WORKSHOPS, FIELD TRIPS
Meet-ups & photo ops
The Napa Valley Photographic Society offers field trips and workshops to many locations. Mode concentrations such as flash, HDR, panoramic, sports, macro, night photography and Astrophotography can be explored. Whether it's morning, midday or night, our base location, the Napa Valley, is one of the most breathtaking regions in the world, with its vineyards, wineries, foothill-size mountains, gardens, fall colors, etc. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and to the east are the Sierra Nevada mountains. Join us and visit some of these beautiful locales, where photographers can learn from one another and do what they love ... shoot, shoot, shoot!
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PHOTO OPS
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As we adjust to living in this world where Covid-19 informs our way of living and dictates our every move, a simple walk through the neighborhood seems a remarkable freedom. So why not take advantage of the spring weather -- rain or shine -- and use your camera to capture nature as it unfolds in the gardens and street trees you pass during your walk. The only criteria is to be considerate and not intrude on your neighbors' privacy. These unexpected images, captured in the spur of the moment, are considered Photo Ops and anyone can participate. Members with photo op images to share should contact Carolyn Younger. They will be posted in a new feature: A Walk Through the Neighborhood. (See below) Send your collection of images with your name and the neighborhood in the subject line. Images should be formatted for the web (72 ppi and no more than 600 pixels on the long side) and emailed to cgaleyounger@comcast.net
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A walk through the neighborhoodS
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Al fresco dining on Pearl Street
Just before sunset several times recently, Betty Malmgren and Carolyn Younger stopped near the Pearl Street bridge over the Napa River, hoping to come across the resident beaver family. Below are some of the images from the two jaunts to the watery neighborhood as the family was preparing and enjoying an evening meal.
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The New Normal: Nancy Hernandez documents
the rhythms of life during the pandemic
the rhythms of life during the pandemic
While walking with her dog, Nancy Hernandez came across some neighborhood children and their mother working on a special rock painting project. She was impressed and inspired to photograph their efforts.
Nancy also stopped at the Big Ranch Road produce stand and nursery, based on a suggestion from fellow NVPS photographer, Ann Seronello. "I was a little worried with the virus and all," Nancy admits, "but Ann said it was safe and set up for social distancing. I was very pleased to see she was right. "
Nancy also took her camera with her on a trip to Trader Joe's where customers follow the six-foot distancing rule as they wait their turn to enter the store.
Nancy also took her camera with her on a trip to Trader Joe's where customers follow the six-foot distancing rule as they wait their turn to enter the store.
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'Captured' by Judd Howell in Kennedy Park
On a recent bright Friday afternoon Judd and Carol Howell were taking a walk through Kennedy Park when he came across a Swallowtail butterfly executing a graceful ballet over a stand of wild radish -- off came the camera lens cap. He also spotted a White-crowned sparrow, a seed clamped tightly in its beak, resting briefly on a wire fence. All in all, he said, it was "just fun just to be out and about."
Swallowtail butterfly -- Judd Howell
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White -crowned sparrow -- Judd Howell
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Angie Johnson shares a venerable collection of rhizomes
On a morning walk through a Yountville neighborhood, Angie Johnson was captivated by this colorful expanse of Japanese irises which got its start 38 years ago.
Japanese irises -- Angie Johnson
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Neighborhood gardens are bursting into bloom.
Carolyn Younger finds wildlife is active, too.
Carolyn Younger finds wildlife is active, too.
In early April Carolyn Younger took up her camera and went for a walk along Palmer Street near Napa's Fuller Park. The street was quiet except for the hum of bees and the tapping of a Nuttall's woodpecker exploring a nearby utility pole.
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During the past two weeks, Carolyn Younger also took her camera to a more remote neighborhood -- two back roads in Napa's Carneros district, Henry Road and Buhman Road.
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Joe Sinclair and his camera out for a walk
Here's what captured Joe Sinclair's attention during a recent walk through his Glen Cove neighborhood in Vallejo near the Carquinez Strait.
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The Napa Valley is Rhoda Stewart's 'neighborhood'
As Rhoda Stewart explains it, although she enjoys walking in her Alta Heights neighborhood "I get tired of the usual loops ... so I take drives out to Carneros, park my car, and walk, just as I did for my recent stroll through Henry Lane in Carneros.
