February Showcase - Submit by Monday!!!

McBride Gallery

By Bill Tongue

We had a great challenge last week and enough time to hear from many of the photographers about their submission. It's time to submit up to three pictures for the showcase. Bill Tongue picture above was one of the first submitted. The due date is this coming Monday, February 2nd. The showcase will be presented at our meeting February 9th. We will also be having a demonstration of Tabletop photography using various setups from available light and home lamps to "gear head" solutions. It should be a fun meeting.

I have repeated the procedures below for new members and first time participants. Showcase veterans can skip the rest of the posting. Thanks.

Submission Procedures:

• Up to three JPEG image files (any size or resize to 1024pixels maximum on a side to keep the file size reasonable)
• Rename the files with your name and a sequence number (i.e., john-smith-1, john-smith-2, john-smith-3)
• Email files to showcase@digitalphotoclub.us by Monday, February 2nd (Don't be late)
  - If you don't want your pictures in the club website gallery put the phrase "Don't publish my pictures on the club website" in your submission email.

How Showcases Work

The goal of the Showcase is to have members submit three pictures of any subject or subjects of their choice and have them projected in a slide show at a meeting. The pictures can have been taken at anytime. Each member's three images will be displayed in order and the photographer will be asked by the moderator if they would like to comment on their pictures. Each contributor will have up to one minute total to discuss their images. There is no requirement to speak but all of us would like to hear the background behind your pictures, why you selected them and what you might have learned in taking the pictures. Though your commentary is encouraged it is totally up to each contributor.

We need to have all images collected by the Monday the week before the scheduled showcase. This will allow the moderator to assemble the digital slide show in advance of the meeting and insure time to notify contributors if there is error in their submission. At this time late submissions will be deferred to the next showcase.

A Warning About Web Galleries

Images posted on web galleries are subject to being copied and used inappropriately by others and without the photographer's permission . After discussion we have taken some steps to ameliorate this problem by using an Adobe Flash gallery and downsizing the pictures to 800 pixels on a side before posting. These measures are only an inconvenience to pirates. The fact is anyone with the will can digitally scrape an image off a screen. I can say that I have personally decided that posting my own images at small scale. To me it is worth the benefits from sharing. Everyone should make their own decision about the risk versus the reward and decide whether to post or not.

Double Check

We want to make sure that everyone's picture makes into the show. Check the following when you email your pics.

• You should Receive an automatic email reply:“Your email was received. If you attached images to the email they were also received. Thanks for participating!This is an automatically created response. Please don't reply to this message. We will contact you if there is any issue with your submission. Thanks.”
• You should Receive a second short personal email during the week before the showcase or challenge when I add the pictures to the slide show.
• Unless you requested to not post your pictures in a club website gallery your pictures will be included on the club website.
• If you have second thoughts about the web gallery or have other questions please email me at president@digitalphotoclub.us
  

The club member's pictures get better every month come see great photography and hear the shooter's comments on how they were taken.

Colby

Reminder - Submit Pictures for "Holiday Spirit" Challenge

Christmas at Thomas Edison Home

Fort Myers, Florida

Photo by Carol McGonegal

I hope everyone has been taking pictures for the "Holiday Spirit" Challenge! There are only four days until the submission deadline. We have been getting some really nice images as you can see from Carol's entry above. Submit your entries by Monday, January 19th. The challenge images will be reviewed at our meeting January 26th. See the details for the challenge are repeated below.

Please rank your submissions in the order of priority by number them 1 through 3 in the filename. The goal for the challenge will be to have about 60 images reviewed. So if we get over subscribed I will reduce the number for each submission from 3 to 2.

Challenge Subject – Holiday Spirit

• Up to 3 Pictures to be taken between December 1st 2008 and January 19th, 2009
  
• Three JPEG image files (any size or resize to 1024 pixels maximum on a side to keep the file size reasonable)


• Rename the files with your name and a sequence number in priority order (i.e., john-smith-1, john-smith-2, john-smith-3)


• Challenge Review Date – January 26, 2009


• Submission Due Date – January 19, 2009


• Email Images to: challenge@digitalphotoclub.us


• All images will be posted in a special challenge web gallery on the club website- If you don't want your pictures in the club website gallery put the phrase "Don't publish my pictures on the club website" in your submission email.

The challenge will make for a fun meeting January 26t. Hope to see you there.

Thanks.
Colby

New Year Showcase - Submit Now!

Big Sky View From Down Town

by Colby Munger

Happy New Year!!! Carol and I are in Cape Coral, Florida for a few weeks for warm weather and photographing the wildlife preserves and Everglades. Before Christmas I was travelling the northern cities on business and captured the above shot. I look forward to seeing the member pictures from the New York field trip and holiday shots.

