HCC Newsletter, February 2023

President's Message

by Dawn Dingee

We had a very successful Noble Show opening after a 3 year absence! The 2019 and 2020 shows had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 so it was wonderful to once again display our works in the Noble gallery. The walls were filled with more than 50 photos from 16 photographers. At the reception, the room was filled with guests (and a few newspaper reporters) eager to see our work. As always, Noble Horizons did a fantastic job with the hanging, food and beverage and promotion of the show. We’ve recorded at least one sale so far! Hopefully we can break our record of 9 sales from 2018!! The show will be up until February 26 so if you couldn’t make the reception, please stop by. For those with photos in the show, please send a digital copy of your photos to Lazlo so we can document the show on our website.



February’s meeting will be Tuesday, Feb 21 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Lew Katz will provide a presentation on Abstract Photography. In this presentation, Lew will discuss how to create effective abstract images using everyday objects, using design elements, using macro lenses, shooting through objects, capture motion, among others. To find out more about Lew Katz, visit his website at https://www.lewiskatzphotography.com/home.
Lastly, I wanted to update the club on our most recent purchase. Lazlo has researched and purchased a new laptop for the club. We were able to take advantage of the holiday sales and the former laptop was several years old and lacking memory and storage. Hopefully with this new laptop, we can take advantage of the updated technology to display and discuss our images and educational videos during meetings.
Don’t’ forget to submit your photos for the PSA Color and Black and White categories. Here is our previous scoring in PSA Pictorial ( not very good)

You may submit up to 2 photos for each category. Please refer to Bert’s latest email for size and file naming requirements.
Happy Shooting!
Dawn

January Meeting Recap by Dawn Dingee
HCC’s January meeting was held on Tuesday the 17th. Members were encouraged to bring 1-2 photos to display and discuss. The format encouraged members to engage with fellow photographers to discuss the subject, process, equipment, and printing techniques used. Over 20 photos were submitted. It was great to share our passion and love of photography and gather new perspectives about our work.







Stay warm, safe and happy shooting!



Dawn

Pictures accepted in the NECCC competition

Nature

Blue meets Gold by Brian Wilcox



On Mudge Pond by Nancy Zannini



Flying Geese by Lazlo Gyorsok



Foxy by Dawn Dingee

Pictorial

At a Vietnam market by Bert Schmitz





Fresh snow by Lazlo Gyorsok





Still life with wood by Bela Selendy





Swinging bridge in Yosemite Valley by Dawn Dingee

The Future of Photography

All pictures and story in this article has been created by AI.

Pictures from the Noble Horizon Show opening reception

Musing about Still Life Photography by Marsden Epworth

I blame an editor who sent me ( protests ignored) to photograph skiers in Cornwall. It was February. Icy. Windy too. And I cannot shoot wearing mittens. That was the day David Parker turned me into a still life photographer .
While numbers of talented shooters scour this beautiful part of the world seeking deer and birds and stately barns and late evening moons and fences slicing snowy fields, I am in a cramped, but warm, studio trying to figure how to photograph ostrich skulls against black velvet . Here’s the problem: black backdrops absorb light. Black velvet backdrops just smother it, prompting a camera to overexpose its subjects, like white ostrich bones.
Now there are reasons why most of my work originates in a small room with a sloping piece of white plastic and a couple of soft boxes on shaky stands. I like to work things out . I like to build ideas. I don’t want to photograph what’s there. I want to photograph what’s in my head. Also don’t want to go outdoors in January.
So, back to black velvet. It’s beautiful, stunning ,really dramatic. But you have to play with it. All your camera sees is darkness and it wants to overexpose the subject. Play with your ISO, your apertures, keep your shutter fast, seek odd angles: anything to light the subject without lighting the black velvet. Suggestions abound online, but I always end up tinkering. And that’s odd, frustrating and, finally, fun.
The two squash images here are meant to dramatize the fun of a dark background in window light.

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