Bob Crum

Some readers are charmingly curious. Larry M. suspected that there's more to photographic style than camera settings as discussed in the previous column. He asked: Besides camera settings, how is "style" implemented? The question presents a conundrum: Photographic style is as elusive to describe as balance, gravity and the taste of lasagna.

Let's make lasagna. I carefully layer the noodles, sauce, meat, minced garlic, whole milk ricotta and sliced mozzarella. After baking at 400º for 40 minutes, and cooled, I anxiously take the first bite. Ah! Now, let me describe the scrumptious flavor. HA! My brain tells me it tastes good, but it's impossible to articulate what my tongue's sensory taste buds tell my brain!

Lasagna and photography have much in common. To make a photo, we layer ISO, lens aperture and shutter speed in the camera. However, instead of an oven, we bake (post-process) the photo in the computer with photo editing software programs. Afterward, ah, a scrumptious photo emerges. But I can no more describe the magnificence my eyes see as I can describe the taste of lasagna. But oh how I enjoy both. The photo highlights so delicate. The background bokeh indescribable. Texture, detail and dynamic range so splendid words cannot describe the eye candy I see.

I realize that for many, post-processing, aka photo editing, is something to be avoided like sunbathing in a hail storm. I get it! But make no mistake; photo editing is essential if you desire to improve your photos. There isn't an alternative. No shortcuts. You edit, or you have to accept whatever your camera gives you.

Lest readers perceive that photo editing is a superficial exercise, a few words from George D. Lepp, an Outdoor Photographer magazine columnist. "Post-processing images is an essential element of digital photography. RAW capture (you're shooting in RAW format, aren't you?) [his words] is only the beginning of the process, not yet as good as the image can be - that's why it's called RAW. If you're shooting in JPEG format, you're letting the camera decide a lot about how your image will look."

Lepp added, "Now don't get me wrong: it's not just about 'fixing it' on the computer. I prefer the term 'optimizing.' When you sit down to edit, you still need to start with an image file that has good content and composition and is technically excellent."

A timely note from photographer Kevin Landwer-Johan on contrastly.com: "Know your camera so well you don’t have to think about it every moment you are using it. This will make you a better photographer." Excellent advice, however, that's merely one-half of the requisite for developing a photographic "style." Style is best accomplished in the digital darkroom. Photo editing software, the magic sauce, provides adjustment options for exposure, color and contrast to produce a photo like the scene as seen by the photographer. More importantly, the editing program also empowers the photographer to, ahem, embellish the photo to taste, which if applied consistently, combined with consistent camera settings, becomes the photographers photographic "style!" But perhaps you think photo editing is boring! Or worse, tedious? Au contraire, mon ami! 'Tis creative enjoyment beyond description.

The previous photo of the week of a sea lion was not stylized. Being a jpeg from my Panasonic P&S camera, attempting to apply a style to a jpeg with any photo editor is as useless as applying lipstick on a hippopotamus.

Photo of the week is Baldwin #14 steam engine's tender getting water at the Loose Caboose in Santa Paula Labor Day weekend.

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

Ventura County Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andy Calderwood gave a presentation on Ventura's now legal industrial hemp, approved in 2018. He mentioned that George Washington grew hemp on his farm for cordage. The county has approved about 4,000 acres for the production of hemp. Three of four crops can be produced in hot house environments. They can produce 5000 pounds per acre. It has an odor similar to marijuana. Certain oils such as CBD can be derived from this plant.

8-B Planning Commission's recommendations were accepted by the City Council, to wit: 1.Submit comments about amending the Downtown Specific Plan. 2.Direct City Staff to develop a Request Proposal and budget for City Council approval to select a consultant to update the Downtown Specific Plan.

8-C Council concluded that electric and natural gas technologies are available to achieve the climate goals and "we should be able to maintain local control and not be forced to use one source of energy over another". Staff's recommendation was approved to maintain local control of energy solutions.

8-D Staff recommended that the City Council: 1. Adopt the attached Resolution 19-3734 authorizing the City Manager to file a claim with the Ventura County Transportation Commission for the allocation of Transportation Development Act Funds for Fiscal Year 2019-20; and2. Approve the attached Budget Adjustment to recognize the actual TDA funding to be received for the FY 2019-20 budget. Council approved Staff's recommendation.

