April Education Day – Special Day and Time and Very Special Presentation on Travel Photography by Rick Sammon

Yes, the “Godfather of Photography” will be doing a special presentation all about Travel Photography!

This Education Day Zoom meeting will be at 3 PM EDT on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

Presentation Summary

In this fun-filled and info-packed presentation, Rick Sammon will take us around the world, from Alaska to Africa and from the High Arctic to Antarctica. He’ll share with us his tricks, tips, and techniques for making images with impact – which is one of Rick’s goals. If you are interested in wildlife, nature, and landscape photography, this meeting is for you.

Rick’s Bio

Award-winning photographer Rick Sammon loves his day job. A tireless, prolific, and inspirational image-maker, Rick, called by some “The Godfather of Photography,” has authored 43 books. His latest are: “Photo Therapy Motivation and Wisdom–Discovering the Power of Pictures” and “Photo Quest–finding your photographic and artistic voice”.

He also has 40 photography classes on KelbyOne.com.

While Rick describes himself as “evolving” and an Explorer of Life, he hesitates to categorize his work. “I’m an A-to-Z type of photographer. I do it all–and I enjoy the freedom of not specializing.”

With nearly 40 years of experience, this self-taught photographer has many accomplishments–and many more anticipated for the road ahead. As Rick suggests, “When you are through changing, you are through.”

Visit Rick at www.ricksammon.com. He can be contacted at ricksammon@me.com.

Some Samples of Rick’s Photography from His Travels

Who Should Attend

Rick is the ultimate generalist so his presentation is for everyone! This talk is focused on Travel Photography but travel photography in general includes most types of photography!

Rick’s “Sammonisms,” which are his very memorable lines of wisdom on photography, are, to me (who has many of them stuck in my head), one of the main reasons to attend!

We will record the meeting and send the link to our current members in case you can not make the meeting on this special day and time!

How to Attend

We will send the Zoom invitation to all current (2023) members a few days prior to 04/23/2023.

Non -Members – If you are interested in joining us to see what we are all about, we will send you a Zoom Invitation. Please send your Name and Email address with the Subject line “Zoom Invite Needed for MEETING on (appropriate date)” to mytbcc@gmail.com so we can get the invitation to you.

I hope to see you at our Exhibit/Comment Night on 04/20/2023 and at our Special Education Day at 3 PM EDT on Sunday 04/23/2023, for this special presentation.

Lynn Wiezycki, TBCC President

March Education Night – “How to Create an Environmental Portrait” by your Education Team

Making a portrait of a person in their environment is not the same as a normal portrait. An environmental portrait requires that you pull back some and show that person in their workspace or other environment that is applicable to that person’s life and/or passion.

Robert Rostick, Jim Sykes, and Lynn Wiezycki take you into the art studio of a local artist and show you his environment and then show you several ways to work with the person in their environment to create a portrait that is about the person and what he/she does!

We have created a video showing the techniques and essence of this type of portraiture. We will answer your questions after the video.

So please think about a person or persons who might fit this assignment. Think about the environment they work in and come up with some questions that will help you make a creative environmental portrait!

Reminder: This is our monthly assignment for June’s Exhibit/Comment Night!

Who Should Attend

This type of portraiture is actually closer to what most folks shoot of friends and family! Sometimes we even attempt this while shooting folks we see in our travels. But there are some tricks to getting that really good environmental portrait! This will take your photos, of this type, to the next level!

How to Attend

We will send the Zoom invitation to all current (2023) members on Tuesday.

Non -Members – If you are interested in joining us to see what we are all about, we will send you a Zoom Invitation. Please send your Name and Email address with the Subject line “Zoom Invite Needed for MEETING on (appropriate date)” to mytbcc@gmail.com so we can get the invitation to you.

I hope to see you at our Education Night on 03/23/2023.

Lynn Wiezycki, TBCC President

Get Ready for One Day Tampa Bay Camera Club on Saturday, April 1, 2023! Our Next Outing!

PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR THE TAMPA OUTING! IT IS NOW AT CURTIS HIXON PARK IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA. PLEASE BRING A COPY OF THE CITY OF TAMPA PERMIT I EMAILED TO ALL MEMBERS.

This is an outing for ALL our members, no matter where you are! THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE!

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL!

For 24 hours starting at 12:01 AM April 1 and ending at 11:59 PM April 1, get those cameras out and show us where you are during those 24 HOURS ONLY! Even if you are away from home!! 📷 📲

Also, all members in the Tampa Bay area are invited to not only shoot around where you live specifically but also join us in person at 4:30 PM EDT at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park CURTIS HIXON PARK(map below) across the river from downtown Tampa for a photography outing. There is a lot to shoot along the Tampa Riverwalk, places to eat, and to get ICE CREAM! 🍦🍧

BE SURE THE CORRECT DATE AND TIME ARE ON YOUR CAMERA AND PLEASE DO NOT STRIP THE METADATA FROM YOUR PHOTOS WHEN YOU EXPORT THEM!!!

After April 1, please send at least 5 images that best depict where you were on that day! Use the same procedures for these jpeg images as we use for exhibit nights.

Please rename your images to include the place!

Send your images to mytbcc@gmail.com before 7 PM EDT on April 17th so I can create a slideshow of all our images! Use the SUBJECT: ODTBCC Photos

Let’s celebrate spring and where we live or are visiting!

Any questions, please email me at mytbcc@gmail.com or ask at the next two Zoom meetings!

Lynn

2023 PhotoCamp – Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon, FL – March 3-5th

Mark your calendars for our 2023 PhotoCamp on March 3-5.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POST FOR ALL THE IMPORTANT DETAILS.

For those who have not experienced PhotoCamp, this is an opportunity to share a weekend with fellow photographs while camping at one of Florida’s state parks. This year we will be camping at the Rainbow Springs State Park’s campground, which is located along the Rainbow River, at a separate location, a few miles from the main headspring and day-use area. (Maps for both are below.)

We have reserved 5 adjacent tent only campsites so the number of campers will be limited. But, if you don’t make it on the list of campers, you can drive up for just the day on Saturday.

If you are camping, you can arrive Friday evening and stay until Sunday morning. The campsite restrictions are as follows: 2 vehicles, 2 tents, and 8 people per site. The sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each campsite has water, electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring. The parking lot (where extra vehicles and the Saturday-only folks can park) and bathrooms are very close to the campsites. Since there are a limited number of tents, a limited number of vehicles, and a limited number of people allowed per site it is important that you fill out the form below accurately so that our organizers can calculate the logistics as the event fills up. The reserved campsites have been paid for by TBCC.

Amenities include a campground store, showers and restrooms, and laundry. There is access to the river from the campground to fish, swim or paddle. 

Friday

Check-in time on Friday is: 4-6 PM

For those camping, please call Lee Brand for the campground gate code after 3:00 PM on Friday. (His phone # will be emailed to those who sign up only).

Friday night dinner will be at Swampy’s, 19773 E Pennsylvania Ave, Dunnellon, FL 34422. Meeting there at 6:30PM.

Hang out with your fellow early-arriving photographers.

Saturday

We have several activities planned for attendees. This is the currently planned itinerary, however, be aware that any of it is subject to change at any time up until and during the event.

Since the day-use park is separate from the campgrounds, please drive to and arrive at the main gate to the day-use area (map below) on Saturday morning. They open the gate at 8 AM.

There is a $2 per person admission fee for the day-use area unless you have an annual FL State Park Pass. For those who are camping, your campground parking pass will get you into the day-use park for free. This pass will need to be shown when entering the day-use area.

Saturday morning, there will be a photo walk in the area surrounding the headsprings at Rainbow Springs. The trails, many of which are paved, go from the entrance down along the Rainbow River and up the paths that wind through the park that used to be the old Rainbow Springs tourist attraction. There are gardens and waterfalls, as well as views of the Rainbow River to photograph. See some images below.

