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

On Friday, August 9th at 3:30 p.m. traffic was backed up for hours due to a rollover crash along East Telegraph, west of Cavin Road. Eastbound traffic was blocked. Cars heading east were navigated through the center divider to avoid the crash area. Lanes reopened by 5:30 p.m. An ambulance at the scene transported at least one person to the hospital.

Pictured is Rondi Guthrie, spokesperson for Southern California Edison Wildfire Mitigation, who gave a presentation on the various activities Edison has employed to help protect against future wildfires.

A broad-scoped presentation was provided by Rondi Guthrie, spokesperson for Southern California Edison Wildfire Mitigation. It explained the many and various activities and equipment types employed by Edison to protect against expected future wildfires throughout the state.

Rio Vista Park: City Council approved the following actions:1.Accept the Rio Vista Park improvements located easterly of the basin fencing as complete; 2.Accept the Rio Vista Park basin area as substantially complete, pending successful plant establishment for final acceptance;3.Authorize the reduction of the overall Tract 5496-1 subdivision improvement Bond # PB10163700337 by $821,265 to reduce the Community Park Construction and Landscaping bond amount to 25% for 1-year warranty period and 4.Authorize Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Contract Services Agreement for Spec No. 17-04 Landscape Maintenance Services with Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. to add landscape maintenance and irrigation services for Rio Vista Park.

The Council approved the Planning Commission recommendations that it take the following action: 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.

City staff desires to amend the Downtown Specific Plan to recognize that existing buildings downtown will have different land uses in the future and that policies should be established to relax parking and architectural standards.

The Planning Commission reviewed this item at a public hearing held on July 17, 2019. The Commission adopted a resolution recommending that the City Council amend the Downtown Specific Plan to add new regulations for adaptive reuse projects. Accordingly, City Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Introduce Ordinance No. 19-914 for first reading, approving Downtown Specific Plan Amendment 19-02 and Finding of Exemption from CEQA. Request approved.

Faith Community Church City of Fillmore. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTIONAND APPROVAL OFAN INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION, GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT, DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT, ZONE CHANGE, AND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT ENABLING ADAPTIVE REUSE OF EXISTING CHURCH BUILDING AS A MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT AND SPECIALTY RETAIL COMMERCIAL COMPLEX LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF 1ST STREET AND CENTRAL AVENUE REQUEST: The Applicant, 461 Central Avenue LLC (the “Applicant” with Alex Glasscock as the Applicant’s Agent), seeks approval of legislative changes and entitlements for the adaptive reuse of a property currently developed, but no longer in use, as a church and school, on 40,511 square feet of land located at the southwest corner of 1st Street and Central Avenue, known as 461 Central Avenue(the “Property”). The church and school buildings are proposed to retain the exterior façade, with an interior conversion of the buildings to a mixed-use residential apartment complex with 26 dwelling units, 4 of which will be restricted to rent as affordable senior units, and 3,777 square feet of specialty commercial building space (the “Project”).

The Planning Commission has recommends that the City Council take the following actions: 1.Approve Resolution No. 19-3728, adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program2.Approve Resolution No. 19-3729, adopting General Plan Amendment 18-023.Approve first reading to introduce Ordinance No 19-915 adopting Downtown Specific Plan Amendment 18-014.Approve first reading to introduce Ordinance No. 19-916, adopting Zone Change 18-025.Approve Resolution No. 19-3730, approving Development Permit 18-09, subject to conditions of approval. Requests approved.

REQUEST: The Applicant, Harold Foy, requests approvals to merge 5 lots into 1 lot and construct a three-story mixed-use complex consisting of 18 residential condominiums and 4,821 square feet of street level commercial space. The Applicant also requests approval of a CEQA categorical exemption.

The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the Project which requires adopting the following: 1. Resolution 19-3732, Approving Vesting Tentative Map 5923,2. Resolution 19-3733, Approving a Density Bonus, and 3. Resolution 19-3735 Approving Development Permit 14-02 and a CEQA Categorical Exemption subject to Conditions of Approval. Council approved project.

