For a full list of January winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to all those listed above.

For a full list of October winners, please visit the GSCCC competition results page. Congratulations to all those listed above.

Lightroom Classic Updated; Now Includes Color Grading Tool

Click to learn more ...

At its MAX conference, Adobe announced the release of version 10.0 of Lightroom Classic, its popular photo management and editing tool.

Here's a summary of the enhancements with links to additional information about each one:

• New controlled adjustments for shadows, midtones, and highlights with Color Grading
• Faster editing with all new Performance Improvements
• See exactly what you are shooting in real-time with Tethered Live View for Canon
• Easily scan, focus, and navigate using the all new Enhanced Zoom
• Support for new cameras and lenses
• More control at your fingertips while upgrading your catalog

Lightroom Classic 10.0 is available now through the Creative Cloud app on your computer.

Photoshop Updates Include Neural Filters and Sky Replacement

Click to learn more ...

At its MAX conference, Adobe announced the immediate availability of Photoshop 2021 for the desktop, which includes a number of AI-powered features like Neural Filters, Sky Replacement, Refine Hair selection, and more.

Here's a summary of the updates with links to additional information about each one:

• Neural Filters
• Sky Replacement
• Learn more directly in the app
• Enhanced cloud documents
• Pattern Preview

Adobe Photoshop 2021 is available now through the Creative Cloud app on your computer.

Canon Explorer of Light Adam Jones Presentation Scheduled For October 27

On Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30 PM (via Zoom), Adam Jones - a prestigious Canon Explorer of Light - will present Through the Lens of Adam Jones to area photography clubs and interested parties.

Adam Jones

Adam’s programs usually include topics such as real-looking HDR, focus stacking for unlimited depth of field, macro techniques, telephoto wildlife techniques, using full and fill flash, workflow, high ISO noise reduction, setting up your camera to operate the way you want, and composition and lighting. He always invites attendees to participate with questions and audience participation impacts the discussion direction.

This internationally recognized photographer explores the world through his nature, travel, and wildlife images. Jones’s award-winning photography is widely published in magazines, posters, calendars, books, and in national advertising campaigns for clients such as Canon, Ford, Eddie Bauer, Miller Beer and Honda.

Adam is recognized worldwide as an outstanding stock photographer with his images represented by Getty Images, Photo Researchers, and Danita Delimont Stock Photography. His work has sold for editorial and commercial uses in over 30 countries. Adam’s publication credits also include: National Geographic Books, Time, Life Magazine, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon, Sierra Club, Disney and hundreds of textbooks. In 1995 the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest selected Adam’s image from over 19, 000 entries, as the winner in the “In Praise of Plants” category. Adam is the sole photographer on eight coffee-table books.

In early 2006, Adam was selected to be one of Canon USA’s elite group of acclaimed photographers, “The Explorers of Light”. Canon describes the Explorer of Light program as such: The Explorers of Light program is a group of 60 of the World’s best photographers united in their love and passion for photographic excellence. They share a common desire to contribute back to the industry with a willingness to share their vision and passion with others. Adam is a popular and respected workshop instructor and lecturer. Adam teaches photography workshops around the world helping students reach their full potential in the exciting world of digital photography. Adam is noted for his enthusiastic down to earth approach and his ability to communicate effectively with all skill levels.

Registration is required.

September 2020

Congratulations to PPC Members Who Won Awards at the State Fair of Texas Photo Contest

SFOT Creative Arts Photo Winners On Display (via YouTube)

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received awards in the recent 2020 State Fair of Texas Creative Arts (Photography) competition:

Come Out for the PPC Photo Walk on October 3

Traditionally, the Plano Photography Club gathers as a group for the annual Kelby Worldwide Photowalk, which is not happening in its traditional form in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The club IS going to host its own photo walk this year, but we are not planning to assemble in person. Rather, we invite you to come out at your own pace and time to take some amazing photos which you can then share with the club.

Here are the particulars:

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2020
Time: Anytime the park is open (5:00 AM - 11:00 PM CT)
Where: Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, 6701 W. Parker Road, Plano

About the Venue: Located on the western border of Plano, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park featuring vast areas of natural beauty for walking, jogging, hiking, orienteering, and other outdoor activity. The preserve has a natural biofilter for cleaning surface run-off from the parking lot before it re-enters the groundwater tables. The observation tower gives a spectacular view of the city.

Learn more about the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and review the Plano Parks and Recreation COVID-19 FAQ.  

After the walk, pick your best 5-7 images and send them to us at clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com.

