Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Jeanine Cummins’ “Havana Sunset” won 2nd Place in Advanced Color Prints for February’s “Travel Competition. See more on pages 4-8. THE VIEWFINDER March Madness President’s Comments
by Roz Kleffman, President March madness may be starting soon but not for and take some photos of spring flowers and buds. me. As I sit here writing to you today, I am happy. Step out from your winter doldrums and give Spring is coming. Basketball playoffs will start soon. your camera a work-out. Look for those seasonal (I do love basketball). Arrangements are made for changes happening right now. The frost on those my upcoming trip to Patagonia. Things are almost new leaves or the light snow on those perfect spring packed. The slate of officers has been filled for the flowers. Take the time to plan that photo-op. Keep upcoming club year. I am winding down my tenure a weathered eye out for foggy mornings and clear and it feels great. So many plans and events are in skies. Those atmospheric conditions always make for place for the remainder of this club year. Field trips, some great photos. Accu-weather forecasts really can competitions and some great programs and How-To’s help you plan your photo shoots. still ahead. It is time to check your batteries. Does one seem to be losing a charge faster than the rest? I “number” Spring is a time for renewal. Time to renew and my batteries. I can then tell which number is draining refresh your photography skills too. Have you thought faster/not holding a charge very long and needs about taking a photo class? What about a digital replacing. I usually just put a simple numeric on the darkroom class? Spring classes will be starting soon. batteries (1,2,3) but Check out the local community colleges for some Slate of Officers p. 3 was thinking I should unique classroom experiences. Learn something new April Judge p. 3 add the year this spring. Lots of YouTube videos to watch too. Competition Results p. 4-8 Continued on page 3. Opportunities abound in Spring to get outdoors March Field Trip p. 9 April Field Trip p. 10 Photo Talk p. 10 Table of Contents: This Month’s Schedule Exhibit/Upcoming p. 11 How-To/Out-About p. 12 March 5 Competition Theme: Abstract Program p. 12 March 10-11 Field Trip Winchester, Virginia Picture This p. 13 March 12 Photo Talk Documentary Field Trip Photos p. 14-18 March 19 Program Michael Berofsky - Fine Art Next Year’s Themes p. 19 March 26 How-To Les Picker - Printing The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Articles for The Viewfinder EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THE VIEWFINDER is distributed via Articles should be sent via e-mail to President Roz Kleffman ...... 301-464-1867 e-mail early in the month and at [email protected]. Attachments ...... [email protected] the first meeting of each month as MS Word, .txt, or .rtf files are VP Programs during the club year. Contributions of acceptable. Photos and illustrations Catherine Sheppard . . . . . 301-262-2819 articles of interest to photographers should be separate attachments...... [email protected] are welcomed. VP Membership Photographs should be submitted Bill Collins ...... 410-827-3369 The deadline for submitting articles electronically as JPEGs with a “high” ...... [email protected] is the second Monday of the month quality compression setting. The VP Competition Richard Chomitz ...... prior to publication (ie, articles optimal photograph will be no ...... [email protected] submitted in early October will more than 800 pixels in its greatest VP How-to be published in the November dimension. Jeanine Cummins ...... 301-490-0079 newsletter)...... [email protected] VP Photo Talk Membership Rates Photographic Society Bob Matthews ...... 301-341-3270 of America (PSA) ...... [email protected] Individual . . . . $40.00 Treasurer Family ...... $55.00 The Bowie-Crofton Camera Club has Warren Wilson ...... 301-552-4129 been a member of the Photographic ...... [email protected] Meeting Nights Society of America (PSA) since 1977. Secretary Danni Downing ...... 301-452-5932 The Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Denise Hill is B-CCC’s representative ...... [email protected] meets the first through fourth to PSA. PSA Representative Monday nights of each month For information regarding the Denise Hill ...... (301) 809-1399 September through May in the ...... [email protected] benefits of a PSA individual Fellowship Hall of the All Saints Newsletter Editor membership and Lutheran Church at US 301 and Mt. Vincent Ferrari ...... 301-249-2210 for PSA-sponsored events contact ...... [email protected] Oak Road in Bowie. Meetings begin Denise Hill (301) 809-1399 or at 7:30. Visitors are always welcome. e-mail [email protected]. STAFF Competition Assistant JoAnn Mikellian ...... 410-216-9460 ...... [email protected] Database Manager Dick Russell ...... 410-923-2022 ...... [email protected] Field Trip Committee Leaders Vincent and Leslie Ferrari...... 301-249-2210 ...... [email protected] Webmaster George L. Smyth . [email protected] Web Editor Vincent Ferrari . . [email protected] Exhibit Coordinator Bob Matthews . [email protected] Bowie-Crofton Camera Club P.O. Box 515 Bowie, Maryland 20718-0515
