This page serves as an archive of all news articles - both club- and non-club related - posted in 2025.
Step into a world where creativity knows no borders! The 2026 Gulf States Camera Club Council (GSCCC) Convention is coming to the sun city, El Paso, Texas, for the first time in 26 years - and you’re invited!
The PEEP (Photographic Enthusiasts of El Paso) team is thrilled and honored to serve as the host club for the 2026 GSCCC Convention, taking place May 28–31, 2026. They are currently hard at work creating an event filled with dynamic speakers, breathtaking photo ops, and a spirit of creativity and camaraderie we hope will make this a convention to remember.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate hobbyist, this three-day celebration of photography is designed to inspire, educate, and connect photographers from across the Gulf States region and beyond. Expect a rich schedule of dynamic workshops, keynote presentations, hands-on field trips, live model shoots, and image competitions, all set against the dramatic desert backdrop of West Texas.
Photographers from photo clubs in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond will gather to share ideas, sharpen their skills, and celebrate the art of storytelling through images. But you don’t have to be a photo club member to attend!
This event is open to all photographers, not just GSCCC members. Come be part of a photographic experience where cultures converge, stories unfold, and borders disappear.
Why You Should Attend:
Engaging speakers and top-tier instructors
Hands-on learning opportunities
Stunning local photo excursions
Vendor exhibits, demos, and giveaways
Community, inspiration, and creative energy
More information can be found on the conference website.
July 2025
Overview
VSCO Capture is a newly launched standalone camera app for iPhone that puts creative photo controls directly in the hands of photographers and hobbyists.
Unlike the traditional VSCO app - which emphasizes photo editing after shooting - Capture enables users to apply VSCO’s iconic film-style filters and effects in real time, before snapping a photo.
Key Features
Live Film-Style Presets
Choose from over 50 of VSCO’s well-known film presets and see exactly how your photo will look before you capture it. These include classic analog, black-and-white, and modern creator-inspired aesthetics.
Real-Time Effects
- Bloom: Soften highlights and create a dreamy, misty look.
- Halation: Add a subtle, glowing halo to light sources, mimicking vintage film and lens effects.
- Both Bloom and Halation can be adjusted for intensity, range, and color tint prior to capture.
Manual and Automatic Controls
- Switch between full-auto operation and pro-level manual adjustments.
- Manual controls include shutter speed, exposure, flash, focus, and lens selection.
- Shoot in various formats such as JPEG, HEIC, RAW, and ProRAW (up to 48MP, depending on the iPhone model).
Seamless Workflow
- Preview, shoot, and save with or without filters.
- Instantly sync photos to the main VSCO app for advanced editing or share directly from Capture.
- Photos can be saved either to your Camera Roll or within a dedicated in-app gallery.
Easy to Use, Free to Download
- The interface is straightforward, designed for both quick snapshots and detailed creative sessions.
- All filters and tools come unlocked; a VSCO account is required, but no subscription is needed unless users want access to extra features via VSCO Pro.
Why Try VSCO Capture?
- Immediate Artistic Control: Cut down on post-processing by getting your look “right” in the moment.
- Vintage and Cinematic Looks: Film emulation and effects are now available as you shoot - not just in editing.
- Professional Options: RAW and ProRAW with up to 48MP ensure pros and hobbyists can maximize quality and flexibility.
- Free and User-Friendly: Delivers premium creative tools without cost barriers for iPhone photographers.
Conclusion
The free VSCO Capture app for iOS represents a significant leap for mobile photography, especially for those seeking analog-inspired results and a more hands-on, creative process without complicated editing workflows.
The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the July 2025 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:
Nature Projected
- 1st Place: Shhhh, Mommy is Napping - Janice Goetz
Monochrome Projected
- 1st Honorable Mention Ravenel Bridge, Charleston SC - Melanie Sandeger
Photojournalism Projected
- 2nd Honorable Mention Changing of the Guard - Mark Bernthal
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.
Snapseed 3.0 | 9to5google.com
Overview
Snapseed 3.0, released by Google in June 2025, marks the first major update to the highly regarded photo editing app in years.
This all-new version focuses on a refreshed user experience, new creative tools, and enhanced integration with the Google Photos ecosystem. However, it notably does not include any AI features.
Key Features and Changes
Redesigned User Interface
- Home Screen Revamp: The home screen now displays a grid of all recently edited photos for faster navigation.
- Three Tab Layout: The interface is divided into Looks, Faves, and Tools:
- Looks: Quickly apply a variety of effects or styles.
- Faves: Save favorite or frequently used tools for one-tap access.
