| February 2009 |
Vol 3, Issue 2
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| Dear Reader, |
Ohh, baby it's COLD (and wet) outside!
At
least it has been here in Michigan - and for many other parts of the
country as well. The trick to getting through these months - find
something you really enjoy doing. If you like to ice fish, ski,
snowmobile, snowshoe or make snow angels - this has been your year! But
if you enjoy reading, sewing, board games, using the computer,
painting, movies - these cold days can be equally enjoyable.Winter
forces us to slow down a bit and to find ways to bring out some
creativity.
 For
myself, I can spend hours going through images I've taken all
throughout the previous year. Sometimes I find a few that were
initially overlooked at first glance when I pulled my immediate
favorites from the outing. It's very enjoyable to spend the "gray days"
looking back through the wonderful places I've been.
Spending
time on the computer is the same as what film photographers used to do
in the darkroom. Film photographers spent lot of time looking through
their negatives with a loupe,
narrowing their image down the best capture, and crafting those images
in darkrooms to create a final print. Via a computer, I enjoy this
process almost as much as taking the photo itself. And, using a
"digital darkroom" seems much cleaner and environmentally friendly - no
more of those harsh chemicals!
You can win a FREE 8x10 print for forwarding this email to a friend
who appreciates photography and the outdoors. I only ask that you play
fair - no one likes to receive unwanted email. This month's winner is Linda Johnston of Rockford, Michigan.
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| February Fun |
 So
far, February has been a very interesting month. During the first week,
I received notice that one of my images had been accepted into a show
at the Gallery Uptown in Grand Haven for their Winterfest Art Exhibit.
As it turned out, the image of my son's feet dangling over a dock titled "Good Ol' Summertime" took a Fourth Place Honorable Mention
in the show! I was very pleased, as the artworks featured in this
exhibit are exceptional and represent a wide range of media. I would
encourage you to go view the show, which will hang until February 27.
 The
following weekend, I had the pleasure of accompanying two fellow
photographers who hosted a Birds of Prey workshop at the Outdoor
Discover Center in Allegan County.
The birds presented were
simply beautiful, although I will admit the conditions were very tough
to work in that morning. At times, the winds were gusting up to 50+
mph! However, it's just part of the challenge of nature photography -
soggy boots and all.
 Once
the session was over, I headed up to Grand Haven with Ed Post to
locating some migrating ducks in the Grand River channel. There were
plenty of ducks, but the water was fairly open and they instinctively
knew to steer clear of those people wandering up with big lenses and
tripods. I did manage a photo of a somewhat uncommon Red Breasted
Merganser.
The sunset looked to be promising, so I drove over to
the north side of the channel to examine some of the ice jam and the
beautiful evening sky. I'm glad I captured this image when I did - for
the very next morning a Coast Guard cutter out of Sault St. Marie came
through and attempted to clear the channel of ice. This goes to show
how photography can capture a moment of time that will never repeat the
same way again - and the very reason I find it so enjoyable...
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| Your Moment is Here |
Experience a daily photographic journey though some scenic locations throughout the
Great Lakes State - from backyard settings, local parks and our
beautiful lakeshores! |
| Upcoming Events |
02.06 - 02.27.2009Winter Art ShowGallery Uptown201 Washington Grand Haven, MI 49417 616.846.5460
02.13.2009 Opening ReceptionCelebration of the Arts7pm - 9pm First United Methodist Church 227 East Fulton St. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616.451.2879
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| Retail Locations |
Frenz Coffee4 E. Bridge Street Rockford, MI 49341 Phone: 616.863.8750
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| It's Magic! |
Hosting a corporate party or special event? Give your celebration some real flair!
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| Celebration of the Arts |
 I just received notice that two of my pieces have been accepted into
the Celebration of the Arts exhibit in downtown Grand Rapids. Sponsored
by First United Methodist Church, the show is in its 36th year,
Celebration has grown to represent one of the largest
sacred juried art shows in the country. It features artists from
throughout the region in a variety of mediums including oils, acrylic,
watercolor, sculpture, fiber, photography, and more. During the 10 day
festival there are many individual events including concerts, drama,
and art activities.
If you are in the neighborhood, please stop in and say "Hello!" at TOMORROW NIGHT'S OPENING RECEPTION at the Church this Friday, February 13 from 7 - 9pm.
