-cotta armies, he photographed stories about the Shang and Han dynasties, early life on earth, and dinosaurs evolving into birds. In Italy, he photographed articles on the ancient Romans buried at Herculaneum by the 72 AD eruption of Vesuvius, the Etruscans, the Appian Way, the Brindisi Bronzes, and endangered Italian art. He produced and picture-edited articles on the restoration of Michelangelo's frescoes in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and took the photo of the restoration of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” that appeared on the cover of National Geographic.
Before joining National Geographic, Mazzatenta attended and served on the staff of the U.S. Army Information School. Earlier, he was a photographer and picture editor at the Minneapolis Tribune and other newspapers in the Midwest. He received a Masters Degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, where he was a McCormick Scholar. At Kent State University, he earned his B.A. in journalism, was editor of an award winning yearbook and was named Sigma Delta Chi’s outstanding male journalism graduate of the year.
In retirement, Lou still handles photo assignments, and is chair of the Cosmotographers, the Cosmos Club’s photo group. He enjoys taking many classes on a multitude of subjects at OLLI, (the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) . He serves as an usher at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Clifton, VA.
Mazzatenta survives his wife Rita after 45 years of marriage. He remarried in 2015 and lives in Clifton, Virginia, with his wife Sheryl. He enjoys spending time with his smart and good looking four children and 13 grandchildren.
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February 2020 - Dale Scherfling
Dale is a local photographer and teacher of same in DC. He is a street photographer and a rough and tumble dynamic speaker. Former wire service and news photographer, retired U.S. Navy Photojournalist and longtime photo instructor; graduate of San Diego State University, American International University and Cleveland's Cooper School of Art in Photography.
Currently teaching Photography as Art at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and self-publishing fine arts photo books. He also holds court at the Burke Library once a month with a photo club he started last year.
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March 2020 – Rosalyn Schanzer POSTPONED
Roz is a multiple award-winning author and illustrator of hundreds of books for children and young adults. And since her favorite topics tell all about history's most amazing explorers and adventurers, she has made sure to have a few adventures of her own.
A nationally ranked Master's Swimmer for 19 years and an avid photographer, Roz has traveled around the planet to take pictures of things you don't see every day. She has photographed wild lions and elephants in Africa from a few feet away, helped sail a world-famous racing boat from Bermuda to Boston, swum with sharks in Belize and Andros Islands, and kayaked with whales in Alaska, Canada and Mexico, taking pictures all along the way. She has hiked up various mountains and volcanoes in South America, Tibet, and Nepal and explored ancient Incan ruins in Peru and Bolivia. And she has also rafted through whitewater and photographed an array of hummingbirds in the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, tasted tamarinds in the remote dry forests of Ecuador, and photographed marine iguanas in the Galapagos and exotic temples in Thailand and India.
Visiting such amazing places, either on your own or with exactly the right folks, could give you a chance to take your most memorable photographs ever, so let's to find out how that might work.
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April 2020 - Mike Whalen
As a teen, Mike learned a few camera basics from his father, a photographer and artist. He dabbled with film cameras in the 80’s and 90’s, and after that with a few digital point-and-shoots. However, it wasn’t until 2006, when he purchased a basic DSLR that he began to see the potential of digital technology.
Mike joined the Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS) in 2009 and has served on many board positions including president in 2013. From participating in many NVPS competitions, he received numerous annual awards including, “Photographer-of-the-Year”, “Color-Print-of-the-Year” and “Image-of-the-Year” at various times. He received distinguished service awards in 2018 and 2019 and redesigned the club’s website in 2019.
In recent years, he also scored three cover shots on the Spring editions of Washington Gardener Magazine and in 2016, he won Nature Visions “People’s Choice” award in the Photo Art category. Mike also donates his time regularly, as a pet photographer for the Fairfax County.
Animal Shelter and, volunteers as a photographer for charitable organization’s annual DC events such as: The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and The Epilepsy Foundation of America.
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May 2020 - Bill Mugg
Bill will speak about his rough and tumble excursion to the Pantal in Brazil.
