Educational Materials

As a member benefit, you are invited to enter our Juried Print Competition to display up to five images at our semi-annual Mapleknoll Village Art Show. Your prints will hang in their main hallway from November 6 through January 8^th. Your prints will be available for sale.

Opening Night Reception November 6. Time:  5:00 – 7:00 PM

Unsold prints are available for pickup on Monday and Tuesday, January 10 – 11^th.

How to submit your digital images for Judging? Upload your images to: https://ovcc.smugmug.com/upload/mFgz3M/artistic   by midnight Wednesday, October 1st.

Maple Knoll Juried Fall Exhibition Information

What: A Photo exhibit open to the public.

Where: Maple Knoll Village, 11100 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

Exhibition Themes: PLACES OF INTEREST, MOOD OR EMOTION, LIGHTING, ARCHITECTURE 

Places of Interest: Anywhere. Any time.

MOOD OR EMOTION   Capture: Sincerity, Pride or Landscape

LIGHTING – simply to capture interesting light.

Architecture – a building, group of related buildings, or other man-made structure such as a bridge or tower or a portion there of. Both interior and exterior photographs are allowed. Images may focus on the structure as a whole or a part of it.

Rule: To protect the interests of our member participants as a whole and the reputation of our exhibit, submitting a price that is near or below the material costs of your artwork, plus the margin charged by Mapleknoll, and therefore, an unrealistic low ball margin, which will harm other members ability to earn a fair profit, will be removed from our exhibit.

Submit up to five digital images for judging. Your link to do so is: https://ovcc.smugmug.com/upload/mFgz3M/artistic  BE SURE THE TITLE FOR EACH IMAGE INCLUDES YOUR NAME AS WELL. STATE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF IMAGES YOU’RE WILLING TO EXHIBIT. WHILE FRAMING IMAGES APPEARS WELL, WE DO NOT NEED TO FRAME OUR ART. ALSO, IMPORTANT, SEND YOUR NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS AND TITLE OF EACH IMAGE ENTERED TO RICH AT ovccrs@gmail.com.

REGISTER AT WITH OVCC TO RECEIVE TIMES FOR EVENTS OF INTEREST FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AT OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM. OVCC WILL SET ACTIVITIES AS TIMES BECOME AVAILABLE. WANT TO CRUISE LET ME KNOW EARLY.

For Accessible assistance to the boat loading areas, golf cart transports will be located at the top of the Public Landing on Mehring Way.

Metro services over 20 Park and Rides which will be available with express services at specific times on weekdays to Government Square with a quick Cincinnati Streetcar service to the Banks and the Riverfront. Many will be operating on Saturday and Sunday.

Four Free Stages. Unlimited memories. Regional and local artists throughout the Ohio and Kentucky Riverfronts. Come and enjoy free performances featuring blues, country, jazz, Gospel, Americana and more. Check out the music page for artists performing on the Yeatman’s Cove, Newport, Public Landing and Schmidlapp Gardens stages. 2 Stages in Yeatman’s Cove and Newport   Regional and Local Artists Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame King Of Them All: River Roots Edition

Regional and Local Artists

Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame

King Of Them All: River Roots Edition

Visit the Raptor, Inc. complex, where their educational birds will be displayed for your photographic pleasure. Birds are perched and handheld by the handlers. Photographers are as close as 10-15 feet from the birds and have lots of time to shoot. Tripods and telephoto lenses of 200-400mm are recommended, however, not necessary. NO FLASH.

RAPTOR INC. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of local birds of prey via rehabilitation, education and research. Location: 961 Barg Salt Run Rd., Milford, Ohio.

FEE:  $22 Make payment out to “Ohio Valley Camera Club” and mail to:  OVCC, 6691 Fox Hunt Ct., West Chester, Ohio 45069.

All non-photographer guests are required to pay, simply because of the space limitations and Raptor, Inc. policy.

All monies are for the benefit of Raptor, Inc. to help them continue their significant efforts.

