2021 Club News Archive

This page serves as an archive of all club news that appeared on the front page of the Plano Photography Club website in 2021. 

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December 2021

I See The Train A-Comin' ... And Goin'

Did you participate in last summer's chase of the Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy steam locomotive around North Texas?

If so, you'll get a kick out of this 360° video (click and drag to change the POV) from last summer's run around the middle of the country.

Join Ed Dickens (senior manager - Union Pacific Heritage Operations) and the Union Pacific Steam Crew as they operate the world's largest operating steam locomotive through some of the most iconic places in America. Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific, and No. 4014 is the only one now in service.

What is Computational Photography?

If you're looking for a little light reading over the holidays about trends in digital photography, Jeff Carlson at PopPhoto has an excellent primer on the concept of computational photography.

From the article:

"That shift is computational photography, which refers to processing images, often as they’re captured, in a way that goes beyond simply recording the light that hits a camera’s image sensor. The terms machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) also get bandied about when we’re talking about this broad spectrum of technologies, inevitably leading to confusion.

Does the camera do everything automatically now? Is there a place for photographers who want to shoot manually? Do cloud networks know everything about us from our photos? Have we lost control of our photos?

In this column, I’ll share how these technologies are changing photography and how we can understand and take advantage of them. Just as you can take better photos when you grasp the relationships between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, knowing how computational photography affects the way you shoot and edit is bound to improve your photography in general."

You can find the full article on the Pop Photo website.

Updates to Photoshop and Lightroom

Adobe has issued minor updates to all the products covered under its Creative Cloud Photography Plan, as follows:

• Photoshop v 23.1
  • This update contains bug fixes, stability improvements, and experience improvements using Cloud Documents.
• Lightroom v 5.1
  • This update includes bug fixes and support for newly released cameras.
• Lightroom Classic v 11.1
  • This update includes bug fixes and support for new released cameras and lenses.
• Camera Raw v 14.1
  • Photoshop Camera Raw 14.1: Update to the Camera RAW plug-in that ships with Photoshop; adds RAW support for new camera models.

You can update your copies of these products by opening your Creative Cloud desktop and clicking the Update All link on the Updates tab.

Holiday Party Summary

More than 40 people were in attendance on Saturday evening December 11, 2021 for the Plano Photography Club's annual holiday event at Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q in Frisco.

This was the club's first official indoor event since February 2020.

Twenty-five (25) club members shared their favorite personal images taken in 2021 (you can see the musical slideshow here) while 15 members produced thematic video slideshows to celebrate the year (see the full presentation here).

The PPC wishes to express its gratitude to everyone who participated in any of the club's photo activities this year. Special thanks are offered to those who produced and submitted video slideshows for the holiday party.

We can't wait to see what you have in store for 2022!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

2022 Club Training Update

The following note was recently sent by club Training Chair Dennis Fritsche to Plano Photography Club members:

Thank you for participating in the fabulous 2021 training classes. I am calling on you to again step forward and share your passions and expertise.

Both the Plano Photography Club and the Dallas Camera Club will resume in-person meetings in January 2022. We will restart in-person training sessions as well with one class before the monthly meetings.

Frank Richards will hold his 1-2-3 Complete class before DCC meetings from January through March.

Bud Mallar will hold his Fundamentals class before the PPC regular and board meetings from January 20 through April 5.

We will also have 2 to 4 joint online training sessions each month depending on instructors and interest. I will hold two Lightroom Classic sessions in January to cover the new and powerful masking tools.

Please let me know if you have a class in mind and indicate live or online, subject, duration, and when you want to start.

The How I Made It classes were popular; please let me know if you have an image to talk about and how much time you need and when you would like to present.

Club Holiday Party Details

Please plan to join us in person on Saturday evening, December 11, 2021 for the annual Plano Photography Club Holiday Party.

Location: Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q | 9828 Dallas Parkway, Frisco TX 75034 | 972-712-7839 (map)
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 PM CT

Members are invited to generate a three-minute slideshow of their best photos from 2021 for showing at the party. You can upload your completed slideshows at https://bit.ly/ppcholidayparty.

Additionally, please submit ONE favorite image for inclusion in a musical slideshow to be created by James Stover. Send that picture to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com.

The submission deadline for both is 11:59 PM CT Thursday, December 9, 2021.

If you have questions about this event, please reach out to Suzanne Beasley.

For problems or questions about uploading your photo slideshows, contact David Swinney.

Club Member Photo Published in the Dallas Morning News

Congratulations to PPC member John Lehman for having one of his photos published in the GUIDE section of the Friday, December 3, 2021 issue of the Dallas Morning News (page 13).

The image of strolling carolers in Dallas Heritage Village in Old City Park accompanies an article by DMN staff writer Shannon Sutlieff about Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village.

The 49th edition of the village's Candlelight festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 11 and 12 from 3PM - 9PM CT each day.

There will be more than 13 acres of decorated buildings, strolling carolers, craft vendors, food trucks, and crafts for kids. Walkways are candlelit in the evenings to create the perfect holiday setting.

PPC Members Recognized at the November 2021 GSCCC Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received awards in the Gulf States Camera Club Council November 2021 photo competition:

• 1st HM: Green Anole - Sharlott Hasty

• 3rd: Close-up Lotus - Janet Yiu

For a full list of winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

November 2021

Bernie Pysz

Remembering Bernie Pysz

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of longtime Plano Photography Club member and former Club President (2007-2008) Bernard (Bernie) Francis Pysz of Plano, Texas, who passed away on November 4, 2021, at the age of 86.