2 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
President’s Comments Continued from page 1 by Roz Kleffman, President purchased too. Maybe 1-17, 2-18, 3-18 would work time to get these things done. better in helping me down the road replace those old Think of places to go this spring to get that perfect batteries. No sense in hauling around batteries that photo. There are some great garden spots that are are no longer working. Did you know that our camera not too far from here. Check out Ladew Gardens, batteries will not hold a charge forever? It may be time Longwood Gardens or Hershey Gardens. Your local to order new camera batteries. Cold weather will drain garden shops may offer unique photo-ops too. batteries faster. Other items to check are your memory Homestead Gardens is one of my favorite local places cards. How is your stash of memory cards? Do you to visit. To avoid the crowds, try going during the week. need to replace them? Look at the camera strap for wear and tear. Does that need replacing? Now is the I am in a happy place. Hope you get to your happy place too. Slate of Officers for 2018 - 2020 Official Notification for all club members by Roz Kleffman, President The slate of officers for the Bowie-Crofton Camera Per The B-CCC Constitution, this announcement Club for 2018-2020 are: serves to notify all club members of the proposed slate of officers. Nominations will also be accepted up to the President- Jeanine Cummins time of the election. VP Membership- Bill Collins I personally would like to thank these 5 people for VP How-To - Steve Kaben their commitment to the club. VP Photo Talk- Bob Matthews I look forward to working with you all. Treasurer- John Allender April Competition Judge Our judge for April’s “Nature” Competition will be Pete Manzelli by JoAnn Mikellian, Competition Assistant Peter Manzelli began his obsession with art at an Fine Art at GWU and began a 31 year career with the early age. But before turning an eye toward the visual Federal Government as a Visual Information Specialist. arts, he was proficient in the performing arts playing The final six years of that career included work as a the accordion. Drafting in High School was for him an photographer and photojournalist. extension of coloring books Pete has had several shows over the years and and a natural talent that led judges occasionally. When asked what he looks for to a study of architecture, in a photograph he says, “I look for thought and and a source of income in the the truth. A camera can take a picture, an individual summer months. makes a picture.” For the past six years, he has shelved In college, he traded the his camera after discovering the electric bass, an drafting board for an easel. instrument he feels he was meant to play. Going full When money ran out, he circle, he is currently involved with several bands enlisted in the Navy as an playing everything from blues, rock, jazz and even a Illustrator/Draftsman. With little Zydeco. He believes that “Time is the glue that the help of the GI Bill he connects all art forms.” completed his degree in
3 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Competition Corner January Competition Results by Dick Chomitz, VP Competition In the competition for February 05, 2018 there were Congratulations to the winners of the Travel 162 submitted entries by 83 competitors, a good Competition. showing. This month the Novice class had enough We ask that competitors follow these few procedures entries to have a contest in color prints and a mini in to help ensure that prints are handled smoothly and Mono. Our Judge was Roy Sewall who did a great job efficiently: giving pointers on improving the images that were presented. The winning photograph “Utah Sunset“, • Have your entry slip filled out completely before by Zolt Levay, earned the Ernie Nagy Memorial Travel stepping up to the table to submit your prints. We trophy. Zolt’s name will be engraved at the base along recommend printing the entry form from the B-CCC with other past winners, Congratulations Zolt on that website. It is found under the competition tab. There fine print. is a date window on the entry form which will provide you the correct date if you press the “down” arrow. Many thanks to all the competitors for submitting such outstanding Travel images. Thanks to the many • Make sure to include an UP arrow and the submission club members who helped the evening go smoothly class (Novice or Advanced) on the back of each print. – those who set up and cleaned up the meeting hall; • Make sure the information on the back of your prints those who accepted and handled the prints, and is legible and dark enough to be read in dim light. our projectionist who ran the digital competition. • Don’t submit double-matted prints. Without these people there would be no competition. Next month’s competition theme is “Abstract”. The
More
Competition
Results on
page 5.
