HCC NEWSLETTER, April 2026

President's Message by Dawn Dingee

As we move into the heart of spring, I want to take a moment to reflect on the energy and creativity that have defined our recent meetings. Over the past month, we’ve had the pleasure of learning from our own members, whose presentations offered a rich variety of perspectives on photographing everything from products and portraits to still life, landscapes, and travel. These sessions were a great reminder of the depth of talent within our club and the value of sharing both techniques and personal experiences. It’s always inspiring to see how each photographer approaches their craft in a unique way. Thank you, Sarah and Steve!
Looking ahead, we have an exciting program planned for May. We will share a video by Kah Wai Lin, who will be presenting a collection of his photographs captured in Cappadocia. Known for its otherworldly landscapes and striking light, Cappadocia provides a stunning backdrop, and we’re sure Kah Wai’s work will transport us there while offering insight into his approach and techniques.
On another note, we’ve recently wrapped up two successful salon shows at the Scoville Library and Sharon Town Hall. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make these exhibitions a success. By now, all participants should have picked up their photographs; if you haven’t yet done so, please make arrangements as soon as possible.
Finally, we have a wonderful opportunity coming up at Sharon Audubon Center during World Migratory Bird Day on May 9th from 12–3 pm. Our club has been invited not only to promote our organization but also to display and sell our photography. This is a fantastic chance to engage with the community and share our passion for photography with a wider audience. More details will be shared soon, so please keep an eye on your email for updates. I look forward to seeing all of you at our upcoming meetings and events.

Dawn

Verne Henshall's show opening by Lazlo Gyorsok

Sarah Blodgett's presentation by Dawn Dingee

At our April meeting, member Sarah Blodgett gave us a presentation on Studio Photography - Controlling the Light. Sarah's presentation to the camera club was both inspiring and highly practical, offering valuable insights drawn from her wide-ranging experience as a professional photographer. She began by sharing examples from her diverse portfolio—product photography, still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and wildlife—demonstrating not only her versatility but also how consistent principles apply across genres. Her work illustrated patience and a clear attention to detail and composition, but it quickly became clear that her true emphasis lay elsewhere: the careful and deliberate use of light.
As the central theme of Sarah’s talk, the importance of “controlling the light” was highlighted. She encouraged members to slow down and truly observe how light interacts with a subject before even lifting the camera. She advocated for making the most of natural light. She also provided examples of controlling the light through the use of various filters and reflectors. She demonstrated how reflectors can be used to fill in shadows or highlight specific areas of a subject, often making a significant difference with minimal equipment. Her approach was refreshingly practical—focusing on techniques that photographers of all levels could experiment with immediately, rather than requiring expensive gear. As an attendee, I came away with a deeper appreciation for the role of light in photography and a renewed motivation to approach my own work more thoughtfully.

Jack Kearney's show opening by Lazlo Gyorsok

NYC Tartan Day Parade by Heidi Hoeller

The 28th Annual NYC Tartan Day Parade filled Midtown Manhattan with vibrant color and the sound of bagpipes on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Heidi Hoeller and Paul Serbaniewicz attended the event, accompanying a friend who was marching in the parade — along with over 3,000 marchers celebrating Scottish-American heritage.
The parade stepped off at 2:00 PM under perfect spring weather. There were pipe and drum bands, Highland dancers, Shetland Vikings, and members from dozens of registered clans. The parade began at West 44th Street, proceeded to 55th Street, and ended on Sixth Avenue.
Photographers had plenty of quirky subjects, from a giant Walker’s Shortbread, a group in a Loch Ness Monster costume and countless bagpipers. One of the most popular segments featured hundreds of Scottish dog breeds, including Terriers and Wolfhounds, decked out in their own tartan gear.
If you decide to attend next year, we recommend getting there an hour early to photograph parade participants while they are lining up near the start of the route, at West 44th/45th Street. There’s also an opportunity to take photographs at the end of the route, where multiple bagpipe bands converge for a powerful wall of sound.