SUBJECT: Discussion of the Certificate of Occupancy for Rotorcraft Support Inc., 67 D Street and Consideration of an Offsite Improvement Agreement to defer public improvements and an Amendment of the Agreement Allowing Deferral of Payment of DIFREQUEST City staff is requesting that the City Council review the status of the Rotorcraft Support Inc. project and give direction to City on the following: 1.Determining if a Final Certificate of Occupancy can be issued, 2.An Offsite Improvement Agreement to defer the construction of public improvements and on-site improvements for 1 year, and 3.An amendment the Development Impact Fee deferment (DIF) agreement to extend the time for payment for 1 additional year and addition of unpaid transportation fees.

Council Directed staff to extend the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for two weeks, until the next Council meeting, to give staff more time to work on the agreements and bond amounts with Rotorcraft to see if agreement can be reached.

There are only a few days left before the FREE Cardboard Boat Race at the Fillmore City Tennis and Swim Aquatics Center. Happening Friday, August 30th, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. PLEASE REGISTER BY AUGUST 20TH! You can go to Fillmore’s City Hall or the Fillmore Aquatics Center to pick up a registration form and get more information if interested, or go to https://bit.ly/2YE16Ei to download/ print the form at home and email completed forms to recreation@fillmoreca.gov. Its totally free to participate in the cardboard boat race, all you need to do is bring your already assembled vessel made from cardboard & duct tape ONLY (decoration with Sharpie markers welcomed). Courtesy City of Fillmore.

Bob Crum

I enjoy the Ventura County Fair. I usually visit at least four times during the run, including the rodeo. Not this year. Excruciating migraines hindered my ability to attend as usual.

I did go to shoot our FFA & 4-H champions/reserve grand champions at the Jr. Livestock auction. I have photographed the Jr. livestock auction for a long time, yet it doesn't get any easier. Photoing speedy jets at an air show is a walk in the park compared to photoing animals in an auction ring.

Photojournalism is about telling a story with a photo. Into the auction ring comes an FFA kid with her champion steer. Hmm. I rush to there to capture the shot and the animal moves. I quickly move. Now the kid moved! I move again. Good grief, the steer moves again. This dance continues unmercifully. I persevere, continually moving, until AHA!, got it by golly-the steer, kid and auctioneer in the composition-the story!

Oh-oh, here comes a pig! Pigs NEVER cooperate! Pigs in the auction ring are like sharks on the prowl, continually moving. A pig standing still for three seconds is like an eternity! Remember: Composition is key. Get the kid, pig and auctioneer lined up in the photo: The story! However, after decades of photoing pigs in the auction ring, I've concluded that the critters love to create pigdamonium. When pigs see a photographer, they refuse to stand still. Here's how a pig thinks: “OK, my handler is there, I'll move over here and destroy the photographers shot. When my handler is here, I'll move over there and continue to ruin the photographer's chances of getting the money shot! OK, pigs like trash, right? Good! Next year, I'm going to wear camouflage and hide my camera in, of course, a trash bag. HA! That'll fool the porkers. Or not!

After securing my obligatory photos, on to the All Alaskan Racing pig races. You see, me and pigs are a thing! Standard shooting procedure: Lock aperture at f/11 (for depth-of-field), increase the shutter speed to 1/640th second and ISO on auto and pan the piggies as they dash down the track jumping hurdles on the way. Must say: FUN!

In between races, I looked around the audience and saw a sea of phonetographers like never before! A haunting sight! If I had only $1 for every phonetographer at the Fair, I bet I could buy a yacht and sail the Mediterranean with a bevy of mermaids!

Then it was on to the racing dogs next door. These terriers, pugs and whatnot surprised me. They tear around the track faster than the piggies! On the first race, all I got was a blur of fur! Hmm. Time to switch to burst mode. The gate opened for the second race and brrrrrrrrrrt went the camera. The final count was 12 shots – nailed two. I did not lead the dogs enough. Did I say they run fast? I did better on the third and final race.

Late afternoon, I mosied around the midway, looking for, ahem, irresistible sunstar opportunities. Found a couple. The rest of the time was spent in a relaxing creative mode, playing with various compositions using various camera settings. I was not feeling well enough to go back and shoot the rodeo.

Photo of the week is one of the race dogs leaping. Check it's majestic form! Trust me; when the critter jumped the hurdle, it was flying.

I couldn't look at a bright computer monitor for very long due to continuing headaches so general photos of the Fair next week. Happy photoing!

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