Wednesday, December 17, 2014

District Info and reminders

We now have the information for the County and District Photography Contests.  Remember, District is NOT a qualifying event; all Juniors - Seniors may participate at District without having first competed at county.  However, having the feedback from the judges at county sure does help, and county is FREE to participate.  :-)

Everyone may participate at County and it, again, entry is FREE.   The deadline to enter County is January 7th at 5:00 pm.  All entries need to be emailed to Willie and in the format specified in the State guidelines, so please be sure to read those.  Judging will take place the following week and results will be posted here on the blog.


The District Office will be accepting entries until February 17, 2015. All contestant registration
information should be completed on 4-H Connect by this date. All pictures must be received by the
due date and in the specified format or the entry will be disqualified.

Entry fees for the District contest are $8.00 per person plus $.50 per photo. You will be notified as
soon as the contest registration becomes available on 4-H Connect.

Entries will be showcased in a running slide presentation during District Roundup on April 25,
2015. Selected photos will also be used on the District 5 website and may be used for marketing

and promotion efforts.

County and District will follow the same guidelines as the State contest, so please be sure to read those carefully.

***Remember; any photo taken as of January 2014- the contest deadline is eligible, so if you took some great photos last Easter, summer vacation, church  camp, etc. submit them.  :-)

We are right in the middle of the holidays, so be sure to keep those cameras handy.  Remember, some of the BEST photos are not staged; they just happen.  Be ready Christmas morning for the surprised/happy shots.  The "bed hair" from the little ones, etc.  Be creative and direct the family in some photos, or the pets.  Don't forget about New Years and the outdoor light displays, etc.  AND THE FOOD.  :-)  Practice the techniques and HAVE FUN.  :-)  Don't forget about weather changes; we have had some GORGEOUS sunsets and cloud patterns lately.  There are 15 categories you can enter; take advantage of them.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

NEW Photography contest: Photo Judging

About a year ago a new project was added to the 4-H Program; Photography Judging.

This project teaches students HOW to judge a photo.  It teaches them what to look for such as composition, lighting, subject matter, etc.  The same things judges look for in the photography project when the kids submit the photos.

This could be a HUGE benefit for those who like to take photos, and who enter photos to the photography contest.  This will help you learn to better judge your own photos to help you improve.

The photo judging project is an individual as well as a team project.  For county and district we can have Jr., Int. and Sr. teams participate.  District will be held at District Roundup in April.

This is NOT an advancing project, much like the photography project itself.  It is an invitational event at State Roundup, which means if we can get  intermediate and senior teams together then we can plan to go to State Roundup.  ;-)  This would be a wonderful experience, especially for the intermediates.

There will be an informational meeting about this project on December 9th at 6:30 at the Extension Office.  If your child is interested please attend if at all possible to get more information. Otherwise you may contact Wendy Emprimo to get the information.

This will also be a project that will require several classes/workshops.  One of the things we will decide at the meeting is when we can meet to do this.  Tabitha Patterson will be doing the teaching.

We would LOVE to have at least one or two Intermediate and Senior teams to take to state to represent Cherokee County.  This would be the first year this project is being done in our county and we are very excited about it.

State Roundup is the week of June 8th - 12th with the photo judging contest being held on June 9th.  More info on that will be at the meeting.  

We look forward to seeing you all there!!  :-)

Monday, November 17, 2014

Workshop Cancelled!

Due to the impending storms/cold the weatherman is calling for this weekend we are going to reschedule the photography workshop.  As soon as I have a date from Tabitha I will let y'all know.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Photography Camp


***Deadline to register is November 28th.  Register at 4-H Connect****
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
Photography Safari
Patti Suler
Northwest Houston Photo  Club
Patti and the Safari Guides will take you on a field experience for a real life photography outing.  Youth will learn the basics of composition and what makes an interesting photo. They will work with the photographers on a scavenger hunt of interesting subject matter.  The safari review conducted at the end of the day will offer participants opportunities for feedback on their best shots.  Bring your cameras and a media card.

Wanderlust for Travel Photography
Wayne R. Wendel
Bridgeland Photography Club
Wayne will take you on his unique adventures and share the rules of thumb for travel photography.  His presentation will include basic elements of photography, equipment, and composition to telling the story of your trip through pictures.  This will be an adventure you will not want to miss.  Bring your camera and wanderlust for traveling.

