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 Field Trip. Look for announcements and invitations by e-mail, Meetup, and on the club’s Website.
- May 4 – Speaker (7:30 p.m.)
- May 11 – Competition – Monochrome (7:30 p.m.)
- May 18 – Photo Forum (7:30 p.m.)
- May 27 – Field Trip – Cresson Sanatorium and Prison, Cresson PA (meet at entrance by 12:30 p.m.) NOTE DATE CHANGE!
- May 25 – 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 NEXT CABLE RELEASE:
If you’d like to share an article, announcement, or Letter to the Editor about anything photographic please email them by June 24. Email items or questions to Tanya Riseman and Sherm Edwards at cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
DEADLINE: BY MAY 24th TO cablereleaseeditor@ssccphotography.org.
MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS
MEETING LOCATION
Throughout this year, we have been meeting virtually and this will continue for Speaker Night, Photo Forum, and Board meetings. 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 JYM WILSON – COMING FULL CIRCLE: PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS FROM A CAREER IN PHOTOJOURNALISM
Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
- Look up.
- Look down.
- Look all around.
- Always stop, failing that, always go back.
Jym Wilson began making photographs his freshman year in high school and never stopped. He began his professional career as the two-day-a-week, (wet lab), darkroom tech at the Burlington, (VT), Free Press in 1977, rising through the department over the next sixteen years and leaving as the paper’s “chief” photographer. He left to work for Gannett News Service in Washington DC in 1993, covering a delightfully wide variety of assignments. He joined USA TODAY in 1999 as a photo editor in the Life section specializing in entertainment. He took a buyout in 2015 and kicked around for a few years attempting to find footing as an art photographer, (whatever that means).
Jim moved to Springfield MO in June 2019, where he has continued to not find success as an art photographer, although he did sell three photographs at a coffee shop show this year. Fortunately for him, the Springfield Daily Citizen, an online-only Springfield-centric news outlet, launched in February 2022. He now finds enormous satisfaction working assignments for the Daily Citizen, covering some of the same types of stories as when he began his career more than 45 years ago.
COMPETITION COLUMN
Our April topic is Monochrome:
The term “Monochrome Photography” encompasses images that use only a single color, including the full array of shades of that color. So, for example, black and white photos, with black as the single color and its multiple shades of gray, are monochrome. Other single colors and their shades are equally acceptable. Under this definition, a sepia tone photo is acceptable, but a sepia tone photo containing a red umbrella would not qualify as a monochrome. Any subject matter is acceptable. In addition, a photo is acceptable if was originally taken as a color image, as long as the image presented for the competition has been rendered into monochrome.
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.)
MATTHEW MAHLSTEDT – JUDGE – MONOCHROME COMPETITION
Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Matthew Mahlstedt is a Baltimore-based photographer who grew up just outside of Annapolis, where his mother taught him the basics of photography at a young age. He originally had plans to be a 3-D animator and worked several warehouse jobs to put himself through school. But after realizing how much time would be spent sitting at a computer, he made a career change. After 11 years as the staff photographer for Tamarain Carpets and countless side gigs, Matthew started his own company, That Baltimore Photographer.
He is very active in the local photography community around Baltimore and can often be found at film meetups or judging photography competitions held by camera clubs throughout Maryland. This community connection is one of Matthew’s favorite aspects of being a photographer as “I’m so often surprised by the creativity and determination of my fellow photon hoarders.”
END OF YEAR COMPETITION
Requirements: Each member may submit up to 5 projected images from those that s/he entered in monthly club competitions this current season. Eligible submissions need not have won an award in the monthly competition(s) in which they were submitted. But please remember — images submitted for the year-end competition must be identical to those submitted in the regular season competitions and entries must be submitted in the same categories (print or projected) in which they were originally submitted.
- Please email your Submission Form list of up to 5 selected projected entries to COMPETITION @ SSCCPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG. Only the titles of your selections are needed.
- Please do not resend any projected images; the images that you previously submitted will be used.
- The selection of projected images must be sent by midnight (11:59 pm) on the SECOND FRIDAY OF MAY.
PHOTO FORUM MAY 2023
Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Join us for discussion on topics including What photography opportunities can you recommend to other members? As for this month’s presentations; What would you like to present? We are looking for volunteers! We are planning to demo and provide tips/techniques for some new Adobe tools (e.g. Lightroom & Camera Raw masking). 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.
FIELD TRIP – CRESSON SANATORIUM AND PRISON
Saturday, May 27, meet by 12:30 p.m. NOTE DATE CHANGE FROM EARLIER EDITION!
To Photograph: Abandoned 100-year-old sanatorium, mental hospital, and prison. Historic Tudor-style buildings, a morgue, historic Grace Chapel, several styles of prototypical prison blocks, administrative buildings, medical building, a gymnasium, and an expansive tunnel system. Over 15 buildings situated on over 35 fenced-in acres. A map is provided at check-in that includes details such as the year built, usages, and size of each building. Tunnels are open for exploration at your own risk. Buildings were renovated for safety but are largely in original condition.