OK.... it's time to submit 3 more of your favorite pictures on any subject from anytime by this coming Monday, January 5th for the showcase to be shown at our meeting January 12th. I will still be in Florida so Chris Edwards will host our meeting. After the showcase she will discussing how to improve our eye for composition. This should be a fun meeting.

You will find submission procedure repeated below. Thanks in advance for participating.

Submission Procedures:

• Up to three JPEG image files (any size or resize to 1024pixels maximum on a side to keep the file size reasonable)
• Rename the files with your name and a sequence number (i.e., john-smith-1, john-smith-2, john-smith-3)
• Email files to showcase@digitalphotoclub.us by Monday, January 5th (Don't be late)

- If you don't want your pictures in the club website gallery put the phrase "Don't publish my pictures on the club website" in your submission email.

How Showcases Work

The goal of the Showcase is to have members submit three pictures of any subject or subjects of their choice and have them projected in a slide show at a meeting. The pictures can have been taken at anytime. Each member's three images will be displayed in order and the photographer will be asked by the moderator if they would like to comment on their pictures. Each contributor will have up to one minute total to discuss their images. There is no requirement to speak but all of us would like to hear the background behind your pictures, why you selected them and what you might have learned in taking the pictures. Though your commentary is encouraged it is totally up to each contributor.

We need to have all images collected by the Monday the week before the scheduled showcase. This will allow the moderator to assemble the digital slide show in advance of the meeting and insure time to notify contributors if there is error in their submission. At this time late submissions will be deferred to the next showcase.

A Warning About Web Galleries

Images posted on web galleries are subject to being copied and used inappropriately by others and without the photographer's permission . After discussion we have taken some steps to ameliorate this problem by using an Adobe Flash gallery and downsizing the pictures to 800 pixels on a side before posting. These measures are only an inconvenience to pirates. The fact is anyone with the will can digitally scrape an image off a screen. I can say that I have personally decided that posting my own images at small scale. To me it is worth the benefits from sharing. Everyone should make their own decision about the risk versus the reward and decide whether to post or not.

Double Check

We want to make sure that everyone's picture makes into the show. Check the following when you email your pics.

• You should Receive an automatic email reply:“Your email was received. If you attached images to the email they were also received. Thanks for participating!This is an automatically created response. Please don't reply to this message. We will contact you if there is any issue with your submission. Thanks.”
• You should Receive a second short personal email during the week before the showcase or challenge when I add the pictures to the slide show.
• Unless you requested to not post your pictures in a club website gallery your pictures will be included on the club website.
• If you have second thoughts about the web gallery or have other questions please email me at president@digitalphotoclub.us

I hope you are enjoying your photography as much as I am. May your new year be filled with eye watering images. Thanks.

Colby

Lowe House Office Display - Reminder

Capital Holiday

Photo by E Colby Munger

The deadline for submissions to the DPCA Display at the Lowe Office Building Anne Arundel County Delegation Room is December 1st, just two days away. Pick your best pictures of scenes in Anna Arundel County and email them to ExhibitionLHOB@digitalphotoclub.us . Also remember to send your check for $5 per picture submitted per the instructions below. You can bring your check to the meeting Monday night.

This is a prestigious display in our state capital. It's a opportunity to show off our club and our talented members. I hope everyone will enter. The specific instructions are repeated below for your convenience.

Here are all the details you need to participate:

• Theme: Pictures are to be of City or Anna Arundel County scenes.
• Size of Photographs:- 11 x 14, 16 x 20, 24 x 30 or 24 x 36 (NOTE: new size added) These dimensions are for the image only. The matting and frame are in addition to the size of the photograph.
• Mat:- White in Color, consistent in size appropriate for picture
• Frame:- Simple Black Frame
• Submission Fee:- Fee of $5.00 per picture submitted. Limit of 6 pictures. (NOTE: This does not guarantee being accepted).
• Photo Deadline: - All photos must be submitted on-line by December 1, 2008. Email your entries to: ExhibitionLHOB@digitalphotoclub.us
• Fee Deadline: - Submission fee must also be received by Dec 1, 2008 (payment can be made at
Dec 1 photography club meeting provided photographs have already been submitted). Send check(payable to Digital Photography Club of Annapolis) to Ms. Jan Sheehan, 8 Cove of Cork Lane, Annapolis, Md. 21401.
• Great Juror:-Anne Sherwood*
• Right reserved not to accept work whose appearance is not consistent with the image submitted.

