Educational Materials

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.

Coming Thursday evening, June 19^th OVCC’s Semi-Annual Photo Exhibit will open at Maple Knoll Retirement Village.  Their Grand Opening Reception will run from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  Many of our members submitted images to compete to exhibit. 

Location: Maple Knoll Village, 11100 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati 45246.  Directions below.

Exhibit will  run from June 19th until July 25tth.  Prints are for sale.

Exhibition Themes: PEOPLE, PLACE & TRAVEL, ELEMENTS OF DESIGN.

PEOPLE – Captures human experience across all stages of life and activities: including prints of people in all occupations. 

PLACE & TRAVEL – Including images that show the wonders and adventures of travel photography, highlighting PLACE as an important part of the print. Include the location in your title. All subjects you are likely to encounter while traveling if your print expresses a sense of PLACE. 

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN – including prints whose focus is on the fundamental elements of design: texture, line, pattern, and shape. 

Directions:  Enter campus off St. Rt. 4 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, into north entrance at traffic signal south of I-275 Rt. 4 Fairfield exit. Enter Maple Trace Drive, proceed to the first stop sign and turn right. Welcome Center entrance is at end. Inside follow event signs to your left.

For over fifteen years the Ohio Valley Camera Club, founded in 2004, has been supporting the Mapleknoll Retirement Village, a 501(3)c non-profit organization, in their fund-raising efforts.

Maple Knoll Communities is the surviving organization of three of Cincinnati’s oldest charities: The Widows’ and Old Men’s Home, the Bodmann Widows’ Home, and the Maple Knoll Home. Our longevity 175 years is a testament to the quality, strength, and perseverance during unfavorable turns in the economy and growing demand in senior care. Impacting the lives of 33,000 senior members of our community.

Tour the Ohio and Kentucky Riverfront. Capture Cincinnati’s skyline from iconic Roebling Bridge and northern Kentucky, along Riverside Drive and Riverboat Row. Then break bread together.
Meet at the top of the Walnut Street Stairs.

OPTION: Lunch at WILD EGGS, 301 EAST FOURTH ST, SE CORNER OF 4^TH AND SYCAMORE

ADVICE RICH OF YOUR ATTENTIND AT: OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM

Suggested Parking: SEE DETAILED EMAIL FOR SPECIFICS. On Saturdays parking meters are not enforced until 2:00 pm. south of 2nd Street (The Banks)

WATERFALLING NEAR CLIFTON  MILL

NOTIFY RICH OF YOUR ATTENDING AT OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM AND YOUR NUMBER OF GUEST

MEETUP BEGINS: 8:50 AM . WE WILL DEPART NOT LATER THAN 9 AM AND RETURN TO CINCINNATI BY 4 PM.

Waterfalling in the Spring is always fun. Let’s shoot Cedar Cliff Falls near Cedarville Ohio at Indian Mound Reserve (also referred to as: Massie’s Creek Gorge at 2750 St. Rt. 42) near Clifton Mill. We will capture views from above the fall, and to the side.

ADVISE US IF YOU WILL BE CARPOOLING FROM WEST CHESTER LOCATION IDENTIFIED BELOW OR DRIVING SEPARATLY IN COMMENT SECTION.

Then on to the historic Clifton Mill, one of the largest water-powered gristmills of the remaining forty-seven in the United States. We will shoot the falls off Water Street on the back of the mill. Historic site with a vintage mill, covered bridge, ’40s-era gas station & casual American eatery. Address: 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316.

We will take in lunch at the Clifton Mill Restaurant.

After lunch we will proceed west a couple of miles to Glen Helen Nature Preserve. We will take in The Cascades. This will conclude the OVCC meetup.

