09/12/17
rose photography 2017

ARS Rose Photography 2017

rose photography 2017

Mark Twain: “The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated…”

ARS Rose Photography 2017, September 12, 2017

Board Approval of the First Edition

ARS Rose Photography 2017: this has been a long, rocky, and sometimes painful journey, beginning in 2008. But, on September 7, 2017 the Board of Directors of the American Rose Society (ARS) approved the First Edition of the ARS Rules and Guidelines for Judging Rose Photography. The ARS will be posting this edition shortly on its website, under Member Resources. Especially relevant, this officially recognizes Photography of Roses as a valid and valued component of rose shows sanctioned by the ARS. Because this was a goal toward which I began working in 2008, its achievement is gratifying.

These ARS Rose Photography 2017 PowerPoint Presentations, of which there will be more over time, demonstrate use of the Guidelines. Anyone working to implement and explain the now-official guidelines for rose photography in our ARS shows may use them. The guidelines apply to all levels – local, district, and national – of shows planning to give ARS awards to winners.

History

In 2004 I purchased my first compact digital to take along to rose shows I judged (as ARS Accredited Horticulture and Arrangement Judge). It died in 2008 after an active, useful life. I purchased a second compact digital. When I realized how serious I was about this, I enrolled in and completed an entire two-year Digital Photography program at UNM CE. Most of all, because I wanted to bring credibility to photography in the ARS, I did not want to be “shooting from the hip.” As a result, in 2009 I became the first Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) Photography Chairman, actually the first anywhere in the ARS. Those “early days,” along with my hopes for photography within the ARS, are discussed in the 2010 ARS Rose Annual.

In 2012 the American Rose Society appointed its first Photography Committee, with Curtis Aumiller as Chair. He, along with members Tom Mayhew, Bill Kozemchak, and Bruce Monroe are from the Penn-Jersey District. I am the sole committee member from the Pacific Southwest District. And, that committee has continued work since 2012, with ARS President Pat Shanley keeping the committee intact in 2015. She has strongly encouraged guidelines that will help members with all levels of experience in both photography and roses participate in rose photography in our ARS shows, as well as the Digital Photography and ARS Calendar contests. Photography guidelines, like all guidelines, will continue to evolve over time. But I am confident that Bob Martin’s administration, beginning in 2018, will also support rose photography in ARS shows.

For me, personally, the Board approval of these Guidelines is the culmination of nine years of working toward this goal, which, like anything worth doing, was not always easy. I learned a lot about people. I had a lot of fun learning more about photographing roses. I’m pretty sure not too many people are going to read the Guidelines for fun. It is a useful and necessary reference guide. But I want to share some of the fun I have had visually with photography and roses in the past nine years. These six PowerPoint Presentations are the start of a library of such presentations by me and others, and more will be posted over time.

This post, which will eventually scroll off the front page, has also been posted as its own page Under “Rose Photography.”

ARS Rose Photography 2017 PowerPoint Presentations

You may view the PowerPoints here on this site as small videos. For a larger view, click on the Screen button on the lower right hand corner of each video. For educational purposes and with a credit line, “Susan Brandt Graham,” you may download the PowerPoints and share and/or post them elsewhere.

CREATIVE INTERPRETATION

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

SHRUBS, OLD GARDEN ROSES, ETC.

ROSE SPRAYS

FULLY OPEN, STAMENS SHOWING

HOW TO MOUNT AND MAT AN 8X10 PHOTO

07/17/17
photographing roses

ARS Photo Competitions, Creative Interpretation

This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series Rose Photography

ARS Photo Competitions, Creative Interpretation

ARS photo competitions, creative interpretation: the American Rose Society Board gave temporary approval for Guidelines for Judging Rose Photography in 2015. The Board approved a revision in 2016. This PowerPoint is one of several I will be posting here over the next few months to give our members examples of images I have created of the various Classes following the Guidelines. I would like to encourage interested rosarians to photograph roses, including creating some “rose art” images, and enter them in ARS shows, including local, district, and national shows; the ARS Digital Photography competition; and the ARS Calendar competitions.

Views presented here are my own, but I believe the images conform to the current Guidelines. Photography in the ARS is a work in progress, so do not be surprised if over time the Guidelines change. The current Guidelines should be applicable at least through the 2018 ARS National Convention and Rose Show.