Bill is a member of the Vienna Photographic Society and was the Photographer of the Year for that Club in 2017. His focus is on Travel and Nature Photography - you can see some of his work at https://www.billmuggphoto.com/p276033359
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June 2020 - Dave Kepley
David went to college at Gettysburg College and graduate school at the University of Maryland where he studied history. He retired from a 37-year career with the National Archives and was an adjunct history professor at NVCC. While working at the US Forest Service over 40 years ago, he was inspired by one of his colleagues to take up photography. A classic road trip in which he visited some of the great parks in the American west cemented his lifelong love of trying to capture the beauty and majesty of the natural world.
After his retirement, David has taken a number of different classes and workshops to perfect his craft. He is currently President of the Vienna Photographic Society. His works have been juried into Nature Visions Photo Expo for the past five years, as well as in the Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit. His work has also won many awards at his photo club. A passionate devotee of our national parks, during the 2016 centennial year David and his wife visited 10 different parks, capturing thousands of images of them!
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July 2020 - Roz Schanzer
Rosalyn Schanzer will be presenting “JAW DROPPING EYE POPPING SHOTS YOU NEVER NOTICED.” Ten astonishing ways to uncover photo ops in the most unlikely places (and a few tips to make them shine to boot). She is the author and illustrator of 16 award-winning books published by National Geographic, HarperCollins, and more. An avid photographer and world traveler, who speaks nationally and internationally, Roz Schanzer has also presented numerous illustrated shows at OLLI.
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September 2020 - Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
A Passion for Wildlife Photography, the Stories Behind the Images
This talk is based on my more than 35 plus years’ experience photographing wildlife and covers the requirements, strategies, techniques, and equipment required to capture engaging animal images. Included is information on lighting and composition, plus locating, attracting, and approaching wildlife. The program is interwoven with some entertaining stories behind some of the images. (The program contains a lot of new material plus images from COVID 19 confinement.)
For more than 35 years, I have shared my photographic experiences and love of nature with thousands of individuals through more than 300 photo classes, workshops, lectures, and tours in both the U.S. and abroad including Kenya, Iceland, Newfoundland, the Falkland Islands, the Brazilian Pantanal, South Dakota Badlands, Bosque del Apache, Chincoteague NWR, Tangier Island, etc. Program sponsors have included zoos, nature centers, camera clubs, and conservation organizations such as National Wildlife Federation and the Assateague Island Alliance. For many years, I have taught photography classes at Johns Hopkins University and other educational institutions and have written “How To” articles on nature photography for national publications such as Outdoor Photographer and Birding. My images have appeared in magazines, calendars, and books published by National Wildlife Federation, Natural History Society, Audubon, and Sierra Club. Credits include the book, “Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, an Ecological Treasure.”
Visit Irene's website, Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours.
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October 2020 - Martha Brettschneider
Martha Brettschneider, founder of Damselwings, LLC, provides coaching 
and artful inspirations for mindful living. Author, speaker, blogger, and award-winning fine art photographer, Martha cultivates mindfulness through creative channels and offers innovative programs that help busy people establish their own meditation habits. Martha’s journey has taken her from being a stressed out international economist, screaming mom, and breast cancer survivor to a meditation-touting creative entrepreneur finally at peace with the world. Martha's signature wall art, which grew from her personal mindfulness practice, inspires viewers to slow down and ground themselves in the present moment by connecting with the miraculous details of nature featured in her photography.
Visit Martha's website, Damselwings, and view her wonderful fine art nature prints.
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November 2020 - Wayne Wolfersberger
Wayne, an ecologist-naturalist, educator and nature photographer by professional education and passion, integrates all areas and is a well-respected professional nature photographer. His photographic expertise was honed while working for a D.C. area commercial photography firm, the US Navy Photographic Center, involvement in numerous professional seminars and workshops and working in Yellowstone NP for many years. He is a member of NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association), FCC, VPS & NVPS (Vice-President and President). He is co-chair for the student competition with Mid-Atlantic Photo Visions (formally Nature Visions Photo Expo).