8-E REQUEST FOR DIRECTION REGARDING BILLING ISSUES. This lengthy agenda issue is available on the city's website. It concerns the method city should use to bill different groups for activities.

8-F TOWNE THEATRE. City Council, acting as the Successor Agency Board of Directors, providing comments and direction regarding the RFP for the Towne Theatre. City Council/Successor Agency Board authorized staff to solicit offers from private parties to purchase the Towne Theatre.

Maia Yasmine James, of Palmdale.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Maia Yasmine James (DOB 06/12/97), of Palmdale, was sentenced to eight years in state prison, following her June 21, 2019, convictions for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury. James also admitted special allegations that she inflicted great bodily injury, had a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent or higher and injured additional victims.

On the evening of October 13, 2017, James drove into oncoming traffic on Highway 126 east of Fillmore and struck two vehicles traveling in opposing lanes. The passenger in James’ car was killed. The driver and passenger of the first vehicle James struck were seriously injured. Two occupants of the second vehicle James struck were also injured. Investigation by the California Highway Patrol found that James had a blood alcohol content of 0.258 percent after the collision, more than three times the legal limit, and had consumed more than seven alcoholic drinks.

After James pled guilty to her crimes, and prior to her sentencing, she was arrested and charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol in San Diego County. Her case in San Diego County is still pending.

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The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims. Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice

Fillmore Unified School District

RESOLUTION NO. 19-20-03 CALLING FOR FULL AND FAIR FUNDING OF CALIFORNIA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WHEREAS, California has the sixth largest economy in the world, and the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any state in the nation; and

WHEREAS, despite California’s leadership in the global economy, the state falls in the nation’s bottom quintile on nearly every measure of public K-12 school funding and school staffing; and

WHEREAS, California ranks 45th nationally in the percentage of taxable income spent on education, 41st in per-pupil funding, 45th in pupil-teacher ratios and 48th in pupil-staff ratios; and

WHEREAS, K-12 school funding has not substantially increased, on an inflation-adjusted basis, for more than a decade; and

WHEREAS, under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), state funding for K-12 schools has only this year recently returned to levels predating the Great Recession of 2007; and

WHEREAS, the modest revenue increases since the implementation of LCFF have been eroded by rapidly increasing costs for health care, pensions, transportation and utilities; and

WHEREAS, 58 percent of California’s public school students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch (13 percent above the national average), and 23 percent of California students are English learners, more than twice the national average; and

WHEREAS, California’s investment in public schools is out of alignment with its wealth. its ambitions, its demographics and the demands of a 21st-century education; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, a bipartisan group of California leaders commissioned a report titled Getting Down to Facts, which stated it would take an additional $17 billion annually to meet the State Board of Education achievement targets for K-12 schools; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, a California School Boards Association (CSBA) report, California's Challenge: Adequately Funding Education in the 21st Century, updated the Getting Down to Facts data and determined that, adjusting for inflation, an additional $22 billion to $40 billion annually would be required to provide all public school students with access to a high-quality education; and

WHEREAS, California funds schools at roughly $1,961 per student less than the national average, which translates to approximately $3,462 per student when adjusted for California being a high-cost state; and

WHEREAS, California trails the average of the top 10 states by almost $7,000 in per-pupil funding; and

WHEREAS, in Robles-Wong v. State of California, a group of plaintiffs led by CSBA argued that California’s school funding system violated Article IX of the State Constitution by denying all students access to an education that prepares them for economic security and full participation in our democratic institutions; and

WHEREAS, the California Supreme Court declined to hear the case by a 4-3 margin, prompting Justice
Goodwin H. Liu to write: “It is regrettable that this court, having recognized education as a fundamental right in a landmark decision 45 years ago [Serrano v. Priest (1971) 5 Cal.3d 584], should now decline to address the substantive meaning of that right.”; and

WHEREAS, in order to prepare our students for participation in a democratic society and an increasingly competitive, technology-driven global economy, California must fund schools at a level sufficient to support student success; and
WHEREAS, despite its vast wealth, California has consistently underfunded public education while widening its scope, adding new requirements and raising standards without providing appropriate resources to prepare all students for college, career and civic life; and

WHEREAS, if California is to close opportunity and achievement gaps and create a public school system that offers consistently high levels of education, the State must provide schools with the resources to meet the needs of their specific populations;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the governing board of the FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT urges the State Legislature to fund California public schools at the national average or higher by the year 2020, and at a level that is equal to or above the average of the top 10 states nationally by 2025 and to maintain, at a minimum, this level of funding until otherwise decreed.

