Member, Photographic Society of America
Winner of the 2008, 2011, and 2012 PSA Henricks Award for best newsletter!
Sherm Edwards and Tanya Riseman, Editors, Cable Release, at cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
Contents
KEY EVENTS
The following scheduled events will be conducted online as Zoom teleconferences, except for the Competition and Field Trip. Look for announcements and invitations by e-mail, Meetup, and on the club’s Website.
- August 15 – Photo Forum
- August TBA – Field Trip: Location TBA
2024-2025 Calendar
The coming Club year calendar will be available through the September Cable Release. It will include Speaker Night, Competition Night, Photo Forum, Board Meetings, and Field Trips.
If Montgomery County Schools close due to inclement weather, Silver Spring Camera Club meetings and outings will be canceled. 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’. Note that this policy does not apply to online meetings!
For general information about the club, contact us at: info@ssccphotography.or
A list of the club officers and committee chairs, and their emails, is located here:
More information is available in the Silver Spring Camera Club (SSCC) Member Handbook: SSCC-Member-Handbook-2023-2024. The 2024-2025 Handbook will be available in September.
PLEASE CONSIDER PROVIDING MATERIALS FOR THE NEXT CABLE RELEASE:
If you’d like to share an article, announcement, or Letter to the Editor about anything photographic please email them by August 24. Email items or questions to Sherm Edwards and Tanya Riseman at cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
DEADLINE: BY August 24th TO cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS
MEETING LOCATION
For the 2024-2025 club year, the second Thursday meeting of each month will be in person, at Northwood Presbyterian Church (https://www.northwoodchurch.com/). The address is 1200 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, Other meetings will be on Zoom. The in-person meeting will be Competition Night if the judge agrees, otherwise it will be Photo Forum and Competition Night will move to the third Thursday on Zoom.
SPEAKER NIGHT
Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Details will be in the September Cable Release.
COMPETITION COLUMN
By popular vote, the special topics for the 2024-2025 Club year are Abandoned, Found Abstract, and Humorous. Tentative definitions for these topics are as follows:
“Abandoned” photography captures images of places or objects no longer serving their original purpose, and that show the effects of neglect. The abandoned structure or object should be the primary focus of the image; for example, an image of a human model in an abandoned building would not be allowed. Abandoned photography may also include pictures of “abandoned” humans or animals, provided that some evidence of abandonment is included in the image.
A “found abstract” is a photograph of shapes, colors, and textures discovered intact in the environment. Often, the photographer will create a close-up of one portion of a scene or object, to isolate it from the whole and thus eliminate explanatory context. The photographer may use minor post processing techniques to emphasize attributes and create moods, but the photographer does not significantly alter the image to create something that was not actually in the original scene, such as by duplicating a part of the image in processing or applying a filter to alter shape or colors. Also not included are in-camera effects such as multiple images, intentional camera movement (ICM), or lenses that introduce distortion. Modified from Blass, Koller, and Woodward: The Poetry of Shape and Color: Three Types of Abstract Photography. (SSCC Cable Release Archives).
Humor, like beauty, is in the eye (or funny bone) of the beholder. Any image submitted that the photographer thinks is humorous is acceptable. It will be up to the judge to weigh the technical and artistic aspects of the image along with its humor.
The competition schedule and final definitions of these special topics will be available in the September Cable Release.
Members may submit up to two images meeting the month’s definition for the Projected competition. Look here for details on Projected submissions. Projected images should be emailed to: competition@ssccphotography.org by midnight (11:59 p.m.) on the previous Thursday. Usually, this is the day of the month’s Speaker Night.
Members may also submit up to two images meeting the definition for the Print competition. Look here (Section IV) for details on submissions. A label template for Print submissions may be found here.
(One important detail – In order to participate in either competition, you must pay the club’s annual dues before the start of the competition.)
JUDGE TBA – OPEN
Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Details will be in the September Cable Release.
PHOTO FORUM
Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Join us for discussion on topics including: What’s on your mind, photographically? Opinions, Observations, Questions, Exhibits, Reviews, etc., and What photography projects or travel images have you done, or are planning, this summer?
August’s planned presentations:
- “Brucie Catches Fly in the Diamond: My brief career as Little League photographer” – Bruce Schaefer
- Stay tuned for more fabulous presentations …
We wrap the evening up with Photo Sharing. Send 1 or 2 of your images to share if you wish; this month’s theme is Open.
