2025 Club News Archive

This page serves as an archive of all club news that appeared on the front page of the Plano Photography Club website in 2025.

2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020


May 2025

 2024-2025 End of the Year Awards Announced

The following club members were honored during the PPC End of the Year Awards at the May 15, 2025 club meeting.

Special Interest Contests

Members could submit one image in any or all 4 categories; there were 113 submissions this year.

  • Cell Phone (30 submissions)
    • First Place: Julie Yu - Underground Baths in Real Alcazar Palace
    • Second Place: Eddie Yu - Sunset at the Plaza de Espana, Spain
    • Third Place: Anita Oakley - Pike Place Flowers
  • Nature (32)
    • First Place: Julie Yu - Antelope Canyon
    • Second Place: Randy Ratzlaff - Orchid
    • Third Place: John Lehman - Dandelion days
  • Photojournalism (25)
    • First Place: Parvin Stiles - Can a horse win a race if the jockey falls off?
    • Second Place: Robert Turnage - First Concert
    • Third Place: Randy Dull - Vets Day Honors
  • Portraits of People (26)
    • First Place: Randy Ratzlaff - Before the Gala
    • Second Place: Lynn Barrett - Abigail at the Arboretum
    • Third Place: John Lehman - Wizardly

Competition Class Winners

Winners were determined by the highest total image points from the ten monthly contests.

  • Entry Level
    • First Place: Dennis Hahn
    • Second Place: Lisa Wilkins
    • Third Place: Audrey Burns
  • Intermediate Level
    • First Place: Jodi Smith
    • Second Place: Craig Rowen
    • Third Place: Chung Oey
  • Advanced Level
    • First Place: Eddie Yu
    • Second Place: Clive Fernando
    • Third Place: Alan Abair
  • Master Level
    • First Place: Janice Goetz
    • Second Place: Anita Oakley
    • Third Place: Linda Grigsby

Images of the Year

Winners were chosen from all the first and second-place finishers in the 2024-2025 print and digital contests, respectively.

  • Print Image of the Year
    • Entry Level
      • First Place: Dennis Hahn - Natures dynamics
      • Second Place: Colleen Galles - Solitude
      • Third Place: Janet Yiu - Natural Craft
    • Intermediate Level
      • First Place: Jennifer Wu - Grand Teton NP
      • Second Place: Chung Oey - Tranquility with Mountain View
      • Third Place: Lily Mak - Whitetip Sharks Resting in Cave
    • Advanced Level
      • First Place: Parvin Stiles - timeless artistry shaped by hands and heart
      • Second Place: Eddie Yu - Riding The First Light
      • Third Place: Alan Abair - Upper Yosemite
    • Master Level
      • First Place: Alan Daniel - Scissor-tailed flycatcher
      • Second Place: Linda Grigsby - Sunset over Lofoten Island
      • Third Place: Janice Goetz - The Magic of Autumn Is in the Air
  • Digital Image of the Year
    • Entry Level
      • First Place: Dennis Hahn - "Bow practice"
      • Second Place: Maggie Hutchison - "Sunrise at Moonscape Overlook"
      • Third Place: Bob Robinette - "Jumping spider with prey"
    • Intermediate Level
      • First Place: Jin Li - "To See A Sunset"
      • Second Place: Lynn Barrett - "Starfish Splash"
      • Third Place: Frank Barnhart - "Serenity"
    • Advanced Level
      • First Place: Eddie Yu - "Twilight Over Manhattan"
      • Second Place: Fred Manchester - "The Dying Light Beneath the Rim, Grand Canyon"
      • Third Place: Alan Abair - "Star Trails Over Bristlecone Pine"
    • Master Level
      • First Place: Linda Grigsby - "BItchu Matsuyama Castle of Clouds"
      • Second Place: Michael Farnham - "Fallen Star"
      • Third Place: Jason Ware - "Rotunda, The Breakers at Cedar Point"

Photographer of the Year

This honor is awarded to the person with the highest number of Photographer of the Year (POY) points during all ten contests during the competition year.

The 2024-2025 PPC Photographer of the Year is Jason Ware.

Eddie Yu and Linda Grigsby finished the competition year in Second Place and Third Place, respectively.


Presidential Recognition Award

The Presidential Recognition Award is presented to any PPC member(s) who have assisted in accomplishing the aims of the Plano Photography Club.

The recipients of the 2024-2025 PPC Presidential Recognition Award are Mary Ruehle and Greg Rains.


Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award may be presented annually to a Plano Photography Club member whose contributions of time, talents, and service have made a significant impact on the Plano Photography Club and its membership.

The recipient of the 2024-2025 PPC Distinguished Service Award is Cliff McKenzie.

Congratulations and thanks to all the honorees mentioned above.

 

PSA 2025 Webinar Graphic

Register for a Free PSA Travel Photography Webinar

The Photographic Society of America (PSA) is sponsoring a free public webinar with travel photographer/videographer Juliana Broste (aka TravelingJules). You need not be a member of PSA to attend.

