September 10 Meeting Abstract Botanicals

September 10 Meeting Abstract Botanicals (and More) with Chrissy Miller

Join us on Wednesday, September 10, at 7m at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll Street, when Chrissy Miller of Szemere Photography will present Abstract Botanicals (and More).

Chrissy will share her images of plants and seascapes focusing on layers, shapes, ICM and playful organic lines. She says this effort is a way for her to see nature through a fine art lens and focus. Her abstracts have been shown in local galleries around Frederick.

Chrissy is also a portrait, brand, and event photographer based in Frederick, MD. You can learn more and see her work at these links:

Web: https://szemerephotography.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/szemerephoto Instagram: @abstractbotanicals

This meeting is open to the general public. You do not need to be a member to attend. It will also be a hybrid meeting, with some of the audience on Zoom. If you are not already a club member and would like to attend via Zoom, please email info@frederickcameraclique.org to request the link. Club members will receive the Zoom link in the next email blast.

June 11th Meeting: View from Above: Drone Photography with Michael DeMattia

June 11 Meeting 7 pm, Delaplaine Visual Arts Center A View from Above: Drone Photography with Michael DeMattia

In this session, Michael will cover the essentials of drone photography, from regulations and gear to technique and creative approach. He’ll share insights from years of flying, along with the stories behind some of his most recognized shots of Downtown Frederick.

Weather permitting, he’ll also fly over Carroll Creek and walk through a few captures, offering a straightforward look at how he works in real time.

You can learn more about Michael and see his work at www.mad.productions.

This event is open to visitors and guests. All Camera Clique members will find the Zoom link in the first June email blast; non-members who want to attend virtually may request the link by emailing info@frederickcameraclique.org.

May 14th meeting Used gear buying event and Michael Sheras presents "Elements of Composition"

May 14 Meeting

6 - 9 pm: Used Gear Buying Event

Bring your used/unwanted gear to the Delaplaine. Arlene Sheras, a rep for UsedPhotoPro, will evaluate it and write you a check! This is a great way to declutter and make room for new gear!

7 pm for the speaker -- in person (and hybrid) -- at the Delaplaine Michael Sheras presents "Elements of Composition"

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, this presentation is the thousand words. Part one is nine rules of composition, discussed and illustrated. Part two is four Masters of Photography. Each is assigned a principle of composition.

Michael Sheras is a part-time professional photographer and photo lecturer residing in Rockville, MD. Previously he was a professional representative for eight different camera companies, ran a studio in Santa Monica, CA and was an assistant editor for Petersen’s Photographic magazine. He assisted in many photo workshop programs, including the Ansel Adams Workshop Program in Yosemite National Park from 1974-1982. He was also a co-founder of the Look3 Photographic Festival in Charlottesville, VA from 2009-2016. Michael relocated to the Washington DC area in 1987 to take the position with Canon USA as the Regional Professional Representative, working with local media photographers, including the White House and National Geographic. He was there for 28 years, from the introduction of the Canon EOS system in 1987 until his retirement in 2015. During his tenure with Canon Professional Services, he assisted pro photographers at 13 political conventions, seven Presidential Inaugurations, five Superbowls, the 1996 Summer Olympics, the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 1994 and 1998 World Cup Soccer finals and numerous auto races. After retirement, he worked for Dominion Camera in Falls Church, VA in both retail sales and teaching courses for the store for seven years until the store closed in 2024.

This event is open to visitors and guests. All Camera Clique members will receive the Zoom link in the first May email blast; non-members who want to attend virtually may request the link by emailing info@frederickcameraclique.org.

April 9th Meeting - Juror Tony Sweet will give his remarks and present the awards for the Juried Exhibit

April 9 Meeting 6:30 pm, in person (and hybrid) at the Delaplaine The Juried Exhibit Reception and Awards!

