Summer is here, and so is the Texas heat. Photography can sometimes slow down as we avoid the blazing sun and high temperatures.

Alan Daniel

This month, I encourage everyone to make photography part of your summer routine. Nature is still waiting to be photographed, and if the midday sun feels too harsh, head out in the softer light of early morning or late evening.

If the heat keeps you indoors, try exploring tabletop photography, window-light portraits, abstracts, or revisit some of your older images with a fresh editing approach. And don't forget our fun indoor outing on July 11 at the DFW Car and Toy Museum in Fort Worth. Visit our website for all the details.

July marks the midpoint of 2026, making it a great time to revisit your photography goals for the year. Consider the skills you'd like to improve, whether it's black-and-white conversions, intentional camera movement, printing, file organization, or simply getting out with your camera more often. Consistent practice now can lead to noticeable progress by year's end. If you're looking for a place to start, take advantage of the many training opportunities our club offers.

Thank you for making this club such a welcoming place to learn, create, and have fun. I look forward to seeing your summer images, hearing your travel stories, and continuing our shared photography journey.

Photo by Jin Li

The goal of this DIY activity is to capture fireworks and other scenes and activities that illustrate the Fourth of July holiday.

Maybe you are attending a big public event like Plano's All American 4th,  Addison Kaboom Town 40, or Fort Worth's Fourth at Panther Island Pavilion.

Or perhaps you are going to check out some of the other, less crowded events in the region. Of course, you might just be staying home and lighting sparklers in your front yard.

Dates: Friday, July 3, 2026 - Saturday, July 4, 2026
Location(s): You get to pick your favorite photo spots.

---

Whatever you do to celebrate America's 250th birthday, we would love to see your photos.

Photos: Please send your best 5-7 images to ppcsendphotos@gmail.com for posting in a gallery on the club website and viewing at a future club meeting.

Include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., UncleSam_America250_1.jpg). The maximum dimension (long edge) is 4096 pixels; the maximum individual file size is 10 MB.

Submission deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

---

Questions? Contact club Activity Chair Lily Mak.

The DFW Car and Toy Museum is a premier destination for automotive enthusiasts and vintage toy collectors alike.

It is home to an extraordinary collection of over 3,000 rare and antique toys, featuring Tippco die-cast models, early tin wind-ups, and pressed steel collectibles.

With a deep appreciation for automotive history and rare collectibles, the museum offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience, where classic cars and nostalgic treasures come together under one roof.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Location: 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Tickets and Parking: Museum admission is free, as is on-site parking

Lunch: Texas Pit Bar-B-Q, 324 S Saginaw Blvd, Fort Worth 76137 (directions) | We have reserved the air-conditioned patio.

---

Photos: Please send your best 5-7 images to ppcsendphotos@gmail.com for posting in a gallery on the club website and viewing at a future club meeting.

Include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., RonSturgeon_CarMuseum_1.jpg). The maximum dimension (long edge) is 4096 pixels; the maximum individual file size is 10 MB.

Submission deadline: Sunday, July 26, 2026.

---

Questions? Contact club Activity Chair Lily Mak.

The FIFA Fan Festival in Dallas will be a free, public World Cup fan zone from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with live match broadcasts, concerts, games, food, and cultural activities. It’s being positioned as a 1-million-square-foot gathering space and can host up to about 35,000 fans at once.

It will be held near the DART light rail station and the Exposition/Parry Avenue area. The official site describes the layout as a walkable fan village with giant viewing areas, mini-pitches, sponsor zones, and food courts spread across Lots 9 and 10 and The Pavilion.

Expect a big social atmosphere with match screenings, entertainment, interactive games, giveaways, and kid-friendly soccer activities. FIFA says it will be the central fan destination for both local communities and visiting supporters.

Dates: June 11, 2026 - July 19, 2026
Time: Operating hours vary daily
Location: Pavilion at Fair Park (aka Dos Equis Pavilion) | 1818 1st Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75210

Tickets (General Admission): Free (limited to 8 tickets per day) | Children under 2 do not require a ticket

Dallas Match Days: June 14 · June 17 · June 22 · June 25 · June 27 · June 30 · July 3 · July 6 · July 14

---

Photos: Send your best 5-7 images to ppcsendphotos@gmail.com for posting in a gallery on the club website and viewing at a future club meeting.

Include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., ChristianPulisic_FIFA_1.jpg). The maximum dimension (long edge) is 4096 pixels; the maximum individual file size is 10 MB.

Submission deadline: Sunday, August 2, 2026.

---

Questions? Contact club Activity Chair Lily Mak.

