Cover Photo: “Blooming in Pink” by My Phuong Nguyen
Member, Photographic Society of America
Winner of the 2008, 2011, and 2012 PSA Henricks Award for best newsletter!
Contents
KEY EVENTS
April 5 – Speaker Night (7:30 p.m.)
April 7 – Field Trip: Frederick First Saturday (rescheduled – TBD)
April 12 – Competition night: (7:30 p.m.)
April 15 – Field Trip: Ellicott City, MD (11:00 a.m.)
April 19 – A Closer Focus meeting – Portfolio Reviews! (7:30 p.m.)
April 26 – Board Meeting (7:30 p.m.)
If Montgomery County Schools close due to inclement weather, Silver Spring Camera Club meetings and outings will be cancelled. See montgomeryschoolsmd.org for closure information.
For general information about the club, contact us at: info@ssccphotography.org
A list of the club officers and committee chairs, and their emails, is located here: Officers and Committee Chairs
More information is available in the Silver Spring Camera Club (SSCC) Member Handbook: 2017-2018 Member Handbook
SSCC member submissions for the Cable Release should be directed to Dennis Freeman, Editor, Cable Release, at cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
© 2018 Silver Spring Camera Club and its contributors. All contents of the Cable Release are copyright protected. No material herein may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the Editor, Author, or Photographer.
MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS
MEETING LOCATION
Silver Spring United Methodist Church
8900 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD
Click for details
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ESSDRAS SUAREZ TO SPEAK ON STREET PHOTOGRAPHY – APRIL 5
We have a terrific speaker for our topic of “Street Photography” this month!
Essdras Suarez is a multiple Pulitzer prize winning photojournalist. His images have been published in National Geographic, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and others. He was a staff photographer for The Boston Globe for 12 years. While there, he received national and international accolades for his coverage of the Columbine High School massacre, the Boston Marathon bombings, the Newtown massacre, the Indonesia tsunami aftermath, and coverage of the war in Iraq. (read more)
COMPETITION COLUMN
The competition on April 12 will be the Architecture theme:
The term “Architectural Photography” encompasses images that portray the design aesthetics of buildings and structures, both interior and exterior. The image subjects can include skyscrapers, private residences, historical sites, barns, bridges, warehouses, factories, and many more. Architectural photographs may include the entirety of a building or structure, or they may be limited to some part thereof, such as a wall, an archway, or a cornice detail.
Please be mindful that electronic submissions for projected images must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 5, Speaker Night. The images should be emailed to: SSCCphotography@yahoo.com. (One important detail – In order to participate in the competition, you must have paid the club’s annual dues before the competition.)
To learn the nitty gritty about the competitions, and for the definition of each of the competition topics, please refer to the Member Handbook or 2017-18 Competition Topic Definitions (both of which are accessible from the SSCC website):
- April – Architecture Photography
- May – Monochrome Photography
- June – End of Year Competition (special rules apply)
As always, if you have any questions about the competitions, please feel free to contact Larry Gold at competition@ssccphotography.org.
CYNTHIA L. KEITH TO JUDGE OUR ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION – APRIL 12
We are sure to have an interesting evening with this month’s topic of Architectural Photography! Be sure to get your digital images in by April 5, and bring your prints.
Cynthia L. Keith is our judge this month. She is a native Washingtonian. Her love of photography started in a journalism class at Walt Whitman High School and over the years has led her to scenic locations from Alaska to Maine in search of landscape images. Her specialty is garden landscape photography, a marriage of her vision for the grand landscape and intimate flower portraits. (read more)
A CLOSER FOCUS – PORTFOLIO REVIEWS – APRIL 19
This is a special evening at “A Closer Focus”! Back by popular demand, the Silver Spring Camera Club will be holding a portfolio review of your work.
We will have a group of five accomplished photographers individually review your work. Each portfolio review will last 10-15 minutes, so you can get individual quality time with each reviewer as they evaluate your images as a body of work.
Requirements to have your photos reviewed:
- You must register for the portfolio review in advance at one of our upcoming Thursday meetings (April 5 or April 12). Space is limited. First registered, first served. If spaces are still available at the event on April 19, you may register then.
- The portfolio review is a benefit of membership, so you must be a paid member in good standing of the Silver Spring Camera Club (you’ve paid your SSCC dues for the current fiscal year). If you are not a paid club member and wish to participate, you are invited to join our club — Membership Application.
All guests (non-paid SSCC members) are always welcome at our meetings, but you will not get a portfolio review. There will be snacks for everyone, though!
How to prepare:
- Bring approximately 10 images:
- Hardcopy prints from 5″ x 7″ to 11″ x 14″ — matted or loose, NOT framed.