This evening will be a celebration of photography as we get our first look at the photographs that were selected by juror Tony Sweet to be in our virtual exhibit. A total of 474 entries came in from 11 different states from 115 different photographers. Tony had the difficult job of not only narrowing down the entries to 80 for the show, but picking the prize winners, as well. We're having a party!

The evening will begin at 6:30 with a champagne reception and hors d'oeuvres as the gallery reveal slides across the big screen for our first look. At 7 pm., the Zoom session will open so that attendees from farther afield can join in the celebration. At 7:15, Tony will give his remarks and present the awards.

This event is open to visitors and guests. All Camera Clique members will receive the Zoom link in the first April email blast; non-members who want to attend virtually may request the link by emailing info@frederickcameraclique.org.

March Meeting - Erica Kavadias presentation on head shots

For our March meeting, we will be back in person at the Delaplaine in the Gardiner Room, 40 S. Carroll St., in Frederick. There will also be a hybrid option on Zoom. At this meeting, member Erica Kavadias will do a presentation on head shots. And who doesn't need a fresh, new head shot?

Erica will set up lights, a backdrop, and a posing stool, and while doing so, will talk about lighting, posing choices, camera settings, etc. Folks who attend in person are encouraged to bring a clean SD card with them to the meeting. Erica will insert your card into her camera while you pose for your photo, then return your card to you. After everyone has had a chance to pose, she will collect a few of the images and move to the computer, where she will demonstrate how she edits the images. Later, you can take what you learned home with you to edit your shot, too!

Erica Kavadias is a photographer of people, places and things located in the Maryland/DC area. Her interest in photography began at an early age. After graduating with a degree in photography from UMBC, she pursued a career that allowed her to use her photographic skills. She also enjoys using her photography to document the lives of her children. Throughout the years, Erica has continued her education through Johns Hopkins University classes as well as through Central Maryland Photographer's Guild seminars and workshops. Other interests include spending time with her family, traveling, and giving back to her community.

This will be a hybrid meeting, with both in person attendance as well as on Zoom. The meeting is open to all, and visitors are welcome to attend. All Camera Clique members will receive the Zoom link in the first March email blast; non-members may request the link by emailing info@frederickcameraclique.org.

February Image Review

Our reviewer is Bruce McKaig, who has a long, impressive CV when it comes to both making and looking at photographs. He does not know our club or our club members. He will look at your images, which will be posted anonymously, and remark on what works in the image and what might be tweaked to make it better. The tweaks may include composition, exposure, focus, cropping, removing distractions, straightening, etc. Or, he may say, “Everything looks great – I wouldn’t do a thing!” He won’t say, “Throw away your camera and find another hobby.” I promise. After all, a review is a way to learn, to grow, to improve, and to encourage you to keep on doing what you love.

Please send me 1-2 images for review by February 5. Directions are posted below. I will accept a maximum of 50 images for review. My hope is that of our 155 members, we will get our quota before the deadline. I would love to see images from some of our newer, or less “visible” members, be the primary submitters for this review (see boldfaced paragraph above).

I will place all the images into a passworded folder on my website for Bruce to see, labeling them only as A1, A2, B1, B2, etc. Bruce will have a week to review them and make notes. At our February 12 meeting, which is virtual, he will give his remarks as we go through the images. The meeting will be recorded, so you do not have to be present when the images are discussed. You can view the recording later.

All of us, even those who have won awards for our photographs, will readily admit that there is always something to learn from an image review. I look forward to seeing what you will submit!

Directions:

Send 1-2 images as attachments to my email address: cam.miller@comcast.net. If you can, prepare the images as we recommend for the Member Showcase of Images -- Prepping Images

If you need help with prepping the images, email me. Or, if you do not have the time or the right software, send me the images anyway. Send them as large files, if you have the option, and I will resize them for the review.

Please send your 1-2 images on or before February 5.