Wizard of Macro
William Banik
Houston Photographic Society 
William plans to get participants so close to insects that the details will be awesome.  He shares all the techniques for adapting equipment to capture amazing creatures.  Participants will learn the secrets of getting close up and personal with the subject. "The Wizard" will pull the curtain on the technology that makes it all happen

Wicked Photography!
Paul Batchelder
Northwest Houston Photo Club
"Wicked Photography" challenges participants to capture sensational images using low light, night and other dark specialties.  Join Paul Batchelder to explore easy and creative ways to shoot stunning photos.  This interactive program includes: Low Light - Night Shooting, Black and White, Stop Action, Aerial Photography, Zoom Blur, and Fireworks. Bring your camera.

Painting with Light
George R. Phile
Houston Photographic Society 
George will create magic with light and guide participants to explore the techniques  for of painting with light.  Participants will need to know how to do a time exposure on their camera and bring a tripod.  This will be close up work in a dark room using flashlights, cameras, tripods and your imagination!

Nature Seekers
Cletus D. Lee
Houston Camera Club
Nature Seekers will explore the unique beginnings to a new perspective on nature photography and take you on a journey to perfect your hunting skills. This session will cover all the basics from equipment to shutter speed and seeking out the right subject.  Cletus will provide a short field experience filled with nature observation and still life set up. Bring your camera and adventurous spirit. 

Monday, October 20, 2014

Reminder!!!

The Holidays are HERE!!!!

There will be many opportunities to get some great shots in the next few months.  Costumes; night photography of those Jack-O-Lanters; FOOD, presents, lights, family and friends....  the list is endless.  Keep your camera with you and take advantage of this time of year.  :-)



Thursday, October 9, 2014

On Location Workshop

We had a great photography workshop tonight!  :-)  Our next workshop will be an "on location": workshop at Jim Hogg Park on November 22nd at 7:00 am.  Bring your cameras and come ready to learn and HAVE FUN.  :-)  Date may change if we have bad weather, so keep watching for information.  :-)

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Tonight's Workshop is CANCELLED

Due to the impending weather the workshop scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for next Thursday, October 9th, at 6:30 at the Extension Office. We just don't want to risk the little ones and parents possibly having to be out in the 60 mph wind, rain and possible hail.  But, it would make a cool  photo if you have the right settings and could do it SAFELY!  ;-)  See you next week!!  :-)

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Workshop Reminder

Just a reminder that the photography workshop will be tomorrow night (Thursday, Oct. 2nd) at the Extension Office.  We will meet at 6:30.  If you already have some photos for Ms. Tabitha to look at go ahead and bring them.  :-)

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

4-H/FFA Agrigultural Photography Contest

**  This is NOT the regular photography project contest**


The Texas State Preservation Board in partnership with the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program are pleased to present an annual photography contest for members of the Texas 4-H and FFA Programs. This photography contest allows 4-H and FFA members to showcase Texas Agriculture through photos.

A select number of the photographs will be displayed in the Texas State Capitol Agriculture Museum starting in January 2015 before the opening of the Legislative Session. Selected photographs will feature a place card with the photographer's name, city, and age. Photos will remain on display for one year in the Agriculture Museum.

Entry Period:  September 19, 2014 to December 10, 2014


2014-2015 Guidelines Are Available



The rules and guidelines for this year are available.  These are the rules for State, but County and District will also follow these rules.

However, there is no cost to enter the county level and everyone from Pee Wee to Senior may participate at the county level. I would encourage you to enter all 15 categories at the county level.  :-) 

There will be a small fee to enter the district level.  Last year it was $8 for the first photo and 50 cents for each entry after that.

Only Seniors, age 14 and up, may enter the state level.  The cost for that is $10.00 per photo.  

You do not have to enter advance in the photo contest.  That means you can enter district without having participated at county.  However, I would strongly encourage you to enter each division to receive feedback from the judges at each level.  This would definitely be a good idea for the Seniors wanting to compete at State.

***  Please not the following changes in this year's rules***

Theme:  The theme is "Inspiration". This year the theme will focus on pictures of subjects that move and inspire YOU.  Photos can include photos of leaders, mentors, family, friends, things in your community, school, church, or across the country and world.  Examples include images of family members, a leader/teacher or someone that you look up to, something in nature, or things that give you daily inspiration.

