Member, Photographic Society of America
Winner of the 2008, 2011, and 2012 PSA Henricks Award for best newsletter!
Sherm Edwards, Editor, Cable Release, at cablereleaseeditor [at] ssccphotography.org.
Contents
KEY EVENTS
The following scheduled events will be conducted online as Zoom teleconferences, except for the Field Trip. Look for announcements and invitations by e-mail, Meetup, and on the club’s Website.
- Apr 1 – Speaker Night (7:30 p.m.)
- Apr 8 – Competition – Decay (7:30 p.m.)
- Apr 15 – A Closer Focus (7:30 p.m.)
- Apr 18 – Field Trip – Washington Monument Park, Boonsboro MD (meet there at 10:30 a.m.)
- Apr 22 – Board Meeting (7:30 p.m.)
Note that this policy does not apply to online meetings! 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 during the work week. For Mon-Fri AFTER 5:00 pm & on the weekends, call 240-777-2710 or 311 from within Montgomery County. Sign up for text alerts: AlertMontgomery and choose both a local MCPS school and ‘Community Use of Public Facilities Alerts’.
For general information about the club, contact us at: info [at] 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: 2020-2021 Member Handbook
© 2021 Silver Spring Camera Club and its contributors. Copyright Notice & Disclaimer Policy
PLEASE CONSIDER PROVIDING MATERIALS FOR THE APRIL CABLE RELEASE:
E.G. ARTICLES, AWARDS, EXHIBITIONS, LINKS, REVIEWS, …
DEADLINE: BY APRIL 24th TO cablereleaseeditor [at] ssccphotography.org.
MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS
MEETING LOCATION
All meetings will be online by Zoom teleconference until further notice.
SPEAKER NIGHT WITH – APRIL 1 – JOHN MILLIKER, JR. – A BRIEF HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY
This month, we are very pleased to welcome our guest speaker, John Milleker, Jr., who will share his in-depth knowledge on the history of photography and the techniques used spanning from the Civil War wet plate collodion process to modern digital times. As John states, “almost like magic, chemistry and lens physics met up at the perfect time in history. This is that story.” John still uses these techniques as part of his business and will demonstrate how some of these processes work. (Read more)
COMPETITION COLUMN
Our April topic is Decay:
The term “Decay Photography” encompasses images that show animate or inanimate objects that have fallen into partial ruin or decomposition, as from age, wear, or neglect, or that show a decline in health, strength or vigor.
Members may submit up to two projected images meeting this definition, in one of 3 categories: Beginner, Novice, and Advanced. The images should be emailed to: competition [at] ssccphotography.org by midnight on Thursday, April 1.
(One important detail – In order to participate in the competition, you must have paid the club’s annual dues before the start of the competition.)
>>> Please read the following request for submitting your images – Make Competition Night Easier
Here’s the schedule for the remainder of the year:
- May – Monochrome Photography
- June – End of Year Competition (special rules apply)
Please refer to the website link for the definition of each topic.
GEFFARD BOURKE – JUDGE – APRIL 8 DECAY COMPETITION
Photography has been Geff’s passion for more than four decades. Like most people, he started taking pictures on family vacations with his first camera, which was a Fuji XT605.Geff definitely caught the photography bug and his interests branched out to nature and travel photography. His expanded passion grew to capturing images of landscapes, birds, and flowers; travel photography with the goal of capturing the culture of his destinations; and urban landscapes of street, people, and decay. (Read more)
A CLOSER FOCUS – APRIL 15
– by David W. Powell
An opportunity to share ideas, images, questions, and inspirations. The meeting will be by Zoom videoconference. Look for an invitation in an e-mail from the Club or a Meetup announcement.
Half an hour will be an open forum discussing issues at hand. Topics for April will include:
- Personal takeaways from the Speaker Night (John Milleker, Jr. – A Brief History of Photography)
- Follow-up from March – non-Adobe standalone image processing tools
Mega one-hour breakout by Michael Ridgeway: an overview for anyone looking to begin Astrophotography. He will present the different types of Astro (Night Sky Photography, Milky Way Photography, and Deep Sky Astrophotography), the planning and preparation needed, and the basics needed for shooting each. If you’re interested… don’t miss it.
And a half hour is set aside for member image sharing. Our last themed topic of the club year, in May, is “Monochrome,” so get a head start and bring any monochrome images you want to share – and get feedback for. You can also share anything else you want (e.g., after April’s “Decay” theme), or any image for which you would like advice on post-processing.
Send your images to Dave Powell before the meeting (davidwesleypowell [at] gmail.com).
This is always a great evening of sharing and learning. What topics would you like to explore? Topics are very wide ranging, such as photo book reviews, an aspect of your own photography that you’d like to share, reviews or discussion of gallery shows, photo gear, software, etc. Or bring a gadget to share (when we get back to in-person meetings).
