Bob Crum

First, last week I wrote that Nikon announced two new mirrorless cameras: Models Z6 & Z7. Before the confetti settled, BOOM!, Canon announces the release of their new model EOS 'R' (Revolutionary) mirrorless camera system. Just a matter of time before the two major camera makers entered the mirrorless slugfest. A day late & tech short? Playing catch up, can Nikon and Canon, two camera manufacturing behemoths, effectively cut into Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Fujifilm mirrorless camera sales? Hmm.

The 'R' is a full-frame mirrorless camera utilizing a 30.3MP CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology. Fast autofocus speeds of 0.05 seconds and in light levels as low as -6 EV. The latest DIGIC 8 image processor enables ISO to 40,000, expandable to ISO 102,400. The AF system has an incredible 5,655 focus points with 100% vertical and 88% horizontal coverage of the image area. Delish!

Canon Cinema provides UHD 4K video at up to 30 fps, including the ability to record in Canon Log for extended dynamic range capture of up to 12 stops. Videographers can output 10-bit 4:2:2 to an external recorder over HDMI using Canon Log or even the BT.2020 color space for broad color applications. Full HD shooting at up to 60p while standard HD has slow-motion, 120p recording. Focus Peaking and the Dual Pixel Focus Guide overcome focus issues.

For eye-level viewing, a 0.5" 3.69m-dot OLED EVF (Electronic View Finder). The rear LCD is a 3.15" 2.1m-dot vari-angle touch screen that facilitates touch-and-drag AF. Nice! Another new feature is the multi-function bar customizable for fast, intuitive access to many commonly used features. The top panel has a dot-matrix LCD for checking current settings and camera status.

A magnesium-allow body and weather sealing enhance the EOS R camera's durability. The shutter is rated for 200,000 cycles and can operate at speeds of up to 1/8000 of a second, with continuous shooting rates of 8 fps. An electronic shutter is also available. For saving files, the camera utilizes a single UHS-II SD card slot. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are included.

Canon knows it isn’t merely about the camera—good imaging systems include quality lenses. Canon reports that the EOS R system includes a new RF mount engineered to deliver the ideal combination of speed, durability and flexibility for excellent lens performance. For the EOS R camera, Canon also announced four new RF mount lenses: RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens, RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens, RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro Lens and RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens.

In addition to the four new RF lenses, Canon is providing three mount adapters to enable the use of existing EF and EF-S lenses on the 'R' camera. If it's true that I can use all my existing lenses – with full functionality – I'm going to need a bigger piggy bank. Looking forward to the EOS R lab tests and reviews.

Call for photographers! The Fillmore Art Commission is planning an Art & Photography exhibition next May 1 – 5, 2019. This show presents an excellent opportunity to display your 'Fine Art' photos. It's important to hear from all Fillmore photographers who are interested in participating. Reply to the email address below and write “I'm interested” in the subject line. Also, include your primary phone number. Details to follow at a later date.

Would you believe that I saw a woman taking a selfie with a steer at the Fair? Believe it! The photo of the week is another delightful gem captured at the Fair.

Send questions, comments or suggestions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Fillmore Unified School District

Board Meeting Highlights:

2018 Summer School Report
The Governing Board received a presentation on the 2018 Summer School. Assistant Superintendent, Micheline Miglis presented the information.

2017-2018 Unaudited Actuals
The Governing Board received a presentation on the 2017-2018 Unaudited actuals. Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill presented the information.

Approve Resolution 18-19-02 “Regarding the Sufficiency of Textbooks or Instructional Materials for the School Year 2018-2019”
The Governing Board approved Resolution 18-19-02.

Approve Specific Waiver Request: School Site Council (Sierra High School and Heritage Valley Independent Study)
The Governing Board approved the Specific Waiver Request.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, and leaves.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Lockwood Valley Deputies worked with the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and Fillmore Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Sunday evening to locate a missing hiker in the Los Padres National Forest.

A friend of one of the missing hikers contacted the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Lockwood Valley substation and reported Adam Ramsey was lost while hiking in the area of Mt. Pinos. Ramsey had hiked to the Mt. Pinos lookout with a group of friends. On the return trip Ramsey became separated from the group and became disoriented. As night fell, he attempted to find his way back to the trail but was unsuccessful. Ramsey made the right choice and found a clearing in which to signal aerial search crews. Ramsey’s friends returned to the trailhead parking lot and notified the Sheriff’s Office.

Ramsey was unfamiliar with the area and was not prepared to spend the night in the forest. Two deputies from the Lockwood Valley substation, the Sheriff’s Aviation unit and members of the Fillmore Search and Rescue team responded. The Sheriff’s Aviation unit conducted an aerial search and was able to quickly locate Ramsey because of his efforts to signal the helicopter. The Fillmore Search and Rescue team had responded and established a command post in the parking lot of the Mt. Pinos Nordic Base. A sheriff’s helicopter coordinated the rescue effort with ground units and completed the operation just before dark as temperatures fell.

The Lockwood Valley substation, Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and the Fillmore Search and Rescue team would like to commend Ramsey for getting to an area that would make him more visible to the helicopter and his efforts to signal the helicopter once it was on scene. Ramsey’s actions helped rescue crews locate him quickly. Otherwise, the situation could have resulted in a difficult and extended search and rescue effort.

Prepared by: Deputy Robert Steele
Approved by: Captain James Fryhoff

On September 18th Sallie Mae will bring motivational speaker, former educator and hip-hop artist Dee-1 to Fillmore High School to promote the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Sweepstakes and get Fillmore students excited and motivated about going to college. At he assembly, Dee-1 will share his personal story and help raise awareness about planning for college, and the benefits and importance of student loan management. See-1 has been through the college experience, overcome obstacles earned his degree, and paid back his student loans.