Changes:  Due to past issues with photographs not be sized or formatted correctly, the contest now has a size criteria.  All photos must be 8x10 in size. Photos should be at least 800 pixels by 1000 pixels. The ideal 8×10 quality is 2400 pixels by 3000 pixels, which is the same as an 8×10 photo at 300 dpi (resolution). Higher variations of the 8×10 ratio are allowed but the final file size may not be larger than 2,048k (2MB).  County Extension Agents are encouraged to work with volunteers and project leaders to stress the importance of instructing 4-H members on this basic photography skill.  

Remember that photos taken between January 1, 2014 through April 2015 are eligible for entry.

There will be a Workshop on October 2nd, 6:30, at the Extension Office for all of those interested. 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

We have a workshop!! :-)

The first photography workshop for the 2014-2015 4-H year will be held October 2nd at 6:30.  We will meet at the Extension Office in Rusk. Tabitha will go over the rules/guidelines set by the State 4-H office.  We HOPE to have this years Theme and any changes that have been made by then, but if not it is pretty much the same each year, so will go over last year's rules.  

Tabitha will also cover basic photography tips with the kids. Remember, any photo that the children have taken since January 2014 is eligible, so if you have already taken photos this year bring them with you and let Tabitha take a look and give you some feedback.  :-)

If you would like to familiarize yourself with last year's rules you may do so here: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/files/2014/01/13-14_Photo_Rulesjan14.pdf

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

East Texas State Fair Reminder

Just a reminder; the East Texas State Fair is September 19th-28th.  If you plan to enter the Photography Contest, the deadline is in August.  For all of the rules and categories, just visit the website

Parents, you can enter this too!!  :-)

This is not a 4-H event, but it sure is fun and the experience would look great in a record book.  ;-)

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

913 Camp 2014

913 Camp info.  Passing this on from Willie.  If you have not received the summer newsletter from the Extension Office, please let me know and I'll forward it to you.  :-)  

Youth 912 Camp Gets A New Name… Youth 913 Camp is Just Around the Corner

Our 3rd Annual Youth Camp will be held on July 22nd – 25th at the Cherokee County Expo Center in Jacksonville.  This camp will follow a similar format as the two previous years.  It will be a hands-on day camp for kids ages 9 to 13 years old from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. This camp is meant to be an introduction to some of the major projects that 4-H has to offer.  Though the final schedule has not been set, the topics covered will range from Livestock & Animal Projects (large & small), Dog Projects, Food & Fashion Projects, Entomology & Horticulture Projects, Shooting Sports Projects (Archery & Rifle), Public Speaking Projects, Consumer Decision Making Projects and Water Education & Appreciation. 

Meals, snacks and refreshments will be provided.  You may pre-register for this camp by contacting the County Extension Office at (903) 683-5416. We will then send you the registration form that you can either mail in or drop off in person by the registration deadline (July 16th). This camp is open to non-4-H members as well as 4-H members.  In fact, if you are a member and planning to attend, you are encouraged to bring a non-4-H member with you to camp.  

Enrollment fees for this camp are as follows:
Non-Member: $90.00
Current 4-H Member: $60.00

If a family will have multiple siblings attending camp, a declining schedule will be applied to each subsequent enrollee.  First child enrolls at full rate; each additional child enrolls at $10 less than the child before them.  Example: Family with three non-members attending would be $90+$80+$70=a savings of $30.00.

Remember the deadline to register is July 16th at 5:00 p.m.  A late registration is open on the 17th and 18th fee of $15.00 will assessed to each enrollee.  
____________________________________________________________
Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.



Friday, April 25, 2014

East Texas State Fair 2014 Photo Contest

As the school year is beginning to wrap up and everyone looking forward to summer vacation, let's not forget that this also means the time to enter the photography contest at the East Texas State Fair is also approaching.  Keep those camera's handy this summer, and take A  LOT of photos.   :-)  Don't forget, this is done by age division, and adults may enter as well.

The Photography Contest information has been updated and posted on the ETSF Website – www.etstatefair.com

·         Find all the rules for the contest
·         Find registration and submission information
·         Register online by clicking Register under Items.  Please register online by August 22nd.

You will submit your entries to the East Texas State Fair Office August 25-29 or September 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
Please have the Photo Identification form printed, completed, and attached to the back of your photo.  When you bring your entries, you will complete entry tags and pay the entry fees for your photos.