And a half hour is set aside for member image sharing. Our last themed topic of the club year, in May, is “Monochrome,” so get a head start and bring any monochrome images you want to share – and get feedback for. You can also share anything else you want (e.g. April’s “Decay” theme).
Send your images to Dave Powell before the meeting (davidwesleypowell [at] gmail.com).
This is always a great evening of sharing and learning. What topics would you like to explore? Topics are very wide ranging, such as photo book reviews, an aspect of your own photography that you’d like to share, reviews or discussion of gallery shows, photo gear, software, etc. Or bring a gadget to share (when we get back to in-person meetings).
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Future topics of A Closer Focus might include: compositional strength, HDR, 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 [at] gmail.com
APRIL FIELD TRIP: Spring in the Mountains — Washington Monument Park, Boonsboro MD
(1500 Foot Altitude, includes part of the Appalachian Trail—bring your hiking boots!)
Date & Time: Sunday, April 18. Be there about 10.30 a.m. (It’s a long drive.) Meet at the parking lot nearest the Monument. [Rain date Sunday, April 25.]
Location: Washington Monument Park, 6620 Zittlestown Road, Middletown MD 21769
(Note: It is actually north of Middletown, one mile south of Boonsboro.)
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/washington.aspx
The Club is not arranging carpools due to COVID. However, carpools are recommended if you are vaccinated, since it’s at least a 90-minute drive. I am fully vaccinated and can take three vaccinated members. Contact me at philboyer60@gmail.com or 301-204-5549
Directions to site: Use GPS, OR:
Take 270 to 70. Washington Monument State Park can be reached off Interstate 70 westbound at Exit 49, MD Alternate Route 40. Travel westbound (turn left) on Alternate 40 for approximately 9 miles. At the top of South Mountain, turn right on Washington Monument Road. After 1 mile, the road intersects with Zittlestown Road at a four-way stop. Go straight to enter the park. Keep going straight and bear right at the fork in the road; park at the North Lot, nearest the monument.
COVID: Masks are required; participants will be required to sign Waiver.
Overview: I’M SERIOUS ABOUT THE HIKING BOOTS. THIS IS ON A MOUNTAIN.
Note: Rumors of the Park’s closure are premature, but I do not believe there is plumbing.
Lunch: BRING A PICNIC LUNCH. There is a great ice cream shop in Boonsboro for dessert.
Bring: Tripod, telephoto lens, picnic blanket, and mask.
Leader: Phil Boyer –301-204-5549, philboyer60@gmail.com
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Here is the schedule for the rest of 2021’s COVID-safe Field Trips — all outdoors, until we get our vaccines!
- May 16: Birds of Spring & the Chesapeake Bay — Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area, Kennedyville MD. (Wildlife Sanctuary on the Eastern Shore)
- June (date TBD) and/or an alternate for any of the above: Antietam Battlefield and Cemetery.
For SSCC’s rules for safe field tripping during the pandemic click here.
CLUB NEWS
SSCC BOARD MEETINGS
The SSCC Board met on February 25 and March 25. Minutes of the February meeting may be found here.
Minutes of the March meeting will appear in the May Cable Release. The next scheduled meeting is April 22, to be conducted on Zoom. Any members are free to attend.
The SSCC Board met on February 25 and March 25. Minutes of the February meeting may be found here.
Minutes of the March meeting will appear in the April Cable Release. The next scheduled meeting is April 22, to be conducted on Zoom. Any members are free to attend.
KIM KELLER’S PHOTOS SELECTED BY EXPOSED DC
Congratulations to SSCC member Kim Keller, who had two photos selected among the winners of the 15th Annual Exposed DC Contest. Kim writes, “I decided to submit some photos to the Exposed DC competition and two got accepted. I’m really excited, and I know I wouldn’t have put myself out there without the positive influence of the club.” See Kim’s photos and all of the other winners at http://exposeddc.com/2021/02/03/winning-photos-of-the-15th-annual-exposed-dc-contest/.
COMPETITION RESULTS
OPEN COMPETITION — MARCH 11, 2021
March’s competition was for projected images only. Roy Sewell was our judge. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the competition was held remotely over Zoom.
There were three categories: Beginner Projected, Novice Projected, and Advanced Projected. Print competitions are suspended until we start in-person meetings again. Awards for Advanced and Novice are given for first, second, and third place, and multiple honorable mentions (HM) – the number of awards depends on the total number of entries in the category. In the Beginner category, only Honorable Mentions are awarded.
