travel – Page 3 – Pagosa Springs Photography Club

The Beauty and Challenges of Underwater Photography

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 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.

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/ .

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, 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/ .

Pandas & Conservation Photography, April 12

Giant Panda on 2 Tree Trunks, © Katherine Feng

The April meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our speaker this month is Katherine Feng. Katherine’s presentation will be on Using Conservation Photography to Help Save Endangered Species.

Katherine Feng is a retired veterinarian who devotes her photography to protecting China’s endangered species and their habitat. Katherine is a Senior Fellow of the prestigious International League of Conservation Photography.

Katherine spent 6-9 months a year for 4-1/2 years in China’s Wolong Nature Reserve documenting the work of staff and researchers to save the giant pandas from extinction. Her images have been published internationally in calendars, books, National Geographic, Paris Match and numerous conservation magazines. Her giant panda images are featured in the children’s book, Panda Kindergarten.

Katherine will present a program on how she approaches conservation photography to educate the public about wildlife, their habitat and people’s efforts to protect them. She works closely with the different nature reserves in China where she donates her images for conservation purposes.

Katherine’s presentation will feature photos of China’s giant and lesser pandas as well as the lesser-known snub-nosed monkeys and the critically endangered black-crested gibbons and white-headed langurs. The presentation will also be available by Zoom; for Zoom information contact Andy Butler at abutler@mac.com.

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers develop their skills. Photography Club members learn from one another and build their networks. The Club welcomes 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

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.

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/ .

Photo Club Slot Canyon Outing

A dozen members o the Pagosa Springs Photography Club hiked and photographed a couple of slot canyons near Echo Amphitheater in Northern New Mexico on April 11. This is a slice of “canyon country” within a couple of hours of Pagosa Springs, hiding several short but sweet slot canyons. We met up at Echo Amphitheater itself and then made our way to the canyons. The morning started off with some amazing skies with scudding clouds, and became more overcast later in the day. We first hiked to Rim Canyon, then did Echo North Slot Canyon. Neither canyon was too difficult, for the most part. Many thanks to John Farley for suggesting and organizing this outing! Below are some sample photographs from Club members Liz Jamison, John Farley, Andy Butler, and Mark Guenin. You can click on the popup caption of any image to view a larger version, and navigate through using the arrow keys on your computer, or by swiping on your mobile device.