Activity		Activity Date(s)		Time		Notes
Tabletop Workshop		August 15, 2026		TBA
Plano Balloon Festival (DIY with Passes)		September 19, 2026		6:00 AM CT - 10:00 AM CT
State Fair of Texas (DIY with Passes)		September 25 - October 18, 2026		TBA
Ouray, Colorado Field Trip		September 28 - October 3, 2026		N/A
Cottonwood Art Festival (DIY)		October 3-4, 2026		TBA		Free admission
Succulents Close-Up Photography		October 24, 2026		TBA		To be held at Irwin Lightstone's home
Fort Worth Zoo		November 21, 2026		TBA

Were you among the PPC members who attended Illuminature, the Dallas Zoo’s nighttime lantern festival, where large glowing lanterns, sculptures, performances, and interactive activities transform the zoo?

If so, we'd very much like to see some of your photos from the event.

Here are the guidelines for submitting images:

• SEND UP TO SEVEN (7) of your best/favorite photos from the event to ppcsendphotos@gmail.com.
• The maximum dimension (long edge) for submitted images is 4096 pixels; the maximum file size is 10 MB.
• Please include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., KariStreiber_Illuminature_1.jpg).

Your photos will be included in the slide gallery on the right and in a slideshow at a future club meeting.

All submitted photos must be received by SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2026.

This slideshow is now closed. Thanks to all for your submitted photos.

---

Full-Screen Slideshow Gallery of Photos All Slideshows and Galleries

The award recipients of the Plano Photography Club's May contest were announced during the club's monthly meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

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

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

• 1st: A Girl and Her Best Friend - Bernadette Dozier
• 2nd: Come on Daddy, I'm cold and bored! - David Prichard
• 3rd: Joy - Mike Evans
• HM: Unscripted - Viveka Pusapati

• 1st: Heartbroken - John Eden (Honorable Mention Overall)
• 2nd: Putting a Face to the Name - Debbie Conard
• 3rd: Sunrise at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone - Maggie Hutchison
• HM: Wait, wait ... too late - Randy LaVonn Dull
• HM: "Is this my destination, or am I just a visitor?" - Athul Sudheesh

• 1st: Feelin' It - Lynn Barrett
• 2nd: Father's Care - Siu Wong
• 3rd: JOY - Kay Hale
• HM: Never Again, Never Forgotten - Chung Oey
• HM: Young GQ - Parvin Stiles

• 1st: Still Blue - Jin Li (Best of Show)
• 2nd: Watching the Kids - Michael Farnham (2nd Place Overall)
• 3rd: Invisible Lives in Downtown Athens - Eddie Yu (3rd Place Overall)
• HM: Challenged Caregiver - Mark Bernthal
• HM: Guarded Curiosity - Richard Otto

---

Full-Screen Slideshow Gallery of Photos Judge's Commentary Standings - All Levels

Born with an innate sense of wonder and a deep connection to nature, Mike has transformed his passion for adventure into a remarkable career that blends photography, storytelling, and environmental advocacy.

Mike Mezeul

Equipped with a camera and an unyielding spirit, Mike travels the globe in search of moments that, in particular, showcase the power of nature. From the frozen expanses of the Arctic Circle to the fiery heart of active volcanoes, he pushes the boundaries of traditional landscape photography.

His keen eye for detail and natural ability to capture the essence of a moment have yielded a breathtaking portfolio that showcases the Earth's raw beauty in its most unfiltered form.

Mike is also an educator, sharing his passion for creating images and telling stories through leading workshops across the globe.

---

Program Description

A powerful visual and narrative exploration of the elemental forces that shape our world, this presentation delves into the raw beauty and dynamic power of nature through the lens of storytelling.

From the rugged landscapes of Earth’s terrain to the invisible yet ever-present force of wind, the fierce and transformative nature of fire, and the life-giving flow of water, each element is captured with awe and intention.

You'll hear the stories behind the images, thought processes, challenges, technical aspects, and more, as we traverse the planet in this visual journey.

The Plano Photography Club's July contest is an ELECTRONIC competition with the theme MOTION.

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

Electronic entries must be uploaded to the PPC Competition Site by 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Submit contest image

---

Resources

• How to Photograph a Moving Subject - A practical guide to freezing motion, blur, and panning.
• 3 Techniques for Capturing Motion in Photography - Explains panning, long exposure blur, and movement-based effects.
• A Beginner’s Guide to Capturing Motion in Your Photography - Approachable examples showing how shutter speed changes movement.
• Guide to Motion Blur and Panning in Photography - A deeper look at panning and readable subjects against streaked backgrounds.
• Motion photography: how to capture movement in your images - Concise Canon guide with practical shutter-speed advice.
• The secrets to capturing motion in your photography - Helpful ideas for burst shooting, panning, and creative camera movement.