In Focus: September 27 - October 3
Abstract - Suzanne Anaya
This weekly 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 weekly on Sunday evenings. The deadline for new submissions for the following week is Friday at midnight.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
With Sally M. Harris
This week’s cover image is “Abstract” by Suzanne Anaya.
When Suzanne Anaya goes on a road trip, we all get excited. That’s because she brings us along via Facebook, with photos and lively descriptions of her journey. Her Facebook friends get to see nature, out-of-state birds, and learn through her experiences. Our hearts race when she gets stuck in the snow, and we rejoice together when she gets back on the road. She navigates her way through the mountains in a 20-foot RV filled with dogs and camera equipment.
Suzanne originally joined OPCC to learn more about photography and her camera, and discovered other benefits.
“I like the camaraderie, field trips, competitions, share nights, and educational speakers. We have some talented photographers who are willing to teach,” says Suzanne. Though she is always on-the-go, she supports the club by volunteering to lead field trips and as secretary for her second term. An active retired critical care nurse with her Master’s degree in nursing, she also makes time to volunteer as nurse manager at the Sequim Free Clinic. She began “serious” photography taking images at sheepdog trials. Other competitors saw what she was doing, and asked her to photograph them, which she did for free. Training and competing with her Border Collies is a great love. For now, she’s down to two older Border Collies, 13 and 10, who don’t compete anymore, but she still helps at the National Sheepdog finals.
Suzanne took photography classes at Peninsula College and several workshops from award-winning photographers Bonnie Block and Ernst Schaffer. Both Bonnie and Ernst have given presentations to OPCC. She explores all types of photography, yet abstracts have always been Suzanne’s first love. She has a BA in art from CA Lutheran University where she worked in mixed media and enjoyed creating large abstract paintings best.
For gear, she switched from Canon to Sony A1 and Sony 7R3 mirrorless cameras that came complete with a steep learning curve. “Sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out, but most of the time I’m thrilled at the images I can take with them,” she said.
Suzanne has competed in only five external competitions, but her awards include Best Wildlife image from the NWCCC, and several year-end club awards.
Suzanne in Action - Tim Owens
Ferruginous Hawk - Susan Anaya
Female Elephant Seal - Suzanne Anaya
Yosemite - Suzanne Anaya
Smoke Bush - Suzanne Anaya
WEBSITE QUICK LINKS
Looking For A Frequently-Used Location On The OPCC Website? Click on the Quick Links Below!
PUBLIC
MEMBERS ONLY
Share Night Image Submission Instructions
Education Night Videos and Handouts
NEWS
Quote of the Week
“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” ― Marc Riboud
New Field Trip: Jimmy Come Lately Creek Salmon Counting Station - Sunday October 3 at 8:00 AM
OPCC Competition Chair Peggy McClure has arranged a visit at the Jimmy Come Lately Creek chum salmon counting station (“fish trap”) for Sunday, October 3, at 8:00 AM. Cheri Scaif, the DFW Scientific Technician responsible for the fish trap, will be present to answer questions and help us get some good shots. Parking is limited, so please carpool if possible. Jimmy Come Lately Creek crosses under Highway 101 just west of the Fire Station in Blyn. Parking is limited, so carpooling would be greatly appreciated. We should meet in the fire station parking lot west of the fire station no later than 8:15 am. They try to have all the fish out of the trap by 9:30 AM, so don't be late.
Please email or phone Peggy (pmmcclure@outlook.com; 714-403-3523) to let her know if you’re coming, so she can make plans for additional parking or an afternoon session if necessary.
Below is the chart of the activity at the trap for the last few years, but nothing is guaranteed. We’ll just hope for the best!
OPCC Planning Continues for 2022 - New Treasurer Candidate Announced
More good news! Therese (Tess) Agesson has volunteered to be a candidate for OPCC Treasurer. She brings years of financial management experience for this position. This is one of the Board positions that must be voted on by the OPCC membership. In the meantime, many thanks to Tess for stepping up as a candidate to fill this important club role.