The church is located at 227 East Fulton Street in downtown Grand Rapids. |
| Tom Haxby Images on MichiganMoments |
MichiganMoments.com has added another photographer's work to the site - the outstanding images of Tom Haxby of Kingsley, Michigan.
Photography started for Tom an early age. His first training was at
Wyoming High School in Cincinnati, OH with instruction in black and
white film photography. As a senior, he won a scholastic arts
photo contest. He also received a photography award from the
Florida Trail Association. In college years, Tom served on the year
book photography staff at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH
which allowed him to cover sports, entertainment and college life.
 His switch to digital photography occurred around 1999 and this
changed and re-energized his enthusiasm for photography. His
photography training has included the following seminars:
- Epson Print Academy
- Photoshop Seminar
- Arizona Highways Workshop
- Rocky Mountain School of Photography - Digital Intensive
- George Lepp Seminar
- John Shaw Photography Seminar
Haxby's photographs have been published in:
Tom has been a member of the Traverse Area Camera Club since 2004
and has lead photo club trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes and other locales
around Traverse City, Michigan. Presentations have included a show on
Isle Royale Photographs to the Traverse Area Camera Club and "How to
Take Better Photos on your Hikes" for the Grand Traverse Hiking Club
and a hands-on workshop on photography for the North Country Trail
Association. Tom is also a member of the North American Nature Photographer's Association (NANPA).
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| Get Your Daily Michigan Fix! |
A new fun feature at MichiganMoments.com is the quick view of the daily archive. From here, you can click on any posting for that day to see image details and ordering information.
You may also search photographers and images by keyword so you can find just what you are looking for. Give it a try!
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| Pure Michigan Photo Contest |
On March 1st, I will begin shooting photos all around Muskegon County for the first
annual Pure Michigan Photo Contest (Pro Division),
competing for the chance at a $5000 cash prize. I will be capturing
images through the end of June, at which point I will then turn in 30
of my best images. Those images will appear online and in a hard-cover
book titled, Pure Michigan-Spring Scenic Places sometime in the fall of 2009.
I'm very much looking forward to assisting the Muskegon / White Lake
area to capture photos of the best their area has to offer. I'd love
for you all to cheer me on - it appears I may be the only female
photographer in this very accomplished group of competitors!
Very often, my best tips come from folks who are familiar with areas and have fond memories of places.
I am doing any type of image that would be an attraction to a tourist -
both indoors and out. Obviously, I'll be photographing well-loved
locations such as beaches and parks, Michigan Adventure, Frauenthal
Theatre events, Muskegon Lumberjacks hockey and so on. My goal is to
locate lesser-known treasures around Muskegon, White Lake, Montague and
smaller areas. So - Muskegon area lovers - fess up and share where you think I should be exploring!
Additionally, for those of you who are shutterbugs... there is also an online photo contest open to anyone - both amateur and professional photographers. There are some very good prizes - give it a try and submit your own! Applications for the Pro Division for Fall 2010 are also available - the application deadline is May 15, 2010.
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| Ripple Effect |
 When
you take your passion one step further, and discover new streams where
it can be shared - those tributaries are rarely discovered without the
help of others. Others who see something in you, and are kind enough to
point out a map of the headwaters.
I might not even be aware an opportunity exists without your help. For example, I have a relaxing slideshow presentation
set to music that can provide an evening of entertainment for a group.
Perhaps you know of a fundraising event where I can set up for sales of
my work. If there is a pathway to bring my images to others who would
appreciate them, please let me know.
Your pebble of information may create a new ripple previously unseen!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to Gail Thomas, brother-in-law Jim Nedwick, and friends Kimberly Ownbey, Mindy Ysasi, Kelley Losey and Cindy Grace!
Remember, if you'd like - remind me of an important date so I can include your special day in the next newsletter!
With much appreciation for your words of encouragement and continued support!
Stacy |
Stacy Niedzwiecki
Creative Solutions
Web: www.StacyN.com
Current News: www.StacyN.com/wordpress
Your Daily Michigan Moment: www.MichiganMoments.com
Look around and experience the natural beauty surrounding us each and every day.
You'll be pleasantly surprised by what you find!
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