Bob Crum

Photo by Bob Crum.
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Photo by Bob Crum.
Enlarge Photo

Photo by Bob Crum.
Enlarge Photo

Don't forget the calendar project previously suggested. No time to waste. January is almost gone!

Consider creating a folder on your computer's desktop titled “Calendar Photos”. As you photograph events throughout the year, put them in the folder. Photos don't have to necessarily be shot in any given month. Just shoot events or travel photos throughout the year. Store them all in the Calendar folder. Come November, review all the photos and cull to 12. I'll then present printing options. Think family heirlooms! BTW, I'm already working on my calendar project. First photo is already in the folder. Woohoo!

Last week's column about my becoming a colorati created some buzz. Ron G. emailed, in part: “What's with the art? I thought this was a photography column.” Ahem... it's both. April H. emailed: “Did you create the art?” Yes and no. First, I bought an adult coloring book titled “Art Nouveau Designs. It's not an “adult” book in 'that' sense of the word though it contains a lush gallery of sensuous art nouveau designs that spotlights the works of Alphonse Mucha. Love Mucha. If I was an illustrator like Mucha I'd make moocha moola!

Coloring books? Well, some days are stressful. Wine has its limitations you know. Not only is coloring art relaxing, it's also meditative in and of itself, bringing about calmness through the simple act of coloring. More importantly, what I'm learning through coloring applies to color photography. Stay tuned.

I lack the talent to create art as in plein air... the act of painting outdoors with oils, acrylics or whatever. You know, like real artists. But I love colors and coloring. After all, color a template or capture a photographic image, rendered and captured images can be mixed, edited or both. You see, there is a good reason for becoming a colorati.

As a photographer, I'm acutely conscious of color. Specifically accurate color. Because of the nature of digital camera sensors, colors are sometimes skewed. The degree varies with the nature of the light. Nevertheless, it necessitates color correction in photo processing. Green faces are fine when photoing Martians but not humans!

Selecting colors to apply to art is not without issues. The more I learn, the more complicated color gets. Such as color schemes: Monochromatic, Analogous, or Complementary. Primary colors, secondary colors and tertiary colors. Split complimentary, triads, tetrads and key colors. I needed help! So I bought a color wheel, a guide to mixing & blending colors. Another learning curve. But as Bill Gates & Warren Buffett said: “If you’re not spending five hours per week learning, you’re being irresponsible.” Safe to color me responsible!

In the meantime, I am presently coloring with reckless abandon because according to Article III of Bob's Coloring Bill of Rights, when taking Artistic License, there is no right or wrong way to mix, hash or mash colors. Uh oh, I'll bet this prompts purists to protest (be nice).

Big waves due Friday & Saturday said the weatherman. Large waves crashing on the shore are disastrous for mermaids but always interesting photo ops. Think about wave force against unmovable boulders. So last Saturday I gathered my gear and excitedly drove to my secret spot near Magu Rock. Waves were not huge. Nondescript sunset without clouds. Disappointed yet better than sitting home brewing tea. Photo of the Week is one of the biggest splashes. Check fillmoregazette.com for my photo titled The Sun Kissing the Ocean. Note the not-so-huge wave! C'est la vie.

Happy photoing!

Email me your questions, comments or suggestions to: bob@fillmoregazette.com

Fillmore Unified School District

Accept the June 30, 2017 Performance Audit of the Proposition 39 General Obligation Bonds
Information presented by Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Andrea McNeill. The Board approved the performance audit of Measure E.

Accept the June 30, 2017 Performance Audit of the Measure V General Obligation Bonds
Information presented by Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Andrea McNeill. The Board approved the performance audit of Measure V.

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

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Trevor Dalton (DOB 9/19/72), of Ventura, was charged with one felony count of assault with a firearm with the personal infliction of great bodily injury. Dalton is employed as a Highway Patrol officer in Ventura but was off duty when the incident occurred. The case was jointly investigated by the Ventura Police Department and the District Attorney Bureau of Investigation.

On the evening of December 4, 2017, Dalton was involved in a dispute with a neighbor. It is alleged that after leaving the vicinity of the neighbor’s home, Dalton returned to confront the victim. He fired two rounds, striking the victim once in the back, inflicting great bodily injury.

If convicted, Dalton faces a maximum penalty of 17 years in state prison.

“Police officers are empowered with great authority which carries with it great responsibility.” stated District Attorney Totten. “When an officer exceeds that authority, even when off duty, and commits a crime, he or she will be held accountable.”

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.

Happy New Year! It’s the time of year when the FHS Alumni starts planning for class reunions coming up in 2018! Many classes are planning to have their reunion the weekend of June 9th at the 105th Annual Alumni Dinner/Dance. The FHS Alumni website has been updated. Alumni Dinner reservations can be purchased now online at http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/events/2018/1/15/105th-annual-fillmore.... You can also print out the reservation form and mail it in. Last year’s event was sold out, so let’s get those reservations in! This is the event of the year in Fillmore. Don’t miss out!
Mark Ortega, FHS
Alumni President

VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Kenneth Beech (DOB 8/8/1959), of Simi Valley, has been charged with four counts of solicitation to commit murder while in custody at the Ventura County Pre-trial Detention Facility awaiting trial on multiple charges of lewd and lascivious acts against a child under the age of 14 and possession of child pornography.

Detectives discovered that in October 2017, Beech began soliciting other inmates to murder the two victims in his case as well as one of the victim’s mother and her friend. Ultimately, in December 2017, Beech offered an undercover officer posing as the “hitman” $10,000 to have those individuals murdered. The solicitation to commit murder counts were added to the original counts of lewd and lascivious acts against a child and possession of pornography, which Beech had been charged with in January 2015.

Beech faces over 60 years to life in the prison if convicted of the charges.

There have been many graduates of Fillmore High School who have gone on to achieve great things and have made major contributions to the world we live in. These Flashes are and should serve as constant reminders of what Fillmore High School has and continues to turn out to society. To that end, the Fillmore High School Academic & Career Hall of Fame has been established.

Fillmore High School is currently accepting nominations for the Fillmore High School Academic & Career Hall of Fame (FHSACHOF). The 2018 FHSACHOF inductees will be selected from a combination of service clubs and general public nominations. It is our hope to identify 25-30 viable candidates to induct into the FHSACHOF in its inaugural year. This year’s inductees will be recognized at the 2018 Fillmore High School Open House in the Spring Semester. The deadline to submit nominations is March 2, 2018.