The webinar title is Unpacking Tips on Travel Photography with TravelingJules.

Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM CDT

With a camera in hand and pen behind the ear, Juliana Broste captures the world through photo and video with signature style. She's an an award-winning Travel Photographer, Filmmaker, and Canon Co-Lab Ambassador. Her high energy and sense of adventure has taken her to 7 continents and 40 countries. 

Spend an evening hearing some of her top travel photography tips from her adventures on the road.

REGISTER FOR THIS FREE TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY WEBINAR

 

April 2025

2025 PPC End of Year Awards Dinner

Please plan to join us at West Plano Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 15, 2025, for our annual End of Year Awards and Dinner Party.

The dinner and awards program starts at 6:30 PM CT.

Members are asked to bring an appetizer, vegetable, or dessert. The club will provide meat, drinks, and utensils.

Please click the link below to register (for free) for the event. Registration is required to get an accurate food count.

REGISTER TO ATTEND THE END OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER Registration closes on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT.

If you have any questions, please contact the club president.

 

Club Officers Announced For 2025-2026

At the April 24, 2025 club meeting, members in attendance affirmed the following slate of officers and volunteers for the 2025-2026 PPC club year.

President Parvin Stiles
1st VP Activities Mary Ruehle
2nd VP Programs Anita Oakley (*)
Treasurer Jodi Smith
Contest Chair Craig Rowen
Membership Chair Michael Farnham
Training Chair Dennis Fritsche
Newsletter/Slideshows Chair James Stover
PSA Representative Larry Petterborg
GSCCC Representative Jerry Schlesinger
Social Media Heidi Phillips
Historian Cindy Vaillancourt
Webmaster David Swinney

(*) - indicates new officer for 2025-2026

The club thanks outgoing officer Greg Rains for his service to the PPC.

 

April Updates to Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and Camera Raw

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Adobe issued the following updates to these products covered under its Creative Cloud Photography Plan:

You can update your copies of these products by opening your Creative Cloud desktop and clicking the Update All link on the Updates tab.

Additional details on the Lightroom updates are available from the Lightroom Queen blog:

 

 

Bob Robinette
Bob Robinette

Remembering Bob Robinette

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Plano Photography Club member Robert (Bob) Robinette of Garland, Texas, who passed away on March 26, 2025, just a few days after his 63rd birthday.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Angela Robinette, daughter Lynn Robinette, child Nick Robinette, and many loving family and friends.

A memorial service will be held this Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 1 PM at the Keene Senior Citizen's Center (207 E. 1st, Keene, TX 76059 [map]).

For more details and to share your thoughts or stories about Bob, please visit his memorial page.

 


GSCCC Competition News

GSCCC Logo

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the March 2025 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

Photojournalism Projected

  • 1st Honorable Mention: Muddy Muddy Rugby - Larry Petterborg

To see the winning image(s) and a full list of award recipients, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

 

March 2025

DCC 90th Anniversary Photography Exhibition Begins This Month

Dallas Camera Club 90th Anniversary Print Exhibition

The Dallas Camera Club is holding a special photography exhibition this month at the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas.

The show, "90th Anniversary Photography Exhibition: Inspiring Photographers for 90 Years (1934-2024)," celebrates the important milestone for the DCC, highlighting the club’s longstanding contributions to the local arts community and its enduring dedication to the art of photography.

Forty-seven artists are featured in this exhibition, showcasing works inspired by various subjects, including wildlife, landscapes, architecture, portraiture, abstraction, and other themes. Their artistry exemplifies the creative excellence that has been at the heart of the Dallas Camera Club (DCC) since its founding in 1934.  

Details are as follows:

  • Dates: March 29 - April 26, 2025 || Admission is free
  • Location: Bath House Cultural Center || 521 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, Texas 75218
  • Hours: Tuesday - Saturday || 12 PM - 6 PM
  • Opening Reception: Saturday, April 5, 2025 || 6 PM - 8 PM || Featuring live music by Chloe Rogers Campbell featuring Jamari || Open to the public; admission is free

 


Upcoming Free Virtual Training Opportunity

We want to make club members aware of a free virtual training opportunity coming later this month: the Photoshop Creativity Virtual Summit 2025.

Photoshop Virtual Creativity Summit 2025

Photoshop Virtual Creativity Summit 2025 (March 23-26, 2025)

  • 19 world-class instructors and artists teaching 32 classes over 4 days
  • Instructors include Aaron Nace, Anya Anti, Blake Rudis, Colin Smith, Dave Cross, Glyn Dewis, Kristina Sherk, and many more; these instructors were carefully chosen for their knowledge of Photoshop and their ability to communicate, teach, and inspire
  • Every single training session is designed to take your Photoshop creativity and skill to the next level - regardless of whether you're just starting out, or have years of experience.
  • Following each class, you’ll be able to watch (and re-watch) for 48 hours at no charge
  • After 48 hours, classes are available for VIP members as an optional purchase
  • VIEW THE CLASS SCHEDULE | GET YOUR FREE PASS | GET INFO ON THE VIP PASS (EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MARCH 23) 

     


    GSCCC Competition News

    GSCCC Logo

    The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the February 2025 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

    Color Projected

    • 1st Honorable Mention: The Dying Light Beneath The Rim, Grand Canyon - Fred Manchester

    Monochrome Projected

    • 2nd Honorable Mention: Smooth Sax Man - Lynn Barrett

    To see the winning images and a full list of award recipients, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

     

    February 2025

    Special Training Opportunity - PSA Interclub Judging

    PSA Logo

    ATTENTION: This activity has been canceled due to the severely cold weather expected on Wednesday evening, February 19.

