November 21, 2016 meeting minutes

Posted on by

The November 21, 2016 meeting of the Dubuque Camera Club was attended by 14 club members. Our club judged the Digital Creative category of the N4C competition.

Serving as judges were José García, Jesse Green, and Kenneth Kiss. Thanks to a new TV that was recently purchased by the club, the judges were able to see finer details of the photos under consideration. The audience could still enjoy larger images on the projector screen.

Most of the images submitted to the Digital Creative category are manipulated using Photoshop or another image editing software. Next season, the category will get a new name: Digital Altered Reality. View the N4C winners galleries here.

What is Creative Photography?  Creative photography is an opportunity for those who dare to explore the experimental and creative forms of photographic expression. These will include, but not be limited to derived images, ultra-high contrast, black light, bas-relief, solarization, multi-images, trick lenses and filters, and other ways to alter the image to produce a new abstract effect. Just about anything goes. The important thing is the result, not the means to create it. This area of photography bridges between photographic realism and creative art. It is very difficult to judge and there are literally no rules to follow. Generally concentration on form and color rather than detail in the image will help you succeed. [N4C rules]

Other Club News

Competition update. In 2017, the Dubuque Camera Club will pioneer a new technique for narrowing down images that are submitted by members to the N4C competition.

“I think it will work well, and it will give us accountability and trackability,” said club president Ron Tigges. Club members will be able to login to online galleries and vote on their favorite submissions. Images with the most votes will then be added to the competition.

“People who can’t come to club meetings can still submit and vote,” said Ron. Training on how to use the new system is planned for an upcoming meeting.

Possible guest speaker. We also hope to feature a guest speaker during an upcoming meeting. Details and a definite date are still being worked out. The guest speaker would be Scott Kelly.  He and his wife Kris operate S. Kelly Photography in Dubuque. Scott is involved with Professional Photographers of Iowa.

Contest winners. Dubuque Camera Club members Rich Bugalski and Becky Schivley Mather were recently recognized in the 2016 Mississippi River Photo Shootout. Their photos appear at the Confluence Gallery website.

Bald Eagle Photo Contest. Nature photographers may wish to enter the annual Bald Eagle Photo Contest sponsored by the Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge (SUMMR). Submissions are accepted through Dec. 2, 2016. Winning photos will be displayed at the Bald Eagle Watch in Clinton, Iowa. Find the complete rules on their website.

Club members are invited to bring a significant other or family members to the Holiday Potluck Dinner on Monday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m.

Holiday Dinner! Remember, the next meeting is our holiday potluck dinner. It will be held on Monday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m. at E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center in the Mines of Spain.

Note the 6:00 p.m. start time. Family members or significant others are welcome. The club will provide pulled/BBQ pork or Italian beef sandwiches.

Please RSVP to Ron or Jennifer with how many people you will be bringing.   A head count is important so the meat can be ordered in advance.

Members will be asked to bring a salad, veggie, dessert, appetizer, or non-alcoholic beverage as a potluck dish. If possible, in your RSVP, also include the type of dish you plan to bring. No other meeting in December.

To RSVP, send an email to info@digitaldubuque.com. Thank you!

Mississippi river photo by Rich Bugalski

Mississippi river sunrise by Dubuque Camera Club member Rich Bugalski.

Upcoming meeting schedule

December 5, 2016 — Returns only. No submissions — Christmas Party Potluck.

December 19, 2016 — No meeting. Happy Holidays!

January 2, 2017 — First club meeting of the New Year. Possible Guest Speaker. Submissions to the N4C photo contest are due by December 20. The club can submit double Digital Creative. No Black and White.

January 16, 2017 — Our club will judge the Digital Black and White category.