Birds Eye View Over Tallinn, 1st Novice Color Prints, Carver at Kizhi Island, 3rd Novice Monochrome Prints, Alice Collins Alice Collins
Racetrack Playa, HM Advanced Digital, Utah Sunset, 1st Advanced Color Prints, Zolt Levay Zolt Levay
4 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Competition Corner January Competition Results, continued
Competition Novice Digital (26 Entries) Advanced Digital (47 Entries) Standings 1st Rainier Up Close. . . . John Allender 1st RadioTelescope-WVa . .Steve Abramowitz 2nd OBX Roanoke Sound 16 ...... 2nd Lonely Road...... Zolt Levay Following ...... Barbara Kasindorf 3rd Wedding Couple. . . .Clarence Carvell the February 3rd Turkey Kebab . . . . . Danni Downing HM Portrait of a Young Lady ...... Competition HM Balanced Rock and Moon ...... Bill Collins ...... Henry Turner HM Check The Oil. . . . . Glenn Thompson Advanced Color Prints HM Carrer de la Mar. . . . Jeanine Cummins HM Hand-made...... Warren E. Wilson HM EncroachingSandDune. Henry Turner Mike Thomas...... 32 HM Mongol Nomad. . . . Gary Kohn Robert Howard...... 28 HM Roof with a View2. . . Denise Hill HM Racetrack Playa . . . . Zolt Levay Glenn E. Thompson . 25 HM Shish Kebab 2. . . . . Mike Thomas Bill Whitcher ...... 23 Novice Monochrome Prints (6 Entries) HM Street Romance. . . . Stefan Kaben Novice Color Prints 2nd Magic Kingdom. . . . Sherry Carbone HM Triceratops...... John Telford Karen Ackermann. . . .27 3rd Carver at Kizhi Island . .Alice Collins HM Pay for Photo!. . . . . Bill Collins Sherry Carbone...... 24 Alice Collins...... 21 Wesley Booth...... 12 Novice Color Prints (12 Entries) Advanced Monochrome Prints (34 Entries) Advanced Digital 1st Birds Eye View over Tallinn ...... 1st Halibut Cove Boat. . . Mike Thomas Jim Rogers ...... 32 ...... Alice Collins 2nd Central Moscow. . . . Bill Collins Bill Conway...... 28 2nd Helvetian Traumland. . Jin-chung Hsu 3rd Kalina Fish Market. . . Stefan Kaben Gary Kohn...... 25 3rd Looking Up...... Sherry Carbone Vincent Ferrari...... 22 HM Left Right Center. . . .Warren E. Wilson HM Walt Disney Arts Center ...... Novice Digital ...... Lisa Ward John Allender ...... 41 HM Conversations. . . . . Bill Collins JoAnn Mikellian. . . . . 28 HM Abandoned Station. . .Zolt Levay Mark Laster...... 27
Lori Rogers ...... 25 Advanced Color Prints (37 Entries) Advanced Monochrome Mike Thomas ...... 38 1st Utah Sunset...... Zolt Levay Stanley Turk ...... 31 2nd Havana Sunset. . . . .Jeanine Cummins Bill Collins ...... 30 3rd Soccer...... Warren E. Wilson Robert Howard...... 23 HM The Last Emperor. . . .Jeanine Cummins Novice Monochrome HM Cape Meares Lighthouse ...... Charles Jemmott . . . .28 ...... Vincent Ferrari Sherry Carbone . . . . .27 HM Little Long Pond 2017. .Robert Howard Sherry Woodmancy . 15 HM Quick Getaway. . . . .Warren E. Wilson Karen Ackermann. . . .9 HM Rays of Light Church of St Elijah the Prophet ...... Bill Collins HM Sugar Cane...... Stefan Kaben
Carrer de la Mar, HM Novice Digital Jeanine Cummins
More Competition Photos on page 6.
5 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Competition Corner January Competition Results, continued
Central Moscow, 2nd Advanced Monochrome Prints, Conversations, HM Advanced Monochrome Prints, Bill Collins Bill Collins
Pay for Photo!, HM Advanced Digital, Portrait of a Young Lady, HM Advanced Digital, Bill Collins Bill Collins
Turkey Kebab, 3rd Novice Digital, Mongol Nomad, HM Advanced Digital, Danni Downing Gary Kohn
More Competition Photos on page 7.