Bernie was born in New York on August 11, 1935, and was raised in Waterford, Connecticut. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1957 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He was married to Frances Tackling Pysz on August 30th, 1958. Bernard proudly served in the United States Army Reserve.

He had a career in a variety of fields for 30 years with Texas Instruments. He had a passion for sailing on The Pooh, flying radio control planes, photography, being an avid reader, and spending time with his family and friends. Bernie never met a stranger and always had a story or joke to share.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 10:00 AM CT in the chapel of Ted Dickey West Funeral Home (7990 President George Bush Turnpike - Coit Road at George Bush - Dallas, TX 75252). In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

PPC Members Recognized at the October 2021 GSCCC Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received awards in the Gulf States Camera Club Council October 2021 photo competition:

• 1st: Wrangler In A Snow Storm - Ron Hasty

• 3rd: Yosemite - Wen-Chi Lee

• 3rd: Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge After Sunset - Nock Wong

For a full list of winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

Adobe Announces Major Updates To Creative Cloud Photography Applications

At Adobe MAX 2021 Adobe rolled out new Lightroom Classic and Lightroom updates that, among other enhancements, feature a new set of Selective Adjustment tools for precise object selection and masking.

The new updates are positioned by Adobe as features that enhance photography skills and make impactful edits easier. However, it’s not all just about new tools as Adobe also has introduced new community-led initiatives to help users experiment, learn, and connect with each other.

The company has also announced a major feature release for Photoshop across platforms, ranging from enhancements on the main desktop app through new capabilities in the Photoshop Express smartphone app and the Chrome and Edge browser-based program.

Please review the resource links below to learn more about the newest releases of Adobe's Creative Cloud photography applications, which are now available for download through the Creative Cloud application.

Adobe Resources

Third-Party Articles

Videos

Beavers Bend Fall Weekend

Friday, November 19, 2021, through Sunday, November 21, 2021

NOTE: Our Beavers Bend Field Trip Travel Guide is now available for download by club members.

After two years away, the Plano Photography Club will return to Oklahoma's Beavers Bend State Park (northeast of Broken Bow) for a fall shooting trip.

The park (about three hours away from Plano by car) is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. Guests traveling down the winding roads through the forests of pine and hardwood trees will find adventure, beautiful scenery, and plenty of activities inside this state park.

Towering timbers, crystal clear waters, and rugged terrain make this state park an outdoor lover's paradise. A constant-flow stream fed from the cold water of Broken Bow Lake forms a fishing stream with small waterfalls and rapids, offering great photo opportunities both morning and evening. Trails can take you up wooded hills for grand vistas. Broken Bow Lake and Hochatown State Park offer views of the hills for sunrise and sunset shots.

You are responsible for obtaining your own lodging; here are some suggestions on where to stay:

• Rent a lodge room or cabin in the state park (limited availability)
• Camp or RV in the state park (limited availability)
• There are numerous vacation cabins for rent
• Broken Bow has a lot of motels (15-20 minute drive from Beavers Bend)
• Hochatown has cabins and hotels

For additional information about this field trip, please see our Field Trips page.

October 2021

The I Heart Photography Conference and Expo Returns to Grapevine This Weekend

The Texas Professional Photographer Association's I Heart Photography Conference and Expo is returning to the Grapevine Convention Center from October 15-17, 2021.

The conference features three days of programming for professional photographers and photographic enthusiasts. Programs are offered to foster photographic creativity and inspiration as well as improving photographic skills and camera technique. There will be presentations at the conference center as well as several exciting photo excursions.

Program topics include everything from creating stylized portraits to advanced Photoshop Compositing techniques. The programs also include senior portrait photography, fine art children’s portraits as well as landscape photography, and much more.

The event is supported by industry vendors who will be exhibiting at the I Heart Photography Expo. Vendors already committed to attending include Arlington Camera, X-rite, Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Sekonic, US Camera Pro, the Texas School of Professional Photography, and many more. The trade show is included in your I Heart Photography registration and non-attendees can get special trade show-only passes from the event website.

Registration is now open, and a $50 discount on the registration fee is available through Thursday, October 14 (or until 200 pre-registrations have been reached).

Adobe MAX Virtual and Free Again This Year; Registration Now Open

Just like last year, the Adobe MAX 2021 Creativity Conference (October 26-28, 2021) is going to be virtual and free to all attendees. Registration for the event is now open.

Join Adobe for three full days of inspiring speakers and ideas, all the latest tools and updates (including those exciting new masking features coming to Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and Adobe Camera Raw), tips and tricks to take your work to the next level, and everything you need to gain inspiration and fuel your creative fire.

By joining the MAX mailing list you'll get all the latest conference news and information sent directly to your inbox.

If you are a current Adobe customer or are thinking of becoming one, you won't want to miss this event, so mark your calendar now.

You can register for Adobe MAX 2021 and review the list of scheduled speakers on the Adobe MAX 2021 website.

September 2021

PPC Member And Spouse Featured In Plano Neighborhood Magazine

Club member Clive Fernando and his wife Pam are featured on the cover and as part of the monthly Resident Feature in the October 2021 edition of Willow Bend Neighbors magazine, a free 16-page publication delivered to Plano residents who live roughly in the area bounded by Spring Creek Parkway, Plano Parkway, Preston Road, and the Dallas North Tollway.

The article provides an excellent biography of the couple and provides a lot of detail about the volunteer and charitable work they have been performing for years in our community. As the magazine's lead editorial states, they do this largely out of gratitude for the opportunities they have been given after having moved to the United States.

Of course, the piece also showcases a number of Clive's excellent photographs, several of which he has previously shared as part of both the Plano Photography Club and the Heard Museum Nature Photography Club.