Bonus: Potential to photograph ghosts, who allegedly are frequently sighted. [Not sure if ghosts show up on film—ask Dave Powell.]
Where: 251 Correction Rd, Cresson, PA.
Time: 12:30 p.m. at entrance. Three-hour time tickets are $45 for 1:00 p.m. entry. Stay tuned for more info on how to purchase tickets.
Masks are highly recommended for inside buildings. These are 100-year-old abandoned buildings with dust and other possible contaminants.
Directions: Take I-270 N, I-70 W, I-76 W and I-99 N/US-220 N to Admiral Peary Hwy in Cresson Township. Take the exit toward Cresson/Summit from US-22 W. Follow Admiral Peary Hwy to Correction Rd. to Cresson Sanatorium and Prison, 251 Correction Rd, Lilly, PA.
Dinner: TBD, for those staying overnight or anyone who wants to join.
Optional overnight: Recommend Altoona Quality Inn [$110 on Expedia]. Options for photographing Altoona [some of which is still in 1950s} and railroad trains.
Leader: Phil Boyer—301-204-5549
FIELD TRIP – OPTIONAL DAY 2: HORSESHOE CURVE NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AND RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Sunday, May 28, meeting time and place TBD.
To Photograph: Horseshoe Curve is a 2,375-foot-long three-track railroad curve that crosses the Allegheny Mountains. The track bed was carved through solid rock formations of the Alleghany mountains, and forms a giant horseshoe-shaped curve [the largest in the world]. See the photograph in the gallery below.
The Railroaders Memorial Museum is in Altoona; it contains railroad rolling stock, locomotives, Pullman cars, and other train stuff.
Where: Horseshoe Curve is at Kittanning Point Road and Glenwhite Road, Altoona, PA [phone 814-946-0834} You can also get there by following the railroad tracks six miles out of town. From observation points, tracks, passing trains, and rock formations are visible. Note that this site is not handicapped-accessible, but most observation points can be accessed by stairs. The museum is at 2400 Veterans Memorial Highway, Altoona, PA 16601. Attendees will decide Saturday night whether to visit the museum first or go directly to the Curve.
Bring: Tripod, walking stick or monopod, good climbing shoes.
Lunch: TBD.
CLUB NEWS
BOARD MEETING
The SSCC Board did not meet in April. Minutes from all meetings can be found in the board meeting minutes archives when they have been finalized.
MAY PICNIC
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.
CONFERENCES AND EXPOS
MEMBER ARTICLES
Silly iPhone Trick: How to Capture Your Subject Twice in One Photo
by Bruce Schaefer
COMPETITION RESULTS
ON THE JOB – APRIL 20
March’s competition topic was On the Job, for projected images only. Bidyottam Mittrs 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. 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: David Terao ~ Tree Removal
2nd Place: Wendy Kates ~ Working the Soda Fountain
3rd Place: Bob Catlett ~ Candyman
HM: Ilona Linnoila ~ On the Job
HM: Larry Gold ~ Scaffolding in Budapest
HM: Wendy Kates ~ Pitch Perfect
David Terao ~ Tree Removal
This image was shot last summer in my backyard when I had a tall pine tree cut down. I was impressed with the precision used to cut the tree in order to fell the tree with pinpoint accuracy. Although I took many shots, this was the only one that clearly showed the tree cutter's face and the sawdust flying from his chainsaw.
NOVICE PROJECTED
1st Place: Thomas Allen ~ Professor’s Workplace
2nd Place: Larry Brauer ~ If I had a Hammer
3rd Place: Jim Riley ~ Saxman at Work
HM: Carmen Petruzzi ~ Barrista
Thomas Allen ~ Professors' Workplace
In my long career as an academic, I attended, maybe, three conferences a year, where I'd fly off, and live in a mammoth conference center for three days, during which I'd stand on a stage and present a twenty-minute paper (if I was lucky), or stand in front of a poster (more likely) for my allotted schedule time, and be a barker for my research. I'd always find a place, in the vast hallways adjacent to large conference center ballrooms, to sit, alone, go through my talk, and get ready to defend my findings. Often, I loved doing this. Often I um, didn't. I will say it gave me opportunities to photograph on someone else's dime.
BEGINNER PROJECTED
HM: Miriam Struck ~ Working in LA 1
HM: Miriam Struck ~ Working in LA 2
Miriam Struck ~ Working in LA 1
LA 1 and 2 were taken during my recent trip to Los Angeles, where I was born and grew up. The photos were taken with my iPhone 13 Pro, which has become my travel and go to camera. My sister and a friend and I, were on an Art Deco architecture tour with the LA Conservancy. We were walking on Broadway, looking at the many old movie theaters that are now shells of their former, grand selves, when I noticed a traffic officer directing traffic. His movements were like a dance, graceful and expressive. I hope the images adequately convey it.
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
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