Wayne has been teaching photography classes for over 20 years, led workshops and seminars, (most recent to Yellowstone). He has delivered numerous photography programs in the DC area, Southern Appalachians, and internationally in the UK and Australia. His images have appeared in local, national, international magazines, on calendars, postcards, exhibited and sold as fine art prints, and now across the globe in the world of stock photography. Awards include Nature’s Best (5), NANPA Showcase (4), PSA, Glennie, and many other juried exhibits.
Visit Wayne’s website, Nature is Wild Photography, for his galleries, classes, speaker topics and more.
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December 2020 - Lynn Cates
Like many subjects, photographing water can be tricky. Reflections, movement and light are just 
three conditions photographers – new and experienced – often find challenging when photographing scenes with water. But it’s possible to get stunning water pictures by being aware of a few techniques.
At the December 12 OLLI Photo Club meeting, Lynn Cates, an amazing photographer, will discuss some of her approaches in creating good water photos, both in camera and through the use of post-processing. According to Lynn, water often creates its own mood and we, as photographers, must be aware of this environmental dynamic. She will discuss how to capture some of these moods with approaches she uses in the field such as varying shutter speeds and use of filters. She also will discuss techniques she uses in post-processing to accentuate lines, shapes, and textures to help bring out the feelings she wants to evoke. You can see some of her outstanding photographs at rdtrpr.
Plan to attend the OLLI Photo Club at 9:30, December 12…on Zoom, of course (Meeting ID: 669 666 340; Pass Code: 746 862.) You can join the OLLI Photo Club and enjoy the wonderful world of photography. It’s a free benefit of your OLLI membership.
-- Article by John Nash
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Past Speakers
2019
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January 2019 – Mark Van Bergh
January – Mark Van Bergh is a Washington D.C. photographer who shoots weddings and other events throughout the D.C. area and beyond. An avid traveler, Mark also photographs nature and wildlife throughout the U.S. and internationally, including U.S. National Parks, Kenya, Rwanda, China, Japan and more.
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February 2019 – Rob Paine
Bio to come
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March 2019 – Evan Cantwell
Evan Cantwell is a Senior Photographer at George Mason University. He collaborates with a team of writers, designers, and managers to determine photography and multimedia assignments. Photographs on assignment for brand, social media, digital media and publications developing a dynamic university image collection.
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April 2019 – TBD
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May 2019 – TBD
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June 2019 – Steve Canale
Steve is a "Soldier, marksman, bon vivant, raconteur, photographer, tour guide, lecturer, and author”. Most people don't have the equipment, time, or resources of a professional travel photographer. Steve’s classes and tours are about what works in the real world, for the rest of us.
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July 2019 – Gail Rebhan
Gail Rebhan is a Washington, DC based photographer and holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts and an undergraduate degree from Antioch College. Integral to her various bodies of work is an interest in time and change. Central to her concerns is an examination of gender and generational roles. With humor, she points out inconsistencies, faults and problematic behavior from a social, cultural, and emotional point of view.
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August 2019 – No Meeting
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September 2019 – Amber Hanna
Amber is a Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships at the National Park Foundation, the official charitable partner of the National Park Service. She is responsible for managing partnerships with current corporate partners, from major promotional cause-marketing campaigns to licensing deals, and supporting overall fundraising efforts. Before joining the Foundation in 2012, she worked for Environmental Working Group, assisting with research reports for Congressional testimony and public hearings, and for Taxpayers for Common Sense helping create a database for government transparency for over 35,000 earmark requests. She is originally from Pittsburgh and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh
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October 2019 – LaNitra Berger
LaNitra Berger is the fellowships director and affiliate Art History faculty at George Mason University. She studies and teaches modern art from South Africa and is currently finishing a manuscript about South Aftican artist Irma Stern. She received a BA in art history and international relations from Stanford and a PhD in art history from Duke University.
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November 2019 – Joe Benning
Joe Benning is an avid photographer and the founder of Evocative Photos, a photo licensing website (www.evocativephotos.com). In addition he runs a Travel and Photo blog (www. joebenningphotography.com). Before retiring and moving to Virginia, he worked as an economist and bond trader in the financial services industry. Joe holds a PhD in Public Administration from NYU where he studied public economics and policy.