- Tools: Access all editing and creative tools in a rearranged and categorized panel.
- New Snapseed Icon: The app icon was redesigned and simplified.
Enhanced Tool Organization
- Tools grouped in sections:
- Adjust & Correct: Includes options like Adjust, Details, Tonality, Curves, White Balance, Lens Blur, and Vignette.
- Retouch & Transform: Selective, Brush, Healing, Portrait, Crop, Perspective, Expand, Head Pose.
- Style: New and classic filters such as Film (31 types), Glow, Retrolux, Vintage, Black & White, HDR Scape, Drama, Noir, Grunge.
- Creative: Double Exposure, Frames, and Text.
Improved Editing Controls
- Arc-Based Sliders: Most tools now feature an arc-like controller for more intuitive adjustments.
- Tighter Google Photos Integration: Faster, seamless movement between editing and managing photos in Google Photos.
New and Updated Filters
- Film-Inspired Filters: 31 new film-inspired looks for creative photo styling.
- Classic Snapseed Effects: Retains long-standing favorites such as Drama, Grunge, Double Exposure, Curves, Healing, and HDR Scape.
Workflow Enhancements
- Revamped Export Options: Export function moved to the top right, improving workflow.
- Gesture-Based Editing: Controls remain primarily gesture-based, as in previous Snapseed versions.
Additional Notes
- Free and Ad-Free: Snapseed 3 continues to be fully free to use, with no ads or in-app purchases.
- RAW Editing Improvements: Enhanced RAW editing with more precise adjustment options.
- No Confirmed Android Timeline: As of July 2025, there is no stated timeline for an Android release, and Google representatives have not commented on future updates for that platform.
Conclusion
Snapseed 3.0 represents a major leap forward for Google's flagship mobile photo editor - especially for iPhone and iPad users. Its modernized interface, new creative tools, and thoughtful workflow improvements reinforce Snapseed’s reputation as a top-tier mobile editing app. However, Android users continue to await news of similar updates.
Evans George Caglage, a longtime and beloved photographer for The Dallas Morning News, passed away last week at the age of 69.
His distinguished career with the newspaper spanned over 35 years, during which he captured iconic images across fashion, celebrity, and food photography, leaving a lasting impact on Dallas’s visual culture.
During the Plano Photography Club's COVID in-person hiatus, Evans was the speaker at the club's February 2021 meeting. The video replay of his program A Ladder In Every City - Covering Fashion Shows is still available.
Known for his keen eye and dedication, Evans traveled extensively and documented a wide range of subjects, from high-profile fashion shows to intimate portraits of local personalities.
He began his journey after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington and joined The Dallas Morning News in 1979, eventually becoming a respected photo editor.
Evans is remembered fondly by colleagues, models, and the community for his talent, warmth, and professionalism. He passed away after battling multiple health issues and is survived by family and many friends who cherish his memory.
On Monday, June 30, 2025, the Plano Photography Club received word that the club website had been awarded Third Place in the 2025 PSA Website Contest (Large Clubs Division).
The annual PSA Website Contest strives to provide an opportunity for PSA Clubs and Councils to receive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the sites as evaluated by a panel of knowledgeable judges. Award recognition is given to those sites the judges rate most successful based on criteria detailed within the score sheets under the categories listed. All entrants have the opportunity to receive detailed feedback from the judges now that the competition is complete.
First, second, and third-place winners in each entry group receive an engraved award; Honorable Mentions receive a certificate. All winners will receive a commemorative ribbon logo for their website homepages.
This is the fifth time the PPC website has received an award in this competition. Second Place (2020), Honorable Mention (2022 and 2023), and Third Place (2025) were prior honors.
June 2025
The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the June 2025 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:
Monochrome Projected
- 2nd Place: Jazz Hands - Robert Turnage
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.
Project Indigo is Adobe’s experimental computational photography app for iPhones (12 Pro/Pro Max and newer, best on iPhone 15 Pro+). It’s designed to deliver SLR-like, natural-looking images using advanced multi-frame capture and AI-based enhancements.
It's a free mobile app from Adobe Labs, available in the Apple App Store. The app offers full manual controls, a more natural ("SLR-like") look, and the highest image quality that computational photography can provide - in both JPEG and raw formats. It also introduces some new photographic experiences not available in other camera apps.
Key Features
- Multi-frame Super-resolution: Captures up to 32 frames per shot, combining them for reduced noise, higher dynamic range, and more detail—especially helpful for low light and zoom.
- Manual Controls: Offers DSLR-style adjustments for focus, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, and white balance, plus control over burst frame count.
