If you attended the Texas Discovery Garden photo activity on February 8, we hope you had a wonderful time while capturing some terrific photos.
As is common with club member activities, we would like to feature your images from the event in the slide gallery on the right.
If you wish to submit pictures for that gallery, here are the guidelines:
- SEND UP TO TEN (10) of your best photos to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com.
- The maximum dimension (long edge) for submitted images is 4096 pixels; the maximum individual file size is 10MB.
- Please include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., AndreasBartoldus_Discovery_1.jpg).
- The submission deadline is WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025.
We look forward to seeing your pictures.
Gallery | Full-Screen Slideshow | All Galleries and Slideshows
Texas Rose Horse Park
We hope you can join us for an all-day photo shoot at Texas Rose Horse Park on Saturday, March 1, 2025 (the rain date is March 8).
Texas Rose Horse Park is a premier equestrian facility in Tyler, Texas. Spanning 1,700 acres of beautiful rolling hills, it offers horse enthusiasts and event organizers a wide range of facilities and services.
The park is highly regarded for its well-maintained facilities, Texan hospitality, and the quality of its events, making it a favorite among equestrians and visitors alike.
Location: Texas Rose Horse Park |
14078 State Hwy 110N, Tyler, TX 75704 | (directions)
Time: This is an all-day event, so come and/or leave at your convenience; you may arrive as early as 8:00 AM
Admission: FREE
Photo by Larry Petterborg; used with permission
What and Where Can You Photograph?
The equestrian competitions feature multiple arenas hosting simultaneous events, along with two dedicated warm-up areas. Competitions span various age groups and skill levels, offering a diverse range of photographic opportunities.
Capture the excitement of show jumping, the focused preparation of riders, and the relaxed moments after their performances. Don't miss the behind-the-scenes moments like horses being bathed and cared for. And there are award ceremonies at the end of each event.
Beyond the action, you'll find abundant opportunities for candid shots throughout the venue. Get close and capture the details with macro photography, focusing on the beautifully decorated arenas, adorned with floral arrangements at each jump.
Bleachers are available at select arenas, offering elevated and unique perspectives. With a sprawling event space, you're free to explore and discover captivating images around every corner.
What Lens(es) Should I Bring?
According to professional photographers we have spoken with on prior trips to the Horse Park, a 200mm lens should be good for most events, but you may want to consider a 400mm prime or 100-400mm zoom for shooting the horse jumping.
Important Things To Know
Please do not get too close to either the riders or their horses. They are wild animals and unpredictable.
Also, be aware that there are professional photographers on the grounds and we do not want to get in their way and interfere with their shots.
What About Food?
There is a food pavilion at the Horse Park or you may bring your food. There are picnic tables to relax and enjoy the experience.
Information Resources
Questions?
Please contact club Activity Chair Mary Ruehle.
Plantation Inn
As was announced at the January club meeting, we're heading to the Wichita Mountains this spring.
Our field trip is set for April 14-16, 2025, and we'll be based at The Plantation Inn in Medicine Park, Oklahoma (map).
Built on the original foundation of the old Oklahoma Press Association's Clubhouse and re-created from old photographs to look like the original building, The Plantation Inn has the charm of yesteryear with all the modern conveniences.
The Inn has 20 rooms (a mix of upstairs and downstairs) and reservations just opened up for the week of our trip.
If you're interested, don't wait to book your room.
RESERVE A ROOM AT THE PLANTATION INN
We're still finalizing some trip details, but stay tuned - we'll share more info in the coming weeks.
Got questions? Reach out to Mary Ruehle, our Activities Chair, and she'll get you the information you need.
The Plano Photography Club participates in the Photographic Society of America (PSA) Interclub Photo contests by submitting entries three times each year along with other photography clubs from around the world.
This month, we will also be a judging club and have the responsibility to score images for another group (not the one in which PPC is a competitor).
Judging of projected monochrome images will start on February 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM CT in the main meeting space at West Plano Presbyterian Church, and you are invited to attend.
A 3-member judging panel comprised of PPC Master Photographers will score the entered photos and award recognition to the best submissions. We anticipate there be time at the end to ask our judges how they made their decisions and what they thought of the competition.
This is a rare opportunity for club members to observe the judging process and see some great photographs entered by PSA-affiliated clubs from around the world. It should be an informative and entertaining experience for anyone interested in how contest entries are judged. We hope to see you there.
If you have any questions, please contact club PSA Representative Larry Petterborg.
We have been asked to share the following information about the 47th Annual Heard Nature Photography Contest, which is coming next month.
The Heard Nature Photographers Club administers the contest and has for over 40 years. All proceeds go directly to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary for operating expenses or special projects. In just the last nine years since the contest went all digital over $57,000 has been raised for the museum.