On-Line Submission Details:

Email images to: ExhibitionLHOB@digitalphotoclub.us
Submission must be JPEG image files. Any size is acceptable but it is recommended that you resize to 1024 pixels (largest side) to keep file size reasonable.
Include the following information with each image:

1. Name of Photographer
2. Email Address
3. Name of Piece (i.e. Sunflowers)
4. Price
5. Size of Print Dimensions

Important Dates:

• Submit pictures on line by December 1
• Submit payment by December 1
• Jurying first week in December
• Notification to photographers by December 8.
• Drop off of Pictures Ready for Hanging January 10, 2009

For More Information:

• General Questions to: Sandy Huberfeld email - Huberfelds@aol.com
• Technical Questions to: Suzanne Joiner email - suzannealane@hotmail.com

*About the Juror:

We are very fortunate to have Anne Sherwood as Juror. Her work regularly appears in National Geographic Adventure, New York Times and Smithsonian. She has won National Press Photographer Assoc. Accolades, and Society of Prof Journalists awards.

I hope to see your pictures hanging in this display and look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting on Monday. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Colby

Reminder - "Color" Challenge Deadline Monday, 24 November

Photo by Carol McGonegal

I hope everyone has been taking pictures for the "Color" Challenge! There are only four days until the submission deadline. We have been getting some really nice images as you can see from Carol's entry above. Submit your entries by Monday, November 23rd. The challenge images will be reviewed by Dick Bond at our meeting December 1st. See the details below.

Challenge - "Colors"

In color photography colors are a significant in the overall effect a picture has on the viewer. Vivid colors in combination their complimentary colors can provide the subject of pictures alone. But, the best use of color in all of our compositions make for the most evocative pictures. Color unrealistically over saturated or causing an overall color cast to a picture can easily diminish the desired effect. It just seemed appropriate as peak color arrives in nature at this time of year in Maryland that we see your interpretations for this challenge. I look forward to the entries.
Our first challenge had 83 images. Overall most people were pleased with the last challenge. I mentioned that the process was an experiment in progress. After getting lots of feedback, I would like to refine the format for challenges as we continue the experiment in discovering the best we can do for the club members. First, the challenge went longer than our endurance so we will still take 3 entries but I would like the submitters to rank them in the order of priority by number them 1 through 3 in the filename. The goal for next challenge will be to have about 60 images reviewed. So if we get over subscribed I will reduce the number for each submission from 3 to 2.

The second significant change is the elimination for the next challenge of having merit categories using 4 and 5 stars. We got mixed reviews both loving it and hating it. The challenge allows us to bring in experts from the outside to provide positive critique and recommendations for improving our photography. I found the reviewer to be distracted by having to think about the quantification of merit. On the other hand it would be great to have the reviewer identify those pictures found outstanding and explain why they were so effective. So.... I will ask the reviewer to make sure he or she is positive in recommended improvements and explicit in recognizing the outstanding images and the qualities that make them so. I will be looking forward to feedback from you after we try this format too.

Here is the critical information:

• Challenge Subject – Colors
• Up to 3 Pictures to be taken between October 20 and November 24, 2008
• Three JPEG image files (any size or resize to 1024pixels maximum on a side to keep the file size reasonable)
• Rename the files with your name and a sequence number in priority order (i.e., john-smith-1, john-smith-2, john-smith-3)
• Challenge Review Date – December 1, 2008
• Submission Due Date – November 24, 2008
• Email Images to: challenge@digitalphotoclub.us
• All images will be posted in a special challenge web gallery on the club website- If you don't want your pictures in the club website gallery put the phrase "Don't publish my pictures on the club website" in your submission email.

The challenge will make for a fun meeting December 1st. Hope to see you there. Thanks.

Colby

Conowingo Dam Saturday, Showcase Monday

Eagle at Conowingo Dam

by E Colby Munger

Conowingo Dam Field Trip

The weather looks great for our photo outing this Saturday, November 1st at Conomwingo Dam. Matt Korbelak will be there from 8-11am. The parking lot at the dam is only about 100 yards long so you will be able to find everyone. Click on http://www.digitalphotoclub.net/pdf/conowingoDam.pdf for driving directions. All the action can be shot right from the parking lot. The picture above was taken right from the parking lot. The eagles fish the river right in front of you and often use the parking lot trees for a place to finish their meal. You won't be disappointed. I unfortunately have a conflict but join Matt for a great shooting opportunity.