- Digital images should be presented on a tablet or laptop – no smartphone images.
- Package the portfolio so it can be carried and opened easily.
- Be prepared to talk about your images and explain the concepts behind them.
- Prepare a list of questions.
- Bring only your best work.
- Don’t make excuses or argue.
- Take notes.
Here are two in-depth resources for preparing for a review:
- For in-depth tips on preparing your portfolio see: In-depth-tips.pdf
- Watch “Feedback on Your Work” – a video by Brooks Jensen: lensworkonline.com/…/videos/Feedback Review Drama.mp4
This should be both a fun and educational experience for all who attend. Mark the date on your calendar and plan on being there.
The photographers that have generously volunteered to review your portfolios are Bob Greenberg, Michael Tran, Kat Forder, My Phuong Nguyen, and Greg Holden. See their mini-biographies here!
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Future topics of A Closer Focus include: compositional strength, HDR, abstract images, or anything else photographic you want to bring to the table. This is an opportunity for you to provide input to the SSCC experience.
If you would like to be on the agenda, please email me at:
davidwesleypowell@gmail.com
FIELD TRIP: FREDERICK FIRST SATURDAY – RESCHEDULED TO TBD
On a date to be rescheduled due to rain/snow, join fellow members of the Silver Spring Camera Club for a photo expedition to downtown Frederick for the First Saturday event. First Saturday means a festive atmosphere as downtown Frederick opens up all day activities, late-night shopping and dining, live music and art on the street, and a free trolley to guide our way. (read more)
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FIELD TRIP: ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND – APRIL 15
On Sunday, April 15, join SSCC members for a photo walk in historic Ellicott City, Maryland. The historic district encompasses a predominantly nineteenth century mill town whose origins date to 1772, including more than 200 eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings and little unusual shops, including many selling antiques. (read more)
CLUB NEWS
NEW MEMBER SNAPSHOT – MARTIN GOLD
Martin Gold joined SSCC last fall, and has been active in the club throughout this year. In order to help club members get to know Martin, we asked him to respond to several questions about himself and his interests in photography. Here, he describes his photographic interests, sources of inspiration, and challenges. (read more)
BOARD MEETING
MARCH FIELD TRIP TO FELLS POINT AND FEDERAL HILL, BALTIMORE
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, SSCC members met in Fells Point, Baltimore for a photo walk. The day started off nice – cool and partly cloudy, but got decidedly colder and cloudier as the day wore on. We walked on the Baltimore Waterfront Promenade for views of Fells Point, the Patapsco River, and the ships being loaded at Domino Sugar. We continued into Fells Point, and saw many interesting sights along the way, including a large crab sculpture, two bronze mermaids, a fine weather vane, and S. Wolfe Street with its nineteenth century buildings at crazy angles, and alleys. We stopped in Robert McClintock‘s colorful gallery of hybrid art – which he makes by digitally painting his original Baltimore photographs.
After shooting up Fells Point we went to lunch and warmth at Abbey Burger Bistro (where classic beef hamburgers are a small minority of the adventurous burger menu). Mike Hickey, on the other hand, continued on foot to Federal Hill for some additional shooting – in the cold – on an empty stomach. Mike must love his Muse.
PRINTS DUE FOR JOSEPH MILLER ABSTRACT EXHIBIT
Congratulations to club members who have had their work accepted into the Joseph Miller Abstract Exhibit! As you know, there isn’t much time to prepare your prints for submission; the framed prints are to be delivered to the Joseph Miller Center for Photography in Gainesville, VA on the weekend of April 6-8.
I’d like to help organize the transport of prints to and from the Joseph Miller Center. Will those folks who had one or more prints accepted please drop me an email at davidablass@gmail.com
Please include the following info:
- How many prints you are submitting.
- Whether you’d be willing to deliver or help deliver prints to the Joseph Miller Center during the period of Friday, April 6 – Sunday, April 8, between the hours of 12 and 5 p.m.
- Whether you’d be willing to pick up or help pick up prints from the Joseph Miller Center during the period of Friday, June 1 – Sunday, June 3 between the hours of 12 and 5 p.m.
– David Blass
FEATURES
THE FREEMAN PATTERSON LECTURE ON UNDERSTANDING CREATIVITY
Joe Miller and the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs present “The Freeman Patterson Lecture on Understanding Creativity” on Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Patterson, a world-renowned photographer and teacher, will discuss the idea of “Creativity” as applied to photographic work. His personal efforts range from documentary to impressionistic; resonating with themes inherent in the natural world. His images have been published in numerous books, magazines, journals, newspapers and advertisements, exhibited around the world. (read more)
EIGHTH ANNUAL JOSEPH MILLER ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
SSCC members are again amongst those who have had their work accepted into the Joseph Miller Abstract Exhibit! Visit the exhibit on any weekend in May to see all of the talented photographers’ abstract works:
Open from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in May.