"Sometimes," she adds, "I just go exploring, with camera, in favorite back country roads. I’ve long admired the Dutch Belted cows along Golden Gate Drive. As for the Carneros region roads, for many years, I cycled through there many a Saturday, all the way to Sonoma where we would get refreshment from Sonoma bakeries or cafes before our ride back. I’ve given up road cycling, so still like to go out there for a morning or evening walk, when the light is really lovely.
"... I guess I consider all these trails, roads, as well as immediate neighborhood as my neighborhood ... Anyway, these images are result of getting out of my car, as well as just getting out of the house, all the result of taking time to stroll roads, gardens and grounds, and not just treat places as destinations for shopping or eating. " RS
"Sometimes," she adds, "I just go exploring, with camera, in favorite back country roads. I’ve long admired the Dutch Belted cows along Golden Gate Drive. As for the Carneros region roads, for many years, I cycled through there many a Saturday, all the way to Sonoma where we would get refreshment from Sonoma bakeries or cafes before our ride back. I’ve given up road cycling, so still like to go out there for a morning or evening walk, when the light is really lovely.
"... I guess I consider all these trails, roads, as well as immediate neighborhood as my neighborhood ... Anyway, these images are result of getting out of my car, as well as just getting out of the house, all the result of taking time to stroll roads, gardens and grounds, and not just treat places as destinations for shopping or eating. " RS
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Gary and Vicki Sampson discover hidden lanes
Gary Sampson considers himself fortunate to live in Old Town. "On our last walk," he explained, "Vicki and I tried a new route. Since traffic is now negligible we felt we could safely cross Third, Second, and First streets on foot to Clay. We even found an alley way, with a series of small houses, from Clay to First, that we had never seen before. What a difference what you can see on foot rather than when traveling in vehicles, just zipping by. Our area was bounded by Seymour to the West, Clay to the North, Warren to the East, and Laurel to the South, with a walk up First Street in the B&B district. All images were taken with my iPhone 7+ as it is much easier to carry while walking. Of course, with my interest and profession in horticulture, the flowers and landscapes caught my attention. Also, some photos are from my own yard." GS
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CHANGES
New Farmers Market location on West Street in a City of Napa parking lot
Unfortunately, during the coronavirus pandemic the farmers market is no longer a suitable location for photo ops. It is for shoppers only and lingering is not encouraged.
Information on location changes and parking options are available on the market’s website: www.napafarmersmarket.org/map.
Unfortunately, during the coronavirus pandemic the farmers market is no longer a suitable location for photo ops. It is for shoppers only and lingering is not encouraged.
Information on location changes and parking options are available on the market’s website: www.napafarmersmarket.org/map.
Popular Photo Ops locations also on hold for now:
Western Railway Museum, Suisun City
Quarryhill Botanical Garden, Glen Ellen
Luther Burbank Gardens,Santa Rosa
Cornerstone Sunset Magazine gardens, Sonoma
Sturgeon's Mill, Sebastopol
Camel Barn Museum, Benicia
Western Railway Museum, Suisun City
Quarryhill Botanical Garden, Glen Ellen
Luther Burbank Gardens,Santa Rosa
Cornerstone Sunset Magazine gardens, Sonoma
Sturgeon's Mill, Sebastopol
Camel Barn Museum, Benicia
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Egret in tree -- Lanny Johnson
(Right) Lanny Johnson came upon this elegant egret at Kennedy Park.
The Napa River is full of activity despite to wintery weather. But so is your backyard, your daily walk, a drive along the Silverado Trail. What have you seen recently that made you haul out your camera?
If you came across a Photo Op you'd like to share we welcome your images.
The Napa River is full of activity despite to wintery weather. But so is your backyard, your daily walk, a drive along the Silverado Trail. What have you seen recently that made you haul out your camera?
If you came across a Photo Op you'd like to share we welcome your images.
Mother mallard with ducklings hatched under a hedge bordering the Hatt Building parking lot -- Carolyn Younger
(To see what caught the eye of other NVPS members in the past, go to the Past Workshops, Field Trips & Photo Ops page.)
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WORKSHOPS
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Waiting at JFK Airport -- Neil Silverman photo
OUT AND ABOUT WITH A CAMERA
Professional photographers Susan and Neil Silverman -- popular NVPS guest speakers -- teach a variety of photography workshops. For more information visit: www.silvermansphotography.com
OUT AND ABOUT WITH A CAMERA
Professional photographers Susan and Neil Silverman -- popular NVPS guest speakers -- teach a variety of photography workshops. For more information visit: www.silvermansphotography.com
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