January Meeting - Elsie Aldrich: Your Photography Life and Legacy

January 8 Meeting 7:00 pm via Zoom Elsie Aldrich: Your Photography Life and Legacy

Elsie has always been interested in photography but recently started taking her hobby more seriously. Several events converged in the spring of 2020. She retired from teaching, moved to Florida and, of course Covid hit. Retirement gave her the time, Florida gave her plenty of gorgeous birds to photograph, and Covid limited her to hobbies that kept her safe. While Elsie does photography mostly for her personal enjoyment, she has won several top awards in photography contests. She lives in The Villages, Florida with her husband. She has four children and two grandchildren.

This presentation is about valuing your photography and your legacy. It involves thinking about the role of photography in your life and how you can share your passion with others, now and in the future.

Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting. All Camera Clique members will receive the Zoom link in the first January email blast. Non-members who would like to attend may request the link via email: info@frederickcameraclique.org.

November Meeting: Fran Byrne: My Journey as a Photographer

November Meeting and Speaker Fran Byrne: My Journey as a Photographer Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7 pm Our November speaker is Fran Byrne, a popular Frederick photographer whose photos of Frederick flood Facebook. Fran sent the above image and said it is one of the first that "did it for him" when coming to Frederick.

I first learned about Fran when he gave a talk in December 2016, shortly after he arrived in Frederick from Ireland. If I remember correctly, he was contacted long distance by a woman from Frederick whose daughter was getting married in Ireland. He agreed to be the wedding photographer, and as it happened, the mother of the bride and the wedding photographer fell in love! After they married, Fran came to Frederick to live here with his bride. And as it turns out, he fell in love with Frederick, too.

According to Fran's Facebook page, "Back home in Ireland, I was surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rivers. Since coming to Frederick, I am surrounded by red brick and beautiful architecture which has taken my photography on another path. I love walking around Frederick with my camera and capturing its unique character and light."

You can see more of Fran's work by visiting his website: https://franbyrnephotography.net/ and by following him on Facebook.

This will be a hybrid meeting, with both in person attendance as well as on Zoom. The meeting is open to all, and visitors are welcome to attend. All Camera Clique members will receive the Zoom link in the first November email blast; non-members may request the link by emailing info@frederickcameraclique.org.

Macro Photography, Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 7 pm

October Meeting and Speaker Ben Salb: Macro Photography Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 7 pm

We hold hybrid meetings at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in the Gardiner Room at 7 p m.

Our October speaker is Ben Salb, who will be showing techniques and examples of macro photography.

Ben Salb is a macro photographer who specializes in living invertebrate portraits. Originally from Wisconsin, his passion for photography grew while observing his (incredibly talented) sister as a wedding, family, and lifestyle portrait photographer. He eventually got his first real camera when he was stationed in Japan with the Navy, and it wasn’t until several years later when the pandemic started that he shifted his focus to macro photography.

Ben’s macro images have gained international attention for placing in both macro-specific and non-macro photography competitions, and has had images highlighted in Smithsonian Magazine, Amateur Photographer, Forbes, and The Guardian. Ben currently lives in Gaithersburg, MD with his wife and three young daughters and typically does most of his shooting and editing before the kids (and bugs) are up.

You can see more of Ben's work by visiting his Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/bens_small_world/

This will be a hybrid meeting, with both in person attendance as well as on Zoom. The meeting is open to all, and visitors are welcome to attend. All Camera Clique members will receive the Zoom link in the first October email blast; non-members may request the link by emailing info@frederickcameraclique.org.

September Meeting - Abstract Photography

Ron Ames: Abstract Photography

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

We will be returning to hybrid meetings at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in the Gardiner Room at 7 p m.

Our September speaker is Ron Ames, who will be showing techniques and examples of abstract photography.

You can see more of Ron's work by visiting his Instagram page. www.instagram.com/ronamesphotography

This will be a hybrid meeting, with both in person attendance as well as on Zoom. The meeting is open to all, and visitors are welcome to attend.