Adopted this 20th day of AUGUST, 2019.
Motion made by: Virginia De La Piedra
Second made by: Scott Beylik
List members voting “aye”: Scott Beylik, Kelli Couse, Virginia De La Piedra, Sean Morris, Lucy Rangel
List members voting “no”: 0
List members abstaining: 0
List members not present: 0

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board of Education
Virginia De La Piedra, 08/20/19
Virginia De La Piedra, Clerk

Starting September 6th at the Santa Paula Art Museum, Gabriel Cardenas of Fillmore will be instructing free weekly individual art projects, murals and more for teens ages 13 – 18 to learn design as well as develop their own artistic style. Photo courtesy Gabriel Cardenas.

Calling all creative teens! On Friday, September 6, 2019, the Santa Paula Art Museum will launch its new “Teen Art Group,” a free, weekly, hands-on art-making experience for local teens ages 13-18. Teens can join artist in residence Gabriel Cardenas for weekly, individual art projects, learn about design, techniques and materials, and explore their own personal style. The group will also help plan and paint public murals around Santa Paula! All teens and all skill levels are welcome. Participation is free. Teen Art Group will meet at the Santa Paula Art Museum every Friday evening from 4:30pm to 6:30pm starting September 6, 2019. Teens can find and follow the group on Instagram @teenartgroup.

Teen Art Group will be led by painter, musician and “artivist” Gabriel Cardenas. Cardenas is currently a graduate student at Cal State University, Northridge (CSUN) where he is pursuing research in Chicano Art politics and Muralism. Previously, Gabriel exhibited his art in and around Santa Barbara where he received his bachelor’s degree from UCSB. As a teacher and mentor to youth in the community, Gabriel has led various mural installation projects in places such as Ortega Park, La Cumbre Jr. High, Franklin Neighborhood Center, Isla Vista, and Carpinteria. As a Ventura County local, he has painted murals in Santa Paula, Saticoy, Oxnard and participated in art shows and pop-ups in Ventura as well. Gabriel’s hope is to teach, mentor and foster a generation of critical thinkers through the practice of art.

The Santa Paula Art Museum occupies two historic buildings located at 117 N 10th Street and 123 N 10th Street in downtown Santa Paula. The Museum features rotating exhibitions of vintage and contemporary art, creative classes for children and adults, family-friendly events, live musical performances, a gift shop, and more. Regular museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and Sunday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Regular admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for students and museum members. Contact the Museum by calling (805) 525-5554, or by e-mailing info@santapaulaartmuseum.org.

Bob Crum

A fellow photographer and friend provided fodder for this week's column when she emailed me a scathing, acrid, caustic, critique of my photography of late. It's OK. Belly buttons and opinions, everybody's got one. Furthermore, she loves firing salvos of rants with the declaration: Just trying to be helpful. Hmm.

She opined that as a photojournalist, I took too much artistic license with my photos. She obviously overlooked the significance of 'style', the artistic personality of a photographer.

On lensdiaries.com, paraphrasing Roland Gomez, explained that some photographer's have style, most don't. Many photographers don't even know what style is. Style, however, is a key ingredient that will identify a professional photographer from their colleagues and photography enthusiasts.

According to Gomez, photographic style is consistent, identifiable quality in a photographic body of work that portrays the artistic personality of the photographer. Plus a reflection of what the photographer saw and felt when making the photo.

Ultimately style is something that most photographers should develop but don't know how to achieve, Roland wrote. But all photographers passionate about their craft should strive to create their own personal style. I did exactly that years ago.

How does a photographer develop a style? Establish consistent shooting habits. This includes consistent exposure settings, composition, lens selection, lighting quality and all the other technical aspects of developing a photograph. Consistency is key." Will the majority of my followers agree that my photos have a consistent look? Does the aperture f/11 sound familiar? Histogram to the right wall?

As a photojournalist shooting events, my task is to tell their story with photos. But I'll pounce on every opportunity to photograph fantabulous landscapes and waterscapes. But rather than photojournalism influencing my landscape photography, the reverse is the reality. Years ago, I made the deliberate decision to initiate & add an artistic element, a style, to my photojournalism. The reason? Separate my photographic work from the mainstream. After all, it's a competitive business!