Both Adult and Youth divisions are available with a wide choice of nature-related categories. There is a $100 cash prize for Best of Show in each division, and certificates will be awarded to all winners.
You can be a part of it this year by entering in your division. And you don’t have to be a member of the Heard Museum or the photography club to participate.
The contest is open to all photographers, so find your best nature images and get ready to enter (submission dates are March 22 - April 13, 2025). The awards ceremony will be on May 4, 2025.
To learn more, including the contest rules, fees, and requirements for submitted photos, please visit the contest website, where you can also view winning images from the 2024 contest.
Won't You Be My Valentine?
Parvin Stiles
Getting up early for a sunrise shoot at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on January 25 was a challenge — driving 70 miles through the dark to arrive before the sun for the snow geese. The weather was cold and windy, and hunters were shooting hogs in the distance, but thankfully we had no trouble capturing the stunning sunrise and the migratory birds around us.
Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate than with a creative photography project? Consider capturing a tender portrait of your Valentine, or arranging a charming tabletop scene with a delightful mound of candy adorned with a sprinkle of flowers.
Join us on February 8 to photograph exotic butterflies in an indoor sanctuary and Texas-native plants outdoors at Fair Park’s Texas Discovery Gardens. This is a great chance to capture the beauty of butterflies and native plants, blending your love for photography with the peaceful natural surroundings.
Don’t forget this month’s photography contest theme is "Layered Landscapes" in print form. Let your creativity shine, and we look forward to seeing how you capture the beauty and depth of our world.
We’re going to the Wichita Mountains from April 14-16, with reservations at The Plantation Inn. Before the February meeting in the library, we will review the daily agenda for the trip. There will also be a new member orientation meeting in Room 1.
Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that our guest program speaker this month is Julio Cortez, a Pulitzer Prize-winning staff photographer for The Associated Press. Currently serving as Chief Photographer for the Texas/Oklahoma region, Julio brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to our community. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, and a native of Mexico City, Julio earned his Pulitzer in 2021 for his powerful and evocative imagery of the George Floyd riots. His versatility shines through in capturing both news and sports moments, like Odell Beckham's one-handed catch against the Cowboys and the viral photo of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. We are honored to have him share his insights and experiences with us.
Training (6:00 PM CT) - Wichita Mountains Planning (Library) | New Member Orientation (Room 1)
Program (7:00 PM CT) - Julio Cortez: Sports Photography – Make Every Event The Super Bowl
Julio Cortez
Bio: Julio Cortez is a Pulitzer Prize-winning staff photographer for The Associated Press, currently serving as Chief Photographer for the Texas/Oklahoma region. A California State University, Northridge graduate and Mexico City native, he earned his Pulitzer in 2021 for his powerful imagery of the George Floyd riots.
Professional Highlights
- Notable News Coverage
- Covered the U.S. Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021
- Led coverage of Superstorm Sandy, capturing dramatic images of destruction in New Jersey
- Documented the Dominique Strauss-Kahn arrest in New York
- Contributed to national coverage of the Sandy Hook massacre and Boston Marathon bombing manhunt
- Sports and Multimedia Achievements
- Covered five Olympic Games, focusing on gymnastics and ice hockey
- Photographed five Super Bowls and two FIFA World Cups (including a focus on Team USA in 2014)
- Became an FAA-licensed drone operator, expanding his photographic capabilities to better cover what's going on in the Texas Rio Grande Valley
Career Trajectory
Cortez began his career as a stringer for the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News while in high school. During college, he completed photography internships with various publications, including Spanish-language newspapers and The Associated Press in Chicago.
His versatility is evident in his ability to capture both news and sports moments, from the Odell Beckham one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys to his viral Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift photo to his iconic images of social movements and natural disasters. Cortez continues to push the boundaries of photojournalism, telling powerful stories through his lens.
You can read Julio's full biography (and it is impressive) on our Upcoming Club Programs page.
Program Description: Learn how you can take Julio’s process of planning and executing competitive images from the world’s biggest stages to your everyday sporting events. Learn how strategically placing a remote camera can elevate your photography and take your viewers’ eyes to places that are normally not visible.
Samples of Julio's Photography
The Plano Photography Club's February contest is a PRINT competition with the theme LAYERED LANDSCAPES.
Please review the print contest procedures before producing your image for submission.
Electronic entries must be uploaded to the PPC Competition Site before 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
NOTE: You must be a Plano Photography Club member to submit contest images.
Resources
Jay Miller | Aviation Photography
Janet Cunningham | Lensbaby
Ben Jacobi | Jacobi Creations, LLC
Graham Hobart | Infrared Nature and Wildlife Photography