The magazine's publishers graciously agreed to provide us with an electronic copy of the October issue so that all members of the PPC can read it, and we encourage you to do so.

At the same time, we'd like to offer Clive and Pam congratulations and a hearty thank you for all that you do in Plano, both for the city and county at large and as part of the local photo clubs.

Raptor Photo Day Is Happening On October 9

When: October 19, 2021 from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM CT
Where: Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, 1625 Brockdale Park Road, Lucas, TX 75002 (map, Lucas TX 75002
Cost: $25 pre-register and $30 at the door.

NOTE: Pre-registration closes the Friday at noon before the event. After that time you will need to show up and pay the $30 donation.

Raptor Photo Day at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center is a great opportunity to experience taking photographs of their education ambassadors in a natural setting.

They set up perching throughout the park and let photographers take pictures of the birds with different backgrounds and lighting. For all ages and photography experience.

Photographer Needed

We have received a request for a photographer for a quinceañera party and we are passing this information along to our members.

Here are the particulars regarding this event:

• Location: event1310 (1013 E 15th St, Plano, TX 75074)
• Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
• Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CT
• Responsibilities: Group photos and casual shots of party (~100 guests)

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Angelina Kenefick via email and let her know that you are a member of the Plano Photography Club.

PPC Member Photo Is A Finalist In Comedy Wildlife Photography Competition

PPC member and club officer Larry Petterborg is participating in the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, which are sponsored by an organization whose mission is to "widen understanding and engagement with global conservation - for the preservation of biodiversity and the health and enrichment of everyone on Earth."

One of Larry's images in the competition is a finalist for The Affinity Photo People's Choice Award.

You are invited to vote for Larry's photo (seen at right) or any of 41 other funny wildlife pictures, and by doing so you make yourself eligible to win a new Apple iPad, courtesy of Affinity Photo.

Additional details, terms and conditions, and voting instructions are available on the Awards website.

Info On State Fair Media Credentials and Photographer Passes

As you no doubt know, the State Fair of Texas is returning to Fair Park in Dallas this year after being canceled in 2020. The Fair will run from September 24 - October 17, 2021.

If you are planning to attend, we want to make you aware of two different types of passes that you can request right now from the State Fair Public Relations Office:

• Media Credentials - permit you to enter the fairgrounds at no charge as a media member; the website does not address the question of whether professional photographic equipment is allowed.
• Temporary Photographer Passes - permit you to enter the fairgrounds with professional photography equipment, including tripods and/or monopods; drones are strictly prohibited for all attendees. NOTE: Temporary Photographer Passes DO NOT include admission to the State Fair of Texas.

These passes are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and not all requests are guaranteed to be fulfilled, so click on the links above to act quickly if you are interested.

As a reminder, please review the State Fair of Texas COVID-19 protocols for the latest health and safety information before visiting the fairgrounds.

Friends of Hagerman Photo Club Nature Photography Contest Now Open

Each September, the Friends of Hagerman Photo Club - which shares several members with our own club - sponsors a nature-themed photo contest. For a small fee per photo, photographers may enter as many photos as they wish into the competition.

Competition categories include Landscapes, Flora and Macro, Artistic, and Wildlife in both Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced divisions.

All photographers are invited to participate in the contest, regardless of age or skill level. Entries will be accepted from September 1 through September 30, 2021.

For contest rules, entry process details, and other related information, please visit the Friends of Hagerman Photo Club website.

August 2021

PPC Members Recognized at the August 2021 GSCCC Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received awards in the Gulf States Camera Club Council August 2021 photo competition:

• 1st: Nebraska Storm - Anita Oakley

• 2nd Honorable Mention: Honey Sucker - Clive Fernando

For a full list of winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

Real Estate Photographers Needed

Showcase Photographers is looking for photographers who want to take on some part-time work in real estate photography.

Club Membership Chair Greg Jones brought this opportunity to the club's attention during our August 2021 club meeting.

He explains that this is the process for working with the company:

• Showcase Photography handles the scheduling with the real estate agents
• Jobs will just show up in your calendar
• You use your own camera equipment
• You can set your own work days/hours

If you are interested, contact them via email and let them know that you are a member of the Plano Photography Club.

Plano Balloon Festival Cancelled For 2021

For the second year in a row, the annual H-E-B Central Market Plano Balloon Festival has been canceled due to concerns related to COVID-19, according to a statement from Jo Via, executive director of the festival.

"The Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 H-E-B Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that was scheduled for September 17 – 19. With the continued increase in COVID cases, specifically the Delta Variant, the Festival board and staff has considered the health and safety of our Festival pilots, attendees, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors our top priority. In making this difficult decision we are mindful of the extremely large number of families that attend the event, the majority of which have children under 12 years of age.

"Providing a safe environment for everyone that visits the event is crucial, especially for our youngest attendees. Safety has been at the forefront of our Festival from the very beginning and that will not change. This was not an easy decision, but the right one to make. We deeply appreciate the support of our partners, sponsors, and the community; and look forward to the best festival ever in 2022."

Tabletop Workshop Postponed

Out of an abundance of caution, the club is postponing the Tabletop Workshop originally planned for this Saturday, August 21, 2021, at the Parr Library in Plano.

We will reschedule the event for a future date when we feel confident that we can hold it in a safe and healthy environment.

Thanks to all of those members who had planned to present at the workshop; we appreciate your efforts.

Adobe MAX Free For Everyone Again This Year; Registration Now Open

As was the case in 2020, the Adobe MAX 2021 Creativity Conference (October 26-28, 2021) is going to be all-digital and free to all attendees. Registration for the event is now open.

