The Plano Photography Club aims to promote enjoyment, mastery, and further development of photography through cooperation, effort, and good fellowship. Serving Plano and the surrounding areas, we welcome photographers of all skill levels.

Review this slide presentation to learn more about the club. Then join us at our next monthly meeting and get to know the friendly folks in the Plano Photography Club.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION | BECOME A MEMBER | RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Parvin Stiles

While many places up north see their peak autumn colors in October, November is when our fall truly comes alive. Golden yellows, deep reds, and soft light make every scene feel magical. Whether you're out capturing landscapes or city views, you'll find plenty of wildlife and migratory birds adding life to your shots.

And with the holiday season around the corner, there are endless photo opportunities. There is everything from charming small towns dressed for the holidays to the Dallas Arboretum’s enchanting 12 Days of Christmas exhibit (November 11–January 4) and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s dazzling light display (November 21–January 4).

Join us for a club outing on Saturday, November 15th, from 10 AM at the Fort Worth Zoo, one of the nation’s top-ranked Zoos – home to nearly 7000 animals. After a group lunch at the Zoo, we’ll head to the nearby Japanese Garden to shoot peaceful koi fish ponds, waterfalls, colorful maples, and intricate stonework.

For our November 20th club meeting:

At 6 PM in the library, our very own master photographer, Larry Petterborg, wraps up his 2-part series, “Criticizing Photographs.” If you joined part one, you know Larry, the professor, assigned homework. So, no excuses… not even “the dog ate it!”

Then at 7 PM, guest speaker Chris Fitch, a Texas-based landscape photographer, takes the floor with “And Now for Something Completely Different.” He’ll inspire us to break from routine and see creativity in a new way.

As November paints the world in rich fall colors, it’s the perfect time to capture that last bloom, golden sunset, Thanksgiving gatherings, and those candid, funny moments that make the season special.

Did you participate in the fall foliage field trip to North Carolina? If so, we would like to feature your best images in the slide gallery seen on the right.

To submit photos for that gallery, here are the guidelines:

• SEND UP TO SEVEN (7) of your best pictures to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com.
• The maximum dimension (long edge) for submitted images is 4096 pixels
• The maximum file size for each image is 10 MB.
• Please include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., SeanRayford_FallFoliage_1.jpg).

The submission deadline is WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2025.

We very much look forward to seeing your photos.

Did you attend the State Fair of Texas this year? If so, we would like to feature your best images in the slide gallery at right.

To submit photos for that gallery, here are the guidelines:

• SEND UP TO SEVEN (7) of your best pictures to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com.
• The maximum dimension (long edge) for submitted images is 4096 pixels
• The maximum file size for each image is 10 MB.
• Please include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., BillBragg_StateFair_1.jpg).

The submission deadline is this WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025.

This gallery is now CLOSED. Thanks to everyone for your submissions.

Please plan to join us on Saturday, November 15, 2025, for a photo outing to the Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden's Japanese Garden.

The oldest continuous zoo site in Texas, the Fort Worth Zoo is a fantastic destination for photographers thanks to its impressive variety of animals, naturalistic habitats, and unrestricted opportunities for photography. From majestic elephants to powerful big cats, there are countless chances to capture dramatic wildlife portraits and candid environmental scenes, all within thoughtfully designed viewing areas that allow for unique perspectives.

The Japanese Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a photographer’s paradise with its tranquil koi ponds, cherry blossoms, dramatic bridges, and lush Japanese maples. This peaceful 7.5-acre garden invites visitors to capture serene landscapes, intricate architectural elements, and the play of light and reflections, making it an ideal spot for both nature and fine art photography.

Fort Worth Zoo Activity Details

Location: Fort Worth Zoo | 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76110 (map)
Time: 10:00 AM CT (Zoo hours are currently 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT)
Parking: $5 per vehicle
Tickets: Adults (under 65): $20 | Seniors (65 and older): $16   PURCHASE ZOO TICKET(S) IN ADVANCE

Plan to meet at the Zoo gate at 10:00 AM CT as a group.

Lunch will be at 11:30 AM CT in the Bluebonnet Cafe in the Texas Wild! section of the Zoo.

Japanese Garden Activity Details

Location: Japanese Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden | 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 (map) | Photography Policy
Time: TBD (Botanic Garden hours are currently 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT)
Parking: Directions and Parking
Tickets: Adults (under 65): $12 | Seniors (65 and older): $10   PURCHASE JAPANESE GARDEN TICKET(S) IN ADVANCE

Chris Fitch

Bio:  Chris grew up in rural Texas, where he developed a keen sense for how changes in light affected the look and feel of a scene. His major source of artistic inspiration comes from a close relative, a highly successful artist, and, like many, Ansel Adams. He learned photography by shooting and developing film during the film era, using 35mm, medium-format, and large-format cameras.

He is a natural mentor/coach and student of the technique and artistry in photography, and is dedicated to having light define the scene. While you will see most of his work in color landscapes, his personal gallery contains a significant variety of styles and techniques.

Program Description:  Texas-based landscape photographer Chris Fitch inspires us to step out of our comfort zone and break out of our normal creative habits.

When we do the same things, the same way, we tend to produce the same results. Consistency is a virtue, but how do we preserve our creative spark? How do we expand our process to "see" new captures that require different settings/approaches?

We develop our creative style or patterns for several reasons. In many cases, it comes from a place of comfort. Once we discover a photography style you like and how to produce it, it's easy to look for those "signature" shots each time we go out. Skills are like muscles — we might need to flex them regularly, or we suffer from atrophy. Even when we are comfortable using a camera or “getting the shot,” it’s always beneficial to learn and expand our experience.

Let’s explore some practical ways we can get “out of the box” and expand our photographic vision.

Examples of Chris' Photography

The Plano Photography Club's November contest is an ELECTRONIC competition with the theme ROADS AND PATHS LEADING THROUGH THE IMAGE.

Electronic entries must be uploaded to the PPC Competition Site by 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, November 20, 2025. SUBMIT CONTEST IMAGE

NOTE: You must be a Plano Photography Club member to submit contest images.

Award recipients in the Plano Photography Club September photo contest were announced during the club's monthly meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Detailed results are listed below; honored photographs are visible on the right.

Congratulations to the awardees, and thank you to all competitors.

• 1st: Peaches on a Silver Platter - Bernadette Dozier
• 2nd: We Ask Why - Michelle Chaffin
• 3rd: Wings Across the Setting Sun - Julie Yu
• HM: Fireworks - Terence Jesper

• 1st: Flip the Scene - Melanie Sandager
• 2nd: Sea Slurper - Amy Dumas (3rd Place Overall)
• 3rd: Panda on the Square - Steven Wilson
• HM: Gruesome Gaze - Lynn Barrett

• 1st: Surf and turf - Jerry Schlesinger (Honorable Mention Overall)
• 2nd: Beam me Up - Craig Rowen
• 3rd: halfway to Mars! - Parvin Stiles
• HM: Floating Pears - Richard Kidner
• HM: "Take Me To Your Leader" - Randy Ratzlaff

• 1st: Light Lines - Michael Farnham (Best of Show)
• 2nd: Dragons Blood Tree - Larry Petterborg (2nd Place Overall)
• 3rd: The circle of Lights - Nock Wong
• HM: Phantom Suns Over Switzerland - Eddie Yu
• HM: Returning from Neverland - Dennis Fritsche

Full-Screen Slideshow | Gallery | Judge's Commentary

Standings: All Levels | Entry Level | Intermediate Level | Advanced Level | Master Level