ARS photo competitions, creative interpretation

Rose ‘Gold Medal’ with Hair Streak Butterfly. Winner of the Judges Class, 2015 ARS American Rose Photography Competition.

Logged in users at this site may download and share (including posting on websites) the PowerPoint for use for educational purposes, as long as a credit line is given. I have also posted this PowerPoint in the dedicated page for such presentations. This PowerPoint is sized for web and digital device presentation. Please note that this may be viewed in Full Screen mode by clicking on the icon at the lower right corner of the presentation. If anyone needs a higher resolution file, please contact me through the Contact page.

Finally, the American Rose Society has more information about many aspects of roses at their website.

07/16/17
floral arrangement photography

ARS Photo Competitions, Floral Arrangements

This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series Rose Photography

ARS Photo Competitions, Floral Arrangements

ARS photo competitions, floral arrangements: the American Rose Society Board gave temporary approval for Guidelines for Judging Rose Photography in 2015. The Board approved a revision in 2016. This PowerPoint is one of several I will be posting here over the next few months to give our members examples of images I have created of the various Classes following the Guidelines. I would like to encourage interested rosarians to photograph roses, including floral arrangements, and enter them in ARS shows, including local, district, and national shows; the ARS Digital Photography competition; and the ARS Calendar competitions.

Views presented here are my own, but I believe the images conform to the current Guidelines. Photography in the ARS is a work in progress, so do not be surprised if over time the Guidelines change. The current Guidelines should be applicable at least through the 2018 ARS National Convention and Rose Show.

ARS photo competitions, floral arrangements

Traditional Mass Design by Debi Harrington

Logged in users at this site may download and share (including posting on websites) the PowerPoint for use for educational purposes, as long as a credit line is given. I have also posted this PowerPoint in the dedicated page for such presentations. This PowerPoint is sized for web and digital device presentation. If anyone needs a higher resolution file, please contact me through the Contact page.

Finally, the American Rose Society has more information about many aspects of roses at their website.

07/14/17
rose photography

ARS Photo Competitions, Rose Sprays

This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series Rose Photography

ARS Photo Competitions, Rose Sprays

ARS photo competitions, rose sprays: the American Rose Society Board gave temporary approval for Guidelines for Judging Rose Photography in 2015. The Board approved a revision in 2016. This PowerPoint is one of several I will be posting here over the next few months to give our members examples of images of the various Classes I have created following the Guidelines. I would like to encourage interested rosarians to photograph roses and enter them in ARS shows, including local, district, and national shows; the ARS Digital Photography competition; and the ARS Calendar competitions.

Views presented here are my own, but I believe the images conform to the current Guidelines. Photography in the ARS is a work in progress, so do not be surprised if over time the Guidelines change. The current Guidelines should be applicable at least through the 2018 ARS National Convention and Rose Show.

ARS photo competitions, rose sprays

Mounted and Matted Spray of ‘Dreamweaver’

Logged in users at this site may download and share (including posting on websites) the PowerPoint for use for educational purposes, as long as a credit line is given. I have also posted this PowerPoint in the dedicated page for such presentations.

Finally, the American Rose Society has more information about many aspects of roses at their website.

07/14/17
ARS photo competitions

ARS Photo Competitions: Fully Open Roses

ARS Photo Competitions: Fully Open Roses

ARS photo competitions continue to grow in many parts of the country. The American Rose Society Board gave temporary approval for Guidelines for Judging Rose Photography in 2015. The Board approved a revision in 2016. This PowerPoint is one of several I will be posting here over the next few months to give our members examples of images of the various Classes I have created following the Guidelines. I would like to encourage interested rosarians to photograph roses and enter them in ARS shows, including local, district, and national shows; the ARS Digital Photography competition; and the ARS Calendar competitions.

Views presented here are my own, but I believe the images conform to the current Guidelines. Photography in the ARS is a work in progress, so do not be surprised if over time the Guidelines change. The current Guidelines should be applicable at least through the 2018 ARS National Convention and Rose Show.

