Bob Crum

In a previous column, I addressed issues involved with shooting the Headless Horseman. But capturing the image was just half of the challenge. There's something else equally important.

You've heard me harp ad nausea the importance of composition. But that “something else” I mentioned prompted my friend Wanda at the Gazette to suggest the grist for this column.

Outdoor Photography magazine often points to Ansel Adams when attempting to illustrate how to best photograph landscapes. In a 2014 issue: “Be a Modern Ansel Adams" the article lists top tips to create high-drama landscapes.

Ansel Adams was an accomplished musician, as well as arguably the greatest landscape photographer. Relating to music, he famously described a film negative as the score and the print as the performance. Key word: Print!

The article states: “In Adams' best-known photographs of the American landscape, one can't escape the sense of high drama he conveyed. He loved the great scenic vistas and tried to convey the emotion he felt in his photographs. No photograph could match the scene itself, but Adams worked hard to distill these places into two-dimensional (black & white) photographs.”

The article explores several compositional devices and technical tips for adding drama to landscape photographs. These techniques, the article explains, won't magically transform you into the reincarnation of Adams, but we'll give you some things to consider when trying to capture the essence of a grand scenic vista and translate it into a photograph.

The article totally overlooks the very important work that has to be done after the shutter button is pressed. Ansel Adams would not have ever achieved acclaim were it not for his masterful work in the “dark room”... the equivalent to present day digital post processing.

Given the rudimentary photographic gear of the day, there was only so much the camera could accomplish. Inherent problems led Adams, with Fred Archer, to devise a photographic technique - the Zone system - for determining optimal film exposure and development. A topic for another day.

Because good light is important for capturing photos, Adams was known to spend days in the wilderness. Back home, his 'magic' was performed in the darkroom. Once in the darkroom, he worked tirelessly creating prints. Dodging and burning are darkroom techniques used to bring in shadow details and calm the highlights. Adams mastered the techniques to an art form. Nevertheless, it was not unusual for Adams to spend hours and waste several sheets of photographic paper before the “perfect” print was made. You see, besides being an accomplished photographer, Adams was a master printer. His prints made him famous!

Although digital photography eliminates the smelly chemicals, the work is similar. But instead of pouring chemicals, I pour a glass of Merlot and perform photo post processing and editing on a computer with powerful software programs. Adobe's Lightroom has ably replaced the darkroom. I forgo jpegs and instead capture in RAW mode. Bland images straight out of the camera, they beg to be creatively massaged. Point being: Good photos are made, not taken by simply pressing the shutter button.

This week's photo was an 'extra' event of last weekend's S.T.E.A.M. festival. Rare is the opportunity to capture two great machines of yesteryear - a Stearman bi-plane (with a wing walker) and a steam engine - in one photo! Hooya! The major issue was timing due to the plane obviously flying faster than the lollygagging steam engine. The plane almost flew out of the frame while I waited for a blast of steam from the Baldwin locomotive. Ahhh... the exhilaration of photographic challenges!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Hernandez (DOB 3/29/74), of Santa Paula, pled guilty to first-degree murder and admitted using a gun in the commission of the crime.

On July 23, 2014, Hernandez shot and killed Hector Alamillo as the two sat in a living room at a residence in Santa Paula. Hernandez then fled the residence and drove to the city of Palmdale, where he hid for several days. Hernandez was tracked by law enforcement and ultimately arrested at a motel in Ventura on July 30, 2014.

Sentencing is set for January 12, 2017, at 10:45 a.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Hernandez will be sentenced to 50 years to life in state prison.

On October 21, 2017, Fillmore Patrol Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jose Castillo for vehicle code violations. During the traffic stop, deputies discovered two operational “zip guns,” including one that was loaded. A “zip gun” is a home-made firearm crudely constructed with miscellaneous parts. These types of firearms are extremely dangerous due to their lack of safety mechanisms and standard firearm parts such as a trigger. Zip guns can also be easily concealed or smuggled into restricted areas. A search of the vehicle also yielded methamphetamine and an unregistered shotgun.

Jose Castillo and his passenger, Gabriel Pavich, were arrested for narcotics and weapon charges. Pavich is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing any firearms. Castillo is being held in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail and Pavich was released on a bail bond.