PPC Recognized at GSCCC September Competition

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received an award in the September 2020 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

Raptor Photo Day Is Happening On October 10

When: October 10, 2020 from 7:30 AM to 11 AM CT
Where: 1625 Brockdale Park Road, Lucas, TX 75002 (map, Lucas TX 75002
Cost: $20 pre-register and $25 at the door.

Raptor Photo Day at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center is a great opportunity to experience taking photographs of their education ambassadors in a natural setting.

They set up perching throughout the park and let photographers take pictures of the birds with different backgrounds and lighting. For all ages and photography experience.

October 2020 Prints Competition Will Proceed As Planned

At its most recent Executive Committee meeting, the club confirmed that the October 2020 contest is indeed going to be Prints, as scheduled.

Logistical planning for safely getting the prints to the club and to the competition judge is well underway. There will probably be two Saturday morning drop-offs at the West Plano Presbyterian Church. Additionally, multiple members have volunteered to receive photos at other times TBD.

All of this should be finalized by the next general club meeting on September 17 and the details will be shared with club members at that time.

In addition to the existing submission rules for prints, two additional ones related to packaging and hardware have been added.

They are:

• Prints may not be enclosed in any kind of packaging, including but not limited to plastic sleeves, bubble wrap, etc.
• Prints may not have any kind of hardware - such as that used for hanging - on the back. A plain backing sheet is allowed and recommended.

If you have any questions about the October 2020 Prints competition, please contact Contest Chair Jerry Schlesinger.

Adobe MAX Free For Everyone and Registration Now Open

Registration for the all-digital Adobe MAX 2020 event (October 20-221, 2020) is now open and free for all.

Back in May, Adobe announced both of its annual conferences, 99U and Adobe MAX, would be going all-digital amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Adobe has opened up registration for its Adobe MAX 2020 conference, making it free for all who want to join the virtual version of ‘The Creativity Conference.’

According to Adobe, there will be 56 hours of "inspiration and learning," which will include live content demos, speakers, sneak peeks, celebrity appearances, and musical performances. The online event will feature more than 250 speakers. Both the main keynote and the breakout sessions will be available for all registrants. The headlining speakers include photographer Annie Leibovitz; recording artist, producer and director Tyler, the Creator; writer, director and producer Ava DuVernay; and actor and director Keanu Reeves. Dozens of other artists across all disciplines will have keynotes and breakout sessions as well.

Those who register will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a free MAX t-shirt and can begin crafting a schedule for virtual events they want to attend. Registering also provides access to instructor files and presentation downloads and an opportunity to engage with Adobe product experts.

You can register for Adobe MAX 2020 and look through the list of speakers on the Adobe MAX 2020 website.

Canon To Present Virtual Session on Honing Skills During Quarantine

ZOOM MEETING INSTRUCTIONS

This Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at 7:00 PM CT, Canon's Bob Malish will lead a one-hour virtual teams training session: Flying Things - Honing Your Creative Skills In The Time of COVID-19. He will also identify close-by subjects to consider while waiting out the quarantine - practice for when it counts to make those contest winners.

Bob is a Senior Professional Products Specialist for Canon’s Imaging Technology and Communications Group. With over 36 years experience at Canon in different areas of the photographic industry, Malish continues to monitor and educate others in the explosion of all things digital, from input to output, in their storytelling and communication needs. He began his career in photography as a photojournalist in Austin, Texas after graduating from the University of Texas, but now travels extensively with Canon working major media events, shows, and teaching workshops.

A Q & A will follow the training.

You do not need to register for this event.

October 2020 Prints Competition Will Proceed As Planned

At its most recent Executive Committee meeting, the club confirmed that the October 2020 contest is indeed going to be Prints, as scheduled.

Logistical planning for safely getting the prints to the club and to the competition judge is well underway. There will probably be two Saturday morning drop-offs at the West Plano Presbyterian Church. Additionally, multiple members have volunteered to receive photos at other times TBD.

All of this should be finalized by the next general club meeting on September 17 and the details will be shared with club members at that time.

In addition to the existing submission rules for prints, two additional ones related to packaging and hardware have been added.

They are:

• Prints may not be enclosed in any kind of packaging, including but not limited to plastic sleeves, bubble wrap, etc.
• Prints may not have any kind of hardware - such as that used for hanging - on the back. A plain backing sheet is allowed and recommended.

If you have any questions about the October 2020 Prints competition, please contact Contest Chair Jerry Schlesinger.