Time: Sep 11, 2024 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87649473235 Meeting ID: 876 4947 3235 Passcode: clique

August Social Event

The social committee met and ironed out the details.

• Wednesday, August 14, 6 pm at the Delaplaine
• Drinks, dinner, socializing!
• Member and guest are welcome.
• Giveaway and swap table for camera gear.
• Interactive game for mingling and conversation.
• BYOB is fine; sangria will be on hand.
• Bring a side or a dessert to share.
• RSVP by Wednesday, August 7.

Either comment on the event post on the Facebook page (I’m coming, with one guest)

OR

email Christine Franklin: christinemcfranklin@hotmail.com

June meetings

The June meeting has had a change. It will be in two parts now.

On June 3, we will meet with the West Shore Photography Club for an online presentation with Alan Ross, an assistant to Ansel Adams.

On June 12, our normal meeting date, we will have some sort of get together in our space at the Delaplaine at 7 pm. Do you have something you would like to do? To see? To have demonstrated? Should we do a walk, share phone apps, try out different lenses?

Share your ideas on facebook. If you want to volunteer to lead something, all the better!

May 8th Meeting

Our meeting is next week, May 8, in person (hybrid) at the Delaplaine with member Becky Carpenter. Details about the speaker and her topics are below.

Vintage Textures and Composites in Art & Photographing Figures in Abandoned Spaces with Rebecca Carpenter

Rebecca Carpenter (Becky) will demonstrate some of ways to use vintage textures and Photoshop to age/alter your photographs. She will also discuss photographing figures in abandoned spaces …. including some tips and tricks to compose an interesting image of a person in an abandoned space. Becky will have lots of examples in her Power Point presentation so Zoom viewers can also see how she composites various layers to create vintaged images. She will also bring many examples in person so club members can see how vintage textures are used in various ways to enhance a photograph and in 3-D collages.

Rebecca lives in Morgantown, PA now, but lived for five years in Frederick. She is primarily a photographer, but also loves to work with mixed media collage and sculpture. She taught art for sixteen years K-12 throughout the country and works as a full-time artist now. She loves to photograph the figure in nature and abandoned spaces. She has several series that she creates art for and creates composited art as well as straight photography. She began collecting vintage items about a decade ago when starting a series incorporating time. She collects vintage books, letters, and journals and scans the pages and covers and edits in Photoshop to use with her composites. You can see more of her work at https://www.rebeccacarpenterimagery.com and follow her on Instagram: @rcarpenterphotography Visitors and guests are welcome to attend this meeting at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St, Frederick, MD. The speaker will be in person. This meeting will also be offered via Zoom. Camera Clique members will get the Zoom link via the second April email blast; all others interested in attending virtually may request the link via email: info@frederickcameraclique.org.

Here is the Zoom link for those who will be attending virtually. May Meeting Wednesday, May 8, 2024 7 pm in person at the Delaplaine and via Zoom Topic: Camera Clique Meeting May 8

Time: May 8, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86015275552

Meeting ID: 860 1527 5552

Passcode: clique

We will have two Zoom sessions for helping members with resizing images for any occasion, whether it is for our juried competition, the member showcase, or for other shows that request specific sizes. The session will cover Lightroom, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or Preview (on a Mac). Handouts will be available, too. The same Zoom link will work for both sessions: Monday, May 13, at 7:30 pm and/or Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 pm. I will remind about these sessions in the next email blast as well as on Facebook. I will also record the first session.

Topic: Resizing Sessions Time: May 13, 2024 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) and/or May 26, 2024 07:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86077990813

Meeting ID: 860 7799 0813 Passcode: clique

Dial by your location • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Meeting ID: 860 7799 0813 Passcode: 641160

April Meeting - Lightroom

Our April meeting will be in two parts. On Wednesday, April 3, Lori Lankford will give us a review of the different types of Lightroom products. It will be via Zoom. She will do a deeper dive into some of the "new" tools in Lightroom Classic. On Wednesday, April 10, we will have a hands-on session at the Delaplaine in our usual meeting room at 7 pm. Bring laptops or iPads and questions! What might you want help with? Photo organization? Importing? Creating collections? Creating export presets? Specific editing tools? Photoshop questions? Do you have a particular photo you want to have someone else edit? Send me suggestions/questions via email - cam.miller@comcast.net - or in the comments below. Folks who are proficient in LR and can offer assistance or demo some tools, please come, too.