Prior to Pavich’s release, detectives seized an illegal rifle from Pavich’s home in the City of Fillmore.

On the morning of October 28, 2017, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit and the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail executed a search warrant at Castillo’s residences in the City of Oxnard. An illegal AR-15 assault rifle, two illegal gun silencers, and evidence of illegal firearm manufacturing were located and seized.

Investigators believe that Castillo and Pavich may have manufactured or sold other illegal and dangerous firearms. Anyone with further information regarding this investigation or any gang and illegal firearm information is encouraged to contact Detective Erik Hernandez at 805-654-2856.

Nature of Incident: Illegal Firearms Manufacturing Arrest
Report Number: RB# 17-160989
Location: B Street at Second Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 21, 2017 4:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Station Deputies/ Sheriff’s Gang Unit /
Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Castillo, Jose
(S) Pavich, Gabriel
Prepared by:
Det. Erik Hernandez #4533
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis

At Tuesday night’s school board meeting Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees representative Scott Beylick recognized Martha Hernandez for her years of service to Fillmore Unified and public education.

Retirement Recognition: Martha Hernandez
The Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees recognized Martha Hernandez for her years of service to Fillmore Unified and public education. Mrs. Hernandez retired on November 1, 2017 and received recognition by the Board of Trustees as well as a special performance by Fillmore High School’s Mariachi Los Rayos. Congratulations to Martha Hernandez and best wishes on a well deserved retirement.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Spring 2017 Results
The Board received a report regarding the CAASPP Spring 2017 results. Information was presented by Assistant Superintendent, Micheline Miglis.

Start Dates for 2018-2019 School Year
The Board received information on the proposed start dates for 2018-2019 academic year. Information was presented by Director of Human Resources, Todd Schieferle. No action on this item “Information/Discussion” only.

Public Hearing on Initial Proposal from California School Employees Association Chapter #421
The Board held a public hearing on initial proposal from the California School Employees Association.

Approve Resolution No. 17-18-08 Authorizing the Filing of Application Documents Under the State School Facility Program
The Board approved resolution No. 17-18-08 to authorize the filing of application documents under the state school facility program.

Approve Resolutions No. 17-18-09 and 17-18-09 in support of Career Technical Education Facilities Programs Projects and Filing of Sector Applications
The Board approved resolutions No. 17-18-09 and 17-18-10 in support of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Transportation sector applications.

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

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Submitted by the Fillmore Lions Club

Berenice Magana, a student at Fillmore Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

Berenice’s poster was among more than 50 entries in the contest. There are over 375,000 entries submitted world wide in the Annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest each year. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

The theme for this year was “The Future of Peace”

Berenices poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme. The judges were again impressed by the expression and creativity of the students’ art. It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. Fillmore Lions Club is proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions with other students and our city.

Miss Berenice Magana’s poster has advanced to face stiff competition through the district, multiple districts and international rounds of competition.

One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of US $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to the awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of US $500.

Runner-up students were Daniel Orozco and Nailea Torres. All participants are students in Mrs. Doris Nichols’ art class at Fillmore Middle School.

The Lions Club would like to thank the School Board and Mr. John Wilber for creating Mrs. Nichols class of the best artists in the school. This was wonderful since the judges had a more difficult time in the selection.

Mrs. Nichols is commended for her assistance in this annual event.

The City of Fillmore has sent a letter to the Department of Conservation in Sacramento strongly opposing the proposed expansion of the current aquifer exemption for the Sespe Oil Field. Following is the letter titled “Sespe Aquifer Exemption”:

Kelly Cassidy, 56, of Fillmore

On October 26, 2017, Fillmore Patrol Deputies responded to a call of a man shooting a gun in the air in his backyard. Deputies arrived at the home on Blaine Avenue and encountered a confrontational subject who was later identified as Kelly Cassidy. Cassidy refused to comply with officer’s directions and was confrontational, but was ultimately restrained and arrested. Deputies determined that Cassidy had fired a gun on his property in gross negligence. A handgun was located in Cassidy’s garage near where the shooting took place. Cassidy was arrested for PC 148(a), resisting arrest, HS 11550(e), under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a loaded operable firearm, and PC 246.3(a), discharging a firearm with negligence.

Cassidy had been the subject of a 2 month-long investigation involving illegal firearm purchases and sales and also illegal narcotic activity.