According to Adobe, there will be dozens of hours of "inspiration and learning," which will include live content demos, speakers, sneak peeks, celebrity appearances, and musical performances. The online event will feature more than 270 speakers. Both the main keynote and the breakout sessions will be available for all registrants. The headlining speakers include writer, director, editor and producer Chloe Zhao; YouTube personality, filmmaker, and vlogger Casey Neistat; and actor Tilda Swinton. Dozens of other artists across all disciplines will have keynotes and breakout sessions as well.

Those who register will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a free MAX t-shirt and can begin crafting a schedule for virtual events they want to attend. Registering also provides access to instructor files and presentation downloads and an opportunity to engage with Adobe product experts.

You can register for Adobe MAX 2021 and look through the list of speakers on the Adobe MAX 2021 website.

PPC Members Recognized at July 2021 GSCCC Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received aqards in the Gulf States Camera Club Council July 2021 photo competition:

• 1st: Making Her Move - Mary Ruehle
• 2nd: Strike While The Iron Is Hot! - Janice Goetz

• 1st: Eagle Food Fight - Ron Hasty

For a full list of winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

July 2021

Beavers Bend Fall Weekend

Friday November 19, 2021 through Sunday November 21, 2021

After two years away, the Plano Photography Club will return to Oklahoma's Beavers Bend State Park (northeast of Broken Bow) for a fall shooting trip.

The park (about three hours away from Plano by car) is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. Guests traveling down the winding roads through the forests of pine and hardwood trees will find adventure, beautiful scenery, and plenty of activities inside this state park.

Towering timbers, crystal clear waters, and rugged terrain make this state park an outdoor lover's paradise. A constant-flow stream fed from the cold water of Broken Bow Lake forms a fishing stream with small waterfalls and rapids, offering great photo opportunities both morning and evening. Trails can take you up wooded hills for grand vistas. Broken Bow Lake and Hochatown State Park offer views of the hills for sunrise and sunset shots.

Keep watching the website for more information on this trip, coming soon.

Detailed Schedule Released for Big Boy No. 4014's Return to Texas

In 2019, Union Pacific's historic steam locomotives – Big Boy No. 4014 and the Living Legend No. 844 – toured the Union Pacific system to commemorate the transcontinental railroad's 150th anniversary.

Now, one of the steam beauties is coming back. Early next month, Big Boy No. 4014 will depart Cheyenne, Wyoming for travel through Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming.

Along the way, the Big Boy will be on display in the following cities during the tour:

• Saturday, August 14: Fort Worth, Texas
• Tuesday, August 17: Houston, Texas
• Saturday, August 21: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Sunday, August 29: St. Louis, Missouri
• Monday, September 6: Denver, Colorado

Now the Union Pacific Steam Club has released the full details of for the Big Boy 2021 Tour route.

The chart at right shows the train's schedule for Friday, August 13 - Sunday, August 15, when the train will be closest to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

Information about whistle and overnight stops for the entire route can be found on the official Union Pacific Steam Schedule. Some of the times listed are still subject to change, so be sure to review the schedule as the date gets closer.

Following the Denver stop on Labor Day weekend, the Big Boy and its crew will return to Cheyenne.

White Rock Lake Day

Water | Sailboats | Nature | Photography

Join other members of the Plano Photography and Dallas Camera clubs for an indoor/outdoor social and photo-activity meetup at Dallas' beautiful White Rock Lake.

This will be another terrific opportunity for new club members to meet their clubmates in person.

Additional details - including the access code required to enter the Corinthian Sailing Club dock/clubhouse - are available on our Club Activities page.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Club President Alan Daniel.

Corinthian Sailing Club Clubhouse (Aerial and Lake Views)

Free Lisa Langell Webinar on July 27

Lisa Langell

Plano Photography Club members have been invited to attend a virtual seminar from award-winning photographer Lisa Langell entitled The New Nature Photography: Trends And Ideas For The Future Of Nature Photography.

This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, from 7:00 PM CT to 8:30 PM CT. Attendance is free, but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Nature photographers put their photography on their website, in coffee shops, in galleries, art exhibits, art shows, or online, but often struggle to sell it. People love a beautiful image of nature but aren't compelled to buy it for their homes. Nature photographers crave creating something different but often aren't sure how to execute new looks. There are interior design concepts that are unfamiliar to many Nature photographers when we set out to make photographs. Photographers venture out seeking the right light, action, moment, and composition, but often do not think first about the differing criteria for creating work appropriate for the various design elements of home or office interiors versus the classic criteria for magazines and calendars.

This live, interactive, and fun webinar will help you better understand how to differentiate photography markets and shoot for them to create modern nature photography that is desirable to consumers looking to adorn their interiors.

Some of the things that you will learn in this program are:

• How to identify the differences between "classic nature photography" and the new nature photography for today's artistic decorative trends.
• Spot the right photographic compositions for modern decorative art.
• Identify and apply photographic techniques that elevate your work from traditional to art worthy for today's interior trends.
• Incorporate mixed media and "found objects" into your creations.
• Apply simple but impactful post-processing techniques.
• Discover images in your archives that, with a few tweaks, can be translated into the new nature photography.

Samples of Lisa's Nature Photography

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Lisa Langell is a full-time working photographer in Arizona whose photography has included the cover of Outdoor Photography as well as the pages of Arizona Highways, Ranger Rick, and various art galleries. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photography Association. In her earlier work life, she was a master floral designer, a licensed psychologist, a university faculty member, an international consultant in K-12 education, the Chief Business Development Officer of an education technology company, a researcher, a writer, and an artist. She is one who has enjoyed meeting each challenge.