The positions of 2022 OPCC Field Trip Chair, and Program Chair are still open. If you would like volunteer to serve on the board and be involved in determining the future of the club, please contact OPCC President Bruce Fryxell at opccpres@gmail.com.
NWCCC Competition and Fall Meeting News - Submission Deadlines are Coming Up This Week (October 1).
Submission deadlines for the NWCCC Fall Digital, Print, and Slideshow competitions are October 1.
Prints for the NWCCC individual print competition must be received by October 1. Rebecca has volunteered to deliver prints from OPCC members to the NWCCC Print Chair (Alan Moodie) in person - see instructions in the Coming Up This Week section below.
Visit the NWCCC website at nwcameraclubs.org for competition and conference details.
Topaz Studio 2 Study Group News
The Topaz Studio 2 study group continues to meet every other Wednesday with OPCC member Bob Selby as the group facilitator. The next meeting is Wednesday September 29 at 9:00 AM. The meeting for Wednesday, October 13 is cancelled. The final meeting of the study group will be November 10, 2021. Many thanks to Bob for organizing the original four-session class on Topaz Studio 2 and for facilitating the subsequent twice monthly study group for our club. For questions contact Bob at RLSelby131@gmail.com.
October Edition of the PSA Washington State Membership Newsletter Now Available
There’s always something interesting in this newsletter. Click HERE to view the latest edition.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Final Day to Drop Off Prints for Hand Delivery to NWCCC Print Competition Coordinator - Monday, September 27
Prints for the Northwest Council of Camera Clubs (NWCCC) individual print competition must be received by NWCCC no later than October 1. OPCC NWCCC Representative Rebecca Hanson has volunteered to deliver prints from OPCC members to the NWCCC Print Coordinator (Alan Moodie) in person.
If members wish to have Rebecca deliver their prints, they can drop them off at her her house by September 27. She will be taking the prints to Alan Moodie in Edmonds on September 28. Please provide protection for your prints, as Rebecca does not have the case for transporting them. Rebecca's house address is 1508 E. Sequim Bay Road. For more information contact Rebecca Hanson (rebahan@earthlink.net).
Deadline for Submitting Prints for October Member Share Night - Thursday September 30 at 11:00 PM.
The final special monthly theme for 2021 is “Pet Portraits”. For information on submitting images for Member Share Night visit the Member Share Night webpage of the OPCC website by clicking HERE.
Deadline for Submitting Digital Images, Prints, and Slide Shows for the NWCCC Fall 2021 Competitions - October 1
Visit the NWCCC website (click HERE) for details.
OPCC Field Trip: Jimmy Come Lately Creek - Sunday, October 3 at 8:00 AM.
See item in NEWS above.
THE BASICS - Tips for Learning New Photography Skills
Understanding Your Camera’s Histogram
These days, most (if not all) DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have a histogram feature. The histogram is an invaluable tool for optimizing exposure in the field, optimizing post processing adjustments, and fine tuning a digital image for printing. If you’re not familiar with using a histogram or need a refresher, click HERE for a video to get you jumpstarted for making the most of this tool.
LOOK AND LISTEN
From OPCC member Peg Hanson: The Kitsap Photographic Guild (KPG) Meetup Group presents: “”Backyard Photography with Darrell Gulin” via ZOOM on October 21st at 7 PM. Darrell is a Canon “Explorer of Light” and was an OPCC guest speaker earlier this year. Everyone is invited to join the meeting, but if you are not a member of the KPG Meetup Group, please RSVP so you can be sent the Zoom ticket for this meeting. Visit the Meetup Group website by clicking HERE.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Visit the OPCC Website for more information on these events.
Member Share Night - Monthly Themes and More
For more information visit the Member Share Night page on the OPCC website. For questions, contact Share Night/Projection Chair Susan White at 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.
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.