Showcase - Monday, November 3rd

I have just reviewed the pictures submitted for the showcase and this showcase is by far the best selection of pictures I have seen submitted. Come see what your fellow members are taking and hear their comments on where and how their pictures were taken. We will start of with Dan Beigel on "Putting a Body of Work Together." You can read more about his talk and background on Don's blog at http://dpcaprograms.blogspot.com/.

Sandy Huberfeld will also be outlining the club's plans for exhibitions. The exhibition committee has done a great job on putting together opportunities for club members exhibit their photographic art. Come hear all about it Monday.

This Monday Matt Korbelak will also be conducting the meeting and showcase. At a board meeting last night we decided to rotate conducting the meetings through your officers and volunteers so you can get to know all of us.

Look forward to seeing you Monday. Thanks.

Colby

Showcase and Challenge - The Latest News

Mirror Lake, Lake Placid, New York

By E Colby Munger

This posting discusses a showcase for our next meeting and the opening of a new challenge - "Colors." So keep reading.

For our next meeting on November 3rd we will have a showcase. Our last two showcases have been a hit. All of us has learned from the members commenting on their own images. The deadline for submission is Monday, October 27th. That's just a few days away so find three more of your best and email them in. The meeting will start with a talk by professional photographer, Dan Beigel on "Creating a Body of Work." This is part of new initiative where volunteers provide members a portfolio review if they are interested. More on this initiative will be posted next on this blog.....stay tuned.


Showcase Submission Procedures:

• Up to three JPEG image files (any size or resize to 1024pixels maximum on a side to keep the file size reasonable
• Rename the files with your name and a sequence number (i.e., john-smith-1, john-smith-2, john-smith-3)
• Email files to showcase@digitalphotoclub.us by Monday, October 27th (Don't be late)
  - If you don't want your pictures in the club website gallery put the phrase "Don't publish my pictures on the club website" in your submission email.

How Showcases Work

The goal of the Showcase is to have members submit three pictures of any subject or subjects of their choice and have them projected in a slide show at a meeting. The pictures can have been taken at anytime. Each member's three images will be displayed in order and the photographer will be asked by the moderator if they would like to comment on their pictures. Each contributor will have up to one minute total to discuss their images. There is no requirement to speak but all of us would like to hear the background behind your pictures, why you selected them and what you might have learned in taking the pictures. Though your commentary is encouraged it is totally up to each contributor.

New Challenge - "Colors"

In color photography colors are a significant in the overall effect a picture has on the viewer. Vivid colors in combination their complimentary colors can provide the subject of pictures alone. But, the best use of color in all of our compositions make for the most evocative pictures. Color unrealistically over saturated or causing an overall color cast to a picture can easily diminish the desired effect. It just seemed appropriate as peak color arrives in nature at this time of year in Maryland that we see your interpretations for this challenge. I look forward to the entries.

Our first challenge had 83 images. Overall most people were pleased with the last challenge. I mentioned that the process was an experiment in progress. After getting lots of feedback, I would like to refine the format for challenges as we continue the experiment in discovering the best we can do for the club members. First, the challenge went longer than our endurance so we will still take 3 entries but I would like the submitters to rank them in the order of priority by number them 1 through 3 in the filename. The goal for next challenge will be to have about 60 images reviewed. So if we get over subscribed I will reduce the number for each submission from 3 to 2.

The second significant change is the elimination for the next challenge of having merit categories using 4 and 5 stars. We got mixed reviews both loving it and hating it. The challenge allows us to bring in experts from the outside to provide positive critique and recommendations for improving our photography. I found the reviewer to be distracted by having to think about the quantification of merit. On the other hand it would be great to have the reviewer identify those pictures found outstanding and explain why they were so effective. So.... I will ask the reviewer to make sure he or she is positive in recommended improvements and explicit in recognizing the outstanding images and the qualities that make them so. I will be looking forward to feedback from you after we try this format too.

Here is the critical information:

• Challenge Subject – Colors
• Up to 3 Pictures to be taken between October 20 and November 24, 2008
• Three JPEG image files (any size or resize to 1024pixels maximum on a side to keep the file size reasonable)
• Rename the files with your name and a sequence number in priority order (i.e., john-smith-1, john-smith-2, john-smith-3)
• Challenge Review Date – December 1, 2008
• Submission Due Date – November 24, 2008
• Email Images to: challenge@digitalphotoclub.us
• All images will be posted in a special challenge web gallery on the club website
  - If you don't want your pictures in the club website gallery put the phrase "Don't publish my pictures on the club website" in your submission email.

I want to thank everyone for their feedback on challenges. I also want to acknowledge the kind words the board and I have received on the efforts so far this year. It's a good club because of great members and volunteers. Thanks.

Colby