August 2020

Amon Carter Museum Offers Virtual Talks on Cabinet Cards

Join the Amon Carter Museum Thursday, September 3, from 6–7:30 PM on Zoom for three short talks in one and learn about the history of cabinet cards, which was America’s main format for photographic portraiture through the last three decades of the 19th century:

• John Rohrbach, Senior Curator of Photographs at the Carter and curator of Acting Out: Cabinet Cards and the Making of Modern Photography, will share how cabinet cards contributed to the public’s embrace of photographs as informal markers of everyday life.
• Dr. Erin Pauwels, Assistant Professor of Art History at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture, will discuss New York City photographer Napoleon Sarony and his patented posing apparatus that led to unique and personal expression in the medium.
• Dr. Britt Salvesen, Curator and Department Head of the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department and Prints & Drawings Department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, will discuss the business side of small-town studios and how these photographers were able not only to make a living but to stand out in their community.

Following their talks, all three speakers will participate in a Q&A.

Register now for this FREE event; you will be provided with the Zoom link upon registration.

GSCCC August Competition Recognizes Photos From PPC Members

The following Plano Photography Club members received awards in the August 2020 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

Adobe MAX Free For Everyone and Registration Now Open

Registration for the all-digital Adobe MAX 2020 event (October 19-21, 2020 ) is now open and free for all.

Back in May, Adobe announced both of its annual conferences, 99U and Adobe MAX, would be going all-digital amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Adobe has opened up registration for its Adobe MAX 2020 conference, making it free for all who want to join the virtual version of ‘The Creativity Conference.’

According to Adobe, there will be 56 hours of "inspiration and learning," which will include live content demos, speakers, sneak peeks, celebrity appearances, and musical performances. The online event will feature more than 250 speakers. Both the main keynote and the breakout sessions will be available for all registrants. The headlining speakers include photographer Annie Leibovitz; recording artist, producer and director Tyler, the Creator; writer, director and producer Ava DuVernay; and actor and director Keanu Reeves. Dozens of other artists across all disciplines will have keynotes and breakout sessions as well.

Those who register will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a free MAX t-shirt and can begin crafting a schedule for virtual events they want to attend. Registering also provides access to instructor files and presentation downloads and an opportunity to engage with Adobe product experts.

You can register for Adobe MAX 2020 and look through the list of speakers on the Adobe MAX 2020 website.

Training Tuesday Now Open To PPC Members

This Tuesday, August 18, the following Dallas Camera Club training sessions are also being offered to the Plano Photography Club. From now on, members from either club as well as Robson Ranch Photography Club may attend training classes of either club.

Refine Your Image (details) by Alan Whiteside will be offered at 6:30 PM CT.

Visual Design Basics Part 2 by Larry Petterborg (details) will be offered at 7:30 PM CT.

Click here to access the Zoom meeting codes for these sessions (note that each one has a different code).

PPC Members Invited To Free Webinar on Contrast

The Robson Ranch Photography Club has invited members of the Plano Photography Club to sit in on a free PSA-sponsored virtual seminar entitled THE VISUAL POWER OF CONTRAST.

This webinar - presented by award-winning photographer Lisa Langell - will take place on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM CT.

The description of the webinar is as follows:

Why contrast is so critically important -- HOW and WHERE you use it makes all the difference!

• Did you know you can actually control your audience to follow a path in your images in a certain order and sequence?
• Are you aware that carefully placed contrast plays a critically important role in whether your images are experienced in a pleasing way, or with strain?
• Have you mastered the secret of making an image come to life and “pop?”
• Need ideas to improve the "resting place" for your viewer’s eye as they navigate your image?

These critical components of powerful images can all be significantly enhanced by the proper use of contrast. There are special techniques that can be accomplished in-the-field as well as during post-processing that will amaze you.

We will explore before-and-after examples and teach you how you can do so with your own images simply and effectively. Get ready for a game-changer!

Whether you are controlling for contrast in your exposures themselves, and/or in post-processing, this fun, informative and interactive session will help you learn the tricks and techniques necessary to make your images go from drab to fab!

Lisa Langell is a full-time, award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in numerous prestigious publications including the cover of Outdoor Photographer magazine, plus numerous images in Arizona Highways, Ranger Rick, art galleries and more. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photography Association. She is also a proud ambassador for Tamron, FotoPro, and H&Y filters.

Consider Contributing To The WPPC Photo Of The Day

The West Plano Presbyterian Church (WPPC) has been a terrific host location for our club for a long time.

Though currently unable to have in-person meetings there, we have been given an opportunity to give back to the church in a small but meaningful way.