AUGUST FIELD TRIP – LOCATION AND DATE TBD
Look for details in an e-mail blast or Meetup announcement.
CLUB NEWS
YEAR-END AWARDS CEREMONY
Thursday, June 13, 2024
We held our Year-End Competition and Celebration on June 13 at Northwood Presbyterian Church. President Catherine Honigsberg gave the opening remarks, thanking members for their contributions throughout the past year. Thanks to Andrew Rein for the photos of the event below. See the list of award winners under Competition Results later in this page.
CLUB DUES
It’s that time of the year. Dues for the 2024-2025 club year are being accepted now through the end of September for returning members. New members are welcome to join anytime. Sign up online at https://www.ssccphotography.org/online-membership-form/. The dues are $50 for individuals, $80 per family, and students $35.
BOARD MEETING
The SSCC Board last met in May. The next meeting will be July 25th. Minutes from all meetings can be found in the board meeting minutes archives when they have been finalized.
ELECTION RESULTS
ELECTED SLATE OF SSCC CANDIDATES FOR CLUB YEAR 2024–2025
The club has elected our leadership for the upcoming year running from July 2024 through June 2025. The following slate of candidates will hold the seven elected positions:
- President: Catherine Honigsberg, incumbent
- Vice-president: Dennis Freeman, incumbent
- Secretary: Miriam Struck, incumbent
- Treasurer: Bruce Schaefer, incumbent
- Director: Bob Catlett, incumbent
- Director: Pete Morton, incumbent
- Director: Michael Koren, incumbent
THE MPA 8th ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
Submissions begin September 15th, so you have time to prepare your entries. See the Maryland Photography Alliance’s home page for details. This year’s categories include:
Abandoned– Captures the haunting beauty of neglect; portraying spaces, structures, or objects that are forsaken or left behind.
Minimalism- Embodies the art of reduction, distilling images to their essential elements, stripping away distractions to reveal purity and simplicity.
Birds- Captures warm-blooded vertebrates, characterized by feathers, found anywhere in the world.
Shadow or Silhouettes- Shadows depict a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface. Silhouettes depict the dark shape and outline of someone, or something visible against a lighter background.
If you have questions, contact Lisa Auerbach at membership@ssccphotography.org
NEW FORMAT FOR THE CLUB HANDBOOK
We are transitioning to a web-based format for our club handbook, currently published as a PDF. You may find the prototype based on the 2023-2024 club year here.
Each section has a summary, with a link to the full information — which not coincidentally is a web page on our club website’s menu bar. This has the benefit that the handbook is kept up to date during the club year, as corrections are made to the website. It has a clickable table of contents. The new handbook is easily read or skimmed on any browser used on your computer, tablet, or (new!) smartphone.
Any comments, edits, or feedback regarding the prototype handbook and its links would be greatly appreciated. Please send them to Tanya Riseman at cablerelesaeeditor@ssccphotography.org by August 15th.
FEATURES
IN MEMORY — STAN KLEM
Although most of the club will not remember Stan, he was an active member of the club from 1981 through 2013. He served twice as president, in 1988 and again in 2006 and 2007. He also served more than one tour of duty as the Cable Release editor, Program Chair, and Director, and he ran numerous workshops.
Read the rest of Norm Bernache’s remembrance of Stan Klem here.
CONFERENCES AND EXPOS
Registration opens April 1, 2024. Get more information here.
MEMBER ARTICLES
COMPETITION RESULTS
MONOCHROME COMPETITION – May 9
May’s competition was Monochrome for projected and print images. Bob Webber was our judge.
Three categories were judged: Advanced Projected (i.e., digital images), Novice Projected, and Advanced Print. Due to insufficient submissions, there was no Novice Print category. There were no Beginner entries. Awards are generally given for first, second, and third place, with the number of honorable mentions (HM) dependent on the total number of entries in the respective Advanced and Novice categories.
ADVANCED PROJECTED
1st Place: Maude Svensson ~ The Boss
2nd Place: Wendy Kates ~ Triangles, etc.