6 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Competition Corner January Competition Results, continued
Havana Sunset, 2nd Advanced Color Prints, Jeanine Cummins
The Last Emperor, HM Advanced Color Prints, Jeanine Cummins
Ranier Up Close, 1st Novice Digital, John Allender Walt Disney Arts Center, HM Advanced Monochrome Prints Lisa Ward
Halibut Cove Boat, 1st Advanced Monochrome Prints, Shish Kebab 2, HM Advanced Digital, Mike Thomas Mike Thomas
More Competition Photos on page 8.
7 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Competition Corner January Competition Results, continued
Cape Meares Lighthouse, HM Advanced Digital, Kalina Fish Market, 3rd Advanced Monochrome Prints, Vincent Ferrari Radio Telescope, W.Va., 1st Advanced Digital, Stefan Kaben Steve Abromowitz
Street Romance, HM Advanced Digital, Lonely Road, 2nd Advanced Digital, Stefan Kaben Zolt Levay
Sugar Cane, HM Advanced Color Prints, Abandoned Station, HM Advanced Monochrome Prints, Stefan Kaben Zolt Levay
8 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
March Field Trip - March 10 and 11 Winchester, Virginia by Stanley Turk, Field Trip Leader If you’re an early American history buff or a Civil War headquarters: the headquarters of “Stonewall” Jackson: buff, there is no better place to visit than Winchester, the headquarters of the Union General Philip Sheridan, especially historic Old Town. from which he started his 12 mile ride on October 19, 1864, to rally his retreating army at Cedar Creek- At the top of the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia, the ride made famous by Thomas Buchanon Read’s Winchester was once Shawnee Indian camping grounds poem, “Sheridan’s Ride”; the Hollingsworth house, to which Pennsylvania Quakers came to settle in 1732. Abram’s Delight, built in 1754 and now completely In the mid-1700’s, Frederick County became the military furnished with relics of the 18th century; houses of and political training ground for George Washington, the Revolutionary era; the National Cemetery and who came here at the age of sixteen to survey the the Confederate Cemetery with thousands of heroes lands of Thomas, the Sixth Lord Fairfax. Washington graves; the ruins of an old church used as barracks built Fort Loudoun during the French and Indian during the Revolutionary War; the Hopewell Meeting War and, at twenty-six, was elected to his first public House, established in 1734: Belle Grove Plantation, office as the county’s representative to the House of 1794; and many others. Burgesses. Here is a partial list of the sites we can visit while in Winchester was a strategic prize of great importance Winchester: during the Civil War. In Confederate hands, on excellent roads to the north and east, it was a serious threat to • Christ Episcopal Churchyard the supply lines of the Union armies trying to reach • General Morgan Home Richmond – the heart of the Confederacy. In the hands of the Union army, Winchester made Confederate • George Washington Office raids and invasion of the north risky and opened a • St. Paddy’s Celtic Fest (www.oldtownwinchesterva. protected avenue for Union troop movements south com/events/major-events/st-paddys-celtic-fest/) through a valley from which they could attack on the flanks and rear of Lee’s main armies. Thus, Winchester • National and Confederate Cemeteries and Frederick County became the scene of six battles • Handley Library during the Civil War, and the city itself changed flags • Stonewall Jackson HQ around seventy times during the four year conflict, it is said thirteen times in one day. General Thomas • Patsy Cline House “Stonewall” Jackson demonstrated his military Our “home base” will be the George Washington leadership in the Valley Campaign. Winchester was Grand Hotel, located downtown in the historic district. familiar to him not only as a military objective, but Make your reservation for the night of March 10. also as his home during the winter of 1861-1862. Here he enjoyed the companionship of his wife for the last We will meet to begin the trip at 11:00 a.m. on winter. His headquarters is located on North Braddock Saturday, at the Union Jack Restaurant at 101 N Street and is open in the spring and summer months. Loudoun Street, just a short walk from the hotel. Here is a link to the hotel website:
In Winchester and Frederick County the visitor will https://tinyurl.com/ybgqdnyt see many relics of the area’s history: the tomb of If you would like to join us, contact Vince Ferrari, at: Lord Fairfax in the yard of Christ Episcopal Church; [email protected] the home and grave of General Daniel Morgan, hero of the Revolutionary War; George Washington’s
9 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
April Field Trip - April 13 - 15 American Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton, Virginia by Clarence Carvell, Field Trip Leader Our field trip in April is to the American Frontier around a farm including planting, harvesting, milking, Culture Museum, in Staunton, Virginia. This outing will blacksmithing, repairing and seasonal celebrations. be over a 3-day weekend, from April 13-15. However, you don’t have to stay for the entire three days if you choose not to. Those who want too can also go to the Truck Farm on Sunday. It’s about an hour away. There is an adult admission fee of $12.00 to the Frontier Culture