2:00 p.m. May 6, 2018 – Abstract Artist’s Reception.
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 28, 2018 – Last day of the exhibit.
Joseph Miller Center
4811 Catharpin Road
Gainesville, VA 20155
MPA GALLERY SHOW AT MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES
After a successful run at the Columbia Art Center, followed by an extended show at the State of Maryland House of Delegates, the Maryland Photography Alliance’s (MPA) first gallery show will be open for a few more weeks. Of the 72 exhibited photos, 11 are from SSCC members David Terao, My Phuong Nguyen, Michael Koren, Jim Turner, Michael Tran, Stephanie Banks, Nick Williams, Oliver (Pete) Morton, Sherman Edwards, Sue Green, and Wendy Kates.
The show is located in the lounge area of the State of Maryland House of Delegates building, which is located at 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.
The gallery show will be on display until April 20, 2018. The public hours of the Maryland House of Delegates are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will need a photo ID to gain access to the building.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY – BY OLIVER (PETE) MORTON
A fantastic way to improve your photography is to get honest assessments of your pictures and suggestions of how you might be able to improve them. The PSA (Photographic Society of America) provides just that – an effortless way to share your photos and get useful input while you’re also commenting on the work of others. (read more)
2018 PSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
I went to the 2017 PSA Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, and thoroughly enjoyed the entire week. I went on several tours, did informal morning and evening photo walks, attended many presentations and workshops, visited multiple vendors and took advantage of a special show-only price on a lens, and met lots of interesting and fun people. I was very busy and engaged the whole time. I am planning to go to the next one, and am alerting you that registration is starting now!
– Dennis Freeman
Registration for the Salt Lake City, Utah, conference begins Monday, April 2, at 12 noon. (read more)
EIGHTH ANNUAL LIGHT AND CREATIVITY WORKSHOP
The Harrisburg Camera Club will hold its 8th Annual Light & Creativity Workshop, Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Central Penn College Conference Center, Enola PA.
There are four big name speakers, vendors, and includes breakfast and lunch. (read more)
MEMBER ARTICLES
KERNELS OF KOREN
Tamera Lackey and Bruce Dale, two very accomplished photographers, presented samples of their work at the recent Odyssey of Light Seminar hosted by the Maryland Photography Alliance. (read more)
RECIPROCITY: THE EXPOSURE TRIO’S SCALE – BY TANYA RISEMAN
Getting the exposure right while juggling the three camera controls of ISO, aperture, and exposure time can be tricky. Calling it “the exposure triangle” is not very helpful because it doesn’t tell you how to trade one control against the others.
In the following double-sized extended cheat-sheet, a kitchen measuring scale full of three kinds of tuna cans (representing ISO, aperture, and exposure time) shows various combinations can give the same total weight (representing exposure). This equivalence is known as reciprocity. Removing or adding cans of any kind of tuna will darken or lighten your picture. The choice of tuna is yours – but that will also choose the “side effects” discussed in my previous ISO, aperture, and exposure time cheat-sheets. By the way, I chose my tuna can thickness to represent one stop – the amount of change needed to drop the amount of light by a half or increase it by two, just like in the table.
If you’re interested in math, one slide shows how the law of exponents explains how the relationship of stops (and tuna cans on the scale) follows from the physical volume of light passing through the camera.
Finally, a common workflow approach for manual mode on your camera is presented, so you don’t get overwhelmed by all your exposure options.
The Reciprocity: Exposure Trio’s Scale presentation is at this link: Exposure Trio
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Tanya’s previous three presentations, provided in the December – February meetings of A Closer Focus, covered each element of the “Three Legs of Exposure” with ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed:
- (December) ISO presentation
- (January) Aperture presentation
- (February) Shutter Speed presentation
BRIEF RAMBLINGS — TWO – BY PETE MORTON
It’s interesting to contemplate how to make a good photograph. We’ve all seen how subjective judging can be, so it is obvious that the appeal of a picture will vary with the person viewing it. There are frequent stories of photographs that won first prize after being quickly dismissed in a previous competition. So, how can we improve the likelihood that a picture will be liked? What are the factors that a photographer should consider? … read more
COMPETITION WINNERS
OPEN COMPETITION – MARCH 8
March’s competition was in the Open category. Don Johnson was our judge that evening. There are four main categories: Advanced Prints, Novice Prints, Advanced Projected (i.e. digital images), and Novice Projected. Awards are given for first, second, and third place, and multiple honorable mentions – the number of awards depends on the total number of entries in the category.
