The virtual meeting of the Dubuque Camera Club on May 24, 2021 was attended by 17 club members. The meeting got off to a flying start at 6:29½ sharp because Chuck Isenhart was on the autobahn and trying to maintain his current velocity. We apologize to anyone who joined the meeting and felt confused. There was no introduction, and yes, everybody got dipped into deep water right away.
We realize it’s hard to cruise at top speed with a laptop (and webcam!) teetering on the dashboard of your Chevy. However, next time we hope that Chuck will take a few moments to meditate with his toes still on the diving board before he drags the rest of us into the 12-foot zone. (Note: If you’re mumbling “mixed metaphor,” sorry, there’s nothing that can be done. Next time will be better, we promise — cross my heart and hope to kiss a frog.)
Digital Travel judging. First speedo thing on the agenda was breaking tiebreakers for the N4C Digital Travel (DT) judging. Cara Pusateri organized the submissions; and this month’s judges — Stephonie Schmitz and Chuck Isenhart — offered their thoughts on the top images. Bob Felderman also served as a volunteer judge this month, but was absent from tonight’s meeting. We suspect Bob’s real-life travels prevented him from joining this virtual discussion of digital travel. (If your eyes are crossed now, please be aware, this is within the realm of normal. However, Kevin’s image below is not — possibly to his granddaughter’s disappointment.) Cara channeled Bob and made the deciding vote. Winners are already on the N4C website.
Congratulations to the following club photographers whose images appear in the N4C winners’ galleries for the May 2021 competition:
- Kevin McTague – Digital Altered Reality, 2nd place, “See Jane Run”
- Stephonie Schmitz – Digital Nature, 3rd place, “Giraffe Pool, Massai Mara, Africa”
- Andreas Exner – Digital Nature, honorable mention, “Sandhill Cranes”
• Jim Durrant – Photo entered by the N4C in the PSA Council Challenge, “Nighttime at Fallingwater”
Print competition changes from the N4C. It sounds like the N4C has decided on print competition changes, effective this fall. No mats or backing will be allowed, categories will be doubled up (Here we go marching two-by-two, hurrah, hurrah), and everything needs to fit in specific sized mailing boxes. More info is in the N4C’s May newsletter. Our club will need to decide if, given these changes, we want to participate in print competition. Our club has not participated in monthly print competition for the past several years, due to the cost and hassle.
UPCOMING EXHIBITS — An opening reception for the Eclectic exhibit at the Smokestack will be held on Friday, July 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This is part of First Fridays. Participating club members will need to have their own prints made. More info here.
Trees at DuMA. Everybody please check what you sent in for the Trees exhibit at DuMA. If you want to add or delete an image, let Ron or Ken know. Each person can submit up to five, and be prepared to pay for printing costs for up to two. The art museum curator will curate (Does that sound repetitious?), and we’ll order matching prints as a club. Remember, participating in club exhibits is a perk of Dubuque Camera Club membership. Samples will be available at the picnic.
Club picnic coming up!
** Club Picnic on June 7th! The annual end-of-the-season club picnic will be held on Monday, June 7th at 6:00 (six) p.m. The club will order a catered box lunch for everyone who RSVPs by Friday, June 4th. Each club member may bring up to one guest. This is a perfect opportunity to bring someone who is interested in joining the club. A spouse or significant other is fine too. Look in the club email that was sent on May 23rd for a link to the RSVP form.
Remember, there are no regular club meetings during the summer. (Possibly we will organize a summer photoshoot or presentation). Our regular meetings will start up again in person on TUESDAY, September 7th at a venue TBD. Ron said he hopes to continue offering a virtual option for future meetings.
Dues will be due in September. If you want to get a jump on next year’s dues, you are welcome to do so. Simply click this link to renew your member dues online. New members may also join using the same link.
Photo Caravan images
The highlight of tonight’s meeting was looking at images from the Photo Caravan on Wednesday, May 19th. It was led by Dubuque Camera Club member and renowned landscape photographer Henry Matthiessen III. The club met in Galena, and then drove southward to visit several photogenic destinations. Sixteen people attended the photo caravan, and everyone who went took pictures and had fun. “Let’s do it again” was unanimous for this photoshoot.
During the photo caravan, the club visited the following destinations. Click here for a map.
- Galena’s Historic Train Depot
- Horseshoe Mound Preserve
- Chestnut Mountain Resort
- Bottomlands Barn with reflections
- Railroad overpass with graffiti
- Blanding Landing
Quite a few people have shared images to the club’s Facebook group. You can also see some images in this folder in the club’s online gallery.