Musuem. A Comfort Inn is nearby: 480-568-6951. The American Frontier Culture Museum is a collection of individual farms, Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s best to have a each from a different country. sandwich and lots of water, although there is some The farms are populated by food on site. It is easily a full day or more of shooting. people characteristic of the countries they represent A wide angle lens is important and then a moderate to and are very photogenic. They are very cooperative telephoto (24-200). Don’t take more than you can carry and friendly to photographers including while working all day. A tripod will be essential. Parking is close by if with the farm animals, general housekeeping chores, you need to go back for something. preparing meals and doing the things necessary www.frontiermuseum.org/ March Photo Talk Meeting Nature - March 12 by Bob Matthews, VP Photo Talk Due to a couple of Photo Talk cancellations, there are reviewing and discussing club members’ images from some updates to Photo Talk schedule for the rest of the the previous March “Abstract” competition. So come B-CCC year. Since I wasn’t able to make the February on out and hear what other club members think of our Photo Talk meeting, the Nature Photography topic will images. Maybe you didn’t agree with something the be covered for the March Photo Talk meeting. As usual, judge said, or maybe you just have some questions we will talk about the definition of Nature Photography or concerns about your image. And you can either and look at the historical origins of the Nature contribute your own thoughts on other’s photo, or photographer. We will look at Nature photographs just listen to what other club members have to say. from well-known photographers, as well as images Maybe you’ll hear something that could apply to your from lesser known or emerging photographers and photography as well. discuss what makes the images work. Hopefully, this Here are the topics for the rest of the year: will help you when you are reviewing your images to figure out which ones to submit for the club’s annual March 12: Nature Photography Nature competition in April. April 9: Documentary Photography And of course, the bulk of the evening will be spent May 21: Travel Photography
10 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
B-CCC Photo Exhibit Coming to Prince George’s Community College The exhibit will begin in March, 2018 by Bob Matthews, Exhibit Coordinator
Prince George’s Community College will be hosting • Closing: Thursday April 22, 2018 an exhibition of photographs from the Bowie-Crofton • Note: Gallery will be closed the week of March 12 to Camera Club. The exhibit will be held in the Marlboro 16, for Spring Break. Gallery of Marlboro Hall on the Largo Campus of the PGCC. For club members who are participating in the exhibit, you need to get your images to the Marlboro Key Dates for the exhibit are: Gallery by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday March 3, 2018. And • Opening: Monday March 5, 2018 you will need to pick up your images when the show comes down on Thursday April 12, at noon. If you • Reception: Thursday, March 22, from 6:00 p.m. can’t make it to PGCC at these times, please make to 8:00 p.m. arrangements with another club member to drop off or • Reception Snow Date: Thursday, March 29, from pick up your images. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Upcoming Events News about non-club related photographic events by Vincent Ferrari, Editor
The National Geographic Society in Washington, DC, approximately 7:45 p.m. currently is running an exhibit called “Day to Night”. For more information: www.lightcity.org/ Photographer Stephen Wilkes takes through an entire day in one photograph. The show runs through April From June 7 through June 10 in Washington, DC, the 29. See: www.tinyurl.com/y77zjc7h first “Focus on the Story” International Photo Festival will celebrate the art of photography and the stories The Maryland Photography Alliance, of which B-CCC behind the images. For four days, “Focus on the Story” is a member club, will present the Odyssey of Light will convene some of the top names in photography. Seminar Series. On Saturday, March 24, Bruce Dale, a They will bring together a community of photography National Geographic photographer, and Tamara Lackey, lovers for a series of outstanding keynote presentations, a Nikon USA Ambassador, will present a full-day panel discussions, workshops, exhibits, portfolio program. For information, visit: reviews, photowalks, and community events. www.odysseyoflight.org/mpa Whether you are a professional, amateur, enthusiast Light City Baltimore is coming up again, on April or curious, here is your chance to spend four days 6 - 21. Central to Light City is the BGE Light Art Walk celebrating, learning, seeing, living and breathing along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, featuring attractions photography. What could be better, right? including illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive For more information, visit technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area. Sunset on April 14 will be www.focusonthestory.com/
11 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