When we return to the campgrounds around noon, TBCC will host a lunch for attendees at the campsites. All food and drinks for lunch will be provided by the club. Donations of snacks and/or additional drinks will be appreciated, however. Please bring your own food if you have special dietary needs. Also, all food must be packed away in cars as the raccoons are very active.

After lunch, there will be time for campers to set up their camping gear on the campsite if you only arrived that morning.

Over lunch, and for a bit longer if needed, we will have a photography discussion moderated by Robert Rostick. Last year’s was quite enlightening!

There is a launch area at the campgrounds onto the river so you can spend some time on the river kayaking or canoeing. Kayaking and canoeing rentals are available at the camp store. For those interested we will be doing a guided afternoon paddle to the head spring of the Rainbow River.

Around sunset, everyone will gather at our central campfire for a potluck dinner. Everyone who is staying for dinner should bring a food item to share with the group. TBCC will provide paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils for the potluck dinner. There will be options to cook food on the fire, grill, or on camp stoves.

After dinner, any interested attendees can join in some night photography, provided that weather or clouds don’t interfere. For the remainder of the evening, we will enjoy time at the campfire as late as anyone wants to stay up.

Sunday

Check-out time on Sunday is: Noon

PLEASE COMPLETE THE RESERVATION FORM BELOW BEFORE FEBRUARY 17TH:

Please be sure to fill in the form even if you are only coming for Saturday’s events so we have enough food for lunch.

Note: We will close the camping reservations earlier than 2/17 if we reach the maximum capacity for the camping sites.

A Few Images from Photo Camp 2022!

Special Presentation – “Is Your Flower Photography Boring? Let Me Help!” – by Mike Moats for our January Education Night

Mike Moats has joined us previously as a judge for a special macro photography contest we had a couple of years ago. This time he will be talking about macro flower photography (remember the Exhibit Assignment in March is Macro Photography). So please join us for a special education night on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 7 PM ET.

Presentation Summary

Are you feeling like your flower photography is lacking something and is boring. There are many different styles and ways to create better flower images that will stand out. This will be an in-depth session on creating unique and interesting flower images.

Mike’s Bio

Mike Moats is an international award-winning full-time pro macro photographer from Michigan.  He is a Tamron Image Master, Vanguard Pro, and his articles and images have been published in many photo magazines for over 15 years.  He has a Macro Photo Club online with over 2,600 members, from 28 countries.  Mike teaches workshops and speaks at photo conferences throughout the US. Mike’s website: https://www.tinylandscapes.com/

Samples of Mike’s Flower Images


Who Should Attend?

If you are at all interested in macro photography you should not miss this one! Some of the techniques Mike will talk about apply to other small subjects. Macro is a genre we should all have in our bag of photo tricks as you can make macro images anywhere! I create macro images in my home, at the local parks and botanical gardens, and definitely when I am traveling. I may be shooting an epic landscape but there will be macro subjects right in front of me as well! REMEMBER, look behind you, look to the sides and for sure always look up and down! There is almost always something else to shoot and many times it is even more interesting and a better subject than what caught your attention in the first place!

I have known Mike for a number of years and have attended his Bootcamps, one of his annual Macro Summits, and a macro workshop he did in conjunction with Madeline Island School of Arts in Tucson, AZ. When you think of macro photographers, he should be the first to come to mind! His images are amazing and his teaching style is laid back and intense at the same time!

How to Attend

We will send the Zoom invitation to all current (2023) members a few days prior to 01/26/2023.

If you have not renewed for 2023 please click on the following link, complete the info form, submit it, and then click on the BuyNow button at the bottom to pay your dues. Renew Membership

Non-Members – If you are interested in joining us to see what we are all about, we will send you a Zoom Invitation for our Competition Night only. Please send your Name and Email address with the Subject line “Zoom Invite Needed for MEETING on (appropriate date)” to mytbcc@gmail.com so we can get the invitation to you.

I hope to see you at our Exhibit/Comment Night on 01/19/2023 and at our Education Night on 01/26/2023, for this special presentation.

Lynn Wiezycki, TBCC President