Critique Night Wednesday, March 13, 7 pm Delaplaine Visual Arts Center

March is the month for a critique of member work by an outside reviewer who will offer comments about the images. The purpose of a critique is always to learn and to improve. Up to 50 images submitted by current members of the Frederick Camera Clique will be reviewed.

Pennsylvania photographer Ted Scarpino enjoys photographing subjects of all kinds, but he’s found exceptional interest in the Gettysburg/Adams County area. He is fascinated by the “graphic landscapes” in the orchard areas of Adams County. The linear elements of the rows of trees on the rolling hills tell a story of the hand of man interacting with nature’s landscape.

“Downtown Gettysburg is a wonderful mix of past and present,” said Scarpino. His work is on display at Gallery 30, where he has been represented for over 5 years.

Over the years his work has been selected for juried shows, publications, and private collections. Ted holds a Master of Photography designation from the Professional Photographers of America for superior photographic competence demonstrated through photographic competition, advanced education, and service to the profession. He is also a member of the Adams County Photography Club.

Visitors and guests are welcome to attend this meeting at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St, Frederick, MD. The speaker will be in person. This meeting will also be offered via Zoom. Camera Clique members will get the Zoom link via the March email blast; all others interested in attending virtually may request the link via email: info@frederickcameraclique.org.

February Meeting - Bert Sirkin on AI

Our February meeting is on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and photography. Speaker Bert Sirkin will describe how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is RAPIDLY changing photography. From in-camera improvements to generative AI, the world of photography is changing.

In a matter of months, photography has undergone a paradigm shift with the emergence of generative AI. The past year has been just the beginning, merely scratching the surface of the potential that AI holds for photography.

This captivating presentation delves into the realm of the various aspects of AI in photography. Discover the essence of AI, explore the various types of AI that intersect with photography, and unlock insights on leveraging these powerful tools to their fullest potential.

Prepare to be provoked by thought-provoking inquiries that challenge conventional wisdom. Together, we will uncover new perspectives you may not have yet contemplated.

Bert will demonstrate some of the AI options available to photographers today. Gain valuable insights into the diverse applications of AI, including the groundbreaking AI features in Photoshop. We'll look at how these tools can be combined to create a whole new world of creativity.

Embrace the future of photography with AI as your ally.

Bert Sirkin apprenticed at with a Professional Photographer in Boston when he was 18 years old and has done part-time Professional Photography since he was 19 years old. He’s taught various photography topics since 1970 and has spent 10 years teaching workshops in Everglades NP, Joshua Tree NP & Monument Valley Tribal park. He taught various computer programming languages at Capital Community Technical college in Hartford, CT for 20 years. He currently teaches online photography workshops and frequently speaks to photography groups.

All club members will be sent the link to the presentation in a mid-February email blast. Non-members who would like to attend are asked to send email to info@frederickcameraclique.org to request the link.

Meetings in January - Eddie Soloway and February - Bert Sirkin will be virtual

Meetings in January and February will be virtual. Note that they are not on the regular meeting day of the second Wednesday of the month. We will return to in person meetings at 7pm at the Delaplaine in March.
Monday, January 22, at 7 pm: An online presentation with speaker Eddie Soloway, sponsored by four camera clubs, including ours.

Wednesday, February 21, at 7 pm: An online presentation with speaker Bert Sirkin on the use of AI in Photography.