ARS photo competitions rose photography

Miniature rose, ‘Child’s Play,’ fully open, stamens showing
Blue Ribbon and Best of Section, Fully Open Roses, 2014 ARS Fall National Rose Show and Convention

Logged in users at this site may download and share (including posting on websites) the PowerPoint for use for educational purposes, as long as a credit line is given. I have also posted this PowerPoint in the dedicated page for such presentations.

Finally, the American Rose Society has more information about many aspects of roses at their website.

07/5/17
onion

The Simple Onion, an Allium

The Simple Onion

The simple onion, like many things in Nature, covers its complexity with an appearance of simplicity. It belongs to the genus Allium, which includes other things such as garlic and chives.

Especially relevant after the busy-ness of a holiday, a little simplicity the next day can be relaxing. My neighbors, organic gardeners, grew this beautiful little allium.

onion

The “Simple” Onion, an Allium

Summing up, this quote from Sir Isaac Newton applies to many aspects of Nature:

“Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” ~ Isaac Newton

Finally, photographing this photogenic allium was simple fun. It presented a different challenge from my usual flower photos. I thank my neighbors for leaving it in place long enough for me to photograph it!

06/3/17
Price Garden Corrales

The Price Garden, Corrales

The Price Garden, Corrales

The Price Garden in Corrales is as interesting and as beautiful as the Rio Grande bosque on which it is located. Those of you who read my other blog, Susan Brandt Graham Photography, know how much I love to photograph there. Gardening on their property presents benefits and challenges that are different from those in the NE Heights sections of Albuquerque. On the positive side, given its location along the Rio Grande, the water table is not so far from the surface. They have irrigation access, a part of the old New Mexico acequias system. Those of you who read Tim’s blog, Off Center and Not Even, know that he often is up in the middle of the night to open the gates and later to close them. Sometimes there is adequate water, sometimes there isn’t. More challenging, at least in my opinion, are the temperature extremes at night, especially in the winter. “Cold air sinks,”and that is readily observable at their home. I always keep a jacket handy, even in summer, if I plan to be there in the evening. Winter nighttime temps are often 20 degrees colder than at my home. In other places I have discussed the microclimates and environments of the area, and the abundance of Dr Huey roses in Corrales. With a lot of hard work, Tim and Laurie have a beautiful garden that fits well into the natural landscape. I was fortunate to be able to photograph it twice in May, 2017. These are just a few of the images.

Price Garden Corrales

Colorful Beauty

Price Garden Corrales

Garden Study in Orange

Price Garen Corrales

David Austin Rose

Price Garden Corrales

Betty Boop, Fourth of July, and Purple Salvia against Adobe Wall

Price Garden Corrales

Rose ‘Ballerina,’ a very hardy hybrid musk

Price Garden Corrales

Rose ‘Ballerina,’ a very hardy hybrid musk

Price Garden Corrales

Rose ‘Ballerina,’ a Very Hardy Hybrid Musk

Price Garden Corrales

Price Garden, Roses

Price Garden Corrales

Price Garden, Peonies

Price Garden Corrales

Price Garden, Dr Huey, Bamboo, iris, gorgeous light!

This just a glimpse at the Price Garden, and over time I will post more images of their wonderful, peaceful, inviting garden. This is the best of natural, sustainable gardening in a very challenging spot in the Desert Southwest, Corrales in the bosque. I hope you have enjoyed this brief tour.

05/28/17
Susan Brandt Graham

2017 PSWD Photography Judge Award

2017 Pacific Southwest District Outstanding Rose Photography Judge Award

The 2017 PSWD Outstanding Rose Photography Judge Award was a huge, but welcome, surprise to me. With many thanks to all of the people responsible for this honor!

2017 Photography Judge Award Susan Brandt Graham Photography: Spring 2017 Roses &emdash;

I began work in the PSWD in 2008 to develop guidelines for judging rose photographs in our rose shows. I was already an ARS Accredited Horticulture and Arrangements Judge. But because I did not want to feel I was “shooting from the hip” in working for rose photographs in rose shows, I did UNM CE’s entire program in Digital Photography. I wanted to feel and to be competent for the task I set for myself. In 2012, the ARS recognized rose photography and set up a new committee to work on guidelines. It has been an honor to work with that national committee to establish working guidelines at the national level. It has been gratifying to see much of my work from the PSWD level incorporated into the guidelines at the national level.

