Our featured photographer for October is Collin Cooper.

Although his job in Niagara Falls has kept him from attending all but a few CCC meetings a year, Collin is a regular contributer to CAPA and CCC competitions. His main photographic interests are Nature and anything outdoors. His vivid imagination and eye for the unusual helped him finish 3^rd in the CCC’s Intermediate Division last year and as his experience mounts, he is sure to continue to advance.

For a brief look at his fine work, see our Photo In Focus Page

Around 30 members and 10 guests attended our third and final Walk-About of the summer at the North Buxton Museum. We had full access to the church, schoolhouse, barn and log cabin, which provided many unique photo opportunities. Special thanks to Patricia Kral for setting up our visit and to our hostess, Shannon Prince.

Photos by Carson Plant

Photos by Dave Noordhoff

Our friend and active CCC member Noel Courtice passed away on September 4^th, 2014 at the age of 83. Noel, a retired pharmacist who joined us five years ago, was an accomplished nature and scenic photographer whose trip to Africa provided him the opportunity to capture a series of once-in-a-lifetime pictures which he proudly shared with The Club. Always quick to make new friends among his fellow members, he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

About 20 members of the Chatham Camera Club gathered at the former Keith McLean residence to photograph the lotus ponds, water lilies and wildflowers.

Our third and final outing of the Summer season will take place on September 9th at the North Buxton Museum. See the Meeting Schedule for details.

Our first “Walk-About” of 2014 was a huge success, with nearly 40 members on-hand.
Club members and guests broke up into small groups and those who are still early in their photographic journey were able to seek the guidance of some of our more experienced comrades.

Among the topics covered were:
• How to adjust the diopter
• How a histogram works
• How aperture and subject distance affect depth of field
• Understanding the Mode dial
• How to shoot in Manual
• Using the Exposure Lock button

Several of our newer members expressed their gratitude for this learning opportunity and a desire to have repeat lessons in the near future.

Our next “Walk-About” will be held at Keith McLean’s Lotus Ponds on Tuesday, August 19th. See the meeting schedule for details.

Summer Walk-Abouts have been organized at three local venues.
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Check the Meeting Schedule for details.

Next season’s CCC Competition Topics have been determined by The Club Executive:

– Barns and / or Silos
– Nuts (peanuts, walnuts, steel threaded nuts, etc)
– Wheels (from cars, trucks, wagons, machinery, etc)
– People Outdoors (must be taken outside, flash is allowed)
– Urban Decay (old buildings or other neglected structures)
– Open

CAPA photo competitions will include:

– Altered Reality
– Nature
– Open

Check the Meeting Schedule for submission and judging dates for your category.

Remember: Photo Competitions are meant to challenge our creativity and inspire us to move out of our comfort zone and into places we’ve never ventured. They are in no way a reflection of your ability. If someone else doesn’t see your vision, accept it and continue to learn and grow as a photographer at your own pace.

45 members attended our Annual Elections And Awards Night.

• Keith Blackwell presented his Technical Assignment Awards to
– Dave Stewart (exposure and contrast panels)
– Jim Pollock (focal length and lens settings)
– Debbie Venn (emulation of a famous photographer)

• All of our open Executive positions for 2014 / 2015 were filled by acclamation
with the results as follows:

President – Vince Gagnier
Vice-Presidents – Tere Deslippe and Gavin Stuart
Secretaries – Melanie Denis and Angel Rublik
Treasurer – Carson Plant
Executive Assistants – Shannon L’Ecuyer, Reagan Smolder, Chris Jorgensen
Competition Manager – Gavin Stuart

• Two of our retiring executive members, President Dave Noordhoff and Competition Manager Paul Schmoldt, were recognized for their years of service to The Club with a small token of our appreciation. Much of the success we have enjoyed over the past few years can be directly attributed to the hard work that these two gentlemen have provided. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to both.

• Paul Schmoldt and Gavin Stuart presented this season’s
Club Photo Competition Awards

Novice Division
1^st Place – Chad Barry
2^nd Place – Mike Moynihan
3^rd Place – Sherrie Strain and Dave Stewart (tie)

* Most Improved Photographer * – Shannon L’Ecuyer

Intermediate Division
1^st Place – Doug Cooper
2^nd Place – Gavin Stuart
3^rd Place – Collin Cooper

Advanced Division
1^st Place – Jim Pollock
2^nd Place – Carson Plant
3^rd Place – Keith Blackwell

* Most Improved Photographer * – Keith Blackwell

* Photo Of The Year * – “Firemen” by Tere Deslippe

* Honorable Mentions for high scoring photos *

Doug Cooper, Gavin Stuart, Larry Kearns, Lorie Cooper, Margaret Manson, Martha Gillier, Melanie Denis, Mike Blazek, Mike Moynihan, Nicole Maynard, Shannon L’Ecuyer, Tere Deslippe, Dave Noordhoff (2), Dave Paddick (2), Frank Vadovic (2), Keith Blackwell (3), Paul Schmoldt (3), Richard Armstrong (3), Chad Barry (4), Jim Pollock (4), Carson Plant (5).

Thanks to all who participated.

Remember: Photo Competitions are meant to challenge our creativity and inspire us to move out of our comfort zone and into places we’ve never ventured. They are in no way a reflection of our ability. If someone else doesn’t see your vision, accept it and continue to learn and grow as a photographer at your own pace.

If you want something to look more interesting,
don’t light all of it.