3rd Place: Beth Koller ~ Fluid Tiles
HM: Wendy Kates ~Between Upstairs and Downstairs
HM: Larry Gold ~ Turtle Rock
HM: Larry Gold ~ 2024 Peony
Maude Svensson ~ The Boss
In this photograph, I aimed to create a portrait of my husband's personality and his main interests. By being surrounded by books and African art items, I sought to provide a glimpse into his character. The interplay of light and shadow would highlight his serious expression and add depth. The geometric elements, from the bookshelves to the African cane and his pinstriped suit, should lend structure and gravitas. More than just a likeness, my goal was to create an image that invites the viewer to ponder the life story reflected in my husband's eyes. We have a happy marriage.
NOVICE PROJECTED
1st Place: Jim Riley ~ Old Car Interior
2nd Place: Will Rabinovich ~ Vanishing Point
Jim Riley ~ Old Car Interior
This B&W image was taken at the Rockville car show of October 2022. I converted the color image to B&W for the monochrome contest. This car has a "new" technology on the dashboard which is a prism allowing the driver to better see the color of the traffic signal light. The interior was a pattern of blue colors. I used Photoshop to remove many speckles from the windshield and also toned down some brighter silver areas.
ADVANCED PRINT
1st Place: Kay Carkhuff – Caged Light
2nd Place: David Terao ~ Between Light and Shadow
3rd Place: Sherm Edwards ~ Bosnian Street Vendor
HM: Sheryl Adams ~ Making Wishes — Blowing off Dandelion Seeds
HM: Beth Koller ~ So Prickly
YEAR END COMPETITION
Many thanks to David Terao for serving as as our End of Year judge. (David did not have any entries in the End of Year competition.) He selected winners in Novice and Advanced Projected and Print categories several weeks before the event. Club members were invited to submit up to 5 images that they had entered in a Projected competition and 5 from a Print competition during the 2023-2024 season. Winners are listed below.
ADVANCED PROJECTED
- 1st Place: Maude Svensson ~ Sunset at the Cotton Storage
- 2nd Place: Catherine Honigsberg ~ The Dove and Milky Way
- 3rd Place: Maude Svensson ~ Last Day of Summer
- HM: Lisa Auerbach ~Church Light
- HM: Kent Mason ~ Old Staircase
- HM: Kent Mason ~ Old Ways
- HM: Bruce Schaefer ~ Surf is Up
- HM: Thomas Allen ~ Man on the Stairs
- HM: Ilona Linnoila – Roping a Calf
Kent Mason ~ Old Staircase
NOVICE PROJECTED
- 1st Place: Michele Dastin-van Rijn ~ Cobbling Through
- 2nd Place: Will Rabinovich ~ Zombie Walk
- 3rd Place: Jim Riley ~ Cement Plant
- HM: Will Rabinovich ~Inner Glow
- HM: Michele Dastin-van Rijn ~ Motherly Love
Michele Dastin-van Rijn ~ Cobbling Through
ADVANCED PRINT
- 1st Place: Sherm Edwards ~ Dawn Shoot
- 2nd Place: Thomas Allen ~ New Orleans Amusements
- 3rd Place: Elise Shurie ~ Abstract
- HM: Sherm Edwards ~Apocalypse
- HM: Ilona Linoila ~ House on a Hill
- HM: Beth Koller ~ So Prickly
- HM: Lisa Auerbach ~ MLK Library
Sherm Edwards ~ Dawn Shoot
NOVICE PRINT
- 1st Place: Jim Riley ~ Beggar Woman
- 2nd Place: Will Rabinovich ~ The Oculus
- 3rd Place: Bruce Schaefer ~ Looming Large
- HM: Renee Schaefer ~Ready to Deliver
- HM: Will Rabinovich ~ Cascade of Light
Jim Riley ~ Beggar Woman
The "Beggar Woman" photograph was taken in October 2004 while I waited in a museum entry line in Seville Spain. The woman was very still and obviously waiting for some donation to be placed into her small bag. Luckily my one shot was enough for a good image because I did not want to take many intrusive pictures. The camera was in auto-exposure mode without flash, settings became F2.2 at 1/60 second.
