In Focus: November 29 - December 12
Holiday Railroad Bridge - Dana Martell
2021 NWCCC Small Open Print Salon - Honorable Mention
This twice monthly list of OPCC events, reminders, and news is compiled by Lori Moilanen. Please send information on upcoming events, news items, and corrections to opcc4mail@gmail.com. This newsletter is currently published twice monthly on Sunday evenings in advance of our first and third Thursday meetings. The deadline for new submissions for the next newsletter is Friday November 12.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
By Sally M. Harris
This edition’s cover photo is NWCCC award-winner “Holiday Railroad Bridge” by Dana Martell. This festive image was taken at Railroad Bridge Park in Sequim using a 4-point cross-screen filter to make the lights sparkle. It’s clear that Dana is prepared for any photographic situation with his expertise and whatever goodies are in his camera bag!
Dana’s been doing photography since 1996, when he took family and vacation photos. His love for photography grew, and he added a few tools of the trade: a Canon 5D4, a Canon 7D1, and a Canon 5D2 outfitted for infrared photography. He also uses a Canon T7 Rebel camera. His favorite types of photography are nature and landscapes.
“I dabble in outdoor macro and wildlife,” says Dana.
Eight years ago, former OPCC member Bob Reavis inspired Dana when they first met at the Clallam County Fair photography exhibit. Dana wasn’t a club member, but had volunteered to help out with the exhibit. Bob was the photography superintendant and gave him helpful advice.
“Bob gave me some good tips I have used to this day: tips on composition, the rule of thirds etc.,” said Dana. Three years after meeting Bob, he joined OPCC and met additional inspirational members that have influenced his work: Tim O’Neill, Ardythe Wendt and Rebecca Hansen.
Photography awards from the NWCCC: 2019, Honorable Mention - “Lonely Bridge” and 2021, Honorable Mention - “Holiday Railroad Bridge.” OPCC awards include: 2017, Photographer of the Year 3rd place. In 2020, he was awarded 1st place for the photo “Hawaiian Sunset” and 3rd place for the photo “Majestic Eagle.”
Dana is an avid traveler, and has photographed Alaska, Hawaii and many states in the US. He enthusiastically joins the club on field trips. “I’ve taken field trips to Victoria, B.C. twice, a trip to Port Gamble and Poulsbo and a bird-watching trip to Skagit Valley to photograph migrating birds. “We saw a tree with nine eagles perched in it. I also took field trips to Port Townsend and Morse Creek to photograph fall colors.”
Dana Martell
Dana Martell in Action
Hawaiian Sunset - Dana Martell
Lonely Bridge - Dana Martell
WEBSITE QUICK LINKS
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PUBLIC
MEMBERS ONLY
Share Night Image Submission Instructions
Education Night Videos and Handouts
NEWS
Quote of the Week
“There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept..” ― Ansel Adams
OPCC Year-End Meeting on December 2 at 6:00 PM via Zoom
Join other OPCC members for a review of club activities in 2021 and a preview of 2022, celebration of awarded photographs in external competitions, and announcement of the winners of the First Annual OPCC Autumn WOW!!! photo competition and the Jonas Benjamins Service Award. In addition, there will be a short business meeting to vote on changes to the OPCC By-Laws and to approve dues for 2021. For more information contact OPCC President Bruce Fryxell (opccpres@gmail.com).
The Zoom code for meeting access is available on the OPCC Zoom Codes webpage.
Holiday Lights Field Trip Added - December 18 at 4:00 PM
Come join field trip host Bruce Fryxell for a night shoot to photograph holiday lights on Saturday, December 18. We’ll be shooting at two locations. Participants are free to join us at either or both. There will also be opportunities to shoot at additional locations on your own. This is a great opportunity to experiment with creative techniques and accessories. For details, visit the event page on the OPCC website by clicking HERE. Check out “The Basics” section below for a link to a pdf file with some helpful tips for shooting holiday lights.