You may read more about her, see her photography, list of webinars, workshops, and events at her website: www.langellphotography.com

June 2021

Dallas Red White and Boom (2018)

Tips for Photographing and Post-Processing Fireworks

Capturing Fireworks Images

• Taking Pictures of Fireworks (Nikon)
• How to Photograph Fireworks (Digital Photography School)
• Ten Tips for Fireworks Photography (Nicole S. Young)
• How To Photograph Fireworks Like A Pro (Karl Taylor)
• How to Photograph Fireworks Displays Like Joe McNally! (Adorama)
• How To Take Photos Of Fireworks With A Smartphone Camera (PhoneArena)

Post-Processing Fireworks Photos

• How to Photograph & Edit Fireworks Like a Boss (Landscapes With Pete)
• How to Edit Fireworks Photos Creatively (Digital Photography School)
• How to Photograph and Post-Process Fireworks (Phil Wirth)

PPC Members Recognized at June 2021 GSCCC Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received an award in the Gulf States Camera Club Council June 2021 photo competition:

For a full list of winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

PPC Website Receives Recognition In PSA Website Contest

For the second consecutive year, the Plano Photography Club website has received an award in the annual Photographic Society of America (PSA) Website Contest. In the 2021 competition, the club was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Large Clubs category (74 members or more).

Award recognition was given to those sites the judges rated most successful based on the following criteria: first impressions, design, content, site effectiveness, and professionalism.

The annual contest provides an opportunity for PSA Clubs and Councils to receive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their sites from a panel of knowledgeable judges.

As an Honorable Mention recipient, later this year our club will receive an engraved award and a commemorative logo to be added to the website.

Congratulations to our webmaster team - David Swinney, Parvin Stiles and Jerry Schlesinger - for this acknowledgment of their efforts, and thanks to all club members who contributed content for the site.

PPC Website Server Migration Coming Friday Evening

The Plano Photography Club website - which is hosted by Visual Pursuits - is being moved to a new server on Friday evening, June 25, starting at 10:00PM Pacific Daylight Time (12:00 AM June 26 Central Daylight Time).

After the migration is completed, visitors to the site should see greatly improved performance.

The entire process is expected to take about four (4) hours to complete. This switch should be totally invisible to all club members if things work as expected.

If for any reason problems occur with the server migration and you are unable to access the site come Saturday morning, please know that all parties will be doing everything they can to get the site back online as quickly as possible.

Club Meeting Announcements

The following announcements were made at the June 2021 PPC monthly meeting:

• James Stover and Dennis Fritsche were recognized as recipients of the Distinguished Service Award for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 club years, respectively. Congratulations to both deserving honorees.
• The topic for the July 2021 DIY Excursion will be WATER, in all its forms. There may be an opportunity for club members to get together in an organized activity to capture pictures on this topic. More details to follow.
• If you are interested in receiving an anonymous photo critique from two club Master Level photographers - which would include feedback on composition, exposure, and post-processing - send your picture(s) (JPEG only) to critique@planophotographyclub.com.

Big Boy No. 4014 Returns to Texas This Summer

Union Pacific's historic steam locomotives – Big Boy No. 4014 and the Living Legend No. 844 – toured the Union Pacific system throughout 2019 to commemorate the transcontinental railroad's 150th anniversary.

The Union Pacific Steam Club has released the first news about the Big Boy 2021 Tour route. Big Boy No. 4014 will depart Cheyenne, Wyoming on Thursday, August 5 for travel through Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming.

Union Pacific is still working out the details of overnight and whistle-stops along the way, but they did state that the Big Boy will be on display at the following locations:

• Saturday, August 14: Fort Worth, Texas
• Tuesday, August 17: Houston, Texas
• Saturday, August 21: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Sunday, August 29: St. Louis, Missouri
• Monday, September 6: Denver, Colorado

Following the Denver stop on Labor Day weekend, the Big Boy and its crew will return to Cheyenne.

Plano Photography Club Picnic Details

Many of our club members have not seen each other face-to-face (with OR without a mask) in more than a year and we're doing something to change that. Plan to join us on the evening of June 16 for an outdoor get-together where you can reconnect with old friends and also make some new ones.

This is also a great opportunity for new club members who have not yet been able to meet their clubmates to make those first personal connections.

June 2021 DIY Excursion - Downtown Dallas Architecture

This month's DIY Photo Excursion (June 1-30) is to Downtown Dallas for photos of Dallas' mix of modern and historical architecture.

Whether it's Deep Ellum, Victory Park, or the Central Business District, you'll find that there are plenty of locations in and near the heart of Dallas for you to get great pictures.

And if you're participating in our monthly contests, you might be able to capture some candidate shots for the upcoming Neon Lights (July) and Nighttime Water Reflections (September) competitions during your excursion.

After you return home, please send your best pictures (maximum of five, <10MB, <=4096 pixels on the long side) to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com for inclusion in a gallery to be posted on the club website.

Enjoy getting outdoors but please stay safe and cool.

Another Free Tim Grey Virtual Photo Conference Coming on June 12

On Saturday, June 12, 2021, Tim Grey will present another free all-day (9:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT) virtual photo conference featuring a variety of live online presentations on photography, Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and more!.

The following topics will be covered:

• Keynote: Better Photography Through Travel
• Streamlined Organization in Lightroom Classic
• Smartphone Apps for Photographers
• Mastering Layer Masks in Photoshop
• Mirrorless Cameras
• Depth of Field Demystified
• "Ask Tim Grey" Live! Q&A

If you are not familiar with Tim, he is a popular educator in digital photography, with strong presentation and writing skills. Tim has authored 18 books on subjects related to photography, has been publishing the daily "Ask Tim Grey" email newsletter for over 19 years, produces a variety of video training courses, and much more.

