Hear Ye. Hear Ye. Vote on Proposed Club Constitutional Revision to Take Place April 20, 2023
Member, Photographic Society of America
Winner of the 2008, 2011, and 2012 PSA Henricks Award for best newsletter!
Tanya Riseman and Sherm Edwards, Editors, Cable Release, at cablereleaseeditor@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.
- April 13 – Speaker (7:30 p.m.)
- April 15 – Field Trip – Piscataway Park (8:30 a.m.)
- April 20 – Competition – On the Job (7:30 p.m.)
- April 27 – Photo Forum (7:30 p.m.)
- TBD – Board Meeting
2022-2023 Calendar
See here for this season’s calendar, which will be updated as information becomes available. It includes 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.org
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-2022-2023
PLEASE CONSIDER PROVIDING MATERIALS FOR THE APRIL CABLE RELEASE:
If you’d like to share an article, announcement, or Letter to the Editor about anything photographic please email them by April 24. Email items or questions to Tanya Riseman and Sherm Edwards at cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
DEADLINE: BY APRIL 24th TO cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS
MEETING LOCATION
Up to now this year, we have been meeting virtually and this will continue for Speaker Night, Photo Forum, and Board meetings. As of now, with regard to competitions, we will decide how to meet on a month-by-month basis, guided by Montgomery County and the CDC. Any in-person meetings will be held at Northwood Presbyterian Church (https://www.northwoodchurch.com/), and KN95 masks will be required.
SPEAKER NIGHT WITH MARILYN STONE – SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Marilyn Stone is the Visual Media & Imaging Specialist at the Montgomery County Department of Parks in Silver Spring, Maryland. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Film & Media Production from American University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University. Marilyn’s academic and professional background includes eight years of collective experience in both documentary video production and photography with a focus on reconnecting viewers with nature and science through media. Her production and editing experience has allowed her to work locally with production teams and abroad as a run-and-gun filmmaker on a variety of collaborations for visual storytelling. Email: Marilyn.Stone@montgomeryparks.org
COMPETITION COLUMN
Our April topic is On the Job:
“On the Job” photography encompasses images which capture individuals engaging in employment or other labor activities, whether paid or unpaid.
Members may submit up to two images meeting this definition. The images should be emailed to: competition@ssccphotography.org by midnight (11:59 p.m.) on the day of the month’s Speaker Night. (One important detail – In order to participate in the competition, you must pay the club’s annual dues before the start of the competition.)
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.
BIDYOTTAM MITTRS – JUDGE – APRIL ON THE JOB COMPETITION
Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Bidyottam is an infectious diseases scientist by profession, currently working at the NIH, and a photographer by passion. His photographic journey started with a Fuji point-and-shoot camera he received from his dad as a high-school graduation gift. The limitations of a point-and-shoot camera forced him to explore compositional ideas from his formative days, seeking unique light and point of views to make his photographs stand out; qualities that he found extremely helpful when he graduated to SLR, and finally to DSLR in 2005.
Bidyottam’s first and foremost passion has been nature photography, inspired by the masters like Ansel Adams and Sebastiao Selgado. He has extensively traveled and photographed the American West. He has also traveled and photographed across the globe with the sole intention of the capturing stories of the places and people in his images.
After settling in the DC area, he joined the Gaithersburg Camera Club in 2014, which opened a completely new world of photographic possibilities for him to explore and helped him mature as a photographer. He enjoyed planning and shooting photographs for themed competitions, particularly to experimenting with light and monochrome.
Currently, Bidyottam is one of the most successful members of the club, becoming a “Grandmaster” in 2018 and winning six “Photographer of the Year” awards between 2017 and 2019. He has won multiple awards in other competitions including a first-place award in the 2019 Maryland Photography Alliance (MPA) Photo Contest. His photographs have been published in magazines and images have also been exhibited in multiple juried exhibits including all of MPA’s exhibits from 2017-19.
Bidyottam considers his association with the camera club to be a major influence in his personal development as a photographer, and believes in giving back to the club in various capabilities – in mentoring new comers as well as a member of the board. Recently he discovered a new avenue to share his photographic experience and passion with fellow enthusiasts in the role of a MPA certified photo competition judge.
Web gallery: https://bidyottammittra.smugmug.com
PHOTO FORUM APRIL 2023
Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Join us for discussion on topics including Do you have ideas for next year’s Competition Themes? and Have you ever experienced and gotten past “photographer’s block”? As for this month’s presentations; What would you like to present this month? We are looking for volunteers! We wrap up as usual with Photo Sharing. Send 1 or 2 of your images to share if you wish; this month’s theme is Open. (Read More)
FIELD TRIP – PISCATAWAY PARK
Saturday, April 15, at 8:30 a.m.