WPPC publishes a Photo of the Day on its website, and they're running low on photos. They have reached out to us and asked whether PPC members can help them out by contributing to that feature.

The rules for photos submitted for the WPPC Photo of the Day are as follows:

1. Stay with WPPC's Theme: Heaven and earth are full of God's glory!
2. No personal pictures, including adults, children, or pets
3. JPG files only; maximum resolution of 4096x2160

Please take a look at the full Photo of the Day archive to see what types of photos would be appropriate.

If you wish to contribute, send them your photo(s) and then keep your eyes on the WPPC website to see if you get on the front page! If your photo is chosen, you AND the PPC will get credit for photos posted.

State Fair of Texas Arts & Crafts Competitions Are Happening

Even though the State Fair of Texas has been canceled for this year, there are some State Fair-related events still taking place. One of them is the fair's annual Arts & Crafts competition.

Photography is one of approximtely twenty (20) categories in which you can submit one or more entries (cost is $6 per entry item; there are 30+ color/black and white categories).

For information on how to register for the competition, visit the State Fair of Texas Creative Arts & Crafts page.

Deadline to enter is Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Virtual PPC Orientation Session on August 27

ZOOM REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

If you are a new Plano Photography Club member or considering joining the club, you'll want to carve out some time on Thursday, August 27 for our first virtual orientation session.

Carol Barlow, who has been a club member for 20 years, will host the orientation via Zoom from 6:30 PM - 7:25 PM CDT.

Here are some of the topics that will be covered:

• History of the PPC
• Programs and Presenters
• Activities and Events
• Training
• Current members who can give you insight into the club
• How to enter the monthly contests and the progression through the competition levels
• Q&A

Click on the registration button above to provide your name and email address to the host, who will send you a link to the meeting.

July 2020

Virtual PPC Orientation Session on August 27

If you are a new Plano Photography Club member or considering joining the club, you'll want to carve out some time on Thursday, August 27 for our first virtual orientation session.

Carol Barlow will host the orientation via Zoom from 6:30 PM CT to 7:25 PM CT.

More details - including a link to the Zoom meeting - will follow in the weeks ahead.

A Moment in PPC Time Photo Project Next Saturday July 25

To provide you a bit of planning time, we are giving you a heads-up on our Moment in PPC Time photo project coming next weekend.

It will be a (much) smaller-scale version of the famous 2010 A Moment in Time worldwide project.

We are asking Plano Photography Club members to take a picture at exactly the same time - 8:00 PM CDT on Saturday, July 25, 2020 - and send A SINGLE JPG IMAGE to us at clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com for inclusion in a photo gallery on the website.

There are no restrictions on location or subject - just capture the image wherever you happen to be on that date at that time.

Rules for inclusion in the website gallery are as follows:

• include your name and the phrase "PPC Moment in Time" in the file name (e.g., "JohnSmith-PPC_Moment_In_Time.jpg")
• maximum dimensions for submitted images are 4096x2160 pixels
• maximum file size is 10MB
• images must be received by 11:59 PM CDT Saturday, August 1, 2020

NOTE: This special project will replace the Topic of the Week project for the week beginning Monday, July 27, 2020.

Both an announcement email and a reminder email will be sent to all members this week.

PPC Members Invited To Participate In "Community Book Project"

At the conclusion of his July 2020 program presentation to the Plano Photography Club, photographer and author Jeremy Woodhouse announced that he has launched a new "community book project" and invited PPC members to become a part of it.

Allow Jeremy to explain in his own words:

Have you ever entered an online photography competition? It is an expensive undertaking and the chances of actually winning an award or prize are quite slim… and where do all those entry fees go? Half the time you never even hear about the results of the competition. At the end of the day, what do you get out of this experience, perhaps a "shout out" on social media… nothing more… big deal!

As we head into the fifth month of this pandemic, I am looking for creative solutions to stay busy and to provide photographic stimulation for my photo family. It is with this in mind that I am launching a new project—yes, you guessed it, another book.

This time the book is going to be all about you. If you have never had work appear in print before, now you are going to be published. For a modest fee, you will send me a minimum of 2 files (and up to 4) of your best images ever, and I mean your best, knock-your-socks-off photographs. After the upload deadline (July 31, 2020), these images will be curated into a book called How I Created This.

Complete details on the book project - including photo submission requirements and process as well as cost - are available on Jeremy's website.

Again, the submission deadline is July 31, 2020, so don't delay if you are interested in participating.