    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 responsible for scoring 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.

     


    February Updates to Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and Camera Raw

    On Wednesday, February 15, 2025, Adobe issued the following updates to these products covered under its Creative Cloud Photography Plan:

    • Lightroom Classic version 14.2
      • Adjust the tones and colors of your photos with Adaptive Profiles to create an enhanced yet realistic starting point for further editing
      • Significant performance improvements enhancing speed, precision, and fluidity across various tools and adjustments for interactive editing tasks
      • Easily adjust focus points and autofocus modes directly from the tethered live view window for Sony, Canon, and Nikon cameras
      • Easily manage your catalog backups with a new backup panel in Catalog Settings, allowing you to open backup locations, check sizes, and delete older backups without removing actual files
      • Support for new cameras and lenses
      • Other enhancements and bug fixes
    • Lightroom on desktop (version 8.2) and Lightroom on mobile (version 10.2)
      • Adjust the tones and colors of your photos with Adaptive Profiles to create an enhanced yet realistic starting point for further editing
      • With the Fix Angle tool in Lightroom on mobile, you can make instant geometric corrections in an image
      • Work across two monitors in Lightroom to make your editing journey more productive than ever
      • Support for new cameras and lenses
      • Other enhancements and bug fixes
    • Camera Raw version 17.2
      • Bring out the best in your photos by quickly removing unwanted people
      • Support for new cameras and lenses
      • Other feature enhancements

    You can update your copies of these products by opening your Creative Cloud desktop and clicking the Update All link on the Updates tab.

    Additional details on the Lightroom updates are available from the Lightroom Queen blog:

     


    Plan Now For The 2025 Heard Nature Photography Contest

    Heard Nature Photographers Club

    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.

     


    GSCCC Competition News

    GSCCC Logo

    The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the January 2025 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

    Nature

    • 3rd Place: Great Horned Owl Family - Frank Barnhart
    • 2nd Honorable Mention: Singing in the Rain - Jodi Smith

    To see the winning images and a full list of award recipients, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to those listed above.

     

    January 2025

    Flickr 2024 Year In Review

    Flickr's Year in Review is an annual reflection on the platform's photography community, highlighting key achievements, trends, and notable moments in photography. The 2024 Year in Review reveals fascinating insights into the platform's photography community and trends.

    Here are the key features:

    Photography Device Highlights

    Flickr Logo
    • Canon dominated traditional cameras, occupying 6 of the top 10 spots
    • iPhone 13 was the most-used camera overall
    • Surprisingly, 900 users still actively used the iPhone 3G
    • A total of 7,000 different image capture devices were used

    Photography Trends

    • 30% increase in street photography popularity
    • Color-themed tags (red and green) were among top 5 used
    • "Friendly Challenges" became the most active discussion group
    • "World Photography Day 2024" was the fastest-growing group

    Popular Photography Locations

    • Times Square
    • Metropolitan Museum of Art
    • Empire State Building
    • Vatican City (2,300 unique users uploaded photos)
    • Mammoth Cave National Park (most photographed U.S. National Park)

    The review emphasizes that great photography transcends equipment choices and highlights the enduring power of photography to connect people globally.

     


    Reserve Your Room Now For the Wichita Mountains Trip in April

    Plantation Inn
    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.

     


    Remember to Update Your Copyright for 2025

    Copyright Symbol

    As we enter 2025, photographers should take a moment to update their copyright information in their editing program of choice. This simple yet crucial task ensures your intellectual property is protected across all your images.

    Here are additional reasons why you should update your copyright information: 

    • Legal Protection: Embedding accurate copyright information establishes your legal ownership, deterring unauthorized use and making it easier to enforce your rights if infringements occur.
    • Professionalism: Consistently updating your metadata reflects a professional approach, ensuring clients and collaborators have the correct information about your work.
    • Searchability and Organization: Detailed metadata helps catalog and retrieve images efficiently, especially in extensive photo libraries.

    Regardless of which editing program(s) you use, taking a few minutes to update your copyright information can save you potential headaches in the future.

    For a detailed, step-by-step guide on updating your copyright information in the various Adobe Lightroom products, visit The Lightroom Queen's website. You'll find comprehensive instructions for each Lightroom version, ensuring you can protect your work effectively in 2025 and beyond.

    Remember, your photographs are your intellectual property. By keeping your copyright information current, you're taking an important step in safeguarding your creative work.

     



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