$22Admission per person

Last Raptor event in 2025

Lytle Park Historic District is one of the oldest areas of the city. East of the park is the Taft Museum of Art, built 1820. To the north is the Literary Club, an example of Georgian style architecture. At the southwest perimeter is the Guilford School, original site of Fort Washington. We will proceed onto fourth street, our rendition of Chicago’s Michigan avenue. To the west of Broadway is Christ Episcopal Church (1835, rebuilt 1957). Across Sycamore is the classical revival-style Cincinnati Gas & Electric Building, 1929. Then our tallest tower, Great American Insurance Building will rise up on your left.

The next block, Walnut to Race, Fourth Street Historic District, turn of the century streetscape. Then to the center of our city, Fountain Square and Tyler Davidson Fountain. Carew Tower – Netherland Plaza, both designed in French Art Deco. Then to the Race Street Historic District with 24 buildings listed on the National Registry. Over to the one of the oldest Contemporary Art Centers in the United States. Then Taft Theater and Procter and Gamble towers.

Let’s meet in front of William Howard Taft Museum at 316 Pike Street. PARK: on Pike Street or on East Fourth Street

OPTIONAL LUNCH AT EVER POPULAR WILD EGGS, 301 E. FOURTH STREET.  Just three blocks back to Taft Museum.

REGISTER AT:  OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM.  ADVISE IF WILL REMAIN TO JOIN US FOR LUNCH.

THEME: Commercial Architectural Designs.

HOST: Rich Sears.

REGISTER:  OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM

PAST MEETING DESCRIPTIONS:  Members Learned from our Critiquing  image based upon Traditional Scoring of Impact, Technical Excellence, Creativity, Style, Composition, Color Balance, Lighting, Subject, Technique and Story.  THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE TO LEARING. 

INSTEAD:  WHAT IF OCASSIONALLY WE CHANGED OUR GOAL TO ENOURAGING AND HELPING IMPROVE OUR WORK.  OUR MEETING WILL MAINLY BE AN OPEN MIC DISCUSSION OF WHY THE MAKE TOOK THE SHOT; HOW THEY PHOTOGRAPHED IT.  ADDITIONALLY, HOW AND WHY THEY PROCESSED THEIR IMAGE.   PLEASE BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS YOUR IMAGES –  WHERE THEY WERE TAKEN, THE CAMERA AND LENS USED.

LOCATION: EVENDALE BELL TOWER ARTS PAVILION -LOWER LEVEL. Located at 3270 Glendale Milford Rd (TURN ONTO KINGSPORT DRIVE} near Reading Rd (US 42)

IN PERSON AND ONLINE IF AWAY.

Upload up to FOUR images for discussion by SATURDAY January 13 th at:    https://ovcc.smugmug.com/upload/Hmcnv6/12345
per the following instructions:

1. Resize photo:

• Resolution 72 dpi
• Horizontal Images 2800 pixels wide OR
• Vertical Images 18000 pixels high to upload your photos,

1. Rename your file:

• #1 for first priority, #2, #3 and #4
• Title of image
• Give camera setting information: 1/125 sec. f/11, ISO 400

Lens used (for example 70-200mm) AND focal length of shot (90mm)

IN PERSON AND ONLINE IF AWAY.

REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE IN PERSON AT ovccrs@gmail.com

 IF YOU LIVE MORE THAN 45 MINUTES AWAY YOU MAY CHOOSE TO VIEW ONLINE OR COME AND SOCIALIZE. WRITE ME AT OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM BEFORE 3:00 PM ON MEETING DATE. INDICATION OF ATTENDANCE AT THIS EVENT SITE WILL NOT GET YOU THE LINK.

Lunken Airport Days: August 30-31 2025

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

This annual event, hosted by Cincinnati War Birds, celebrates vintage aircraft and classic cars. It is free and open to the public with fees for select activities. View the poster.

Here’s what to expect:

• Historic aircraft on display on the main ramp behind the terminal
• Vintage and contemporary military vehicles on display
• Classic cars on display
• Patriot color guard ceremony and singing of the National Anthem each day at noon
• Food trucks
• Exhibitor booths

FEATURED ACTIVITY: Catch views or even a ride aboard three World War II-era historic aircraft. Tickets for ground and cockpit tours can be purchased for $10 per person or $20 per family. Click here for information on ride tickets.