Meet at Voice of America Center, Tylersville and Cox Roads. ENTER VOICE OF AMERICA CENTRE DRIVE OFF TYLERSVILLE RD, ONE TRAFFIC SIGNAL EAST OF COX RD. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT AND AHEAD TO A CURVE ON YOUR RIGHT. PARK THERE, INSIDE THE CURVE, AT THE FAR POINT AWAY FROM CITY BARBEQUE AND BONEFISH GRILLE RESTAURANTS. IF YOU ARE NEARER DAYTON OR PARTS NORTH, MEET US AT CEDAR CLIFF FALLS IN PETERSON PARK. Main parking lot directly off St. Rt. 42. 2750 US-42, Cedarville, OH 45314 at 10:00 AM

Time table:

We will Depart 3:00 PM.Arrive Voice of America Center 4 pm.Arrive Voice of America Center 8:45 am.
Leave VOA Center NOT LATER THAN 9:00 am.
Arrive Cedar Cliff Falls approx. 10:00 am, meet Dayton area members.
Depart 11:00 am to Clifton Mill. Arrive 11:15 am.
Meet at Clifton Mill Restaurant 12:10 pm.
After Lunch head East on Water St., turn Left onto West St. Rt. 343 to Glen Helen Nature Preserve Education Center (not open), address 1075 Rt. 343 dirt road – approx. 3.2 miles. We will walk to “The Cascades.”

LET ME KNOW YOU ARE ATTENDING JUST THE RODEO OR ATTENDING DINNER AND RODEO AT OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM. YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL IDENTIFYING WHERE TO MEET.

GOING: 8 DINNER: 7

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS.

Fox Hollow Rodeo offers something for everyone with semi-pro and amateur bull riding, barrel racing (summer months only) and calf riding and sheep riding (also known as “mutton bustin”) for the younger cowboys and cowgirls. Step into the arena during intermission for some boot stomping, line dancing with our Fox Hollow DJ playing all of your favorite tunes.

OPTION: Great Eats at Stone House Tavern in Waynesville. Sound interesting, write me at ovccrs@gmail. We are meeting at Stone House Tavern, 258 South Main St in Waynesville at 5:00 PM. Will Arrive for Rodeo around 6:45 pm. Let me know your are coming so we can eat together. ovccrs@gmail.com

Doors open and registration for participants begins at 6:00 with the youth events starting at 6:30 followed by the official opening of the Rodeo and Jackpot Bull Riding at 7:00.

Ticket Price is $15, parking included.
Just east of SR48 off of SR 73.”

FROM I – 75 Take exit #38 Franklin/Springboro east to SR 73 toward Springboro. Continue east on SR 73 for approximately 5.5 miles. Fox Hollow will be on the right side of the road just past the Silver Spur Western Store and is located 1909 E. State Rt. 73.

FROM I – 71 Take exit #45 Waynesville/Caesars Creek west to SR 73. Continue West on SR 73 for approximately 12.5 miles. Fox Hollow will be on the left side of the road directly across from the Marathon gas station and is located 1909 E. State Rte. 73

We were not able to arrange a speaker this month, See everyone in June.

Theme: “Spring Time.”

HOST: Rich Sears

LET ME KNOW YOU ARE ATTENDING AT OVCCRS@GMAIL.COM TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

The meeting will be an open-mic group discussion about Why and How We Took and Processed the photos captured with the goal of encouraging and helping improve our work.

RESIZE YOUR PHOTOS in order to fill the screen during the Zoom session else your image may appear small. If using Lightroom use Export / Imaging Sizing / Resize to Fit and enter 2800 pixels for landscape images or 1800 pixels for portrait images. Enter a resolution of 72 pixels per inch to get the recommended number of pixels.

• Rename your image files: first and last name, #1 for first priority, #2 for second priority and #3 for third priority and Image Title, as in this example John Smith 1 Downtown Cincinnati.jpg

Upload up to three images for discussion by MAY 20^TH, at the OVCC SmugMug Web-Site  : https://ovcc.smugmug.com/upload/w9BhT7/Debrief

Be prepared to discuss the camera setting information

• Lens used (e.g. 70-200mm) AND focal length of shot (e.g. 90mm)
• ISO, aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation, filters, if used
• Post processing techniques of note
• NOTE: most of the above will already be in the meta-data if you check Lightroom to include it during your export.

**MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: write Rich at ovccrs@gmail.com