The Chosen Pew by Heidi Hoeller



The Moo end of the cow by G.A.Mudge



The The boat by Lazlo Gyorsok

President's Message by Dawn Dingee

Finally, spring has arrived! Hopefully, you were able to participate in one of our recent field trips to Innisfree Gardens or Laurel Ridge. If you attended, please consider sending some photos to Lazlo to be posted on our website for members to see. The tulips and daffodils are blooming and the flowering trees are awash with buds and flowers. If you missed the field trip, you can still go on your own. Such a beautiful time of year to visit either of these places. In our next meeting, Tom Blagden will be giving a presentation titled “The Engaging Landscape – Photo Rambles in the Time of Covid”. Who can forget those crazy times! The meeting will be in person at Noble Horizons in the Cobble building on May 16th, 7 pm. This month, the HCC Committee will receive applications for the HCC scholarship. This year, HCC is offering two-$500 scholarships to 2 lucky recipients. The scholarship is open to Junior and Senior students of HVRHS. The student must demonstrate a commitment to photography and should have taken at least one course in the photography field. Students are encouraged to provide a few sentences about what inspires them about photography along with a brief explanation of how they intend to use the funds. They are also encouraged to send 4 photos that best represent their work.
We would love to hear from members regarding other possible field trips or workshops you’d like us to consider. Follow HCC on Facebook for recent pictures and notifications from HCC members. It’s a great way to share your love of photography and advise other members of photo opportunities that are out there.
Lastly, we will once again have our end-of-year picnic in June. The committee will start the planning so look for emails regarding location, food sign-up, etc.
Dawn

Pictures from the April 16th meeting by Dawn Dingee

In our April 16th meeting, we held a print critique. 12 members brought in photos for a total of 23. A great variety of subject matter, techniques, post-processing, and materials were demonstrated by the photos. After discussion of each photo, feedback was given identifying good points about the photo and areas that could be improved. The analysis will hopefully provide insight of the characteristics of the photograph and techniques to improve the lighting, color, cropping, composition, etc. which will help our members become better photographers, both technically and artistically.

Pictures sent in for the PSA Pictorial competition

Graceful by Karen McMahon



Russian soldier by Lazlo Gyorsok



Sailing school by Pamela Peeters



On the bay by Steve Goldberg




Street party by Bert Schmitz



Wonderful waxwings by Ian Peters

Pictures sent in for the PSA Black and White competition

Disco patio by Pamela Peeterss



Elephants crossing by Ian Peters



Female blacksmith at Williamsburg by Bert Schmitz



Majestic sunset in Black and White by Heidi Hoeller




Stepping out by Karen McMahon



Man with cigar by Lazlo Gyorsok

Pictures from Innisfree Gardens by Dawn Dingee

On Saturday, April 27th, a small group of HCC members visited Innisfree Gardens in Millbrook, NY. The day started warm and sunny but turned overcast and windy as we were leaving. Overall, it was a beautiful day to be out and enjoy nature. Innisfree is a Chinese-inspired public garden, established between 1930 and 1960. The flowers and surrounding stone sculptures and statues were created by Walter and Marion Bell, inspired by scroll paintings of the 8th-century Chinese poet and painter Wang Wei. The gardens feature paths, waterfalls, terraces, a great variety of wildflowers, and a large glacial lake at its center. It's not just the daffodils that are blooming this time of year. There are many, many varieties of wildflowers already out, and many more to come. At every turn, there was something beautiful to photograph.
Dawn

White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield by Heidi Hoeller

On Monday, April 29, Erisel and Heidi went to White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, CT after the trip to Laurel Ridge. It was a perfect spring day, partly sunny and about 70 degrees with a little warm breeze.
From the main entrance, we drove past the museum building to the pond, then headed left to park our cards at the bottom of a knoll. Heidi had recalled a tip from Bill Lyon last year that bird nesting boxes beyond the knoll sometimes had Eastern Bluebirds in the early spring. We found the location Bill had described, parked and walked up the small hill to the nest boxes.
While walking the grassy loop surrounding the nesting area, we saw numerous Tree Swallows flitting anxiously about, landing on the boxes and sometimes hopping inside. By staying still for a time, the swallows soon felt comfortable to land on the box nearest to us and posed begrudgingly for photos.
Next, we headed toward the pond and spotted a few Eastern Bluebirds, which seemed to favor three budding trees between the water and the gravel road. Erisel set up his tripod and large lens to capture close-ups of the elusive royal blue birds with warm rose-brown breasts and white bellies. Heidi took photos with her zoom lens freehand.
Heidi took a board-walk trail around the pond and spotted an Eastern Painted Turtle, climbing onto a felled limb in the water. There were frogs, too, but they were well-camouflaged and fast to disappear. A snapping turtle lumbered about, trailing carpet algae along with it. Geese flew in, seeking refuge in the middle of the pond.
There were daffodils here, but interestingly different varieties than those seen at Laurel Ridge. More nesting boxes were along the pond shore, and even more lined the edge of the woods, making an alluring haven for Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and perhaps even Bobolinks. It's definitely worth another visit.
White Memorial Conservation Area is located about a 1/2 mile from the center of Litchfield. It is open daily, year round, and admission is free. The museum is closed on Mondays. There are picnic tables and benches, a pond, a lake, and about 40 miles of trails.
Heidi

Daffodils at Laurel Ridge by Heidi Hoeller

On Monday, April 29,seven members of the Housatonic Camera Club traveled to Laurel Ridge on Wigwam Road in Northfield, CT to photograph daffodils in full bloom. A light rain earlier in the morning left dewdrops on petals, and by 9 AM, the morning light made the water droplets sparkle. The sun cooperated throughout our stay, coming out behind the clouds, and then hiding itself, as if on a timer. Birds filled the air with song, expressing gratitude for what promised to be a beautiful spring day.
There are purportedly over 600,000 daffodils on the property, which includes a pond with an island and several stone walls. The island boasts daffodils, too. It was almost too perfect, and several of us mused that the site is almost made with photographers in mind. Although this place is typically crowded on the weekends, a Monday morning allowed our members to move freely about with little interference.
Near the end of our visit, the model finally arrived in a classic, blue patterned dress and pink rain boots. She romped down the path, as if she'd been there many times before, running carefree toward the pond with her wild, curly locks following close behind. She didn't stay long, so we didn't have to pay anything. Her agent, who was likely her mother, gave our club verbal permission to photograph her.
Afterward, four members drove to nearby Litchfield, CT for a late breakfast and coffee at Toast and Company.
The daffodils are expected to be in bloom over the next week or two, so it's not too late to stop by to take pictures! There is no picnicking and no dogs allowed. Plan to protect yourself against ticks, and bring your own model, just in case.
Heidi