February How-To Meeting - Mar. 26 Les Picker by Jeanine Cummins, VP How-To Les Picker has been photographing since the age Authors. of 11, when his father, an accomplished amateur Two characteristics shape Les’ photography; passion photographer, bought him his first and inquisitiveness. Since an early age Les has 35mm SLR film camera (a Minolta). Les been interested in the natural world and in has since photographed for National other cultures. He has an earned doctorate in Geographic Society publications and environmental affairs (winter ecology), which many other consumer and corporate he believes helps inform his landscape and magazines and newspapers. He has wildlife photography. His interest in other had more than 600 published articles cultures draws him frequently to exotic locales in major national publications. He Les offers workshops in Fine Art Printing, was a monthly columnist and features contributor Photography Tours and Portfolio Development. to Oceans Magazine and a weekly columnist, Op-Ed contributor and features travel writer and photographer Les is Winner of the Canada Northern Lights for The Baltimore Sun. Les shoots Hasselblad and Nikon Award for Best Travel Photography, a Moab Master equipment and is a member of Nikon Professional Photographer, and a Ben-Q Monitors Ambassador. Services and the American Society of Journalists and Out and About What B-CCC members are up to this month by Vincent Ferrari, Editor Zolt Levay has been chosen as an Artist-In-Residence staff. Although Capitol Reef is one of the national at the Capitol Reef National Park. Here are Zolt’s own parks I’ve never had the opportunity to visit, its remote words on this exciting opportunity: location in south central Utah makes it an ideal location I am extremely honored that Capitol Reef National to explore and photograph stars, the Milky Way, and Park has selected me as an Artist in Residence for other nighttime sights juxtaposed with spectacular night sky photography. I will be in residence during the landscapes, geology, and culture. I look forward to month of June to explore the relationships between sharing my photographs and experiences with club powerful landscapes and the night sky through members in person and through the usual online photography and to engage with visitors and park channels. March Program Meeting - Mar. 26 Michael Berofsky by Catherine Sheppard, VP Programs Michael Bersofsky was born in Philadelphia and designing large networks for internet service providers. moved to Syracuse before settling in the DC area in His career then gave way to a new passion, however – 1977. He has been involved in photography nearly that of a full-time dad to two amazing children. With his entire life. His first camera was a cheap Zeiss Ikon the support of his wife and family he devoted his free Ikomatic 126 camera from which he could never time to transforming his love of fine art photography remove the film. Not to be deterred, he moved up to into full-time pursuit. (or down) to a 110 camera which carried him all the way Bersofsky’s work has been on display in various to the grand old age of 12 and his first SLR. Bersofsky establishments, offices, art shows around the area started out with film and chemical darkrooms and now and homes around the country. This year his work is works almost exclusively in the digital domain. currently scheduled to be on display at the Brookside Bersofsky’s career took him in a different direction, Gardens art exhibit in the fall, with a number of other however. He studied computer science at the University events in the works. of Maryland and spent his first career as an engineer,
12 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Picture This! This Month: Field Trips and Black & White by Karen Ackermann First question: Since I’m a big believer in going on do it; a switch to field trips, I expected the answer to the question, black-and- white “Where do the best competition-winning photos come toned down from?” to be “field trips.” I decided to gather some the background numbers to back up my brilliant theory. Using my own distraction. photos as an (admittedly) extremely limited data set, I Please share was nevertheless surprised at the results. The following your thoughts numbers come from my winning photos, covering on color versus honorable mentions up through 1st place, print and black-and-white digital, for the time January 2016 through January 2018. in Picture This! Of the total 13 photos, one was from the category I dubbed “house and yard,” 10 were from day trips that I took on my own or with a friend, and 2 were from B-CCC field trips. Theory busted in a big way! However, don’t let that put you off field trips! Remember: you get to meet people, ask questions, see places you haven’t been before (or perhaps see them in a new way). And, you never know when a competition category might be Tilghman Island Day, National Zoo, Savage Mill, Glass Factory, Marine Corps Museum, Winchester, or Frontier Culture Museum. Second question: When is it beneficial to turn a color image into a black-and- white image? I only started exploring this possibility in 2017 and have had quite a bit of fun with it. I’ve learned a lot about contrast and brightness as well as the tone scales on my computer in the process. Here are some examples of what I’ve done. For the woman, I found it easier to remove the tent guy rope behind her when I switched to black-and- white. For the Canada goose, I wanted to get away from the ubiquitous look of the brown-and- white bird and present it in a different (hopefully more striking) way. For the hawk, the background was white and bright green. Despite my efforts to replace the green with white, I couldn’t
13 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Field Trip Photographs Images from the January field trip to McFadden Art Glass in Baltimore
All photographs on this page by Danni Downing
More Field Trip Photos on page 15.
