09/26/17
rose photography

ARS Photography Challenge Class

ARS Photography Challenge Class, the First

ARS Photography Challenge Class: The Board of Directors approved this Challenge Class at the Fall 2017 National Conference and Show in Gettysburg. In addition, this was the same meeting at which they approved the final Guidelines and Rules for Judging Rose Photography.

ARS photography challenge class

Nat’l Challenge Class

The Challenge calls for three separate images, all mounted and matted per ARS guidelines. In addition, they are to show Cycle of Bloom for either miniature or miniflora roses. Look for this Challenge Class at the 2018 Spring Miniature and Miniflora National Conference and Show, Jacksonville, FL, May 4-6. The Penn-Jersey District sponsors this award.

In conclusion, this is one more exciting development in Rose Photography at the ARS level. Have fun planning your entries, whether for 2018 or subsequent years.

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.

07/7/17
ARS photo competitions

New PowerPoint Presentation

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

New PowerPoint Presentation: How to Mount and Mat an 8×10 Photo for an ARS Rose Show

This new PowerPoint presentation is actually an updated version of one I did last year. At the time, I posted it as a pdf file and also as a Kindle at Amazon. However, I have reworked it into a smaller file that can be posted as a PowerPoint presentation on this blog. You may download and repost this PowerPoint, as long as you give a credit line.

This guide for mounting and matting an image applies only to photographs for exhibition in rose shows. These typically last only one or two days, and exhibitors then take the photographs home. They generally are not for sale. The photographs at a rose show are for short-term display, and the suggestions here reflect that. The suggestions here are not suggestions for how to mount and mat photographs in general, or for any purpose other than display in rose shows, and then only those whose schedules call for the photograph to be mounted and matted with outside dimensions of 11×14 inches.

I hope my rose friends find it useful.

I have added a new page to this blog, Rose Photography Presentations, with two sub-pages. One will contain more PowerPoint presentations as I complete them. The other contains images, handouts, and two of the PowerPoints from the summing up Photography Judging Seminar held in 2012. I keep it here as an archive of the birth of photography in the PSWD.

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!

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.

02/8/17
2017 ANMPAS

2017 ANMPAS in April

2017 ANMPAS: “Fruit of Ancient Myths”

2017 ANMPAS – Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show – will open with a reception on April 1 and run through Sunday, April 23, 2017. The show will be held in the Fine Arts Building at EXPONM, the State of New Mexico Fairgrounds.

This April I am pleased to be showing “Fruit of Ancient Myths” as a 16×20″ print. I thank the 2017 jurists.

2017 ANMPAS

2017 ANMPAS – “Fruit of Ancient Myths”

The Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show features photographic artists who are residents of New Mexico. Accepted entries have gone through a rigorous jury process. LeRoy Perea began ANMPAS as a way for photographers in New Mexico to showcase their work in a gallery setting. Begun as one show each year, it rapidly expanded to two shows a year, and may, at some point, reach three. Until 2017, the “main” ANMPAS show was held in December. Ïnsight New Mexico” for women photographers was added in April several years ago. In December of 2016, things were mixed to add variety. The December show was a pure black and white show. The main 2017 ANMPAS show will be held in April. I do not yet know what the show in December will feature.

You might be wondering, “why is this on a gardening site?” I began this site years ago about growing roses. Over time, I became interested in photographing roses, which led to the PSWD Guidelines for Judging Rose Photographs. My interest in photography has branched into many areas, but I still enjoy pushing the envelope with botanicals. These pomegranates were grown by my mother. I photographed them – many of them – for the conceptual series, “Persephone’s Choice.” Now I am taking time to enjoy the pomegranates themselves, apart from the conceptual series.

For those of you in the Albuquerque area, I hope you’ll visit 2017 ANMPAS this April.