- Photo & Night Modes: "Photo" mode for everyday shooting; "Night" mode for superior low-light results.
- Natural Look: Computational enhancements create a gentle, realistic rendering, with edits embedded as suggestions in JPEGs/DNGs.
- Experimental Tools: Includes AI denoising and reflection removal, with more features in development.
Lightroom Integration
- Seamless Export: One-tap export to Lightroom Mobile, including DNG files.
- Embedded Metadata: Indigo’s edits appear as defaults in Lightroom but remain fully adjustable.
- Camera Replacement: Can be set as the default camera in Lightroom Mobile (Tech Preview).
Why Photographers Should Use It
- Image Quality: Superior detail and noise reduction through computational photography.
- Creative Control: Full manual settings for precise shooting.
- Efficient Workflow: Smooth handoff to Lightroom for editing and organizing.
- Early Access: Try cutting-edge AI and computational features before they’re mainstream.
Project Indigo is perfect for photographers seeking pro-level control, top-notch image quality, and seamless Lightroom integration—all from their iPhone.
Additional Information Resources
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Adobe issued the following updates to these products covered under its Creative Cloud Photography Plan:
- Lightroom Classic version 14.4
- Remove distractions (reflections/people) from a photo
- Performance improvements while performing interactive editing tasks
- View and control all AI edits together
- Tethering support for Fujifilm cameras
- Support for new cameras and lenses
- Other feature enhancements and changes
- Lightroom on desktop (version 8.4) and Lightroom on mobile (version 10.4)
- Detect and remove distractions (reflections/people) in a photo
- Editing landscape elements with Scene Enhance
- View and update AI edit settings in a photo
- Various enhancements in Lightroom on mobile
- Support for new cameras and lenses
- Other feature enhancements and changes
- Camera Raw version 17.4
- Quickly remove distracting people
- Quickly remove reflections in a photo
- Update AI edit settings in a photo
- Achieve consistence in tone with Color Variance (Early Access)
- 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:
Overview
"Mr. Polaroid" is a recently released documentary from PBS’s acclaimed American Experience series, premiering on May 19, 2025. The film explores the remarkable life and legacy of Edwin Land, the visionary inventor behind the Polaroid instant camera and one of the most influential technology pioneers of the 20th century.
Key Themes and Content
The documentary profiles Mr. Land, a Harvard dropout whose dream was to create “a camera that you would use as often as your pencil or your eyeglasses.” Land’s vision led to the creation of the Polaroid Model 95, which debuted in 1948 and allowed people to see their photographs instantly—a revolutionary concept long before the era of smartphones.
"Mr. Polaroid" highlights how the Polaroid camera transformed photography, making it immediate, accessible, and personal.
It traces Polaroid’s meteoric rise through the 1960s and 70s, when it became a cultural icon - often compared to Apple for its innovation and influence. Land’s approach to technology and design inspired future leaders like Steve Jobs, who considered Land an idol for creating products people didn’t even know they wanted.
The film doesn’t shy away from the company’s struggles, including risky business decisions, a costly lawsuit with Kodak, and ethical controversies—such as Polaroid’s involvement in South Africa during apartheid, which led to internal protests and public backlash.
Despite its eventual decline, Polaroid remains one of the most recognizable brands in photography, celebrated for its sense of playfulness and innovation.
Why Watch?
"Mr. Polaroid" offers a compelling look at the intersection of creativity, technology, and culture. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in photography, innovation, or the stories of visionaries who changed the way we see the world.
You can watch "Mr. Polaroid" on YouTube and on the PBS American Experience website.
May 2025
The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the May 2025 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:
Nature Projected
- 2nd Place: Fighting Birds - Linda Grigsby
- Honorable Mention: Mt Tipsoo Sunrise - Jodi Smith
Color Projected
- 1st Place: To see a sunset - Jin Li
- Honorable Mention: Rotunda, the breakers at Ceda - Jason Ware
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.
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 / Jin Li
- Advanced Level
- First Place: Eddie Yu
- Second Place: Clive Fernando
- Third Place: Alan Abair / Mark Bernthal / Siu Wong
- 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the March 2025 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:
Nature Projected
- 2nd Place Fighting Birds - Linda Grigsby
- Honorable Mention Mt Tipsoo Sunrise - Jodi Smith
Color Projected
- 1st Place To see a sunset - Jin Li
- Honorable Mention Rotunda, the breakers at Ceda - Jason Ware
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
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
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 (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)
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
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.
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:
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.
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'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
- 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.
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.
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.