Other Contests you may be interested in:
Creative Arts Contest – Pre-Register by September 3; Submit entries September 4 (3:30 to 6:00) or September 6 (9:00 to 1:00).
Horticulture Show – Register by September 12; Submit entries September 26.
Fun Photo Contests – More info coming soon to the website – “Show Us Your Selfie” and “Funny Holiday Photos”
Livestock Show – September 19-28; Register by August 29
Pasture and Wildlife Plant Identification Contest – September 19; FFA & 4-H Teams should register by September 13
Details about these contests and more are on the ETSF website.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Another photography contest, and adults may enter! :-)

The Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents (TAE4-HA), a professional Extension organization for County Extension Agents, Specialists, and Extension Administrators for the purpose of professionalism, collaboration, and youth development. The members from District IV delegation are hosting a photography contest for youth and adults to provide scholarship funds for district level 4-H leadership events, such as Fall Focus, District Lockin and Leadership Lab.

ALL photos must be received by the District IV Photography Committee Chair by 5 p.m. on May 15, 2014.
Late entries will not be accepted.

Addressed to:
ATTN: D4TAE4-HA Photography Contest
C/O Dr. Tamra McGaughy
10056 Marsh Ln, Suite B-101
Dallas Texas, 75229

Contest participation will cost $10.00 for the first photo and $1.00 for each additional photo per individual. Payment can be check or money orders only and should be mailed with photo submissions. Payment should be made out to D4AE4-HA Photography Contest. Photos will not be consider as an entry until payment is received.

See the following for more details. All questions regarding this contest can be sent to Dr. Tamra McGaughy, District IV Photography Committee Chair at tdmcgaughy@ag.tamu.edu or 214-904-3061.


Purpose 

The Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents (TAE4-HA), a professional Extension organization for County Extension Agents, Specialists, and Extension Administrators for the purpose of professionalism, collaboration, and youth development. The members from District IV delegation voted to host a photography contest to provide scholarship funds for district level 4-H leadership events, such as Fall Focus, District Lockin and Leadership Lab. 


Contest Dates and Submissions 

ALL photos must be received by the District IV Photography Committee Chair by 5 p.m. on May 15, 2014. 

Late entries will not be accepted. Addressed to: ATTN: D4AE4-HA Photography Contest, C/O Dr. Tamra McGaughy, 10056 Marsh Ln, Suite B-101, Dallas Texas, 75229. 


Contest Categories 

This contest will compliment the Texas 4-H Photography Contest categories. Contestants may submit one photo per category. Category descriptions can be found at: http://texas4-.tamu.edu/photography_contest under the State 4-H Contest heading



 ANIMALS - DOMESTIC 

 ANIMALS - WILDLIFE 

 CATCH-ALL 

 DETAILS & MACRO 

 DIGITAL DARKROOM 

 DOMINANT COLOR 

 ELEMENTS OF DESIGN 

 FOOD 

 MARINE/AQUATIC 

 NATURE & LANDSCAPE 

 NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY 

  PEOPLE 

 PLANT/FLORA 

 THEME: What is Your WHY? 


Age Divisions 

Participation will be divided into four divisions Age must be calculated as of January 1, 2014. 4-H membership is not required for participation in this contest, but participants must reside in Texas. 

 Juniors: Youth ages 8 to 10 

 Intermediates: Youth ages 11 to 13 

 Seniors: Youth ages 14 to 18 

 Adults: Any person 19 and older, amateur photographers only 



Contest Cost 

Contest participation will cost $10.00 for the first photo and $1.00 for each additional photo per individual. 

Payment can be check or money orders only and should be mailed with photo submissions. Payment should be made out to D4AE4-HA Photography Contest. Photos will not be consider as an entry until payment is received. 


Contest Prizes 

Awards will be given for the best photo in each age division per category and the best overall all photo per age division (total 60 prizes). All winning photos will be on display during the 2014 State TAE4-HA Conference in San Angelo and will be kept for further viewing at the discretion of the committee. All other photos will be returned to the local county Extension office. Division Winners will receive $100, Category Winners (per age division) will receive 50% of the category proceeds or $10, which ever is greater. 


Contest Results 

All winners will be notified no later than July 1, 2014. 


Photography Contest Guidelines 

 Submit photos consistent with the content guidelines for each division. All photos must have been taken during the previous year. Category descriptions can be found at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/photography_contest under the State 4-H Contest heading. 

 Photos will only be considered for contest prizes if they meet the blue quality standard. Red quality and white quality photos will not be eligible for top prizes. See the above link for judging criteria standards. 

 Each contestant may enter one photo per category. 

