The Dubuque Camera Club meeting on March 2nd was attended by 17 people.
Being early, I got to wait outside a locked door, watching a near-sighted opossum decide whether he (1) smelled a human, or (2) dared to troll the birdfeeder. It took him a long time to make up his mind.
I was sneaking my hand up to the coat pocket that held my Google Pixel when a long stream of car lights suddenly poured into the parking lot. It was 6:29-and-a-half p.m. Had I time-traveled to the closing scene in Field of Dreams? No, but at that moment the possum ran into the woods. Yes, you skeptic, they can run.
In the back room, while the chairs were being set up, we found a plastic box of nametags. The nametags have mysteriously reproduced since the box was last seen in December. (Thank you, Ellie. Or Lois?) Almost enough for everyone.
When people put on a name tag, they suddenly became visible (think Harry Potter and the cloak of invisibility). I felt kind of bad for the club members who had to sit there wearing the magical cloak all night, but at least it kept them safe from the brouhaha about the elephants.
Oh, you skeptical reader — You doubt the elephants…? I am 100% convinced there were not just one, but TWO bull elephants. What’s more, they are identical twins! See for yourself:
The consensus was that it is unfair for the same photo to win twice in the same month. Granted, one image was converted to black and white. We realize that the two judging clubs couldn’t have known that the same image was entered in two categories.
We wondered if the photo was entered in Digital Nature too, but just didn’t win in that category. Club president Ron Tigges said: “If you have a phenomenal photo, don’t stick it into three categories. It should be in the rules.”
Congratulations!
During the meeting, the club reviewed submissions to the March 2020 N4C competition. Our club members have submitted many strong images. A few more spots are open before they are sent onward to the judging club. Here’s a link to the March online gallery.
Congratulations to the following photographers for being recognized in the February 2020 N4C photography competition:
- Ron Tigges, Digital Travel, Merit award
- Ken Kiss, Digital Travel, Merit award
- Kevin McTague, Digital Travel, Honorable mention
- Stephonie Schmitz, Digital Travel, Merit award
- Ron Tigges, Digitally Altered, Merit award
- Stephonie Schmitz, Digitally Altered, Merit award
- Lorna Costello, Digitally Altered, Merit award
- Stephonie Schmitz, Digital Nature, Honorable mention
- Ken Kiss, Digital Nature, Honorable mention
- Kevin McTague, Digital Black and White, Merit award
- Casey Klein, Digital Journalism, Merit award
Casey has been drafted to serve as a judge for a salon competition of the Fargo-Moorehead Camera Club. Although they are also N4C affiliated, they do things a little differently than we do.
She also helped to judge the Digital Pictorial for our club at the Feb. 24 meeting. It was her first experience in that role. “Good learning moment — I recommend it,” said Casey.
Send in your tree photos!
We know you have been taking TREE photos!!! Our club’s tree-themed exhibit is scheduled to be at the Dubuque Museum of Art from September 26 through October 25, 2020.
We will put together a preliminary gallery. This will help us to fine-tune the theme and decide on a creative angle.
Ron suggested that the club can offer a financial subsidy again this year. Last year, for the Reflections exhibit, the club paid for half of one print per participant. Remember, you must be a current club member to participate in club exhibits.
“I would like to see diversity in the images,” he said. Look through what you have, or take new pictures. As in prior years, we may go with 12×18-inch dimensions (either portrait OR landscape is fine). We will NOT order from the same printer as last year. Photoshopping is fine, as long as there is a tree in the photo! Be creative!
Each club member may send in up to five preliminary images. Email them to Ron or Ken. Note that as the theme develops, you will have a chance to swap or update your submissions. Get them sent in so we can go over them at an upcoming meeting!
Smokestack exhibit
The club also has a chance to exhibit at the Smokestack. Potential dates were in May, August, or September. Potentially, this show can be organized quickly since many people have framed prints ready to go.
The Smokestack has space for larger pieces. Items on display can be for sale, and the commission is reasonable. Plus, it’s a nice group venue. As Ron said, “It’s a chance to get together, invite other people, and maybe even make a dollar or two.”
We took a vote, and most people preferred May. However, General Bob will not be available then, so someone else will need to step up to coordinate the exhibit. This will include creating a spreadsheet of artist information. Any volunteers to make this happen…?
Update: Due to the pandemic, the Smokestack exhibit is postponed indefinitely. Sorry about that!
Mines of Spain photography contest
During the meeting, the club judged the winter entries for the Mines of Spain photography contest. These prints will be on display in the nature center.
Ron had fun unpinning all the pictures during the print judging process. It was more complicated than expected — definitely a learning experience for next time! Club members are welcome to submit to this contest, but if you do, you cannot take part in judging.
Spring edition of the Mines of Spain photo contest is coming up. Deadline is June 1, 2020. Photos must be taken in the park. Enter your 8×10-inch prints. It’s OK if they are matted, but they cannot be framed. Click here to learn more.
Regional photography events…
Thanks to Henry Matthiessen III for bringing along some back issues of Shutter magazine. The magazine is published by the organizer of Shutterfest , a unique event in St. Louis.
“The Broad Ideas art display at the Galena Center for the Arts on 219 Summit Street is REALLY good,” says club member Lorna C. “It celebrates and supports women. 100+ pieces. Don’t miss it. It goes until March 29th.”
Karen D. suggests the Out of Chicago Botanic Conference, August 23-27, 2020. “Their workshops sound interesting and the Chicago Botanic Garden is beautiful.”
Many other photography events and conferences are scheduled for this spring or summer, and accepting registration now. See the events listing for a few ideas.
General Bob shared that Professional Photographers of Iowa (PPI) is looking for board members. You must have been a member of PPI for 4 (5?) years in order to apply. Here’s a link to the application, and here’s their bylaws.
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin will be accepting field trip reservations starting April 1st. You must be an NRFW member. They encourage bringing a camera and hold an annual field trip photo contest.
| Bellevue Fishtival on August 15, 2020. The Bellevue Arts Council invites regional artists to exhibit at this year’s 20th annual Fishtival. Artists interested in participating should contact Dave Eisheid. Visit their website for more information. |