May 16, 2016 Meeting Minutes

Contributed by Pamela Brandt

Twenty people attended the May 16, 2016 meeting. Our club judged the Travel category of the N4C competition. Thank you to our volunteer judges: Bob Felderman, Rich Bugalski, and Lois Pancratz.

Photos were judged for Technique, Composition, and Interest, with a maximum of 45 points awarded (5/5/5 from each judge).

What is Travel Photography?

Travel implies going to some place other than one’s customary environment, and travel photography suggests the photographic depiction of that new environment or the means used to get there. Be sure to state the name of the locale where the picture was made in the title of the digital image, slide, or print. If the location is in the United States, list the state in the title; if foreign, list the country in the title.

There is no definition of how far away that environment must be to qualify as “travel” or how different that new environment must be. However, the judges will generally award prizes to those photographs that depict more exotic and unfamiliar places, even though such places are “home” to someone.

Good photographic technique and particularly the ability to convey the feeling and flavor of the place visited will help you be a winner. Try to emphasize the character that makes the place unique from other places. Source: N4C rules

There were 89 photos to judge, and the meeting lasted until about 8:20 p.m., or about 1 hour and 50 minutes. That is just over one minute per photo,  including the opening chitchat and our preliminary look through the submissions.  (At the prior meeting we judged 132 photos, and the meeting lasted two hours and 15 minutes).

Comments from the judges about the judging process:

“I’ve done it before – I enjoy it,” said Bob.

“It’s always a good learning experience,” said Rich.

“Men don’t like flowers and they don’t like fluff,” said Lois. “It’s good to have a mix of genders.”

“Some of the photos looked so similar,” added Bob. “Everybody shoots that. For Travel, you should look for something unique.”


Other News and Updates

Photo book. There has been some discussion of creating a photo book in connection with the Dubuque Museum of Art exhibition. By now, everybody should have submitted their photos for consideration.

July 3rd fireworks. Some Camera Club members will be gathering at the big airshow and fireworks in Dubuque on Sunday, July 3. This is a good opportunity to take high speed photos of airplanes, or timed exposures of the fireworks. If you are interested in joining this group, John Leicht is the contact person.

Summer meeting ideas:

  • A night photography sessions led by Ron Tigges.
  • Bellevue butterfly gardens.
  • Dubuque Arboretum (Music in the Gardens on Sunday evenings).

If you are interested in any of these events – or if you would like to host others — send an email to Ron or add a post to our Facebook group.

Important: If you have not yet submitted an RSVP for the picnic, do it now! Let Jennifer know how many people you’ll be bringing and/or log in to Volunteer Spot to sign up for a dish to bring. The picnic is on Monday, June 6. The club will provide brats and burgers — you bring the rest!

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