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December 2019 – Brian Zwit
Over 40 years ago, Brian discovered that photography provided a powerful means for expressing his vision of the world. Over the years, his love of the outdoors and photography as well as an aptitude for computer technology have morphed into a passion (some would say obsession) for capturing the elegance and majesty of the unique landscapes, wildlife, and flora of the United States. While the pursuit of nature takes him all over the country, he favors the west, northwest, northeast, and mid-Atlantic and, wherever he is, his love of hiking and backpacking takes him far beyond populated areas into settings which few people visit.
Brian’s images are in private residences and corporate offices and have appeared in regional magazines such as Wonderful West Virginia. Corporate clients have also used his images for promotional and internal publications.
Brian has been teaching workshops, field trips, and classes and speaking to camera clubs, schools, and other non-profits as well as for profit entities for over ten years.
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2018
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January 2018 – Mike Whalen
The Mountains, Fjords and Magic of Norway
Back in June 2016 my wife, two friends and I spent 17 days touring the south-western fjord region of Norway. We stayed at 10 different locations traveling over 1000 miles, mostly by car. We experienced snow-covered mountains, crystal-clear fjords, icy lakes, thunderous waterfalls and the two largest cities, Oslo and Bergen. We hiked numerous trails, saw beautiful vistas and several glaciers; we rode ferries and other boats and even met a few trolls along the way! In this slideshow you will see examples of all these places and things. I hope this slideshow conveys some of the excitement and beauty we experienced while in this wonderful country.
-Mike Whalen
Mike's Bio
Mike, a former engineer, became interested in photography after retiring in 2002. As a teen, he learned a few basics from his father, a photographer and artist. However, it wasn’t until 2006 (when he purchased his first serious camera - a Canon “digital” SLR), that he realized the potential of this amazing technology.
In 2009, Mike became an active member of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS), the DC area’s largest photo club. Here, he was exposed to many talented people, who were happy to share their knowledge. His skills began to grow. At NVPS, he served on many board positions including President in 2013. In addition to competing in over 50 monthly competitions, he received numerous NVPS annual awards including, “Photographer-of-the-Year”, “Color-Print-of-the-Year” and “Image-of-the-Year” at various times. Mike also scored three cover shots on the Spring edition of Washington Gardener Magazine in recent years and has also won “People’s Choice award in 2016 for his photo, “Charleston Plantation” at the annual “Nature Visions” photo expo. Mike donates his time regularly, as a pet photographer for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and, volunteers as an event photographer for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s annual race-walk.
Since retiring, he and his wife travel as often as possible. This provides lots of opportunities to find new material to shoot. He loves to photograph all kinds of subjects and enjoys the entire photographic process from composing and taking the shot, to post-processing and printing the final images. His inspiration comes from seeing the great works of his peers as well as seeing images on popular photo websites. He thanks you for inviting him to speak at OLLI and hopes you enjoy his presentation.
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February 2018 – Stan Schretter
Long-time OLLI member, photographer and trip tale torchbearer par excellence shares his experiences with post-processing in a mobile environment.
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February 2018 – Frank Ruggles (Cancelled)
Frank has been a professional Photographer since 1992, and has had some fantastic assignments over the years. He has worked for the Government at a contractor and as a Federal employee. His favorite assignment was 2007 through 2010, when he worked as an official photographer for the National Park Service. He got so see parts of America that very few people get to see. Every day after he finished his official photographer's duties, he took advantage of his location and (with the permission of the Secretary of the Interior) started his own project of documenting the beauty of the National Parks. He hiked a few thousand miles through the most beautiful places in the country. He was fortunate to have traveled to over 150 National Parks in all 50 US States, and can tell you....they really are "America's Best Idea".
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March 2018 - Jim Alper
Jim is a local amateur photographer who shares with us the joys of wildlife photography in nearby parks including Huntley Meadow and Pohick Bay. His presentation is designed to make us all aware of the amazing hidden opportunities in Fairfax County, to help us understand techniques for capturing birds, mammals and insects in their natural environment and to point us toward web sites with additional information on the art and science of nature photography.