My friend has trouble reconciling my artistic photojournalism. But why do event photos have to be ho-hum run-of-the-mill images? As Roland mentioned, a photographic style is also interpreted or defined by the viewers. Over time it is hoped that viewers will recognize a style, a consistent theme in my photos. The reward of achieving a photographic style is that when you see my photos, you almost immediately associate them with my name. A sweet reward, indeed!

The photo of the week is Miss Fishbreath on a Ventura Harbor dock. I launched my new inflatable kayak, but because I don't have a waterproof case for it, I did not take my Canon 7D2 camera. What if I tip over the kayak? Instead, I took my 8-year old 'waterproof' Panasonic DMC-TS3 pocket camera. This ancient little digital camera sports a CCD resolution of 12-megapixels and 28-128mm zoom range when shooting still images. The zoom lens offers a slightly greater focal length of 30-140mm equivalent range. Apertures ranging from f/3.3 to f/10.0 at wide-angle, and f/5.9 to f/18.0 zoomed out.

If I accidentally tip over the kayak, I just need to climb back in and wipe off the lens of the camera and continue shooting. I paddled to within about 10 feet of Miss Fishbreath while she posed. As I was photoing her, a couple of sea lions tussling in the water next to me bumped the kayak! Whoa ho, that was an exciting moment! The kayak rocked a bit but didn't tip. Whew, that's one way to learn that the kayak is more stable than I thought. Happy photoing.

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

Enlarge Photo

The building that was Faith Community Church on the corner of Central Avenue and First Street will become a new housing site after a 5-0 vote of the city council.

The owner of the property plans to keep the exterior church structure and renovate the interior. A 26-unit apartment building is planned with commercial units on the ground floor.

The city council also approved an 18-unit condominium building for the UHaul business site at Fillmore and Main Street. It will be a three-story structure with six commercial spaces on the ground floor. This plan, proposed by owner Harold Foy,
was warmly received by the council. The property owner, Harold Foy, told the council he thinks his proposal is “a one-of-a-kind project, the likes of which I have not seen in Fillmore.”

“The owner of the church property is Alex Glasscock, who also owns The Ranch Malibu, a luxury fitness retreat in the Santa Monica Mountains near the Ventura and Los Angeles County line.”...”We found an amazing piece of property that might have gone vacant, and we have some experience repurposing and restoring special properties,” he told the council. (Ventura County
Star)

Fabian Garibay, 26 of Fillmore.

On August 14th 2019, Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Gang Unit were conducting an investigation into Fabian Garibay, a documented gang member out of Fillmore. Fabian Garibay was the suspect of several crimes committed in the cities of Port Hueneme, Oxnard, and Fillmore.

Gang Unit Detectives, with the assistance of Fillmore Station Patrol Deputies, contacted Fabian Garibay in an alleyway of the 500 block of Kensington Drive in Fillmore. While executing a signed search warrant on Garibay, he was found in possession of a loaded handgun, gang indicia, and drug paraphernalia. The handgun was later confirmed to be stolen out of Port Hueneme.

Garibay was booked into custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail facility for violation of PC 25850(a) – Carrying a loaded Firearm on One’s Person, PC 25400(a) – Carrying a Concealed Firearm, PC 27545 – Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm and PC 496(a) – Receiving Stolen Property. Fabian Garibay remains in custody with bail set at $105,000.

Nature of Incident: Gang Member in Possession of Stolen Firearm
Report Number: 19-127807
Location: 500 block of Kensington Drive, Fillmore
Date & Time: August 14, 2019 / 5:15 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Fillmore Station Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S1) Fabian Garibay, 26, Fillmore
Prepared by: Detective Erik Hernandez
Approved by: Captain Brian Slominski

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Isaias Arana, 24 of San Fernando.

(Courtesy KVTA)

A man who kidnapped his estranged wife at gunpoint near Fillmore earlier this year has admitted his crimes.

24-year-old Isaias Arana of San Fernando pleaded guilty to kidnapping, first degree residential burglary, false imprisonment by violence, battery, and disobeying a domestic relations court order.

Prosecutors say it happened on April 24th in the 100 block of Hopper Canyon Road between Fillmore and Piru.

They say Arana shot out of window to gain entry into the home even though there was a baby inside along with three women, including his estranged wife.