To Photograph: Bald Eagles, Beavers, Blue Birds, Ospreys, and “Lambs & Lattes.” Park has numerous trails through wetlands along the Potomac; good for photographing birds. From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., there is a “lamb shearing event, which includes livestock demonstration, milking, and lamb shearing. Also Refreshments and an Art Show.
Where: 3400 Bryan Point Rd Accokeek, Maryland. Park at the first lot on the right after the entrance.
Time: 8:30 at the parking lot next to Farm. Park opens at Sunrise. (Birds get up early.)
Fees: No fees for Park attendance; lamb festival is $15; tickets can be bought in advance from Accokeek Foundation.
Directions: From the Capital Beltway (I495/95) take southbound Exit 3, to MD210 South/Indian Head Highway. Travel approximately 9 miles, at the traffic light by B&J Carryout turn right on Livingston Road (please note that Livingston Road crosses MD210 several times) Drive one block and turn right on Biddle Road. At the stop sign, turn left on Bryan Point Road and follow about 3.5 miles. Park Entrance is on the right.
Lunch: Picnic Lunch there; there are no nearby restaurants!
Leader: Phil Boyer—301-204-5549
CLUB NEWS
BOARD MEETING
The SSCC Board met in March. Minutes from all meetings can be found in the board meeting minutes archives when they have been finalized.
HEAR YE. HEAR YE. UPCOMING CONSTITUTION ELECTION
Vote on Proposed Club Constitutional Revision to Take Place April 20, 2023.
A vote to approve changes to the Silver Spring Camera Club’s constitution will occur via Zoom on Tuesday, April 20, during the Competition meeting. [Yes, the 20th: we are moving each meeting to one week later due to Passover.] If you are unable to attend, the name of your proxy* may be submitted to president@ssccphotography by Tuesday, April 18.
Now it is critical that everyone vote in attendance or by proxy on April 20, so we are sure to reach a quorum. Plus that night has the exciting Competition topic of “On the Job.”
Read the proposed language here:
Read a summary of key changes from the previous 2018 constitution here: https://www.ssccphotography.org/summary-of-key-changes-to-sscc-constitution-2023-2/. The summary includes the following topics:
- Math! Changes in fractions and quantities for votes and quorums
- How to vote
- Changes to Standing Committees
- Changes in Duties
- Newsletter and Website
*Proxy: you may delegate your voting power to another member of SSCC to cast a vote for you in your absence. Please coordinate this with your representative ahead of time. Your email to the President by Tuesday, April 18, that designates your proxy will enable this vote.
Per the Current Constitution:
“Article XVII – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of members present at a regular Club meeting, including written proxies. Election Proxies may be submitted to the Secretary by an electronic means approved by the Board. Amendments may be proposed by any Club member. A proposed amendment may not be voted on at the meeting in which it is proposed, but shall be voted on after publication in the Newsletter and not later than the second regular Club meeting following such publication.”
Come Participate in Club Committees
To all Silver Spring Camera Club members,
Silver Spring Camera Club committees need fresh ideas to help them continue to thrive. There are opportunities to learn what is needed to make a committee work. Working with others gives us chances to know what is happening in our community as well as to help shape our vision of it. We hope you will choose a committee listed below and help the club continue to excel as we plan for our future. You can help on a committee even if it is as simple as gathering information. You do not need to be an expert on all parts of the committee.
- Competitions – defines themes chosen for the year, answers questions about them, and keeps track of winning photographs.
- Membership – welcomes new and potential members and answers questions for them.
- Field Trips – plans and attends field trips.
- Historian – keeps records of club activity, especially competitions.
- Web Site – updates the pages which include adding the monthly newsletter.
- Programs – Contacts and organizes speakers and judges.
- Photo Forum – helps secure, develop, and execute topics for member education 3rd Thursdays.
- Newsletter – collects information and lays out all the parts in WordPress.
- We are also in need of a secretary who takes notes, compiles them in minutes, oversees the year-end event, and is responsible for sending out eblasts. Members help with the end-of-year so there is no heavy burden in this task.
With more people joining these positions, the duties become easy to manage, and no one person must do all the work. Friendships are made in the process, and our club benefits overall. We do hope you will share a small part of the process.
If you are interested in any of these committees please let us know.
Lisa Auerbach, Marc Auerbach, Andrew Rein
membership@ssccphotography.org
MPA NEWS
MPA’s yearly conference “Odyssey of Light” takes place on the weekend of April 15 and 16, 2023. Over 350 people have already signed up for this virtual event. Bryan Peterson, Joe McNally, Stephen Wilkes, and Art Wolfe will be giving inspiring presentations. All presentations will be recorded. Tickets are now on sale for $35; MPA member discount is available. Plus, Nations Photo Lab will be giving all ticket holders a $15 Gift Card. Don’t miss the action. Register today at www.mdphotoalliance.org/odyssey-of-light-2023.