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April 2018 - Robin S. Kent
Robin Kent is a fine arts photographer known for his dramatic images of Washington, D.C. and, more recently, remote locations such as night photography of the Milky Way in back country areas of Yosemite National Park, the monarch butterfly overwintering sites in Michoacán, Mexico, the frozen landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as the northern latitudes of Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Robin’s photographs are in the collections of major corporations, local business organizations, and individual collectors. His training has included landscape photography from the late Galen Rowell, founder of Mountain Light Photography and advanced printing techniques from Mac Holbert, a co-founder of Nash Editions. He is former President and a current member of Great Falls Studios, a consortium of 100 plus artists in Great Falls, Virginia. He is represented by Art Matters in Glen Echo, Maryland. More examples of his work can be seen at his website, https://photographybyrobinkent.com. Also, see the following highlighted photos in Robin's blog:
Milky Way - https://photographybyrobinkent.com/2014/08/22/the-milky-way/
Greenland - https://photographybyrobinkent.com/tag/greenland/
Monarchs - https://photographybyrobinkent.com/2016/01/10/hidden-gem-mexicos-monarch-preserves/
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May 2018 - Fred Siskind
Fred Siskind is a nature photographer specializing in wildlife. In addition to regularly photographing in Washington area parks, he has traveled to many U.S. national parks as well as game parks in Kenya. He is a longtime member and former President of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society, and a member of the North American Nature Photography Association. He recently completed the Fairfax Master Naturalist Program.
Fred will discuss macro photography in the field with an emphasis on photographing insects - dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, caterpillars. He will describe equipment he uses and cover the essential requirements for producing a good photograph - composition, background and foreground control, depth of field, gardening, and lighting. In addition, he will provide some hints on how to find dew-covered insects and present Dew Trek, a short slide show set to music.
His photos have been published in many magazines (Audubon, Birder’s World, Bird Watcher’s Digest, National Geographic Kids, Natural History, Nature’s Best, Outdoor Photographer, Smokies Life), books (American Birding Association, Capstone, Kidsbooks, National Geographic, Western National Parks Association), calendars (Audubon, Shearson, Tildon), and used in exhibits (Huntley Meadows Park, National Park Service, National Arboretum) and brochures and posters (Huntley Meadows Park, Time-Life Books, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). He collaborated with former U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis on a poetry/photography book for children titled Face Bug, which can be ordered on Amazon. His photos can be seen at https://www.agpix.com/siskind.
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June 2018 – Wayne Wolfersberger
Wayne Wolfersberger: Nature Is Wild Photography
Nature Is Wild Photography focuses on the beauty and uniqueness of our natural world producing images for the printed media, exhibits and galleries, and private purchases. Photography classes, workshops, presentations, and critiquing are offered on a year round basis. The Gallery contains a selection of photographs available for purchase as prints, matted prints or as framed photographs. Private instruction available.
Photographic images are exhibited in the Washington, D.C. Region and are also for sale individually. Classes and workshops are offered in the Northern Virginia area during the fall, winter, and spring. Photographic and biological presentations are delivered frequently in the local area and occasionally in other parts of the country. Contact Wayne for specific questions about speaker/programs that are available.
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July 2018 – Roz Schanzer
Children's Author and Illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer, who writes books about history's greatest adventures, can't seem to sit still. That's why she has had a few adventures of her own.
This nationally ranked Master's swimmer and avid photographer has taken pictures of wild lions and elephants in Africa from two feet away, swum with sharks in Belize, and kayaked with whales in Alaska, Canada and Mexico. She has hiked the Andes, fished for piranhas, and explored ancient Incan ruins in Peru and Bolivia. And she has rafted through whitewater in the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, tasted tamarinds in the remote dry forests of Ecuador, photographed golden temples in Thailand and marine iguanas in the Galapagos, and helped sail a world-famous racing boat from Bermuda to Boston.
