Tag: nature

The Beauty and Challenges of Underwater Photography

© David Lenderman

The August meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will feature a presentation by David Lenderman on The Beauty and Challenges of Underwater Photography. The meeting be held on Wednesday, August 9, 6:00 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs.  

David’s program for the Photography Club will start with a discussion of why he is drawn to underwater photography. He will then share some major challenges of underwater photography and how dealing with these challenges has made him a better topside photographer. Next, David will demonstrate the equipment needed to get started in underwater photography.  Finally, he will share a 3-4 minute music synced slide show of some of his favorite underwater images created in Indonesia, Philippines and Socorro Islands, Mexico.

© David Lenderman

David Lenderman was SCUBA certified in 1989 and fell in love with being underwater. In an attempt to share the amazing underwater world with non-diving friends and family members he began making photos underwater in the early 90s. By 1998 he decided to really work on improving his underwater photography. 

© David Lenderman

As part of his drive to improve, David joined the Houston Underwater Photographic Society (HUPS) and learned a tremendous amount from the more experienced members. David ended up becoming very active in HUPS, eventually serving as board member, VP, and President. During his time as a HUPS member David has been awarded Member of the Year, Advanced Photographer of the Year and HUPS Lifetime Achievement Awards.  Underwater he has photographed everything from 1/2” long pygmy seahorses to forty foot long Humpback whales.  In pursuit of underwater subjects David has traveled to many exotic locations around the world. His favorite destinations are the biodiversity hotspots of Indonesia and the Philippines.  David can’t be underwater all the time so he also dabbles in nature, travel and even portrait photography.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with social time, and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. After David’s presentation, Club members may share and discuss up to five of their images with the group. This will be a hybrid meeting, both in-person and on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abutler@mac.com. Photography Club meetings are open to the public.

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club promotes educational, social and fun interactions between all who enjoy making and viewing great photography. The club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers hone their skills.   We welcome photographers of all skill levels. Dues for 2023 are just $25 ($35 family). For more information about the Club, and to download a membership application, visit our website at https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .

Williams Creek Reservoir Outing

Five Photography Club members did a photo walk/drive in the Williams Creek Reservoir area on June 22. It was a gorgeous day, with a few fast moving clouds in an otherwise blue sky. Our goal was to photograph mountain scenery, reflections, wild flowers and whatever else we might see. There were still a few massive patches of iris, as well as other wildflowers in bloom. We managed to find two of the elusive forest gnomes; carvings of bearded gentlemen in stumps near the lake. Below are a few photos of the day, from Dave Anderson, Andy Butler, and Joe Sinclair. Click on the photos to see larger versions.

Coyote Hill Wildflower Outing

Although we are used to plenty of bluebird days here in the shadow of the San Juan Mountains, that isn’t always what we get. And for our June 2 wildflower outing, we had clouds and cool weather. Luckily, cloudy skies can still be great for photographing wildflowers! Several members of the Club spent the morning wandering through meadows and forests near Pagosa Springs to enjoy and photograph spring wildflowers. Thanks to Gary Webb, Rob Hagberg, Mark Guenin, Kristine Rubish, Andy Butler, Chris Plemons, and Dave Anderson for participating. Below is a sampling of the images. Click on an image to view a larger version, and use the arrows to. move from one image to the next.

Red Wash Outing

Members of the Photography Club gathered to hike and photograph a picturesque canyon near Abiquiu, New Mexico in late April. Most of us have driven this stretch of Highway 84, between Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu many times. Who would guess that there are dramatic slot canyons hidden in the red rock? Thanks to John Farley for informing us about the area! Below are a few photos from some of the participants, including John Farley, Chris Roebuck, Liz Jamison, Dave Anderson, Andy Butler, David Lenderman and Susanne Russell. Click on an image to enlarge it, and see the photographer and title. Use the arrows on the enlarged images to move between photos.

Photographing Brazil

Hyacinth Macaw
Haycinth Macaw, Parnaiba Headwaters NP, Brazil, © Doug Coombs

The May meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 6:00 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our topic this month is Photographing Brazil, presented by Pagosa Springs photographer Doug Coombs. 

In the summer of 2022 Doug Coombs, his wife Miyuki, and friends from the Los Alamos, New Mexico Photography Club took a 30+ day trip to Brazil to photograph birds, mammals, waterways, indigenous people, and some cityscapes. They visited five different venues including Cristalino Reserve in the southern section of the Brazilian Amazon, Emas National Park, Parnaiba Headwaters National Park, Rio de Janeiro and the Atlantic Rainforest nearby, and a seven night cruise on the Rio Negro and some of its tributaries, which are all tributaries of the Amazon. Doug will share and discuss photos from these sites in his presentation.

Three-toed Sloth
Three-toed Sloth, Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil. © Doug Coombs

Doug Coombs is a Pagosa Springs based photographer specializing in landscapes, birds, and other wildlife. He is also a member of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club. To see more of his images, visit Doug’s website at https://www.dougsview.com .

Our meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with socializing, and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abutler@mac.com. Photography Club meetings are open to the public.

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club promotes educational, social and fun interactions between all who enjoy making and viewing great photography. The club sponsors educational programs and photography outings to help members hone their skills.   We welcome photographers of all skill levels. Dues for 2023 are just $25 ($35 family). For more information about the club, and to download a membership application, visit our website at https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .

March 8 Meeting: The Magic of Africa

Lioness carrying Cub, Beth Tollefsen

The next meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our topic this month is The Magic of Africa, presented by Pagosa Springs based photographer Beth Tollefsen. This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend by Zoom may request the link by email to abutler@mac.com. If attending in person, feel free to arrive any time after 6 p.m. for socializing; the actual presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., MST. Photography Club meetings are open to the public.

Beth Tollefsen has photographed extensively in the American West and in East Africa. According to Beth,  after one visit to Kenya she was hooked, falling in love with the people, land and of course the animals of Africa.

Being on safari in the heart of the African bush is one of the few places left to experience nature that is still raw and wild.  

Elephant, by Beth Tollefsen
Cheetah, by Beth Tollefsen

According to Beth, “It does not matter if you are new to photography or a seasoned photographer, you will come home with images that you will treasure.  It is hard to explain the feeling when you watch the bonds between mother and baby.  Lions live in a pride and it is quite evident the love and respect they have for each other.  You will see them eating, sleeping, playing grooming and simply showing affection for each other.  The elephants are such intelligent family oriented animals.  Then there are the zebra, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, rhinos, hippos, buffalo, colorful birds and the very entertaining baboons and monkeys!  Just too many animals to name them all!”

It is Beth’s hope that the images she shares will bring awareness of the lives of animals and the heart and soul they each have and why it is important to protect the wild areas that sustain these magnificent creatures. 

Beth will share photos from three trips, two to Kenya and one to Zimbabwe.  She will touch on the different types of safaris available, what to expect, and what to look for if you choose to take a trip of a lifetime to Africa.  

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club promotes educational, social and fun interactions between all who enjoy making and viewing great photography.  The club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers hone their skills.  The Photography Club’s membership year begins in January. We welcome photographers of all skill levels. Dues for 2023 are just $25 ($35 family). For more information about the club, and to download a membership application, visit our website at https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .