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Congratulations to our President, Dawn Dingee . Her picture titled" Alaska Sailing " received Honorable Mention in the last PSA Travel competition


Webmaster: Lazlo Gyorsok lazlo1@optonline.net


“Photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” Elliott Erwitt

HOUSATONIC CAMERA CLUB REPRESENTATIVES for 2019/2020 season

President: Dawn Dingee

Vice-President: Heidi Hoeller

Treasurer: Dawn Dingee
Membership/Dues: Dawn Dingee
d1295@aol.com

Publicity: Jeff Breitman
Special Events Coordinator: Jeff Breitman
Program Director: Jeff Breitman
sylvan4570©comcast.net

Webmaster: Lazlo Gyorsok
lazlo1@optonline.net

Newsletter: Lazlo Gyorsok
lazlo1@optonline.net

Hospitality:Karen Consolago
consolago8@aol.com

Secretary:Denise Rueger
rrueger2roadrunner.com

Competitions:Bert Schmitz
bschmitz@att.net

Salon Committee:
Brian Wilcox
ctphoto@comcast.net
Lazlo Gyorsok
lazlo1@optonline.net
Bill Devoti
abundancehill8@gmail.com

Projector Coordinator: Brian Wilcox
ctphoto@comcast.net


Liaison Representatives: PSA - Jane Rossman
jrossman222@gmail.com NECCC - Bert Schmitz
bschmitz@att.net

Proud member of:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP WANTED (!)

2021-2022 season is here

We went through some hard times in 2020 and 2021 but hope that the new season will be much kinder to us. Support you club and your newsletter with active participation because we cannot survive without that.

There are several committee positions open such as Salon Committee. If interested in any of these positions, please let Dawn or Lazlo know


Check out

the videos of our previous meetings


The Housatonic Camera Club show is up at the Housatonic Highschool library.




Get in touch with Pat Vanicky in case you plan to stop by.

The Housatonic Camera Club Landscape Book

is finished. Thank you Jeff Breitman for your hard work on the project, selecting the pictures, putting it altogether, arranging the printing, etc. The book should be in your hands shortly ( if you paid for it) but meanwhile you can download and view a copy ( not the final version) of it
here
.
Get in touch with Jeff if you want a copy of the book.

Assigned Topic ( no more than 5 pictures/members )

Spring Flowers


Photography Tips















“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”

Dorothea Lange



"Critters"



A few pictures from the "Critters" assignment. Click on any one of the pictures to see them in full size.

Ground_Hog_5_22_2021_A.jpg

Ground hog by Karen McMahon
Malibou_Stork_and_Ex_Crocodile_-_Ian_Peters.jpg

Malibu stork and ex crpcpdile by Ian Peters
Image_4-1-20_at_7_25_PM.jpeg

Cows by Joni Hinchman
IMG_5388.jpg

Tarantula by Nancy Zannini
Frog.jpg

Frog by Bert Schmitz
P1320064.jpg

critters #2 by Steve Balkin
Chipmunk_3_14_2022_A.jpg

Chipmunk by Karen McMahon
Resized_20211209_204858.jpeg

Cat by Karen Consolato
483A2408-CR2_DxO_DeepPRIME-3.jpg

Bear #4 by Bela Selendy
Snack_Time_-_By_Karen_McMahon.jpg

Snack time by Karen McMahon
IMG_3082.JPG

Hawk by Gail Goldberg
Very_large_Bird_-_Ian_Peters.jpg

Very large bird by Ian Peters
Bobcat.jpg

Bobcat by Bert Schmitz
IMG_5637.jpg

Pelicans by Karen Consolato
483A2534-CR2_DxO_DeepPRIME-3.jpg

Bear #3 by Bela Selendy
20220301-_DSC6395.jpg

Critters #1 by Ralph Swift
IMG_3699.JPG

critter #1 by Nancy Zannini
IMG_4462.jpg

critter #2 by Nancy Zannini
77th_subway.jpg

77th Subway by Steve Goldberg
Image_3-4-20_at_7_21_PM.jpg

White Pelican by Joni Hinchman
20220315-_DSC6558.jpg

Critters #3 by Ralph Swift
DSC05783.jpg

critter #6 by Nancy Zannini
P1320025.jpg

critters #1 by Steve Balkin
IMG_1411.jpg

Spotted critter by Nancy Zannini
IMG_2478.jpg

Bear by Joni Hinchman
DSC07926.jpg

Skinny-legged critter by Nancy Zannini
DSC04779.jpg

critter #5 by Nancy Zannini
IMG_2788.jpg

Roseate Spoonbill by Joni Hinchman
20210901-_DSC4998.jpg

Critters #5 by Ralph Swift
20210317-_DSC0882-Edit.jpg

Critters #4 by Ralph Swift
IMG_0683.jpg

Hedgehog by Joni Hinchman
Black_and_White_Garden_Spider.jpg

Black and white garden spider by G.A. Mudge
IMG_7284.jpg

critter #3 by Nancy Zannini
Hawk_Up_Close_8_20_2021_E.jpg

Hawk up close by Karen McMahon
Image_7-18-20_at_11_32_AM.JPG

15 Bovines by Joni Hinchman
IMG_5643.jpg

Pelican fishing by Karen Consolato
483A2631-CR2_DxO_DeepPRIME-2.jpg

Bear #1 by Bela Selendy
483A2661-CR2_DxO_DeepPRIME-2.jpg

Bear #2 by Bela Selendy
Hippo_Surge_-_Ian_Peters.jpg

Hippo sirge by Ian Peters
Crocodile_rush_-_Ian_Peters.jpg

Crocodile rush
DSC03376.jpg

Crazy tailed critter by Nancy Zannini
P1310939.jpg

critters #3 by Steve Balkin
ORG_DSC00082.jpg

1 Critter or 2 ? by Nancy Zannini
Salamander.jpg

Salamander by Bert Schmitz
Snake_in_the_grass.jpg

Snake in the grass by Bert Schmitz
P1310711.jpg

critters #5 by Steve Balkin
P1310705.jpg

critters #4 by Steve Balkin
20210430-_DSC3566.jpg

Critters #2 by Ralph Swift
483A2390-CR2_DxO_DeepPRIME-3.jpg

Bear #5 by Bela Selendy
Impala_didn_t_spot_Hyenas_-_Ian_Peters_5992.jpg

Impala didn't spot the hyenas by Ian Peters
ORG_DSC09593.jpg

Water critter by Nancy Zannini
DSC08217.jpg

Hopping critter by Nancy Zannini
Bunny_3_14_2022_A.jpg

Bunny by Karen McMahon
IMG_3651.jpg

The biggest critter I could find in Chicago... by Nancy Zannini

NECCC Pictorial competition pictures, March 2022

Click on the pictures to see the full size images !



Reflections_on_Ice-B_Wilcox.jpg

Reflection on ice
TheBreakers_LazloGyorsok.jpg

The Breakers
All_quiet_at_the_Water_Hole_-_Ian_Peters21.jpg

All quiet at the water hole
DSC09437.jpeg

The Artist and the Art
ROBERTOS_KITCHEN_V2_3DSC01442.jpg

Roberto's kitchen
The_Dock_LazloGyorsok.jpg

The Dock
Sandy_Hook_Bay_-_By_Karen_McMahon.jpg

Sandy Hook bay
Island_View-Maine_by_Bert_Schmitz.jpg

Island view, maine
Dandelion_Drops_-_By_Karen_McMahon.jpg

Dandelion drops
Selfie2-PamelaPeeters.jpg

Selfie #2
Jardin_Etnobotanico_de_Oaxaca.jpg

Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca
Almost_Lunch_dawndingee.jpg

Almost lunch
Fog_in_the_Harbor_dawndingee.jpg

Fog in harbor
yes-we-are-beautiful-Bela-Selendy.jpg

Yes we are beautiful
GreatBlueHeron_JHinchman.jpg

Great blue heron
Panorama_Canyonlands_N_P_by_Bert_Schmitz_.jpg

Panorama Canyon Lands N.P
Fading_Lines-B_Wilcox.jpg

Fading lines
Selfie1-PamelaPeeters.jpg

Selfie #1
Pelican_and_Monkey_Picnic-Ian_Peters.jpg

Pelican and monkey picnic
Raven_Trio_-_Raphael_Swift.jpg

Raven trio
DSC00396~0.jpeg

The Maverick
the-dreamer-Bela-Selendy.jpg

The dreamer
   

NECCC Nature competition pictures, March 2022

Click on the pictures to see the full size images !



Elephant_Triumphant_-_Ian_Peters.jpg

Elephant triumphant
Reflections-PamelaPeeters.jpg

Reflections
the-snarl-Bela-Selendy.jpg

The snarl
calm-hunter-Bela-Selendy.jpg

Calm hunter
Big_Ears_by_Bert_Schmitz.jpg

Big ears
DSC01872.jpeg

Find the owl
Puffballs_by_Bert_Schmitz.jpg

Puffballs
The_Kissing_Fish_BWilcox.jpg

The kissing fish
DSC00123.jpeg

Patagonia sunset
Yellow_billed_stork_-_Ian_Peters.jpg

Yellow Billed stork
AtTheMarsh_LazloGyorsok.jpg

At the marsh
Visitor_Up_Close_dawndingee.jpg

Visitor up close
Natures_Ice__B_Wilcox.jpg

Natures ice
Bee_Up_Close_-_By_Karen_McMahon_1.jpg

Bee up close
Peony_Macro_-By_Karen_McMahon.jpg

Aster macro
InTheFallingSnow_LazloGyorsok.jpg

In the falling snow
CLIVIA_1400X1050_3295.jpg

Clivia
ThawBecomesDeco-PamelaPeeters.jpg

Thaw becomes deco
Swimming_Upstream_DawnDingee.jpg

Swimming upstream
SOLOMANSEAL-1400x1050-DSC02038.jpg

Solomanseal
 

It’s time to go out and smell the… daffodils?! by Heidi Hoeller



I f you’re looking for a spot to capture the essence of spring with your camera, I recommend you head over to Laurel Ridge Foundation in Litchfield where there are thousands of the cheery spring flower blooming in a 15-acre field. Don’t forget to bring a photogenic friend, walking shoes, and a picnic lunch, because you’ll want to stay a while and take lots of photos!

Although the land is privately owned, it’s generously open to the public. This magical springtime sight was founded in 1941 by Remy and Virginia Morosani, according to a monument on the site. They started a non-profit foundation to keep the flowering fields for all to enjoy.

Photo opportunities are aplenty. As you wander through the field of narcissus, you’ll see pathways, a small lake, various trees, hills, and even a small like with a little island. Each of those elements is surrounded by tufts of yellow and white flowers everywhere you look. It’s all so beautifully arranged, it seems they had photographers in mind when creating the landscaping.

The first time I visited, I thought it was a little tricky to find. If you simply enter Laurel Ridge into the GPS like I did, it will take you to the beef farm! The more accurate address for Laurel Ridge Foundation is actually 160 Wigwam Road, Litchfield, CT 06759. Just beyond that address, you’ll see the daffodil field on your left. There’s not much signage, just a small white sign attached to a tree that reads “Laurel Ridge Foundation”. However, you’ll know you’re there, because you will see lots of flowers and several cars parked on the side of the road, especially if you go on a weekend.

I believe peak season varies depending on the weather. However, according to sources online, the best time to go is the end of April or early May. Last year, I didn’t make it there until July. There were still many flowers in bloom, although some were starting to fade. This year, I have it marked on my calendar for late April. It’s all outdoors and open every day from dawn to dusk, as long as the narcissus are still in bloom. Admission is free.











Message from the President by Dawn Dingee



Well finally spring is here! Hopefully we’ve seen the last of the snow until next winter. Five years ago this month, we actually got 2 feet of snow in a single storm…I hope history does NOT repeat itself. It was so nice to sit on the back porch and watch and hear the birds, a sure sign of spring. Although shortly, we will need to put our feeders away or we may attract the bears to our yard again!

Hopefully you have been able to get outside now that the weather is nice. We should begin planning a field trip or two so that we can enjoy the nice weather as well as each other’s company. I’ve been wanting to get some folks together for a trip to Stone Church. I will send out a separate email and see if we can get this coordinated. I went there this past week and the water level is high making for some very nice photographs of the falls. They have also installed a new bridge near the cave which gives more access to the cave and offers different views than before.

Our April meeting will be in-person. The location is still to be announced, though it will likely be back at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. I am waiting to hear about any restrictions or requirements they may have before we finalize the location. They met last week to discuss this and I need to follow up with my contact to see what those are. The topic of the April meeting is basically an ‘informal gathering’ to celebrate the ability to meet in person and to take advantage of having us all together where we can ask questions about the club, our equipment, and places to photograph as a means of sharing knowledge with fellow photographers. We will have coffee, juice and snacks on hand.

Thank you to all who contribute to the newsletter. Lazlo does a great job for us but we can make his job easier by contributing articles, reviews and other things of interest to help fill out the newsletter each month. And remember to submit your photos, correctly sized, when we have the PSA and NECCC competitions. Even if you don’t submit photos, you can still vote. It’s nice to have your work recognized by your fellow HCC members as well as the judges from other participating camera clubs. I always enjoy the diversity in the photos submitted. Hope to see you all at the April meeting!

Happy shooting until then.

Photographing Birds and Animals by Dawn Dingee



P hotographing birds and animals in the wild is very exciting whether you are photographing predators, large animals or even the tiniest of small creatures such as birds, chipmunks, bugs and insects. Even creating images of common animals in your backyard or the park can be exhilarating. My favorite place to photograph wildlife is Yellowstone National Park but unfortunately, that is too far away and costly so I am only able to go every few years. My 4th trip is planned for this June. Yippee!

It is important when photographing animals or birds in the wild that you not disturb their behaviors, habits and environment in order to be able to photograph them in their natural habitat. These make the best photographs. Early in the morning or at dusk in the evening make the best time of day to capture the most amount of active wildlife.

Hopefully you have been able to get outside now that the weather is nice. We should begin planning a field trip or two so that we can enjoy the nice weather as well as each other’s company. I’ve been wanting to get some folks together for a trip to Stone Church. I will send out a separate email and see if we can get this coordinated. I went there this past week and the water level is high making for some very nice photographs of the falls. They have also installed a new bridge near the cave which gives more access to the cave and offers different views than before.

Besides the obvious - a camera - you will need a long lens (anywhere from 200mm to 600mm are standard). A Tri-pod is always good to have but not as necessary as when taking landscape photos since you often will want to track the animals that don’t necessarily sit still for you. What brand, sensor size and type of camera and lens is up to you of course. I typically use a Canon Mark III 5d and a 100mm-400mm Canon lens. Shoot with what you have but be creative and most of all, patient. This is the recipe for successful wildlife photography.

Sometimes the best way to photograph wildlife is to get low. For this fox photo, I got down on my stomach so that I could be at the same level as the fox.



Also have patience. When photographing this moose and her baby in Grand Tetons National Park, the two subjects were quite a distance apart. I waited quietly while the mother was feeding and eventually the baby wandered over to its mother and I was able to get both in the same shot.



This deer was drinking from a small stream in South Dakota. I took several pictures of her drinking but then I waited and eventually, she raised her head and I was able to get her with her tongue out which made for a cute shot.



When photographing wildlife, remember to always look up or down as you never know what you might see.





When taking photos of wildlife in action or birds in flight, use a fast shutter speed such as 1/1000th second with continuous focusing on. Take several photos per second to ensure good results. You may want to try using the Shutter Priority setting on your camera. This allows you to choose the speed your camera will take for each shot but the camera will handle everything else such as aperture and exposure.





When framing your subject, remember the rule of thirds. When photographing birds in flight, remember to leave space for them to ‘fly’. Another tip is to focus on the eyes of your subject. Try to catch the light in your subject’s eyes, this adds more interest to the photo.



Try getting up close to your subject but when that is not possible, you can attract the viewer’s attention with negative space too. The goal is to attract the viewer’s attention to the subject so try a background that is not too busy.







And above all, enjoy the wildlife and all its beauty!

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