PPC Showcased In Plano Magazine

Plano Magazine, a bi-monthly print and digital publication that shares information with Plano residents about new restaurants, locally owned businesses, artists, live music, fun events and more this month turned its focus on the Plano Photography Club.

A two-page spread in the July/August 2020 issue provides background on the club's history, includes an interview with Club President Alan Daniel about the club's pivot in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and showcases award-winning photography from several of our members, including Don Champlin, John Lehman, Nancy Mack, Russell McGuire, Julie Minges, and Earl Snoga.

Check out the article online and share it with all your friends.

Let everyone know how much fun it is to be a member of the Plano Photography Club.

Do You Have Camera Gear That You No Longer Use?

Girls Who Click is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower teen girls to enter the male-dominated field of nature photography and use their work to further conservation efforts around the world. They run free photography workshops throughout the year, led by professional female photographers who donate their time to help.

They are looking for digital cameras and other photography gear to support their free online workshops and new online resources.

If you have a camera or camera gear at home that you're no longer using, please consider donating it to Girls Who Click.

Donating your gear is easy and tax-deductible. You can donate your used gear at https://girlswhoclick.org/home/get-involved/cameradonation/.

NOTE: Girls Who Click is supported by the Plano Photography Club as well as other local photo clubs.

Virtual Presentation On Close-Up Photography Coming In August

Join us on Thursday August 13, 2020 at 7 PM for a virtual presentation about close-up photography from Fujifilm representative Matt Weintritt. In this base-level conversation Matt will lead you through the various ways to achieve detailed images of your subjects.

He will discuss the various tools and methods available for close-up picture taking and will get you ready to look at your surroundings from a new perspective.

Matthew Weintritt is a FUJIFILM Product Technical Specialist and a passionate member of the photography community. With more than 15 years of multi-disciplinary experience, Matt has traveled throughout North America sharing his knowledge and technical expertise in classrooms and through hands-on workshops.

Connection instructions for the August 13 Zoom presentation are available here.

Examples of Fujifilm Close-up Images

June 2020

PPC Website Places In PSA Website Contest

The Plano Photography Club has received a second-place award (Large Clubs category - 74 members or more) in the 2020 Photographic Society of America (PSA) Website Contest.

The annual contest provides an opportunity for PSA Clubs and Councils to receive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their sites from a panel of knowledgeable judges.

Award recognition was given to those sites the judges rated most successful based on the following criteria: first impressions, design, content, site effectiveness, and professionalism.

As a second-place finisher in the competition, later this year our club will receive an engraved award and a commemorative logo to be added to the website.

Congratulations to our webmaster team - David Swinney, Parvin Stiles and Jerry Schlesinger - for this acknowledgment of their efforts and thanks to all club members who have contributed content.

If you're interested, you can discover who beat us out for first place and review the contest judges' individual contest scoresheets.

We Have A Winner!

On June 16, 2020, the Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation announced the winners of their 2020 historic photo contest: Picturing Plano’s Past.

Congratulations to our own Alan Daniel for winning in the category of Historic Homes with his photograph of the Carpenter House on East 16th Street in Plano. This home, built in 1898, is a beautiful reminder of how the Victorian style remains as classic today as it was over a hundred years ago.

Online Store Now Offers Protective Masks

The Plano Photography Club's online store now offers three styles of protective face masks that can be customized with the PPC logo.

Available colors include white, gray, light blue, navy blue, and royal.

PPC Club Member Photos From North Texas Irish Festival Showcased

This year's North Texas Irish Festival in early March was one of the last large public events held in Dallas before the pandemic-related lockdown.

The most recent issue of Ceili - a publication of the Southwest Celtic Music Association - documents the event, largely through the eyes of photographers from the Plano Photography Club.

Congratulations to Alan Daniel, Jan De Meulder, Michael Farnham, Greg Jones, Dennis Kraft, Larry Petterborg, Randy Ratzlaff, Mitch Stiles, Parvin Stiles, Keith Tyler, Nock Wong, and Siu Wong for being showcased in this publication.

Special Nikon Landscape Photography Presentation on June 17

Nikon Professional Services Market Representative Tony Krup will speak virtually on the topic of Landscape Photography to the members of the Dallas Camera Club, Plano Photography Club, and Heard Nature Photographers Club on June 17 at 7:00 PM CT.

Tony, who is based in Dallas, has been with Nikon since 2008, working with National Accounts, Photo Specialty, and he supports Nikon Professional Services members in the South Central region. He is an avid outdoor photographer who is best known for his macro and landscape photography and loves to travel and test out new Nikon gear.