BEGINNER PROJECTED
- HM: Cathy Faughnan ~ Open
- HM: Diana Martin ~ Lake Needwood
NOVICE PROJECTED
- 1st: Bruce Schaefer ~ White Scotty
- 2nd: Catherine Honigsberg ~ Girls with Stick
- 3rd: Kim Keller ~ Escapist
- HM: Bruce Schaefer ~ Casbah Guy
- HM: Maude Svensson ~ Helmi
- HM: Ray Kalisek ~ Snow Geese at Middle Creek
Ray Kalisek ~ Snow Geese at Middle Creek
The spring migration at Middle Creek got started late this year, with only a handful of geese gathering up until the end of February. This was taken on February 27, when there were "only" an estimated 30,000 birds! Well worth a trip up there in the late winter, pictures and videos just don't do the experience of it justice. Taken with a Pentax 645Z, 150-300mm @ 300mm, 1/400s at f/10, ISO 2000
ADVANCED PROJECTED
- 1st: Kent Mason ~ Mist at the Waterfall
- 2nd: Kent Mason ~ Cedar Waxwing
- 3rd: Larry Gold ~ New Mexico Train
- HM: Kate Woodward ~ Chicago Envisioned
- HM: Wendy Kates ~ Ribbons
Kent Mason ~ Mist at the Waterfall
Flat Rock Run waterfalls in the Dolly Sods Wilderness of West Virginia. Early on a June morning, I hiked up a relatively steep trail for about 2 miles on the side of Mount Porte Crayon which is the highest point on the eastern Continental divide in the mid Atlantic area of the US. At about 3000 feet elevation, I left the trail and hiked up the steep rocky moss covered side of Flat Rock Run and after about 1/4 of a mile came upon this waterfall. I got very low to the ground and very close to this quite small water feature in the foreground. I took this photograph with my Olympus OMD EM 1 at 1/5 of a second, f 8, and ISO 200 (Olympus 12-40 f 2.8 lens). I took many images trying to capture the light passing through the midst of the larger waterfall. Maintaining sharpness from the foreground to the background was a major challenge in establishing the focus point from a low angle of view.
One vendor typically included in the Photography Courses/Class List has announced a few online classes: See Capital Photography Center: https://online.capitalphotographycenter.com/collections?category=courses . The rest either have suspended courses or are communicating to registrants by email.
FEATURES
MARYLAND PHOTOGRAPHY ALLIANCE (MPA)
MPA’s “EXCUSIVE” 5th ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
The weather is getting warmer, and the golden hour is later in the day. It’s time to begin thinking about what to photograph for MPA’s 5th Annual Photography Contest. This exclusive contest is restricted to members of clubs who are affiliated with MPA.
There is plenty of time for you to enter the contest since the deadline is October 3. MPA has learned from surveys that you want to know the categories far in advance so you have plenty of time to create new award winning images. The categories this year are:
- People in action
- Maryland Highways and Byways
- Animal Life
- Elegant Imperfection
For definitions of the categories, and to get more contest information, visit www.mdphotoalliance.org/2021-photo-contest.
Questions? Please contact MPA at mpa@mdphotoalliance.org.
CITY NATURE CHALLENGE 2021
2022 CALENDAR TABLE FILES
By John Krout, jkpub@gmail.com
PowerPoint and LibreOffice Impress files are available for downloading now. What is a calendar table file? It contains the months of the year, each month in a table, and spaces for you to insert your photos. Inside each month table, you can type useful info in each day. Add birthdays, anniversaries, and the like to personalize the calendar. See the full article here.
COURSES, CALLS FOR ENTRY, AND EXHIBITS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
Needed: Someone to author the Classes and Workshop List for the 2020-2021 Cable Release club year. Please let Catherine [ president [at] ssccphotography.org ] know if you might be interested. This is an opportunity to inspire the learning of club members. In the meantime, we will show some online sources.
Howard Clark, last month’s speaker on the topic of Getting from Good to Great, has two upcoming classes at Frederick County Community College:
- Digital Photo Management.” This is presented as a generic explanation of how to organize and protect the thousands of images that are already in your computer or on the way. (I use “generic” to indicate that it does not deal with any one specific brand of software.) Begins March 30th, 7-9 p.m.
- “Introduction to Editing Your Photos without Adobe Software.” Those who are either intimidated or disgusted with Lightroom and/or Photoshop may be looking for a simpler approach. Begins 4/20-4/27, 7-9 p.m.
Either of these courses can be done in person or online.
You can register for these classes by going to: www.frederick.edu/lifelong Click on Digital Photography to register.
John Milleker, Jr., professional photographer and instructor of historic and modern photographic techniques, has launched a podcast called, Under a Red Glow. The podcast focuses on the art and history of photography with an emphasis on alternative, chemical and darkroom based processes. You can listen to his podcasts by going to: http://www.underaredglow.com
The online course providers typically listed in The Cable Release are obviously still operating—
Please let us know of other online opportunities you discover by emailing us at cablereleaseeditor [at] ssccphotography.org.
CALLS FOR ENTRY
by Dennis Freeman
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
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
by Bruce Schaefer
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! This month, given continued restrictions on gatherings, it features some selected sites for the armchair adventurer!
See the full column here: (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