Prosecutors say he then kidnapped her and drove to the San Fernando Valley where she managed to escape and find her way back to Ventura County as Arana was arrested by LA County authorities and returned to Ventura County to face charges.

Arana had been arrested for attempted murder but prosecutors decided not to file that charge.

He remains in the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $1 million until he is sentenced on September 10th.

Arana is facing 23 years in state prison.

At last night’s School board meeting FHS Campus Security Joe Woods spoke in support of the FUTA who wore red to in protest of the actions of FUSD managers.

Resolution No. 19-20-03 Calling for Full and Fair Funding of California's Public Schools
The Governing Board adopted Resolution No. 19-20-03 Calling for Full and Fair Funding of California’s Public Schools.

Enrollment by School Site Presentation
The Governing Board received information from Andrea McNeill, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, regarding enrollment by school site.

Advanced Placement Results, Spring 2019
The Governing Board received information from Micheline G. Miglis, Assistant Superintendent, Education Services, regarding Advanced Placement Results, Spring 2019.

CAASPP Test Results, Spring 2019
The Governing Board received information from Micheline G. Miglis, Assistant Superintendent, Education Services, regarding CAASPP Test Results, Spring 2019.

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

Bob Crum

Two old trucks are my rides: A Ford Ranger for rumbling around town, an F350 dually for long hauls. A fireman next door recently bought a Chevy Colorado truck. Instantly reminded about how much I miss the aroma of a new truck wafting through the cab. Upon checking the MSRP of the Colorado diesel crew cab long box 4-wheel drive truck I was instantly reminded about how much I don't miss new vehicle payments. Yet lust prevails.

Photographically speaking, a friend did what I often think about doing: He bought a new Olympus OM-D E-M1X camera and a couple of superlicious lenses. Unmercifully teasing me about its prima facie attributes, I revisited the Olympus website. The OM-D E-M1X MSRP is another budget buster. I glanced at my Canon 7D Mark II camera and was instantly reminded that it still works well. A strong reason for continuing to love what I have and forego coveting the latest-greatest camera. Yet lust prevails.

Lust constrained by the budget is depressing, especially when a relentless itch for adventure persists. So, I did something that is not only considerably more affordable, it also allows me to party hearty with mermaids. Since the ocean is too cold to swim around in with the damsels of the sea, I bought an inflatable Driftsun Rover 120 kayak!

Seriously, a kayak enables me to fulfill a desire to photograph many scenic locations from a different perspective. For example, I have photographed the intriguing tufas of Mono Lake but always from the shore. I yearn to photograph the majestic tufas from the lake. I have also photographed Lake Tahoe but again only from the shoreline. I envision photoing Lake Tahoe's Sand Harbor from the lake.

I opted for an inflatable because, even full of air, the Rover 120 weighs only 22 pounds. My aging body can tote this boat. Collapsed, the kayak fits nicely into a sturdy bag--inflates in five minutes. The paddle breaks down to four sections. And the bow has a camera mount! I wonder if AAA offers emergency harbor/river/lake service.

In the bag, I can take the kayak on an Island Packers boat to Santa Cruz Island and paddle around to photograph the sea caves. For more exciting adventures, kayak the upper Kern River and record video of the trip. If I have to portage, the kayak's lightweight makes it doable. BTW, the Rover 120 is rated for up to Class 3 rapids. In a word: Exciting!

However, my Canon 7D2 is not waterproof! Hence, I need a "waterproof" (action) camera. With an action camera, you'd be right to postulate that I intend to shoot video in addition to stills. A lot more video! More learning curves. But not always learning is a boring life, isn't it?

I narrowed the choices to a GoPro Hero 7 Black or the recently introduced DJI Osmo Action camera. However, Photo Rumors said GoPro might be releasing Hero 8 this September. Photo Rumors is reporting the action camera will support 4K video at 120 fps and full HD at 480 fps, all powered by a 12-megapixel sensor and GoPro-designed GP2 chipset and improved lens design for better image quality. Slam on the brakes! Best to wait to compare the expected Hero 8 with the DJI Osmo Action cam.

Attention kayakers! I initiated the "Southern California Kayakers" group on Facebook. All SoCal kayakers are encouraged to join. Requirement: Own a kayak; hardshell or inflatable.

My favorite stilt-walking couple at the Fair is my photo of the week. Happy photoing!

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