If you are interested in attending, the program schedule and other details can be found on the conference registration page.

May 2021

Total Lunar Eclipse on May 26

If you're an early riser and the weather cooperates, you'll have a chance to see (and photograph) a total lunar eclipse in DFW on the morning of May 26, 2021.

The eclipse takes place just a few hours after the Moon reaches perigee - the closest point to Earth on its orbit - making it a Super Flower Blood Moon.

Resources

• Eclipse Information (TimeAndDate)
• Eclipse Map (TimeAndDate)
• Simulation Of Eclipse As Seen From Dallas (In-The-Sky)
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• How to Plan a Photo of a Total Lunar Eclipse - May 26, 2021 | Step by Step Tutorial (PhotoPills)
• A Guide to Photographing the May Lunar Eclipse (Fstoppers)
• How to Photograph a Lunar Eclipse (MrEclipse)
• Tips For Photographing A Lunar Eclipse (Digital Photography School)

May 2021 DIY Excursion

This month's DIY Photo Excursion (May 1-31) is to the Dallas Zoo, located at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas (map). The Zoo is currently open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM CT.

All guests - including Dallas Zoo Members - are required to reserve tickets online prior to visiting in order to limit person-to-person transactions.

Adult ticket prices range from $19 ($15 for seniors) on weekdays to $21 ($16 for seniors) on weekends. The first Tuesday of the month (May 4) is Tiger Tuesday when the admission price for all adults is lowered to $8 (buy tickets). Parking is $10.

As of May 1, 2021, the Dallas Zoo has moved from "masks required" to "masks strongly recommended" in most outdoor areas. Masks are still required indoors and during animal experiences. Learn more about the Zoo's health and safety protocols for COVID-19 here.

After you return home from the Zoo, please send your best pictures (maximum of five) to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com for inclusion in a gallery to be posted on the club website.

Enjoy getting outdoors and your trip to the Dallas Zoo, but please stay safe and keep healthy.

Resources: General Information | Explore the Zoo | Map of the Zoo

PPC Recognized at GSCCC EOY Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received an award in the Gulf States Camera Club Council 2020-2021 EOY photo competition:

April 2021

Nominations Open for Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award may be presented annually to a Plano Photography Club member whose contributions of time, talents, and service have made a significant impact on the club and its membership.

Any member of the Plano Photography Club may submit a nomination for the Distinguished Service Award, as follows:

Nominations are open now through 11:59PM April 25, 2021.

Club Officers Announced for 2021-2022

Club officer assignments for the 2021-2022 club year were announced at the April 2021 club meeting and approved by the meeting attendees:

March 2021

April 2021 DIY Excursion

UPDATE (April 29, 2021): From the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails and Festival website:

Come now! We are at the end of the Ennis Bluebonnet Trail Season. Some areas are already going to seed and some are still looking good. The South Trail is currently the BEST driving trail.

UPDATE (April 22, 2021): From the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails and Festival website:

Come soon! Some of the trails have already reached their peak. But you will still find bluebonnets in some areas.

UPDATE (April 15, 2021): For those who do not have access to Facebook content, the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails and Festival website posts periodic updates on the status of bluebonnets in the Ennis area. HINT: They're peaking NOW.

UPDATE (April 8, 2021): From the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival Facebook page:

Beautiful bluebonnets along the North Trail in Ennis! Make sure to stop by the Ennis Welcome Center at 201 NW Main to get a trail map and shop and dine in historic downtown before enjoying the scenic, 40 miles of mapped bluebonnet trails.

UPDATE (April 1, 2021): From the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival Facebook page:

Bluebonnet Status 4/1/21: The bluebonnets are coming up strong in areas around Ennis. The roadside blooms are beautiful. But we suggest you wait for these blue beauties to peak.

Typically bluebonnets peak in the 2nd-3rd week in April in the Ennis area. For more information and answers to your frequently asked questions, visit www.bluebonnettrail.org.

It's springtime in Texas - and if you've lived here for any time at all, you know that means bluebonnets.

This month's DIY Photo Excursion is to the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails from April 1-30.

Each April, Ennis showcases over 40 miles of mapped driving bluebonnet trails sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club. These are the oldest such trails known in the state, and tens of thousands of visitors make the short trek to Ennis annually to view this wonderful wildflower show.

The Ennis Garden Club drives the trails each week in April to check the bloom status. They then report to the Ennis Welcome Center so that visitors can be well informed where the best flowers are on the trails at the time of their visit.

In Ennis, the bluebonnets typically peak around the 3rd week of April. This can vary year to year due to weather conditions and terrain, so please check the Bluebonnet Trails website or call 972-878-4748 before your visit.

You can also follow Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival and Visit Ennis, Texas on Facebook for bloom status updates.

If you are unfamiliar with the locations of the individual bluebonnet trails, the Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Ennis Bluebonnet Trail includes maps and recommendations.

After you get home from Ennis, please send your best pictures (maximum of five) to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com for inclusion in a gallery to be posted on the club website.

Enjoy getting outdoors and your trip to Ennis, but please stay safe and keep healthy.

PPC Recognized at March GSCCC Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received an award in the March 2021 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

Nature Images

• 2nd: A Good Catch - Ron Lin

The Plano Photography Club also finished in 3rd Place in the Nature Images category for the 2020-2021 competition year.