ADVANCED PRINTS
- 1st Place: David Terao – Fuzzy Leaf
- 2nd Place: Oliver (Pete) Morton – Reflecting on Eyes
- 3rd Place: Larry Gold – Horse-Barn-Snow
- Honorable Mention Beth Koller – Sky Loops
- Honorable Mention Bob Greenberg – Waiting for the Metro
Advanced Print ~ David Terao ~ Fuzzy Leaf
This leaf is some kind of succulent houseplant and is about 3/4" long. I thought the fuzzy texture on the edge with back-lighting would make an interesting photo. I didn't see the intricate cell structure in the leaf until I blew up the image on my computer monitor. Shot with an Olympus EM1 Mk II and 30mm macro lens. Exposure was 1/4 sec @ f/8.0 and ISO 200.
NOVICE PRINTS
- 1st Place: Catherine Honigsberg – Coat of Arms
- 2nd Place: Kay Carkhuff – Get Up & Go
ADVANCED PROJECTED
- 1st Place: My Phuong Nguyen – Fox Chatting
- 2nd Place: Charles Bowers – Autumn Glory 1
- 3rd Place: David Terao – Wind-swept Juniper
- Honorable Mention: Oliver (Pete) Morton – Baltimore Cemetery
- Honorable Mention: My Phuong Nguyen – Blooming in Pink
- Honorable Mention: Charles Bowers – See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil
Advanced Projected ~ My Phuong Nguyen ~ Fox Chatting
We visited the Fox Village in Japan in February, 2017. There were too many foxes in the ranch, and we were lucky snow covered the ground on that day. The lovely brown-yellow color of fox fur against the white snow was attractive. They laid down to get their ‘suntan’ most of the time, and played together. I was lucky to capture this picture right before I left the ranch. People can get close to them, pat them, and feed them too. They are so cute and adorable. Focal length: 100-400mm F6.3 with 1/800 sec, ISO 250. Canon DSLR 5D Mark 4 taken with raw file and Adobe RGB.
NOVICE PROJECTED
- 1st Place: Kay Carkhuff – Stored for Work
- 2nd Place: Dennis Freeman – Greeting the Morning
- 3rd Place: Karen Carkhuff – Meat Shop, Germany
- Honorable Mention: Sue Green – Dance Junkie
- Honorable Mention: Sue Green – Happy Hair
- Honorable Mention: Marc Auerbach – Morning Takeoff
Novice Projected ~ Kay Carkhuff ~ Stored for Work
I had gone on a tour of Underground Railroad sites and "Stored for Work" was taken at the General Store at Bucktown, out back in the shed area. I think it was in a maintenance area, not on historical display. I particular think the spider nest behind the left shovel, shows they were not used regularly. I liked the woods, the rustic look and the lines.
CLASSES, CALLS FOR ENTRY, AND EXHIBITS
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
This month’s class list includes many courses on black and white photography, which is May’s competition theme. This month’s list also includes two April all-day photo events, a four-day D.C. Photo Festival that will occur in June, and several new workshop/course providers.
The class list includes sample photography courses and workshops from a variety of providers. There are three categories of classes:
- Classes and workshops in the D.C. area
- Online courses
- Multi-day photography trips to places within and beyond the United States.
Some of these begin or require registration early in the month. Please provide reviews of courses that you have taken! (read more)
CALLS FOR ENTRY
The following offers a number of competitions for your consideration this month. Some of these sources having standing calls for entry, and others are one-time calls. Some offer cash and prizes, and others don’t.
See the full Calls for Entry article here. (read more)
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
The following link is a column that lists a number of photography-related exhibits and events occurring now, or soon, in the extended Washington D.C. area. These include gallery exhibits, museum exhibits, college exhibits, special events, and sometimes exhibits or events to photograph yourself! Highlights include “A box of ten photographs: The Odyssey of Diane Arbus”, and our famous cherry blossoms, of course!
See the full column here: ( read more )
DEEP DIVE INTO THE ARCHIVES
This month, we provide the April, 1969 issue of the Cable Release for a view of our club’s past.
49 YEARS AGO
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“The arts equally have distinct departments, and unless photography has its own possibilities of expression, separate from those of the other arts, it is merely a process, not an art.”
– Alfred Stieglitz
MARYLAND PHOTOGRAPHY ALLIANCE MARCH/APRIL MEMBER CLUB NEWS
See what other regional camera clubs are up to in news from the Maryland Photography Alliance: ( read more )
Take a look at what our sister camera club, the NIH Camera Club, has going on. Here is a link to their site. There you can find their newsletter, the Cameraderie: nihcameraclub.com
