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 submissions for the next newsletter is Friday November 25.

NEWS

OPCC Year-End Potluck Returns

From OPCC President Bruce Fryxell and Refreshment Chair Suzanne Anaya.

We’re happy to announce that we will be having a potluck dinner at the start of our year-end meeting on Dec 1. Prior to COVID, the year-end potluck was one of the club’s most popular events. We’re very pleased to resume this tradition.

As always, the success of this event depends on club volunteers. The club will provide a main course such as ham or turkey, but we still need additional side dishes and desserts. Those wishing to attend who have not yet signed up should contact Suzanne Anaya at fuzfawn@aol.com to let her know what you will be bringing. We also looking for volunteers to help with preparing the main course and with setup and cleanup. Please respond by November 20 so that we can finalize the arrangements.

Suzanne will make sure we have plates, utensils, drinks, etc. If you are on Zoom, you will have to feed yourselves :0)
Here’s the sign-up sheet thus far. If you would like to contribute, everything and everyone welcome.

Stephen S. - Dessert
Ellen B. - Casserole
Gail K. - Dessert
Judith Lilly - ?
Mary S. - ?
Suzanne A. - Drinks and misc.
Bruce F. - ?

Voting for Second Annual WOW Competition Starts November 15

We had a total of 28 photos submitted by 14 members for this year’s competition - an excellent turnout. The voting window this year is November 15 - 25. Casting your vote is easy - just watch for the WOW ballot email on Tuesday November 15. Then voting is as easy as 1-2-3:

Open the WOW ballot email and click on the gallery link to view this year’s submissions. Note the number and title of your favorite image - other than your own (if you submitted images) of course!
Return to the ballot email and click on the link to the ballot. Find and check the box for your favorite image in the list. If you submitted images to the competition, do NOT vote for either of your own images.
Click on “Submit My Vote” and you’re done!

If you do not receive a ballot on November 15 AND HAVE CHECKED YOUR SPAM FOLDER, please contact Lori Moilanen (opcc4mail@gmail.com).

Sally Harris Photo Featured in Birds and Blooms Magazine

Congratulations to Sally Harris - AGAIN! Sally has cracked the code for getting her bird photos featured in various publications. This time, an image of the evening grosbeaks that visited her feeder in January of 2022 were featured in an article about evening grosbeak irruptions published in the December 2022/January 2023 edition of Birds and Blooms magazine. Click on the image of the article to enlarge. You can visit the magazine’s website at www.birdsandblooms.com.

The Northwest Council of Camera Clubs (NWCCC) 2022 Fall Conference Report

From OPCC NWCCC Representative Stephen Shoff.

Four OPCC members (Stephen Shoff, Bruce Fryxell, Ed Hartman, and Ellen Bogenschutz) made the journey to Woodinville on Saturday November 12 to attend the NWCCC Fall Conference and awards ceremony. OPCC members were successful in both the Print and Digital Salons. Winners in the Print Salon are listed below. A slide show of winners in the Digital Image Salon was presented at the meeting, but we are still waiting for the official list of the awardees - please check back for a complete list of digital winners in the next OPCC newsletter.

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2022 NWCCC Open Print Salon Awards:

Lewis Bennett

“Everything Is Made Of Star Stuff” 2nd Place, Judges Choice Large Open Color

“Past – Present – Future” Honorable Mention Large Open Color

Ellen Bogenschutz

“Cleaning the Mast” 2nd Place Large Open Monochrome

Witta Priester

“Stag in the Daisies” Honorable Mention Large Open Color

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We would like to present a digital slideshow of all our winners during the banquet. If you would like to have your image included, please upload an image file using the OPCC Share Night Dropbox Uploads.

I have the prints and will return them to their respective creators. I will try to reach out each of you to arrange to return them. You can reach me at:

Stephen Shoff
360-504-3439 (leave message if I don't pick up)
sshoff.cp@gmail.com

PSA Washington State Member Newsletter

The November edition of the Photographic Society of America Washington State Membership Newsletter is now available. Click HERE to view or download.

Welcome to New OPCC Members

Please extend a warm welcome to our newest members: Jim and Naomi Olson of Sequim; Timothy and Archer Petersen of Sequim; and Tom Swartz of Summit, MO. We’re glad you’ve joined us!

EDUCATIONAL SPEAKER SERIES

Joseph Roybal - Finding Your Flow: Compositional Elements and Balance Within the Frame. Thursday November 17, 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

Join professional landscape photographer Joseph Roybal for this fun and exciting discussion, where he will lay out his basic tenets of making a visually strong and compelling landscape image beginning with his thought process in the field all the way through final edits for print. Joseph will dive into several of his favorite images showcasing and explaining how well balanced and composed elements within the frame are just the beginning and light and color are the next key elements. Joseph will also discuss general color theory and how color harmony plays a major role in our final image’s look and overall strength. At the end of this presentation Joseph will open the floor to discussions and answering questions as his number one goal is to share his knowledge behind the lens with others.