ANNUAL AWARDS
Len Tuchin Award for Best in Show
The Len Tuchin Best in Show Award is selected by our judge for the best image from the winners of the Novice and Advanced projected category. Len Tuchin joined the SSCC in 1966 and was active in the club for 19 years. He served in several club positions, including Monochrome Program Chairman, Vice President, President and Board Director. Len also served the club as its auctioneer extraordinaire for what used to be the club’s annual equipment auction. He became SSCC Master of Photography in 1978 and ended his career with 705 points – the highest on record for any SSCC member.
The 2024 Len Tuchin Best in Show Award was presented to:
Maude Svensson for “Sunset at Cotton Storage”
Joyce Bailey Award (Best in Show, October Nature Competition)
The Joyce Bayley Award is presented for the “Best of Show” during the October Nature competition as determined by the Judge. This award was named to honor Joyce Bayley after her death in 1997. She joined SSCC in 1981 and was known for her beautiful nature photographs and the prize peonies she developed. She was an active contributor to the club and served as President.
The winner of the Joyce Bayley Award for October 2023 is:
Ilona Linnoila for “Cub Talking to Mom“
Milestone Awards for years of membership:
5 years
Steven Riley
Steven Stewart
10 years
Tanya Riseman
Dennis Freeman
Naomi Kawin
Stephanie Banks
David Terao
Catherine Honigsberg
15 years
Ted Ringger
25 years
Nate Appel
Jerry Fath
50 years
Henry Ng
STAR Awards
The Photographic Excellence, or STAR, awards are based on the total number of points a member accumulates in competition. A STAR is awarded for each 35 points earned.
1 STAR (35+)
Anne Golfer (37 points)
Will Rabinovich (57 points)
Diane Sanders (44 points)
2 STARS (70+)
Ilona Linnoila (74 points)
Maude Svensson (82 points)
Lisa Auerbach (73 points)
3 STARS (105+)
Sherm Edwards (137 points)
Karen Finkelman (110 points)
Renee Schaefer (110 points)
With 217 points, Larry Gold is SSCC Master of Photography.
Service Award
He sets up all the speakers and judges against our schedule and in person not-in-person constraints. He tries to get us a variety and keep it interesting. He deals with changes in availability. In addition, he is presenting in next week’s Photo Forum.
He has really chosen some new and great judges. There is a lot to deal with their schedules and lagging emails as most travel a lot, last mintute changes, and getting them ready to judge.
The winner is Frank Gallagher.
Photographers of the Year
Photographer of the Year is awarded for Projected and Prints for both Novice and Advanced levels. The awards are given for the most points earned for that level & category during the club year. We do not have a Photographer of the Year for Novice Prints this year. The required minimum of 15 points for Novice print entries was not met.
Photographer of the Year for Novice Projected
Will Rabinovich with 20 points
Photographer of the Year for Advanced Projected
Maude Svensson with 24 points
Photographer of the Year for Advanced Prints
Sherm Edwards with 30 points
COURSES, CALLS FOR ENTRY, AND EXHIBITS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
by Karen Finkelman
The following list describes various photography classes and workshops in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington DC area. Specific workshop offerings may be held in the classroom, in-field, online or via Zoom. Please see individual classes for the instruction format.
The list is organized into three categories:
- Classes and Workshops in the Washington DC area
- Online Courses
- Multi-Day Photography Workshops Within & Beyond the DMV
Please feel free to recommend any classes or workshops you have taken. Email the Cable Release Editors at cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org and we will forward the recommendations.
Note: Inclusion in this list is not an endorsement of the provider or a particular course/workshop.
CALLS FOR ENTRY
by Dennis Freeman
The following offers a number of competitions for your consideration this month. Some of these sources have 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.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
This occasional column by Karen Finkelman is on vacation for the summer. In the meantime, here are some suggestions from Dennis Freeman.
Every year, around mid- to late-July, thousands of sunflowers bloom at the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area near Poolesville MD. It is flower photography heaven! See here for practical details.
Also, this is prime season for lotuses and lily pads at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in D.C. Highlights include the water lilies and lotuses that bloom in mid-summer. The lilies stay in the ponds year-round and bloom from early May until mid-September. The stunning sea of pink lotus flowers peaks in late June and lasts until mid-August, with the peak bloom in mid-July around the time of the park’s annual Lotus & Water Lily festival. The tropical lilies only bloom from mid-June through early October, but peak in July and August. More details here.
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
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