For years, Schanzer painted pictures for literally hundreds of things, from greeting cards and pop-up books for Hallmark Cards to magazine and newspaper articles, posters, games for children, and numerous books for many major publishers. But all of these were written by other people. Finally, she decide to try a new kind of adventure; if she wanted to paint the kinds of things she liked the best, she would have to start writing a few books herself. So back in 1993 she began to write and illustrate the first of many highly acclaimed books about famous adventurers from history. The writing has turned out to be more fun - and more challenging - than she had ever imagined. To find out more about her books, CLICK HERE
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August 2018 –Rob Paine
Rob Paine is the marketing director for the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO), the region's largest senior sporting event. At this Aug. 10 session, he will share some of his photography, talk about what makes a great sports photo and discuss the 2018 NVSO's photo needs and how you can be part of this wonderful event. His photo blog is at https://iseebeautyallaround.com.
Rob’s career spans three decades, encompassing documentary, wedding, sports and nature photography. He has an extensive background in community journalism in Northern Virginia. As a news photographer he has covered nearly every major sport on the prep, college and professional level .He also worked for nearly 10 years on the national level as a photo editor for The Associated Press, working on location at major sporting events including The Preakness, MLB’s National League Championship Series, NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 and The Sugar Bowl.
Rob is also the outreach and marketing specialist for RSVP Northern Virginia, a program of Volunteer Fairfax that leverages the talents and experience of retirees to support more than 30 outstanding local nonprofits.
Additional Info about this Special August Presentation
Since OLLI is closed on the 2nd Friday of August, we’ll have a meeting that day at the Green Acres Center at 2:30 in the afternoon. The address is 4401 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Please come to hear about our support to the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO). Those events are from Sept. 15th thru the 26th, at nearly 30 venues across Northern Virginia. There will be about 86 events which we will help to document. Our photos will be used on social media, slideshows, websites and in some cases print ads promoting next year’s NVSO.
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September 2018 – Michael Glagola
Michael Glagola is a superb flower and bird photographer. He will speak on the techniques and tricks of backyard photography.
Michael has graciously offered us access to his presentation. Click the following link to download the PDF file.
Glagola, Michael - Wildlife Photography in your Backyard, Handouts, 20180914
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October 2018 – Martha Brettschneider
Clarity, Focus, and Purpose: How Mindfulness Built a Photographer
Martha Brettschneider, founder of Damselwings, LLC, provides coaching and artful inspirations for mindful living. Author, blogger, master gardener, award-winning photographer, and Search Inside Yourself teacher-in-training, Martha cultivates mindfulness through creative channels and offers innovative programs that help busy people establish their own meditation habits, including her 30-Day Mindfulness Meditation Challenge. Martha’s journey has taken her from being a stressed out international economist, screaming mom, and breast cancer survivor, to a meditation-touting creative entrepreneur finally at peace with the world. You can read her full story in her book Blooming into Mindfulness: How the Universe Used a Garden, Cancer, and Carpools to Teach Me That Calm Is the New Happy. Her mindfulness-inspired photography was recently chosen to decorate Sibley Hospital’s new Integrative Medicine Department.
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November 2018 – Sam Abell
The Life of a Photograph
The Life of a Photograph at OPTIC 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxoYxZpujbc
Bio from http://samabell.com/biography/
I learned photography from my father, a teacher, at our home in Sylvania, Ohio.
After graduating from the University of Kentucky I worked for National Geographic as a contract and staff photographer for thirty-three years.
In 1990, my work was the subject of a one-person exhibition and monograph titled Stay This Moment at the International Center of Photography in New York City.
Since then I have published four additional collections of work: Seeing Gardens; Sam Abell: The Photographic Life; The Life of a Photograph and Sam Abell Library.
In addition, I maintain a career as a writer, teacher, and lecturer on photography.
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December 2018 – Deborah Kennedy
What to Take, What to Keep
What to Take, What to Keep (pdf of presentation): https://olli.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Kennedy-Deborah-What-to-Take-What-to-Keep-Presentation-20181214.pdf
Bio from https://incorporationspoetry.com/about/
Things are complicated. Assumptions, beliefs, stray thoughts, strident defenses, the distance between should and can and will – all play havoc with what we need to know to move through the world. One true thing. That’s the goal, find one true thing. It will lead you to the next and then maybe the next or the person with the one after that.
After 27 years in the finance industry, I shut down my LinkedIn page and put up IncorporationsPoetry, making my under-life public.