On October 31, 2017, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit and with the assistance of the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at Kelly Cassidy’s residence in the City of Fillmore. During the search, 12 firearms were seized, including several unregistered firearms or firearms registered to people living outside of Ventura County.

Detectives believe some of the firearms were illegally purchased or transferred.

Detectives also found approximately 60 pounds of marijuana and several illegal peyote plants were located and believed to have been a part of an illegal drug sales operation.

Cassidy was charged with additional firearm and narcotic statutes based on the contraband seized during the search warrant. He is being held in Ventura County Jail with bail set at $200,000.

Members of the public are reminded that it is illegal to buy, sell, loan, or transfer a firearm in the State of California without the assistance of a licensed firearms dealer and a Department of Justice background check.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation or any information on illegal firearms is encouraged to contact Detective Erik Hernandez at 805-654-3548 or email erik.hernandez@ventura.org

Nature of Incident: Illegal Firearm possession arrest
Report Number: RB# 17-168187
Location: 200 block of Blaine Avenue, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 26, 2017 10:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Station/ Sheriff’s Gang Unit/Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Cassidy, Kelly
Prepared by:
Det. Erik Hernandez #4533
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis

Bob Crum

It was the weekend of (S) Science, (T) Technology, (E) Engineering, (A) And (M) Math. Combined with a touch of Punk. A party of the other kind. A funtastic Festival.

Defining Steampunk is a challenge considering the many interpretations. For help, I called upon the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

“Steampunk is an inspired movement of creativity and imagination. With a backdrop of either Victorian England or America’s Wild West at hand, modern technologies are re-imagined and realized as elaborate works of art, fashion, and mechanics. If Jules Verne or H.G. Wells were writing their science fiction today, it would be considered steampunk.'”

Mechanics and gadgets, jewelry, weaponry and Victorian costumes prevalent at the venue. Machines from a running Model T dump truck to a Fairbanks & Morse magnificent engine that made a “popping” sound every three seconds. To round out the activities, participants were treated to a ride on the Fillmore & Western train pulled – of course – by the #14 steam-powered Baldwin iron horse.

Upon entering the land of STEAM on Main Street, downtown Fillmore, I was greeted by a magnificent machine. I circled it a few times before 'making' the photo. I was seduced to push 'the' button. Without warning, I was instantly thrust into a time-warp portal that transported me back to wherever-it-was in 1844. An interesting place where I was greeted by Colonel Deviance and his Aerial Bugler. I could return – I was told - to the present only if I played Kiss a Gundam in C sharp with the bugle! To my delight, I hit every note and promptly returned to the present. I wonder how many Fillmore residents we lost!

The Western and Victorian-themed costumes were masterpieces of creativity. Most impressive were the many jet-packs worn by both men and women. Many pieces of head gear included clockwork gears. One lady's hat clock gears actually rotated. Fascinating apparel and accessories.

Such fluid events pose many photography challenges. Rules of composition take on dual priorities. Compose a fascinating subject to reasonably fill the frame is generally the first and foremost priority. But there isn't a photographic rule that I don't often break. Sometimes it's a good idea to show the subject within the context of the surroundings. When time and circumstances permit, I'll shoot both perspectives just to eliminate 'should of' thoughts. During post processing, the best of the two photos is usually apparent and the final decision is made about which one to print or publish.

Shooting events like the STEAM Festival is stimulating. Activities included the bearded potter demo, steamy tech build challenge, Steamistas hosted make and takes, costume contest, beard & mustache competition, the Doctor Solar show, and music by Poplock Holmes All Stars on the Gypsy Wagon Stage.

But such events are also problematic because I capture photos in RAW file format with the camera in manual mode. While RAW image files permit a wider post processing latitude it does require constant and fast camera setting adjustments because everything is continually unfolding in different light! C'est la vie.

At such events, I prefer to capture candid photos. The County Fair is such an example where I seldom pose anyone. But there are times when a candid just isn't feasible. Necessity dictates appropriate action... step in and ask to pose the subject. In every instance when I asked someone to pose the response was: Yes... I'd be delighted. From jewelry to jet-packs - from elaborate attire to exotic accessories - every outfit a marvel of creativity that begged to be photographed. Oh such fun!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com