For a full list of March winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

 

Free Zoom Lecture: Shooting Like Ansel Adams

The following information was sent our way by Dallas Camera Club member John Fowler, an alumnus of Manhattanville College in Harrison, NY.

On Thursday, April 8, 2021, join Manhattanville College Professor of Art History Gillian Hannum, Ph.D., and Professor of Communication and Media Studies Jim Frank, MFA, for a special lecture, "Shooting Like Ansel Adams," that will examine the world-famous photographer’s work from historical, aesthetic, and technical perspectives.

This event begins at 6:00 PM CDT and is free and open to the public.

Register to receive your Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3rsu4WB

 

PPC Members Invited to Presentation by Canon Explorer of Light Darrell Gulin on April 10

The Heard Nature Photographers club has invited Plano Photography Club members to attend their monthly meeting on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 2PM CT (meeting instructions to follow at a later time).

Their program will include a presentation by Canon Explorer of Light Darrell Gulin, who will be speaking on the topic of "Cowboys and Cowgirls."

Darrell has been photographing for over 35 years, marketing his work for the last 33 years, and has been a full-time Nature/Travel Photographer for the last 26 years. He markets his work through Stock Agencies, Editorial Markets, Photography Workshop/Tours, Seminars and Speaking Engagements.

His photographs have been published in Outdoor Photographer, Newsweek, National Geographic, Audubon, National Wildlife, Birder's World, Sunset, Nature's Best, and many more.

He is an accomplished speaker/teacher and also was featured on five Canon Photo Safari television programs where he taught actors/actresses to photograph in the field. He leads the Gulin / Ken & Lydia Strange workshops and travels around the world capturing special moments photographically.

 

         

Examples of Darrell Gulin's Work

 

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February 2021

PPC Members Invited To Free Tim Grey Virtual Photo Conference THIS SUNDAY

On Sunday, February 21st, Tim Grey will present the GreyLearning Virtual Photo Conference, a free all-day (9:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT) live online event with a variety of presentations on photography, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, and more.

In case you're not familiar with Tim, he is a popular educator in digital photography, with strong presentation and writing skills. Tim has authored 18 books on subjects related to photography, has been publishing the daily "Ask Tim Grey" email newsletter for over 19 years, produces a variety of video training courses, and much more.

This free event is being shared with camera club members around the country. If you are interested in participating, the schedule and other details can be found on the conference registration page.

 

February Monthly Meeting Rescheduled

In consideration of the current issues with electrical accessibility and internet connectivity, we have moved this Thursday’s scheduled monthly meeting out one week.

Please join us for our rescheduled February club meeting on Thursday, February 25th at 7:00 PM.

This month's program will be “Models, Celebrities and Others” by Evans Caglage. He will discuss what he looks for in his portrait and editorial fashion images, including lighting decisions as well as choosing locations.

We will also share the latest news on what’s happening at PPC.

The meeting will close with the results of our January 2021 contest.

 

PPC Members Invited to Presentation by Canon Explorer of Light Darrell Gulin on April 10

The Heard Nature Photographers club has invited Plano Photography Club members to attend their monthly meeting on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 2PM CT (meeting instructions to follow at a later time).

Their program will include a presentation by Canon Explorer of Light Darrell Gulin, who will be speaking on the topic of "Cowboys and Cowgirls."

Darrell has been photographing for over 35 years, marketing his work for the last 33 years, and has been a full-time Nature/Travel Photographer for the last 26 years. He markets his work through Stock Agencies, Editorial Markets, Photography Workshop/Tours, Seminars and Speaking Engagements.

His photographs have been published in Outdoor Photographer, Newsweek, National Geographic, Audubon, National Wildlife, Birder's World, Sunset, Nature's Best, and many more.

He is an accomplished speaker/teacher and also was featured on five Canon Photo Safari television programs where he taught actors/actresses to photograph in the field. He leads the Gulin / Ken & Lydia Strange workshops and travels around the world capturing special moments photographically.

 

         

Examples of Darrell Gulin's Work

 

Adobe Ships Photoshop 22.2 and Photoshop on the iPad 2.1

Excerpted from CGChannel.com:

Adobe has released Photoshop 22.2, the latest update to its image-editing and digital painting software, adding new options to invite others to edit cloud documents, and to sync presets to the cloud.

The release also adds new control options for vector shapes to the Shape Properties panel.

The tablet edition of the software gets a smaller update, with Photoshop on the iPad 2.1 just adding the option to invite other users to edit cloud documents.

Photoshop 22.2 and Photoshop on the iPad 2.1 are primarily workflow updates, with both apps getting the option to invite other people to edit documents saved to the cloud.

Anyone invited to edit gets an email notification with a link to the document.

Users of the desktop edition of the software also get the option to sync presets like brushes and swatches to their Creative Cloud account, for use on other machines.

For additional information on the latest updates to Adobe Photoshop, please visit the Adobe website.

 

PPC Members Invited To New Free Webinar From Lisa Langell

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

Plano Photography Club members have been invited to attend a virtual seminar from award-winning photographer Lisa Langell entitled AN ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHER LIES IN ALL OF US.

This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, February 23, 2020, from 7:30 PM CT to 9:00 PM CT. Attendance is free, but you must register in advance.

Lisa Langell

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Many people believe that they are “not artistic.” Like so many skills in life, it is a learned skill.

Through this program you will learn to be more artistic and creative with your photography. All too many “prevent” the creative process from happening. One of the biggest mental blocks is simply believing “I am not a creative person.” Most often this is from individuals who are in scientific and technical fields. This program is designed to break down creative barriers in a really fun and logical way.