14 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Field Trip Photographs Images from the January field trip to McFadden Art Glass in Baltimore, continued
Top 2 photographs and 2nd on left on by Dena Selby Remaining photographs on page by Leslie Ferrari
More Field Trip Photos on page 16.
15 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Field Trip Photographs Images from the January field trip to McFadden Art Glass in Baltimore, continued
All photographs on this page by Don Andberg, except bottom-left, which is by Stan Turk
More Field Trip Photos on page 17.
16 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Field Trip Photographs Images from the January field trip to McFadden Art Glass in Baltimore, continued
Top 5 photographs by Donna Zellars
Bottom 2 photographs by Mark Laster
More Field Trip Photos on page 18.
17 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
Field Trip Photographs Images from the January field trip to McFadden Art Glass in Baltimore, continued
Top 3 photographs by Mark Laster Bottom 4 photographs by Stan Turk
18 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018
B-CCC Competition Themes for 2018-2019
Dates shown are the first Mondays of the month, excepting holidays. They are subject to change if conflicts arise.
October 1, 2018 - OPEN Anytime, anywhere, any topic. November 5, 2018 - THE MAGIC HOUR That time, in and around sunset or sunrise, when the light is distinctly different—almost magical. Any subject during that time frame, but the light, or atmosphere, must feel that way, and be a dominant factor. December 3, 2018 - INSIDES OF ANYTHING Cars, houses, stores, nuts, a sandwich, a tunnel—just so it is clear to all that the subject of the photograph is an interior, not an exterior. Examples: the nut, not the shell; a window from the inside, not the outside; the rings of a great tree, when sliced; a flower, cut in half; a dashboard on a car. And, of course, a great photo! January 7, 2019 - REPETITIONS The photo shows the same form, repeated again and again. Windows, doors, trees, candies, carrots, all seeming to echo each other as the subject of the photo. February 4, 2019 - TRAVEL Any object, anytime, anywhere, as long as it is obvious to the judge that the subject matter was photographed while traveling more than 50 miles from Bowie. An image that captures the feeling of a time and place, and portrays a land, its people, or a culture in its natural state. The judge will award the Travel Trophy to his/her favorite first place image. March 4, 2019 - PEOPLE, NOT PORTRAITS This topic encourages the photographer to explore not only people’s faces but also the hands and other symbols of the subject’s essence (e.g., the hands and gloves of a construction worker, a violinist’s hand holding a bow or a baseball player holding a bat, the feet of a ballet dancer, etc.). The primary emphasis should be on the people (e.g.,on the raised hands of several basketball players, but not on the basketball). Formal portraits, indoors or outdoors, are not permissible, but a “staged candid “ is acceptable, meaning people who know you are photographing them, and they may be posing, but not for remuneration—a child doing something interesting; a worker’s face as he puts it all into what he’s working on; not a wedding photo. April 1, 2019 - NATURE Focus on nature and natural things. The rules say the photograph can not depict any evidence of the ‘hand of man’. Simply put - no fences, cans, manmade structures, etc. Novice Nature Trophy will be awarded during this competition for the best in show Novice nature image. May 6, 2019 - OPEN Anytime, anywhere, any topic.
19 The Viewfinder • Bowie-Crofton Camera Club Volume 37, Number 7 • March, 2018 Parting Shot
This month’s Parting Shot is from John Aikins. If you would like your image and story presented here, send it to: [email protected].
I saw it and I thought, “leaf that leaf alone!” But the sun did its magic. As a photographer, you learn to love light. The very ordinary becomes sonething fresh, something special. --John Aikins
The Viewfinder Bowie-Crofton Camera Club P.O. Box 515 Bowie, Maryland 20718-0515
Viewfinder printed by: www.b-ccc.org • [email protected] Member Photographic Society of America since 1977
PPC:REC:AR 02/18 20