• DOC, one of only two remaining airworthy B-29 Superfortresses in the world, is one of 1,644 B-29 bombers built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, KS, during World War II.
• Gunfighter is a North American P-51 D Model Mustang built the same year as DOC in 1945 before it was assigned to the “Mighty Eighth” Air Force in England during the war.
• Berlin Express was built in 1943 and served state-side during the war as an executive transport. 

LOCATION: Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmer Ave., Cincinnati, OH  45226

AUGUST MEETING

Date: Wednesday, August 20th
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 3PM ON OUR MEETING DATE. 

PRESENTATION: Southeast Asia: Natural Wonders and Ancient Temples of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia – Fred Haaser

Southeast Asia offers many beautiful natural wonders for photographers. Human civilization has existed for thousands of years with the building of many ancient temples. This presentation will provide a summary of important places to visit as observed by the presenter who completed a 2-week NatGeo tour in January 2025. 

COMPETITION CRITIQUE THEME: MACRO AND CLOSEUP IMAGES

SUBMIT UP TO THREE IMAGES – LANDSCAPE: 2800 X 1800p/ PORTRAIT 1800 X 1200p IN JPEG FORMAT TO: https://ovcc.smugmug.com/upload/Hmcnv6/12345

FINE PRINT: RENAME FILE: as an example:  #1 #2 #3 Tom Brown Landscape Grandeur.

DEADLINE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 AT MIDNIGHT

LOCATION: EVENDALE BELL TOWER ARTS PAVILION -LOWER LEVEL. Located at 3270 Glendale Milford Rd (TURN ONTO KINGSPORT DRIVE} near Reading Rd (US 42)

IN PERSON AND ONLINE IF AWAY.

REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE IN PERSON AT ovccrs@gmail.com

 IF YOU LIVE MORE THAN 45 MINUTES AWAY YOU MAY CHOOSE TO VIEW ONLINE OR COME AND SOCIALIZE. WRITE ME AT OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM BEFORE 3:00 PM ON MEETING DATE. INDICATION OF ATTENDANCE AT THIS EVENT SITE WILL NOT GET YOU THE LINK.

BIOS:

Fred started out in Photography as a young teenager using a Polaroid Swinger Model 20, moved to full 35 mm film kit in 1980, and then digital in 2000. Today he is a serious amateur photographer using Nikon pro mirrorless equipment traveling onlocation in search of the best images possible. Fred retired in 2016 after a 36-year career as an engineering manager developing 3 gas turbines for GE Aviation in Cincinnati. He is now CoOrganizer of the Ohio Valley Camera Club (OVCC) and has captured images from all 63 US National Parks. Although he has photographed all 7 continents he is now focusing more on Asia. See more of Fred’s work at: https://500px.com/fredhaaser

RICH SEARS As Organizer I maintain an exceptionally active club, emphasizing strong educational options, activities, and socializing. I seek varying photographic opportunities and learning. I enjoy nature photography, landscape, wildlife, macro, infrared, and existing light.  Critique Training, PSA.

I worked for the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY. Later in the Cincinnati area I opened and managed a popular photofinishing lab and a portrait studio. Portraiture, High School Seniors, and Weddings.

URBAN ABSTRACT: OVER THE RHINE

7 REGISTERED TO DATE

EVENT POSTPONED TO SATURDAY, AUGUST 23RD AT 10:00 AM

WHILE OUR PHOTO WALK WILL DEPART AT 10:00 AM SHARP YOU MAY WANT TO ARRIVE ABOUT A HALF-HOUR EARLY AND CAPTURE THE ARCHITECTURE AROUND FINDLAY MARKET.  NOTE FINDLAY MARKET AND FARMERS MARKET OPEN AT 8:00 AM ON SATURDAYS.