January 22

Eddie Soloway: Memories, Moons and Imagination

Photographs can take our breath away. A beautiful image can transport us to another time. It can flood us with long-forgotten memories. It can go far beyond being a record of a thing, and can instead surround us with an essence, and feelings. Join photographer and storyteller Eddie Soloway for an entertaining and informative presentation designed to open up creative and personal photographs right in front of our noses.

Eddie Soloway is a photographer, teacher, and storyteller committed to opening our eyes to the natural world. He has taught photography and creativity for leading photographic institutions and schools around the world, and was a popular speaker in National Geographic Traveler’s photography seminars. The Santa Fe Center for Photographic Arts (now CENTER) awarded Eddie the Excellence in Photographic Teaching Award, and Photo District News named Eddie one of America’s best photography workshop teachers. His focus on seeing brings a breath of fresh air to the workshop world.

Eddie is the author of the book, One Thousand Moons, instructional videos in the Natural Eye and Expressive Landscape series, and SEE THINK DO Photo Cards.

Eddie’s photography may be seen at http://www.eddiesoloway.com, and his educational opportunities at http://www.anaturaleye.com.

All club members will be sent the link to the presentation in a mid-January email blast. Non-members who would like to attend are asked to send email to info@frederickcameraclique.org to request the link.

Member Show

Member Show Information -- On Saturday, December 2, we will open our Member Show in the gallery at the Delaplaine. At 2 pm there will be an Artist Talk. Cam will give a talk about the show and will offer tips for using the camera you always have with you. Our show opens officially with an informal reception in the gallery from 3-5 pm. There will not be food and drink, due to a large crowd expected for the Holiday Art Market that will be going on downtown. Come to enjoy the show on Saturday afternoon, then enjoy all the other First Saturday events going on downtown, including the lighted boats on Carroll Creek.

December Social Event

December Social Event -- On Wednesday, December 13, we will host a "Snappy Hour" from 6-7:30 pm in the gallery at the Delaplaine in lieu of our regular meeting. It is a private party, open to all members-in-good-standing and their guests. Come and view the show, engage in discussion about photography, and enjoy h'ors d'oeuvres, drinks, and sweet things. It is perfectly fine to bring your own alcohol if you wish, as we will be serving only water. Cups and ice will be on hand. Use the time before or after the event to stroll the creek or go out to dinner at one of our many wonderful restaurants in the area.

November Meeting, Lisa Sheirer - Creating composites using Photoshop.

November 8 Meeting, 7 pm Hybrid Meeting at the Delaplaine Featuring Lisa Sheirer

Our November meeting features Lisa Sheirer, who will speak to us about creating composites using Photoshop.
Lisa Sheirer is a visual artist living and working in Frederick, Maryland. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and printmaking from West Virginia University, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the University of Notre Dame. Ms. Sheirer has been creating artwork for over 40 years.

Lisa works in a variety of mediums. Pixels, clay, inks, paint, pulp painting, wood, glass, found objects, and cast metals, are among the materials she uses. Natural flora, fauna, and mycoflora have been the basis for Lisa’s work over the last 20 years. She has an active social media account of plant life through the seasons in the Catoctin mountains. Plants are documented using photography and citizen scientific research - art series spring from these observations.

Sheirer’s public art projects include a ceramic mural at Baltimore Washington International Airport commissioned by the Maryland Department of Transportation and a glass mural installation in Western MD Health System's lobby. In the recent past, Lisa has had many regional solo exhibitions. In 2022 Lisa was chosen to be an artist in residence at the Y Art Center in Frederick, her studio is located there.

In October, she published two artist books (WaterShed & A Book of Ghosts) about regional plant and animal life. There will be hand-bound and commercially printed books available for purchase. Several exhibitions of WaterShed will be shown regionally in the near future.

Visitors are guests are welcome to attend this meeting at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St, Frederick, MD. This meeting will also be offered via Zoom. Camera Clique members will get the Zoom link via the November email blast; all others interested in attending virtually may request the link via email: info@frederickcameraclique.org.