OPCC Competitions Return in a New Format for 2022
OPCC Competitions return in 2022 in a new format with PSA judging. The primary purpose of the OPCC Competitions is to provide the best training possible for our members. The competition should provide the participant with the experience and stimulation to raise the beginner from the “point and shoot stage” to a “skilled and creative photographer.” Experienced photographers can continue to hone their skills through competitions.
Through healthy club competitions, which are more about improving your work than winning, the club can assist members to grow as photographers. The OPCC board hopes this new direction will also help us grow club participation by appreciating the work and success of all of our members.
The dates for 2022 OPCC competition meetings are March 3, June 2, & October 6. In addition, the fourth competition of the year will be the Second Annual OPCC Autumn WOW!!! Competition, with winners chosen by member voting. For more information, contact OPCC Competition Chair Peggy McClure (opcc.competition@gmail.com).
To view the 2022 OPCC Competition Announcement, the Conditions of Entry and Judging, and Photo Submission guidelines, list the OPCC Competition webpage by clicking HERE.
Get Ready for Sharing and Competition in 2022 - Special Education Night Workshop on Thursday, December 16
OPCC Competition Chair Peggy McClure has streamlined and automated the file handling process for submitting and organizing photos for OPCC Member Share Nights and Competitions. The new process will make life much simpler, both for club members who submit photos and the Member Share Night and Competition Chairs. One important thing to know: you MUST submit your photos in the correct format. The automated system will not accept files that are named incorrectly, meaning that your photos may not be included in the Member Share Night or Competition event.
In the December 16 workshop, Peggy will review the new file naming and formatting rules for photos submitted for OPCC Member Share Night, OPCC Competitions, and Field Trip Galleries. In addition, she’ll demonstrate the new simple and streamlined method for uploading/submitting photos from the OPCC website and answer any questions.
The submission deadline for the January 2022 Member Share Night is December 30.
COMING UP THIS WEEK AND NEXT
OPCC Year-End Share Night Meeting on Thursday December 2 at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
The Zoom code for meeting access is available on the OPCC Zoom Codes webpage.
THE BASICS - Tips for Learning New Photography Skills
‘Tis the Season - Tips for Photographing Holiday Lights
New to photographing holiday lights? Get a jumpstart on preparing for our December 18 Holiday Lights Field Trip by reading this article (click HERE).
LOOK AND LISTEN
Here are some indoor and/or armchair photography-related activities for those damp winter days when you just don’t feel like putting on the rain gear.
Odd Apples by William Mullan
Have you ever had the urge to document something you love in photographs? William Mullan developed a passion for apples at an early age. Later he combined this passion with his photography skills to create a project that featured lovingly taken images of rare, unusual, and sometimes grotesque apple varieties. The eventual result: his Odd Apple project developed into an influential and much talked-about series, reviewed by the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Guardian, and i-D Magazine, and released as a sold-out run of prints on his website. This year he published a 128-page ode to the apple in art book form, containing 90 apple still-life portraits that represent four years and three seasons of researching, reading, finding, tasting, and photographing unusual varieties from across the globe. Here’s a link to an article about the project, with some of his apple photographs (click HERE).
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Visit the OPCC Website for more information on these events.
Member Share Night
For more information visit the Member Share Night webpage on the OPCC Website. For questions contact OPCC Member Share Night Chair Susan White (opccphotos@gmail.com).
Education Events
For more information visit the Education Events webpage on the OPCC Website. For questions or to suggest a speaker, contact OPCC President Bruce Fryxell at opccpres@gmail.com.
Competitions
For more information visit the Competitions webpage on the OPCC website. For questions contact OPCC Competition Chair Peggy McClure (opcc.competition@gmail.com).
Field Trips
For more information visit the Field Trips page on the OPCC website. For general questions contact Field Trips Chair Sandy Woods at fieldtrips4opcc@gmail.com.