TOUR DEPARTURE:  9:55 AM: GATHER AT SOUTHWEST corner of Race Street and West Elder Street (NORTH SIDE OF FINDLAY MAKET)  DEPARTURE: 10:00 AM  Head south on Race Street.

OUR THEME: URBAN ABSTRACT.  Join in the fun of learning how to look at the familiar through new eyes. One sense of abstract is to Identify something of interest, then abstract (remove) the surroundings. Our city’s largest historic district, Over-the-Rhine is believed to have the single largest grouping in our country of Italianate Architecture, similar to New York City’s Greenwich Village.

From around Findley Market we will begin our adventure southward though OTC to Washington Park and Music Hall, and then eastward. This area is rich in imagery to capture. Then if you have an appetite we will take in the ever popular, The Eagle Food and Beer Hall, 1342 Vine Street, near 14th.

What Equipment To Bring:  Suggest a 24mm – 120mm zoom f4 or faster.

REGISTRATION: WRITE ME AT OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM

Parking Suggestion: A 450-space underground parking garage at Washington Park is located directly across Elm Street from the front doors of Music Hall. Then ride the Connector Streetcar is Fare Free, you are at Stop 8, a few feet north of garage. Exit Stop 12 in front of our meeting location. After our event ends walk westward on 13^th street. 3 blocks to parking garage. PAY PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT YOUR CAR – AT A PAY STATION – located inside glass entrances to garage. TIP:  Upon entering the garage go to the far end of the path in front of you.  At the end go left.  At the end turn left.  This will take you to an exit at the end, with elevator and stairs.  This will bring you outside nearest Elm Street, and Music Hall.  As above, the Connector stop will be just to your right.  At the end of the tour, you will walk back west bound on 13^th Street to Washington Park.  Stay to the right, (North) up to the above ground garage entrance, and down one floor

Rich

REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE IN PERSON AT ovccrs@gmail.com

POLICY CHANGE FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE TO VIEW BY STREAMING OR REPLAY.  ONLY MEMBERS LIVING MORE THAN 45 MINUTES AWAY FROM EVENDALE WILL CONTINUE BEING ELIGILE TO VIEW ONLINE.  WE WILL NO LONGER OFFER REPLAY PRESENTATIONS.

WRITE ME BEFORE 3:00 PM ON MEETING DATE AT ovccrs@gmail.com. INDICATION OF ATTENDANCE AT THIS EVENT SITE WILL NOT GET YOU THE LINK.

Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 3PM ON OUR MEETING DATE.

PRESENTER: RALPH NORDSTROM, COLORADO

PRESENTATION: “THE MAGIC OF NATURAL LIGHT” in depth 90 minute program

Nature photographers, especially landscape photographers, benefit from various natural lights provided by nature. This presentation discusses different types of natural light, when they occur, challenges in capturing them, and how to process RAW files for effective images. There are over twelve unique kinds of natural lateral light to explore.

Shadows significantly influence photographs, with hard and soft shadows differing in their expressive qualities. Learn about the essential natural lights in landscape photography and their effects on images. It will be an informative journey.

We will not be able to have a Competition this evening due to the length of our main program.

BIO

Nature and art are what I grew up with and what I love.

My casual approach to photography became more focused when I took my first workshop in 2006. From that time on I have been on a journey – a journey of personal discovery. Because, as my photography evolves, as it improves, I learn more about myself. I’ve gained a lot of technical skills along the way, both in the field and in the darkroom (don’t worry, I shoot digital but I still call it the darkroom because it does the same thing and people don’t freak out like they sometimes do when I say “Photoshop”).

But the technical skills are just a means to creative expression which is what I really focus on. They are what I call the Creative Vocabulary that allows me to communicate what it is I have to say about the world.

And discovering new things in the world, in nature, and expressing them through my photographs is where I am on my journey today. The journey will never end; the destination is not clear and changes as I change. But then, isn’t it the journey and not the destination that’s important?

I also think it’s important to share the things we learn along the way rather than letting them turn to dust with our bodies when we die. That’s why I write blog posts and lead photography workshops – to pass on to others the things I have learned so they can use them in their own work.