Use the OPCC Education Night Zoom Code to access this meeting. Click HERE for the OPCC Zoom Codes webpage.

MEMBER SHARING

Next Member Share Night Meeting is Thursday December 1 at 7:00 PM.

The December 1 meeting will feature feature the results of the 2022 OPCC WOW competition, as well as the photos awarded in the NWCCC Fall Competition. In addition, we’ll highlight OPCC activities and successes in 2022 and provide a preview of plans for 2023.

We will again hold a hybrid event for this meeting. The in-person meeting will be at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sequim. See notes regarding the potluck dinner associated with this meeting above. Anyone not wanting to attend the in-person meeting at the church will still be able to participate via Zoom as usual.

Use the OPCC Member Share Night Zoom Code to access this meeting. Click HERE for the OPCC Zoom Codes webpage.

For more information or questions about OPCC Member Share/Competition Night, consult the website or contact OPCC Member Share Night Chair Dan McKenna (opccphotos@gmail.com).

FIELD TRIPS, WORKSHOPS, & MEET-UPS

REMINDER November Field Trip - Portraits: Studio and Outdoors

From Field Trip Chair Ellen Bogenschutz.

Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022

Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Location: Please visit the Field trip webpage for location and directions (Click HERE)

Our theme and photographic technique for November is Portraits: Studio and Outdoors. To facilitate this, the Olympic Peaks Camera Club has been invited to the home/studio of Keith and Kryz Ross, of Keith’s Frame of Mind. This unique home, which was once a church, has been converted into a beautiful state of the art studio and gallery.

The studio is a filled with high-quality lights, backdrops, and props for any style of portrait photography. If the weather permits, we can step outside for some outdoors portraits. So, make sure to bring your flash and portable lighting equipment to get the full experience.

We will go over the fundamentals of studio lighting, placement of lights, camera settings, lens choice, and posing your subject for the right mood. Keith’s beautiful wife Kryz will be our model.

Bring your camera and creative ideas for this opportunity.

A big thanks to OPCC member Sherrie Cerrutti for hosting this Field Trip and making all the arrangements!

SAVE THE DATE - December Meet-Up

Put this event on your calendar for December! Get into the Holiday Spirit!

December Meet-Up at Wintertide Light Art Experience

Wintertide Light Art Experience - Visit Port Angeles Washington

Location: Port Angeles Fine Art Center, 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles

Date: December 13, 2022

Time: 5:00 PM

Meeting Spot: To be determined. Also tripod status to be confirmed

Please keep watch on the website and future Newsletters for more details.

COMPETITION/IMAGE EVALUATION

REMINDER - PSA Interclub Competition 2022 - 2023: Opportunity to Submit New Images

From OPCC Competition Chair Peggy McClure

When we began entering the photos for the first round of the Interclub Competition, we discovered that PSA had split the competition into new categories of color and monochrome. Because monochrome images generally don’t do well in color competitions, we decided to actually divide our images and enter both the color and monochrome divisions. We have enough images to submit to the first round for both competitions without asking for additional images. The first-round images have been posted on the website (click HERE) and are ready to submit to PSA for judging.

To repeat, there are now actually two competitions: PID* Color and PID Monochrome. Therefore, we need additional images for Rounds 2 and 3 for both color and monochrome. Each member may enter 4 new images (2 color, 2 monochrome) for a total of 4 images. Submissions for the second and third rounds will need to be uploaded to the PSA Interclub Competition Dropbox by Sunday, January 8, 2023. We will again use external judges to evaluate and score the images to select the images to be entered.

NOTE: If you have already submitted images and they were one of the Finalists for the Open Competition, they will automatically be included in the images for rounds 2 and 3. You may still enter 4 new images. Additionally, if you have already submitted a PSA Release form you will not be required to submit another one.

Because we did not enter last year, our Club is in the F group, which is the lowest group. Our images will be competing with images from 22 other clubs. Submissions for the first-round closes on November 15 and we should see the results two to three weeks later. The results will be announced in the newsletter and posted to the website. If you would like more information on how the judging is done and the scoring system, the information has been posted to our website under the PSA Interclub Competition in the section titled PSA Judging and Scoring.

Hopefully the above explanation is clear but if you any questions, concerns or comments please contact Peggy McClure, OPCC Competition Chair at opcc.competition@gmail.com or by phone 714 403-3523.

*PID = Pictorial Image Division

If You’re Aware of Competitions That Might Interest OPCC Members…

If you are aware of any competitions you think members might be interested in please contact Competition Chair Peggy McClure at opcc.competition@gmail.com. Peggy will gather the details and when appropriate we will publish information in the Newsletter and on the Website.

In Focus: November 14 - 27