Sallie Mae’s partnership with Dee-1, along with offering the scholarship, fulfills and important part of Sallie’ Mae’s promise to help students and families learn about the importance of an education, It also gives outstanding, hardworking high school juniors and seniors a chance to overcome financial obstacles that stand in the way of making college happen, The scholarship awarded $225,000 in scholarships to deserving students in previous years.

Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 406 celebrated the end of their Summer activities with a potluck and Court of Honor last week at the Scout House, pictured above are the Troop members who attend a week long summer camp at Camp Chawanakee on Shaver La to represent Troop 406. photo courtesy Coleen Chandler

Before eating, the new patrols were introduced with Matt Van De Mheen Patrol Leader for the “Sweaty Cab Drivers” and Assistant Patrol Leader Kade Larson. Patrol members are Justin Fairall, Alex Lanza, Preston Good, Roland Osorio, Ryan Wolf and Garrett Cobern. The “Sea Bears” are being led by Patrol Leader James Chandler and Assistant Patrol Leader Jared Fairall. Members of that patrol are Alex Norrell, Isaiah Estrada, Oscar Villalta, Jesus Rodriguez, Max Mitchell, Diego Ibarra and Ramiro Rodrigues. Junior Escoto is the Troop Guide and Luke Larson, who just earned the rank of Eagle Scout, will be in the new position of College Scouter.

Ten of the seventeen troop members attended a week of summer camp at Camp Chawanakee on Shaver Lake. Troop 406 was recognized for their outstanding presentation of colors for the 400 scouts attending. During the week the boys earned 35 merit badges in Archery, Horsemanship, Leatherwork, Photography, Pottery, Public Speaking, Rifle Shooting, Search and Rescue, Shotgun Shooting, Welding, Wilderness Survival, Wood Carving, Camping, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Emergency Preparedness, and Environmental Science. A scout knife was presented to Jesus Rodriguez to honor the completion of his first camping experience. The badges were presented by Scoutmaster Brett Chandler. Assistant Scoutmasters Ron Smith and Mike Van De Mheen are the other adult leaders for the troop.

Fall Boy Scout recruitment is underway. Any boy between the ages of 10 ½ and 18 may join regardless of previous scouting experience and are invited to bring his parents to a meeting and sign up. Meetings are held at the Scout House at East 128 Sespe Street in Fillmore each Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Bob Crum

Rich W. asked: Because you continually mention that you thrive on challenges, photography sounds like work. So why should I buy a camera?

Rich, I understand your apprehension. Repeatedly pushing the shutter button is exhausting. Holding the camera to compose the photo is tiresome! It's also mentally taxing to continually concentrate on composition, exposure and focus. That is why I relish the thought of a three-month vacation after every assignment.

An often repeated question deserves addressing. Though some of the explanations of how I captured a particular photo may sound daunting, it's not an overly complicated process. Just vexing at times.

Photography is not unlike any other artistic expression. If the urge is to create watercolor art or an oil painting or illustrate with pastel pencils, how does one become an artist without knowledge of the craft's fundamentals and practice? Won't there be 'challenges'? The quality of any art – including photography - will increase to the degree that you practice and apply what you learn.

Artloft deftly explains the benefits of creating art which I hereby paraphrase and apply to photography. 1) Creating photos stimulates the mind and imagination. It supports the bigger view of life and allows us to be present in the moment. 2) Photography makes you more observant. Creating photos help you learn to “see” by concentrating on detail and paying more attention to your environment. 3) Photography enhances problem-solving skills. Making photos teaches that there is more than one photo perspective. 4) Photography boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment. Visualize your awesome photo on the wall over the sofa! 5) Photography reduces stress. Painting, sculpting, drawing, or photography is a relaxing and rewarding endeavor that can lower your stress levels and lead to an overall improvement in well-being. Ah!

Rich, besides the great benefits presented above, think about fame and fortune shooting African wildlife for National Geographic. How are you going to fulfill your assignment without a camera?

I constantly preach about the importance of ‘composition’. It's never without a multitude of choices which I often alluded to as challenges. For example, there are 'rules' of composition but they aren't absolute. Instead, they serve as guidelines for creating compelling compositions. Besides the so-called rules, there’s a host of items to consider. Image background is important. Depth of field to be considered. Exposure with regard to the mood intended to capture. In the process, goof-ups love to manifest and ruin the potentially awesome shot. Gaffs often blossom when I am totally engaged in the process of capturing a spectacular photo. I don't always chimp (check the LCD screen) after every photo shot so these, um, flubs are not discovered until the image is up on the computer monitor. Spicy language often ensues, followed by robust laughter.

Speaking of flubs, here's a goodie. The photo of the week is of a fabulous custom motor. In addition to the abundance of chrome, capturing the motor properly required careful focus. Additionally, I closed down the aperture to f/22 and positioned myself in exactly the right place to capture the headlight sunstar. See it? Making sure everything was right... composition, exposure, focus... I was certain that pressing the shutter button would result in an exquisite photo. Look closely at the beautiful chrome headlight. What do you see beside the sunstar? Yes, that's me! Ha! (see photo at fillmoregazette.com) Although it's not a publishable photo, it's a valuable reminder to be more vigilant and observant. Although the photo is flawed, the process of creating it was not without enjoyment. Laughs afterward are free! Gotta love photography!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: photography@earthlink.net