We believe we will use Nikon's webinar facilities for the meeting; connection instructions will be provided at a later time.

DxO Releases New Version of Nik Collection

From the June 3, 2020 DxO press release:

DxO has announced the immediate release of the Nik Collection 3 by DxO, a major upgrade to the famous plugin suite for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and DxO PhotoLab. The Nik Collection 3 By DxO has become even more powerful and versatile with each new version. It features a newly designed Nik Selective Tool, the suite’s plugin launcher for Adobe Photoshop, and new quick edit tools.

Nik Collection 3 By DxO also offers a new non-destructive workflow, a unique feature that is perfect for Adobe Lightroom Classic users, as well as an eighth geometric correction plugin, Perspective Efex. Finally, the Message Centre lets Nik Collection users stay informed about new upcoming features and access new online resources.

Read the full press release or learn more about the features of Nik Collection 3, which is on sale at a 30% discount through June 2020.

Top 100 Dallas Architectural Sights

On May 24, 2020, the Dallas Morning News published an article identifying 100 places which make Dallas architecture special.

When you're ready for your next urban Dallas photo outing - and some of these locations can be shot safely from your car - this is a great list to work from.

Visit our Top 100 Dallas Architectural Sites page for the article, an interactive map of all the locations and a spreadsheet which organizes these sights by area of town.

May 2020

Picturing Plano's Past Photo Contest Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Picturing Plano's Past Photo Contest (sponsored by the Plano Conservancy) has been extended until 5:00 PM CT May 29, 2020.

One winning photographer's work will be selected for each of these three categories: Historic Home, Historic Building, and Historic Cemetery.

Prizes consist of copies of the paperback books Hidden History of Plano and Haunted Plano, Texas.

The following rules apply to submitted photos:

• They must relate to Plano history and must include a caption (50 words or less) describing where the photo was taken and its connection to Plano’s past.
• They should be minimally edited for color or exposure only; no photo manipulations.
• They should be current (i.e., taken within the last two years).

To enter the contest, send your photo as an attachment (.JPG format; maximum of 4MB) to info@planoconservancy.org.

Please submit one photo per email to ensure that the files do not exceed email size limits.

Multiple entries are accepted. However, there is a limit of one prize per individual entering the contest.

Entries unrelated to Plano or submitted without captions will not be considered.

Addison's Salute To Heroes Flyover Friday May 22

The Town of Addison and Cavanaugh Flight Museum have joined forces for an "Addison's Salute to Heroes" flyover that will take to the skies at 11:00 AM CT on Friday, May 22.

The event will kick off Memorial Day weekend and serve to recognize first responders, essential workers, and veterans.

The flyover will consist of a collection of the historic warplanes from Cavanaugh's extensive collection, including a B-25, P-40, and T-6 formation, as well as a rarely seen privately owned Beechcraft Starship (one of four in the world), 2 T-28 Trojans flown by the Trojan Phlyers Flight Demonstration Team and the T-37 Tweet owned by the Service Air Corps.

The plane's path will visit over many of the hospitals in the Dallas area along with the DFW National Cemetery, as seen in the map at right (click the image for larger view) .

Dallas Arboretum Reopens June 1

From the Dallas Arboretum website:

At 9:00 AM on Monday, June 1 the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden will eagerly reopen to the public and our members with timed tickets available for four-hour blocks throughout the day. We are excited to welcome you back to the garden and hope that you will enjoy the calm and beauty that nature provides. We are currently onboarding our staff, testing equipment and the timed ticketing system.

Admission and parking will require timed tickets to be reserved online for everyone, including members. This process will help us with social distancing and the safety and security of our guests. Due to limits on the number of guests at one time, early arrivals will not be granted early admission. Similarly, late arrivals will still be required to exit the garden at the end of the four-hour block. If you do arrive early, we ask that you wait in the safety of your vehicle.

At each ticket window we will distribute wristbands indicating which four-hour block you have reserved. Wristbands must be worn for the duration of your visit. Your parking location will be assigned at time of purchase. Maps are available at both Information Booths.

Tickets will be available for online reservation beginning a week out from your desired visit date.

Plus, don't miss Seward Johnson's "Celebrating the Familiar" exhibit, supported in part by the Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, a collection of 20 life-size cast bronze figures, which will be displayed from June 22 to July 31. Johnson's sculptures of individuals performing familiar tasks in an ordinary life were meant to celebrate the great value in ordinary tasks. Creating the fine details of people's poses, gestures and expressions are the defining elements of his work.