The citation was read by Juanita Ortega, current Chair of Photography for the PSWD, at the District Convention, April 22, 2017:

The recipient of this award is an American Rose Society Accredited Horticulture and/or Arrangement Judge who has advanced the exhibition of rose photographs at local and district rose shows in the Pacific Southwest District. By encouraging rosarians to photograph their roses, our societies have attracted more members and contributed to the enjoyment of our national flower by the public.

This year, we recognize the efforts of one of the founders of this newest division of American Rose Society Rose Shows. For many years, she organized seminars and classes to teach interested ARS members the basics of photographing and displaying roses. She organized Rose Photography Divisions at national, district and local rose shows. This Photography Judge served on the American Rose Society Photography Guidelines Committee from 2012 through 2015.

The 2017 Pacific Southwest District Outstanding Rose Photography Judge Award is presented to Dr. Susan Brandt Graham from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Many thanks, Juanita, to you and the photographers of the PSWD. ~ Susan

04/4/17
2017 ANMPAS

ANMPAS 2017 – A Reminder

ANMPAS 2017 – A Reminder

ANMPAS 2017, the Annual New Mexico Photographic Arts Show, is now open and runs through April 23. The show is in the Fine Arts Building at EXPONM. Hours are 10:00am-5:00pm daily, except closed on Easter Sunday. If you live in Albuquerque, or will be passing through the Albuquerque area, consider visiting the show. I think you’ll enjoy it. All photographs are framed and available for purchase.

ANMPAS 2017

2017 ANMPAS. “Fruit of Ancient Myths.”

(For those of you who read at my other blog, Susan Brandt Graham Photography: A Southwest Point of View, I am posting the same notice there. I wanted to warn you about the double post.)

For those of you who do not read at my other site, I invite you to see a variety of my other pomegranate images, as well as rose images and two from “Persephone’s Choice: Every Woman’s Dilemma.” These were published in the March/April Shadow and Light Magazine, Tim Anderson, editor. Tim was kind enough to allow me to use a pdf of my portfolio published there, as the Featured Photographer and Grand Prize Winner of the 2017 Color It Red Contest. Thanks, Tim, and also to the jurists.

03/13/17
rose photography

Rose Photography in the ARS

Rose Photography in the American Rose Society: Results of the 2016 ARS Digital Photography Contest

Rose photography in the American Rose Society has a growing interest, no pun intended. 🙂 The American Rose Magazine has had a photography contest for some time. In recent years, the contest has become a digital competition. Online entry is easy, and mailed CD’s, DVD’s, and thumb drives are also accepted. Yesterday, March 12, the ARS used online methods to announce the winners of the 2016 competition. Not only was it fun, but all of the winners could be shown. While the top winners will appear in the American Rose Magazine, print space does not allow for the showing of all winners.

I was very happy to win the Judges Class with ‘Hot Cocoa,’a floribunda rose grown by my mother and photographed by me. ‘Hot Cocoa’ is a russet rose, and russet is always a challenge to photograph!

rose photography

Floribunda Rose ‘Hot Cocoa.’ Winner of the Judges Class, 2016 American Rose Society Digital Photography Contest

A very big winner in the regular classes is the fourth, and newly appointed, PSWD Photography Chair, Juanita Ortega. I remember when Juanita was just beginning rose photography. She won awards with gorgeous images taken with a point-and-shoot camera and no editing software. (I also remember when she was just beginning in Arrangements.) She brings knowledge, dignity, and commitment to PSWD photography, and the PSWD is lucky to have her. Yesterday I lost track of all of her awards, but you can see all of them in this YouTube video, along with all of the other winners. A brief introduction is followed by all of the winners in all of the classes. Enjoy!

The rules for the 2017 ARS Digital Photography Contest have already been posted. Think about entering.

Rose show season is rapidly approaching, and the emphasis will move to rose photography in print form. Some people say entering a print is too expensive, referring to having it mounted and matted somewhere. Last year I prepared a short “how-to”in Kindle form. I show not only how to do it easily, but also how to do it inexpensively. More than that, this method eliminates all the “waves” frequently seen in some of the images in our rose shows.

The American Rose Society now offers a variety of options and settings for sharing your rose images.