MPA Grant Program: MPA has worked with trusted photographers creating exciting workshops which are discounted for MPA Members. Check out the new night photography workshops on the Eastern shore that will take place this year. Each workshop is limited to 10 photographers and spots sell out quickly. Check it out at www.mdphotoalliance.org/grant-program-1.
The BWI MPA Photography Exhibition: 34 fine art photographs were installed this week and are ready for viewing. The exhibition is in the Yumi Hogan International Art Gallery, on the upper level near the Security Checkpoint, between Terminals D and E. Seventeen MPA clubs have their work on display. Check it out!
MPA’s Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/MarylandPhotographyAlliance) has grown to over 2,100. If you haven’t become a MPA FB member, join today. And if you like the posts add a comment and share them with your friends! Have questions?
Email MPA at mpa@mdphotoalliance.org
Lisa Auerbach
FEATURES
Member Spotlights
In our club SSCC, the membership runs from beginner to professional. Every member has a story to tell. Each month the CABLE RELEASE will shine the spotlight on some of our members. Edited by Marc Auerbach (Read More)
Field Trip to the Udvar-Hazy Center
Field Trip to the US Botanical Gardens and the National Kite Festival
CONFERENCES AND EXPOS
MEMBER ARTICLES
Macro Presentation given on March 16
At the March Photo Forum, Dennis Freeman explained all the ins and outs of macro photography, with example photos and thoughts from David Blass, Pete Morton, and Dave Powell. You can refresh your memory by viewing Dennis’s slides:
COMPETITION RESULTS
OPEN – MARCH 9
March’s competition topic was Open, for projected images only. Jeanine Cummings was our judge. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the competition was held remotely using Zoom.
There were three categories judged: Advanced Projected (i.e., digital images), Novice Projected, and Beginner Projected. There were no Begginer images submitted. The Print categories are suspended until we start in-person meetings again. 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: Ilona Linnoila ~ Cub Playing with Ice
2nd Place: Karen Finkelman ~ Window Shopping
3rd Place: Beth Koller ~ The Schnoz
HM: Beth Koller ~ Points of View
HM: Renee Schaefer ~ View from Steptoe
HM: Larry Gold ~ Yellow Stigma
Ilona Linnoila ~ Cub Playing with Ice
This picture was taken in Nunavut, Canada, Canadian High Arctic, August 2022. For several days we had an opportunity to follow polar bears conducting their lives on floating sheets of ice from a deck of an icebreaker. This cub was very playful on several occasions. Sony a7RIV camera; 1/500 sec at f/16 ISO 3200 600mm using Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS lens. I used a monopod.
NOVICE PROJECTED
1st Place: Will Rabinovich ~ Discovery’s Engine
2nd Place: Anne Golfer ~ Sunset at Union Station
3rd Place: Diane Sanders ~ Feathery Fungi
HM: Larry Brauer ~ The Cutting Edge
HM: Phil Mandel ~ Spires
Will Rabinovich ~ Discovery's Engine
This image was taken during the club's field trip to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. It is a closeup of the engines on the back of the space shuttle Discovery. I tried to isolate the details to take the shot out of context, though it is not really an abstract. The picture was taken with a Sony A7riv using a Tamron 28-75 lens at 75 mm and f/8. It was processed in Lightroom. I converted to monochrome and did quite a bit of dodging and burning to give a full range of tones. I also split-toned the image, making the shadows slightly brown and the highlights slightly blue.
COURSES, CALLS FOR ENTRY, AND EXHIBITS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
Needed: Someone to author the Classes and Workshop List for the 2023-2024 Cable Release club year. Please let Catherine [ president@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.
Many local vendors and country-wide experts have resumed classes and workshops, both in person and virtually. The following online course providers are just the tip of the iceberg:
- Coursera
- KelbyOne
- LinkedIn Learning free through Montgomery County Libraries (formally Lynda.com)
- Photographic Society of America (PSA)
Please let us know of other online and in-person opportunities you discover by emailing us at cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
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
WASHINGTON POST
Here is a link to the online Washington Post’s lists of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia photography-related exhibits and museums. The various photography-related exhibits appear in different parts of the online paper, making a simple search or link unreliable. You can search within:
Photography section: Photography
Going Out Guide: Going Out Guide
Art Section: Art
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
© 2023 Silver Spring Camera Club and its contributors.
Copyright Notice, Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and External Link Disclaimer