Read Our Know Before You Go FAQ

May 2020 Issue of The FLASH! Is Out

The May edition of the Plano Photography Club Newsletter The FLASH! is now available. It contains valuable information about the club, activities, contest results and informative articles.

April 2020

PSA Cancels 2020 Photo Festival

On April 23, 2020, the Photographic Society of America (PSA) announced the cancellation of this year's Photo Festival:

It is with thoughtful reluctance and much sadness that the PSA Executive Committee has made a decision to cancel the planned Photo Festival in Colorado Springs in September. This was a very difficult decision to make, knowing that the 2020 Photo Festival is highly valued and anticipated; but paramount to the decision was putting the health, safety, and peace of mind of our membership first. In the absence of a vaccine, our gathering, especially with many members in the high-risk category, would simply be accepting too much risk for all of us. Many other organizations, including the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), have cancelled all their 2020 planned gatherings and events until more is learned about the virus and the pandemic.

Several of you have already registered, we have not billed your credit cards and had planned not to do so before July 1st. The PSA registrations will be cancelled without any fees being incurred and we will take care of that for you. You will need to cancel your hotel reservation and that can be done through the confirmation email you received from the hotel at no charge. Hopefully, a vaccine and mitigation will enable a safe, healthy environment for our Festival in Rapid City, South Dakota in 2021. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Enter the "We Stay Home" Photo Competition

Enter the "We Stay Home" Photo Competition being held by the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP). This free competition is open to all photographers.

For each photographer who enters FIAP will contribute to a world organization specializing in the fight against COVID-19.

Photos must be taken in the place where the photographer is confined after March 15, 2020. Maximum of 4 Color and/or B&W photos, longest side 1920 pixels, 300 dpi. Watermarks and signatures not acceptable. Awards not eligible for FIAP Distinctions.

Complete rules and image upload are available at http://cfoto.hiho.it/fiap-WSAH.php.

Share this information with all your photo friends. Closing date is May 31, 2020.

Share Your Best Photos on the Club Instagram Feed

We are now incorporating Instagram into our social media presence to show off some of our members' amazing photography.

To get us started with content we are asking club members (who don't mind being published online) to please send us copies of your three favorite photographs. Three photographs allow for each member to have an entire Instagram row to themselves.

Please use your fullname_title.jpg as the file name (e.g., JohnSmith_YellowstoneWaterfall.jpg) 1080Wide / 1350Tall

If you would like your business hashtagged please reference your business name in the body of the email text along with any descriptions about your photographs: location, etc.

Contests for the 2020-2021 Competition Year Are Now Open

As of Sunday April 19, 2020, all contests for the 2020-2021 competition year - including the special interest contests - are open for submissions.

Please be sure to select the correct contest when submitting a photo.

April 2020 Issue of The FLASH! Is Out

The April edition of the Plano Photography Club Newsletter The FLASH! is now available. It contains valuable information about the club, activities, contest results and informative articles.

Jeremy Woodhouse Publishes Book Of Photo Tour Images

Photographer Jeremy Woodhouse, who was to be the featured speaker at our canceled March 2020 club meeting, has taken advantage of the unplanned downtime to publish a new book.

The 240-page, 8.5" x 11", perfect-bound photography book - entitled Photo Tour - Postcards From The Road - contains a collection of images captured during many of the photo tours that he has led over the last 15 years.

The book is now available and you can order it from Jeremy's Pixelchrome Photography Tours website.

Ask Me Anything Session Next Thursday

Dennis Fritsche will be holding another online Ask Me Anything session Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 6:00 PM CT via Zoom.

You can join the meeting from a computer (visit Zoom.us in advance of the session to install the necessary software) or your smartphone/tablet (visit the iOS App Store or Google Play Store to install the appropriate app for your platform).

If using a phone or tablet device, you can use it for both a speaker and a microphone. If joining from a computer, you will need speakers to hear and a microphone to talk. Please mute your microphone during the meeting unless asking a question.

Club members will find the information to connect to the session under Education | Training Classes | Ask Me Anything - Zoom Meeting ID.

March 2020

Current Membership Renewals

Most memberships to the Plano Photography Club will expire on April 30, 2020. Since we will not be having an April meeting due to the COVID-19 situation, we highly recommend that current members renew their memberships via PayPal using our website.

You can do this by logging in to your PPC account and clicking on My Account | Pay Annual Dues. Then follow the directions on that page to pay your dues.

If that does not work for you, please contact the Membership Chairman for a physical address to mail a paper check.