You will learn how to apply the creative process and develop patterns that will bring more joy, innovation, success, creativity, and happiness to your photography!

Things you will learn from this program:

How even those who feel they “are not artistic” can actually become artistic and creative

Understand “imaginative skill” and how it develops

About Lisa's “Mash up” formula for producing creativity

How you can debunk your own myths about artistic and creative ability

How to exercise your creativity through real-world examples and activities we will complete during the session

Inspirations to take with you

Lisa Langell is a full-time working photographer in Arizona whose photography has included the cover of Outdoor Photography as well as the pages of Arizona Highways, Ranger Rick, and various art galleries. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photography Association. In her earlier work life, she was a master floral designer, a licensed psychologist, a university faculty member, an international consultant in K-12 education, the Chief Business Development Officer of an education technology company, a researcher, a writer, and an artist. She is one who has enjoyed meeting each challenge.

 

Annual Heard Photography Contest Now Open

The annual Heard Nature Photography Contest is accepting submissions through February 24, 2021.

The fee for each submitted image is $10 and proceeds from the contest benefit the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary.

The contest is hosted by the museum's affiliated photography club but you don’t have to be a member of the museum or the photography club to participate.

To learn more about the contest, including the requirements for submitted photos, please visit the contest website.

 

 

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January 2021

Mark Your Calendars For These Celestial Events in 2021

As we continue to work through the pandemic and deal with its required safety protocols, there are still opportunities for photographers to exercise their creative muscles with a spate of upcoming astronomical events.

This article (excerpted and linked below) from The Washington Post and meteorologist Matthew Cappucci summarizes the major celestial events happening this year. Not all of them will be visible from Dallas-Ft. Worth, and they are marked below.

The calendar has flipped to 2021, and the coronavirus pandemic continues to dominate daily life. Social gatherings are in many cases on hold, and leisurely pastimes have been replaced or altered. Fortunately, the night sky has your back, with several mesmerizing spectacles set to unfold during the upcoming year. Here are some of the top astronomical events of 2021.

• Venus and Jupiter conjunction: February 11
• Quadruple conjunction: March 9-10
• Four supermoons: March 28, April 27, May 24 (brightest of the four), June 24
• Total lunar eclipse: May 26
• Annular solar eclipse: June 10
• Venus and Mars conjunction: July 12
• Perseid meteor shower: August 11-12
• Partial lunar eclipse: November 19
• Total solar eclipse: December 4 (visible only from Antarctica)
• Geminid meteor shower: December 13-14

The full article (which is open to access for all) provides additional information about each of these astronomical happenings.

 

PPC Recognized at GSCCC January Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received an award in the January 2021 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

Nature Images

• 1st: Sunrise in the Rockies - Dennis Fritsche

For a full list of January winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to all those listed above.

 

Arlington Museum of Art Is Hosting Two Street Photography Exhibitions

Hugh Adams - who is scheduled to present a training class on street photography in March - has brought to our attention that the Arlington Museum of Art is hosting an exhibit of famed street photographer Vivian Maier’s discovered photography through February 21, 2021.

From the museum website:

Dating from the 1950s to the 1980s, Vivian Maier: The Color Work captures the street life of Chicago and New York, and includes a number of the artist’s enigmatic self-portraits. Maier’s color work was made during the last 30 years of her life when she began to work with a 35-millimeter camera during which time she produced roughly 40,000 Ektachrome color slides. This exhibition is the largest and most highly curated collection of Maier’s full-color photographs to date.

The museum is also hosting the current Texas Photographic Society street photography exhibition through the same date:

Street Encounters celebrates the art of street photography in the spirit of Vivian Maier, who captured the world around her like an unknown witness. [It is] a juried exhibition featuring the works of 50 photographers. The exhibit features works in both black and white and color.

Tickets for museum admission may be purchased in advance, and visitors must adhere to the museum's published COVID policies.

 

Attend Free Live Edit Session Hosted By Mike Mezeul

Mike Mezeul has invited Plano Photography Club members to attend his next "Live Edit Session” at no cost on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 7:00 PM CST to see a sample of the benefits of joining his Patreon page.

Mike is an accomplished photographer who has been both a speaker and contest judge for the PPC. If you need an introduction to his work, check out his website at mikemezphotography.com.

Topics and techniques to be covered in the free “Edit Session" include:

• Double Processing RAW Images via Smart Objects
• Layer Masking
• Dodging & Burning
• Light Bleeding
• Orton Effect

Topic: Live Edit Session - Full Edit Oregon Coast Sunrise
Date: Monday, January 11, 2021
Time: 7:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89085624531

 

Guidelines For Photographers To Live By

Happy New Year, PPC members!

The article excerpted below was written by John McIntire on Digital Photography School (click through on the link at the bottom to read the full text).

It's a thoughtful post that we might all review as we prepare for a new year of photography in 2021. Thanks to Jerry Schlesinger for sending it our way.

It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to photography or a seasoned pro with decades of experience; at some point or another, you’re going to develop some habits and behaviors that are counterproductive.

Without getting these habits in check, they can have a negative effect on your photography, whether on your portfolio in general, your love for the medium, or your workflow. Sometimes these behaviors can even be destructive to other people in ways you didn’t realize.

In this article, I’ll share 14 guidelines for photographers – designed to deal with some of these counterproductive behaviors and habits that I’ve come across.

Now, none of these are rules, and I am not presenting them as such. If you feel that a guideline doesn’t apply to you, I am not saying or implying that you are wrong for feeling that way. These are merely my thoughts based on my experiences.

So without further ado, here are 14 guidelines for photographers to live by.