A year ago a friend asked if I really wanted to die without anyone seeing my work. Another came and took pictures off my walls and out the door. Interesting friends. I now show photos and their poems across northern VA (see shows) and promote the arts at events throughout the region (see events).
In 2017 I co-founded ARTspeaks, a community art space on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF) in Oakton. As Artistic Director, I’ve created exhibits that showcase the art of well-known artists, new artists and the art programs in our schools. We also sponsor the “Found Art Series,” an opportunity for non-artists to recognize the art in their lives and share it with others.
We are creative beings – biologically… otherwise we’d still be hunter-gatherers. Art is not dependent on divine intervention, a muse or a degree. It’s just one more thing in the world that’s much easier with some support. Need some help cracking open creativity in your kids, or more likely adults – I’ll be there.
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2017
October 2017 – Kathy Trauss
Designer, photographer, creative coach, artist, and teacher, community leader— her motto is: “Live life, love life, paint life, and create life! I love showing people that as humans, we are innately creative & everyone’s an artist. I love sharing my passion of creativity, taking pictures, telling stories, and giving back. I’m an artist, photographer… I am a visual storyteller”.
The camera is an extension of how Kathy sees the world. She looks to connect her imagery to her viewer—showing a right brain person’s view of the world. From that simple blade of grass, to the stark graphic look of a building, to the sparkling eyes of the bride and groom, she captures beauty with her lens. She knows she’s done her job when a person looks at her photographs and they know they’ve “seen a story.”
After receiving her certification as a Creatively FitTM Coach, she shares her artist’s view of life through her creative classes, these classes help others to understand the importance of creative vision and perspective. Her students learn to bring creative thinking into their lives and workplace, tapping into their stores of innovation and enthusiasm for life.
She is also a member of the Arches Gallery Artists at the Workhouse Arts Center, where she serves as President and exhibits her work.
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November 2017 – Susan Bloom
Susan Ruddick Bloom is known for her fine art photography. She uses alternative photographic processes and digital manipulation. Sue has been involved in making art on the computer for over twenty-seven years. She holds an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is Professor and Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at McDaniel College, in Westminster, Maryland.
Her work spans the range of digital techniques. Recently that includes iPad and iPhone art. She is always experimenting with techniques and materials in an effort to make meaningful marks. She is considered one of the world leaders in digital fine art.
In addition to her college teaching, Sue conducts many workshops, including the Maine Photographic Workshop, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Santa Fe Photo Workshop, Common Ground, and Common Ground – Scotland. She also leads photo tours throughout the world.
Sue’s book, Digital Collage and Painting, by Focal Press, was released June 1, 2006. It can be found at your local bookstore or Amazon.com. A second edition of the book was released in October 2010. The second edition contains many new techniques, reflects changes in software and features the work of twenty new digital artists.
Sue’s book, Digital Painting in Photoshop, by Focal Press, was released in February 2009, and shows techniques, within Photoshop, that mimic the traditional fine art mediums like pastels, watercolors, oil painting, charcoal sketches and ink wash techniques.
Sue also writes for numerous magazines and is a staff writer at the Australian quarterly, Better Photoshop Techniques. Media.
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December 2017 – Tuan Pham
Climbing a flight of stairs suddenly takes more time and effort. I know I need a new approach to continue enjoying photography for years to come–one that underscores visual intelligence and does not require traveling long distances, climbing mountains or waking up before sunrise. After studying several books and diving deep within. I learned there are two kinds of photos–photos of and photos about, like prose and poetry in literature–and how-to create space for them to come forward. They are hiding in plain sight waiting for an awakened eye.
A nature photographer, Tuan Pham keeps two cameras within reach most of the time. He joined the Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS) in 2005 and later the GRC group (Getting it Right in the Camera) sponsored Joe Miller who has this to say about Tuan: “Your photography represents you well.” Tuan’s other photography related interest is awareness of the breath—threshold between life and death, conscious and unconscious processes, and the inner and outer landscapes where nature looks and feels fresh and intriguing.
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Overview • Galleries (See Galleries) • Monthly Themes • Field Trips • Speakers • Projects
