In Focus: January 3 - 16
Photo Credit: Allan Byrd
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 January 14.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
This week’s cover photo is by Allan Byrd. Read Allan’s story in his own words below. Many thanks to Sally Harris for reaching out to Allan so that we can all learn more about his journey. From Allan:
I have to be honest--photography has always been a bit of a nuisance. Right off the bat, I had to take a couple photo classes in journalism school--not a choice. After college as a young journalist in the 70’s working for weekly papers I had to write the stories and take the pictures. I thought the writing should be enough.
And when I became the city editor for a daily paper in Southern California, I had to give a lot of thought to getting good “art” to illustrate stories. I really liked assigning photographers to go take the pictures. I liked getting the images, but I never liked messing around with all that chemical stuff in the darkroom. This was a pretty good way to do photography.
Even after I left newspapers, it seemed a need for photography kept popping up, in real estate, in public relations, in equine marketing. When digital showed up, the darkroom was gone, and I started looking at photography from a different perspective. Photography went from a “have-to” to a “want-to” in Montana where I lived a rural life on the edge of the Jefferson River for nearly 30 years.
I liked everything about that country—its look, its feel, its animals, its way of life, even the winters that eventually sent me to Washington. Photography helped me bring some of it with me.
So here I am today damn glad photography was a bit of nuisance. It continues to be a bit of a nuisance because it frustrates me so much. Most of the time, I can’t make it do what I want no matter how much I spend on gear. But once in a while, I do get a picture that touches a nerve, and I remind myself to enjoy the journey and not worry too much about the destination?
Since moving here about 5 years ago, I have gotten interested in homes and gardens. The older Victorian structures have are alluring, and I like to prowl around Port Townsend and do street photography.
I do most of my post processing in Lightroom and Photoshop. I have been shooting with Nikon forever. I’m still using DSLR. I know mirrorless has advantages, and I expect I’ll make a change some day. But for now, I am concentrating on the journey.
Allan Byrd
Allan on the Dungeness Spit
Allan Byrd: Pelicans on Montana’s Jefferson River
Allan Byrd: Easy Rider
NEWS
Volunteer Needed
The position of Member Share Night Chair is currently open. Please contact Bruce Fryxell at opccpres@gmail.com if you’re willing to help.
It’s Time to Renew Your Renew Your OPCC Membership
Please visit the OPCC website to join or renew your OPCC membership for 2022 online. Click HERE to access the webpage for joining or renewing. Be sure to read the instructions carefully!
Please note that the “Confirm Your Email Subscription” message sent from OPCC when you join or renew may go into your spam/junk folder. You must respond to this email to be included in the 2022 mailing list for OPCC communications. Please check your spam/junk folder if you do not receive the “Confirm Your Email Subscription” message email soon after renewing.
Alternatively, you can access the instructions for joining or renewing online or by mail by either clicking on the Join/Renew button in the “Who We Are” section or clicking on “Join” in the menu ribbon at the top of the page.
The deadline for membership renewal is January 31. The OPCC Member password for accessing member-only content on the website will change on February 1.
2022 Monthly Themes
Happy New Year! We have a brand new line-up of monthly themes for 2022. This year we’re making an effort to coordinate the Education Night speaker topic and at least one monthly field trip with the photography theme of the month. The theme for January is “Winter/Snow”. Share your favorite Winter/Snow photos at the February 1 Member Share Night meeting.
Here’s the complete list of Monthly Themes and Member Share Night topics for 2022:
New OPCC Website Events Page
A new EVENTS webpage has been created on the OPCC website to highlight monthly club activities. Visit this page for information on the monthly photography theme, OPCC meetings and field trips, Olympia Camera Club speakers, and local exhibitions featuring our members. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the OPCC interactive calendar with all currently scheduled events for the year.
Click HERE to visit the OPCC EVENTS webpage.
December Field Trip Report
Field Trip Chair Ellen Bogenschutz shared the following field trip report:
Bruce Fryxell hosted a field trip locally to capture the lovely lights of the season. The weather couldn't have been better! Through Bruce's dynamic powers of persuasion, the rain stopped earlier in the afternoon and the mild temperatures made for a very pleasant evening out.
Along with Bruce, Dan McKenna and Ellen Bogenschutz met at the Railway Bridge to photograph the lovely wreaths and ever-green and lights draped railings. The second portion of the trip was up to the Jamestown S’Kllalam Tribal Headquarters to enjoy the wonderful displays put on there. Pat Werner , Lori Moilanen and Lewis Bennet joined the group there. Please see a selection of wonderful photos in the Holiday Lights Field Trip Gallery by clicking HERE.
PSA Washington State Membership Newsletter - January Edition Now Available
This month’s edition includes links to PSA and other competition results, regional events, gear reviews and announcements, and information on upcoming photo contests. Click HERE to read the newsletter.
COMING UP THIS WEEK AND NEXT
Member Share Night Meeting - Thursday January 6 at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
Use the Member Share Night zoom code on the OPCC Zoom Codes webpage to access this meeting.
Reminder - New Print Exhibit by OPCC Members Opening Monday, January 3
The OPCC presence at the Blackbird Coffeehouse in Port Angeles continues in the month of January. Our new Field Trip Chair Ellen Bogenschutz and OPCC Print Chair Dan McKenna will be sharing the space and showing their unique works with a variety of themes. Installation day will be the morning of Monday, January 3, 2022. The show will run the whole month of January and all images will be for sale. Stop by at your leisure to view their work and enjoy a cup of coffee. Blackbird Coffeehouse address: 336 East 8th Street, Port Angeles.