Message From Club President Cliff McKenzie

Cliff McKenzie

(March 18, 2020) It was only a month ago we were watching the events half-a-world away unfold. Who would have ever thought the impact would have been so great here?

We kept the Hill Country event alive but cancelled the formal gatherings believing “independently out in nature” would surface. We are now faced with the possibility food access may be limited, that the person cleaning your room may be an issue and if the government wants us to “stay in place,” access to fuel pumps could be limited.

As I stated, a month ago this would seem to be ridiculous.

All Plano Photography Club events are canceled until further notice. If it is possible to do a webinar or conference call, that is the only exception.

Educational Resources Updates

We have completed the migration of years worth of educational material provided by members and speakers to the new website. PPC members can now access this material under the Education | PPC Educational Resources menu.

Of particular note are a presentation and related videos about printing your images called "Put It On Paper."

Originally presented by Dennis Fritsche in 2016, he recently completed an update to it. You may find it helpful if you are planning to submit a print to the March 2020 contest.

Additionally, we have added a page of external photography resources (Education | External Learning and Support Resources). On it you will find links to online training, YouTube channels, camera forums, cloud storage options, image hosting sites and more.

New Club Activities Slideshows Released

Slideshows of our two most recent club activities (with accompanying background music) are now available:

• Dallas Artistic Architecture Walking Tour (January 25)
  • "Dallas" (TV Theme) - composed by Jerrold Immel
  • "Big D" - music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
  • "If You're Ever Down In Dallas" - co-written and performed by Lee Ann Womack
• Model Shoot (Hosted by Olympus Camera) (February 29)
  • "Good Vibrations" - written and performed by The Beach Boys

Changes For March 2020 Club Contest

Because of the cancellation of the March 2020 club meeting, we will not be able to collect your print for the March contest. As such this month's contest has been changed from a PRINT to an ELECTRONIC contest. It remains an Open contest.

What does that mean for you?

• If you have not submitted an image yet, go ahead and enter your image as you would for any electronic contest.
• If you have already entered the electronic image for the March 2020 Print contest and wish to submit that same image for the March 2020 Electronic Contest, you do not have to do anything. Just remember that if you win or place with the electronic image you may not use that image for a future contest.
• If you want to submit a different image and save your Print entry for a future Print contest, you will need to remove the current image from the competition website and enter a new one.

The deadline for entries remains unchanged - Midnight CDT Thursday March 19, 2020. All images submitted by that time will be judged as electronic submissions.

NOTE: The name on the competition website for the March contest is "2020-03 Open Revised Electronic." Even though the competition website will say the type is PRINT it will be judged as an Electronic Contest.

Contact Alan Daniel if you have any questions.

March 2020 Issue of The FLASH! Is Out

The March edition of the Plano Photography Club Newsletter The FLASH! is now available. It contains valuable information about the club, activities, contest results and informative articles.

February 2020

Educational Resources Updates

We have completed the migration of years worth of educational material provided by members and speakers to the new website. PPC members can now access this material under the Education | PPC Educational Resources menu.

Of particular note is a presentation and related videos about printing your images called "Put It On Paper."

Originally presented by Dennis Fritsche in 2016, he recently completed an update to it. You may find it helpful if you are planning to submit a print to the March 2020 contest.

Additionally, we have added a page of external photography resources (Education | External Learning and Support Resources). On it you will find links to online training, YouTube channels, camera forums, cloud storage options, image hosting sites and more.

January 2020 Competition Results

Results of the January 2020 photo competition - shown at right - were announced at our February club meeting. You can also watch the contest slideshow to hear the judge's feedback on each picture.

Congratulations to the photographers who captured the winning images and thanks to everyone who participated.

Updated standings for the 2019-2020 competition year as well as scoresheets for each class are available under the Competitions | Competition Scores to Date menu.

February Issue of The FLASH!

The February 2020 issue of the Plano Photography Club newsletter is now available for download.

Each month's edition of The FLASH! includes all the winning images from the prior month's club photo competition along with valuable information about upcoming events and program speakers, plus up-to-date contest standings and feature articles.

Managing Your Account Settings

Each member of the Plano Photography Club is responsible for management of their own membership account settings.

Learn more about the options available and the club's recommendations for selected settings on the About My Account Settings page. Then access your PPC account settings via My Account | My Account Settings to make any necessary changes.

Contest Rules and Process Document Revised

The club's Competition Rules and Process document has been updated; the latest revision is dated February 6, 2020.

If you currently participate in the monthly photography competitions or plan to do so, please check out the the most recent version.