The Chairman’s Corner
Shortly, as 1998 rolls around, we will be seeing the new more colorful AQ. This means that almost one-half of all the AOS awards given during the year will be depicted in color. Therefore, it has become imperative that we and our photographers strive to obtain the best possible photos as chances are good half could be published, if not all, depending on how high the quality might be. Starting in January, AOS will return to the Center Chair any photo they deem unpublishable. The Center Chair will in turn notify the show chairperson so that the matter will be rectified at the next show.
(Ed: See the article on page 6: Important New Photo Protocol).
This coming spring there will be 12 shows in our Center’s area during the first 18 weeks of 1998 plus the International show in Miami. ( A show schedule appears later in this newsletter.) This points out very vividly the great interest and popularity of orchids in our area. It is obvious that we have more shows per annum than most, if not all, of the 26 other AOS Judging Centers. As this interest continues and more new societies are formed the number of show will continue to increase. It is conceivable that soon after the turn of the century all 18 weeks will be full.
This will be my final column as Chair of the Florida North-Central Judging Center as I will step down on December 31, 1997 and Doris Dukes will take over as the new Chair. Although my tenure as Chair has been short, for the most part it has been a very pleasant one. We have a very fine group of judges and students in our Center who are completely dedicated to the program. This dedication soon became obvious when I took over the reign as Chair. Not once when I asked an individual to serve on a committee or to help me solve a problem was I turned down. No matter what the request nor how busy the individual was the answer was always Yes. Their dedication is also obvious when it comes to judging a show or attending Center judgings. It seems that no matter how early I arrive, at least 50% or more of the judges of all ranks, whether student, probationary or accredited, are there.
In closing I want to thank each and every judge and student for their support and encouragement during my tenure. Knowing that you all were behind me (may be not very close at times) made my job a lot easier and much more pleasant. Again to all I say a heartful thanks.
Our Center’s WEB SITE
htpp://www.orchidjudges.org
Visit our Center’s web site . Record your visit and leave your constructive comments. All judges will be receiving a biographical sketch form in the near future for accumulation of biographical information to be posted on the web site and in a new series in this newsletter: Know Your Judges. If you don’t want your information to appear, just neglect to return the form.
REMINDERS
To Judges and Show Chairmen
From the Vice-Chairperson
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At shows a judge show be assigned to oversee the photographer’s choice of flowers and the appropriate pose for each award. This is to assure that the slides will be as accurate as possible.
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Please return your ‘invitation to judge’ reply to society shows as soon as possible after receiving. This is an expected courtesy to the society and a necessity to the judging chairman. It’s also a reflection on the Center as well as a personal reflection of manners. Most judges are exemplary in this. Lets strive to make it all judges.
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The training coordinators need to have the space number of the AOS Show Trophy winning exhibit entered on the summary sheet in order to make comparisons with student judges’ exhibit evaluations. Those of you who serve as Judging Chairman at shows please make a note of this.
WELCOME!
A hearty welcome to the Deep South Orchid Society, Savannah, Georgia, which has affiliated itself with the Florida North Central Center. Most of our judges are familiar with this Society as many of us have judged their shows for many years and, of course , Sandy Leopold, is one of us. But, remember, judging at this show will no longer give you a credit for judging an out of center area show. Notwithstanding this minor disadvantage, lets all make a special effort to attend the show judging on February 27, 1998, and let Deep South and all the folks in Savannah know that they made a good decision.
IMPORTANT
NEW PHOTO PROTOCOL
To all Center photographers, orchid show photographers, Center chairpersons, orchid show chairpersons, and all judges:
Paul G. Bechtel, Chairman, AOS Judging Committee, has announced the following photographic protocol, effective immediately:
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A judge must be assigned to assist with award photo posing to capture the best pose and show the quality for which each plant was awarded (yes, this may be a hardship, but necessary - especially with show photos which, as you know, are often the least usable). Single-flower close-ups of multiple-flower plants are NOT acceptable except in extreme cases (e.g., problematic inflorescences).
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Use at least a FULL roll of 36 exposure film for each award slide set, without exception.
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Measure the optimum exposure (using the greatest available depth of filed for focus. Shoot the required 30 original slides at this exposure, PLUS one extra for center archiving (emergency use).
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Shoot the remainder of the roll, bracketing one frame at +1 stop over the optimum exposure, one frame at +2, one frame at +3, one frame at -1, one frame at -2, one frame at -3, if frames remain on the roll shoot one each at +4 and-4 f-stop, and so on TO THE ROLL’S END.
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Process the film ONLY at premium quality laboratories, such as Kodak (service available through practically any chain drugstore), A&I, Mission Country, Dale’s.
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Label all the slides properly AND additionally label the bracketed-exposure slides with the appropriate f-stop notation (i.e., +1, +2, +3, +4, -1, -2, -3, -4, etc.).
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Send the 36 or more slides, holding the Center’s archival slide, to AOS headquarters WITHIN SIX WEEKS OF JUDGING. If photographers wish slides for their own use they should use a separate camera and film (not chargeable to AOS); be given the Center’s archival slide after its replacement is distributed by HQ; or lap the total exposures over multiple rolls - providing the 37-38 slides(including the bracketed six or seven and the center’s archival) to the Center Chair.
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Note: AOS will reimburse for only one full roll per award. AND, AOS will refuse payment for inadequate quality or quantity of photos from monthly Centers received after Jan. 1, 1998.
Some Internet Sites of Interest
In addition to visiting our Center’s site (address on page 1), some interesting sites containing many orchid photos, try the following:
The Orchid Photo Page. htpp//www/flinet.com/~grega/orchids/index.htm. Developed and maintained by Greg Alikas of W. Palm Beach. This is one of, if not the best, all around orchid photo pages. Great photography - just waiting for your downloading. I used his photo of L. anceps var. veitchiana ‘Ft. Caroline’, HCC/AOS, as my desktop background.
Orchidees de France et d’Europe.
htpp//hp9.gcq.v-psvd.fr:8000/welcome.html. Click on English at main page. Then click on Images in left column for lush photos of such things as: Ophrys ciliata, Cephalanthera rubra, Limodorum abortivum (great!).
Paphiopedelium species. http//www/ladyslipper.com/paphsp.htm. Photos of multiple clones of Paph. species, many awarded clones.
A new Venezuelan orchid site can be found at: http:geocities.com/RainForest/4729
More addresses in future issues. If you know of any interesting sites that you would like to share with others, please drop me a line or E-mail. The Editor.