 Youth are allowed to enter a photo previously submitted in a county, district, or state level contest during the 2013– 2014 4-H year. 

 Adult may also enter this contest. (Amateur photographers only). Photos must have been taken in the last 18 months. 

 Each photo must be the original work of the person submitting the photo. 

 Photos must not be edited, altered, or digitally enhanced. Slight computer-enhanced photos are allowed – such as cropping, trimming, and red eye reduction – but photos altered by using computer graphics or color changing,. Extreme Photo-shopping will be disqualified, unless permitted in the select category description. 

 Entrants are not permitted to place borders or frames around their images. Do not place watermarks, signatures, dates, or copyright notice on their images. 

 Photos may be submitted as color, black and white, or sepia tone. 

 All photos must be permanently mounted on a non-frame board that may be of 5mm foam board or mat board no larger than 8 ” X 10″ but no smaller than 5“ X 7”. Masonite, photo folders, corrugated cardboard or thin poster board is not acceptable. Double faced tape, glue or rubber cement is not allowed for mounting purposes. An adhesive spray or special adhesive board is best. Mat Framing (of any kind) is not allowed and will result in disqualification. 

 All photos must be submitted with a photo label on the back giving the following information: contestant name, age (as of January 1, 2014), county of residence, and category entered. 

 No Photo Stories will be accepted. Individual photos only, please. 

 All photos must be received by May 15, 2014. 

Please contact Dr. Tamra McGaughy at tdmcgaughy@ag.tamu.edu or 214-904-3061, with any questions.



Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Best in Show for Jr. and Sr.

I do apologize for this being late, but wanted to make sure it was  posted.  There was a "glitch" and some photos were judged a little late.  However, we have the scores now, and we are very pleased to announce that Best in Show for the Jr. division is Kendall Filer for her entry in " Details/Macro".  Kendall is with Cloverleaf 4-H Club.

David Wingard won Best in Show for the Senior division with his entry in "Nature/Landscape".


We are very proud of all of the participants.  Keep taking lots of pictures, and don't stop having fun and learning.  

Friday, February 14, 2014

District Photography Deadline

Accordeing to the District 5 website, the deadline to enter the District photography contest is MONDAY, February 17th.  So, get those entries together this weekend and get them in.  :-)

Remember, this event is open to Jr.-Sr. participants. You MUST register with 4honline.com .  To enter it is $8 and $0.50 for each photo.



Monday, February 10, 2014

Workshop Canceled

Due to possible impending "yucky", cold weather the workshop scheduled for tomorrow night is canceled.  I have contacted Willie and asked him to mail everyone's judges forms to you.  Remember, the deadline to enter district is Feb. 15th.

Monday, February 3, 2014

We will have one more photography workshop before the district deadline.  We will meet at the Extension Office in Rusk Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30.  That is the same night as the County Council, but I don't think that will be a conflict for many of you.  

We will go over the judges comments with you, give you your ribbons and then you can decide if you want to send any of your photos on to district.

The deadline to enter the district contest is Feb. 15th and you must register at 4honline.com

Remember, only JRs - SRs compete at District.  Come on and join us.  You all did a wonderful job.  Remember, as long as you learned something and had FUN then it was a fantastic project.  :-)

Friday, January 31, 2014

County Photography results are in.  I am trying to schedule one more workshop before the District deadline, which is set for February 15th.  

Remember, even if you did not compete at the county level you can still participate at the district level.  :-)

Animal Wildlife
Addison Filer
RED
Aquatic
David Windgard
RED
Catch All
Trey Shipman
RED
Catch All
Connor Thornton
RED
Catch All
Jackson Thornton
RED
Catch All
David Windgard
RED
Darkroom
Trey Shipman
BLUE
Element of Design
Addison Filer
RED
Element of Design
Connor Thornton
RED
Element of Design
Jackson Thornton
RED
Details & Macro
Jackson Thornton
BLUE
Details & Macro
David Windgard
RED
Nature & Landscape
Kendall Filer
RED
Nature & Landscape
Trey Shipman
BLUE
Nature & Landscape
David Windgard
RED
Plants & Flora
Kendall Filer
WHITE
Plants & Flora
Connor Thornton
RED
Plants & Flora
Jackson Thornton
RED
People
Connor Thornton
RED
People
Trey Shipman
RED


Congratulations to Trey Shipman for receiving "Best in Show" for his Nature/Landscape photo.