The Plano Photography Club aims to promote enjoyment, mastery, and further development of photography through cooperation, effort, and good fellowship. Serving Plano and 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

The club is excited to announce our 2025 Tabletop Workshop and Camera Swap, coming Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the West Plano Presbyterian Church.

This indoor educational photo opportunity is designed as a hands-on, cafeteria-style photography workshop, encouraging learning through active participation. Please be considerate and take turns at the different tabletop setups and digital stations.

NOTE: The images in the gallery at right were captured at the 2024 PPC Tabletop Workshop.

Here is a list of the currently scheduled activities and stations (subject to change and additions):

NOTES:

1. Hands-On: Can take photos
2. Items to bring: Camera, lenses (including a macro if you have one), tripod
3. Props will be provided
4. Oil and Water: A fun station to learn more about Depth of Field, Closeness to Subject, and the proper choice of Aperture and Shutter Speed; tripod available for this station IF you have an Arca-Swiss camera mount
5. For the Light Painting station, if you would like to bring something special from home (e.g., vase, bottle, etc.), please keep it under ten (10) inches in height
6. Additional details on the Camera Swap will be made available

Got questions? Reach out to Mary Ruehle, our Activities Chair, and she'll get you the information you need.

We’d love to feature more of our members’ photography!

If you have a personal gallery/photography website and would like it included on our club’s Member Websites and Galleries page, please send us your link. It’s a great way to showcase your work and connect with fellow photographers.

Reach out if you’d like your gallery or website added—all active PPC members are welcome to participate!

Parvin Stiles

August in Texas means spending time indoors, but don’t worry - we’ve got a cool solution for you and your camera. Join us for our Tabletop Photography Workshop at the church on Saturday, August 23rd, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Have fun with friends and club members as you practice and refine your skills at several different tabletop stations. The intrepid can still spend time outdoors. Avoid the worst heat by heading out early in the morning for the blue and golden hours. The light is soft, shadows long, and wildlife is either on the prowl or enjoying breakfast - perfect for capturing a story in a single shot.

Don’t miss our monthly meeting on Thursday, August 21st. Our very own Master Photographer, Nancy Mack, will give a presentation titled “My Passion – Flowers” during the 6 PM training session in the church library. This will be the first part of a two-part series in which Nancy shares her expertise on photographing flowers. Carol Barlow, also a Master photographer, will lead an orientation class for new and prospective members during the same pre-meeting training time.

Rob Hull, our guest speaker for the main meeting, will present his program titled “The Quality of Light.” Rob, a Certified Professional Photographer, is a popular photography instructor with SMU’s Continuing and Professional Education. Between 1998 and 2020, over 3,000 students attended his classes and programs. He also developed and teaches the Canon Advanced Workshop. Light is the single most important element in the photographic process, and Rob will dive deep into its role.

Exciting News! I’m eager for our upcoming trip to North Carolina and the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains to photograph stunning fall foliage, myriad waterfalls, and maybe even Yogi and Boo-Boo Bear. The trip will take place from October 20th to 24th. The Log Cabin Motor Court in Asheville will be our home base. This area is renowned for its breathtaking fall colors, with the Smoky Mountains serving as the perfect backdrop. Consider joining us for this amazing road trip! For more details, please visit the club website.

If you prefer flying and don’t want to carry your camera gear, you can ask a fellow member who is driving to bring it along. Cliff McKenzie and the committee will share our daily itinerary soon.

Stay cool, keep snapping, and I hope to see you soon!

Rob Hull

Bio:  Rob Hull is a Certified Professional Photographer and the Coppell, Texas-based owner of GreatPhotography. Rob started the company over 20 years ago and has offered commercial, portrait, and freelance services to thousands of clients.

Rob is also a popular photography instructor with SMU's Continuing and Professional Education. From 1998 to 2020, over 3,000 students attended his classes and programs at the former SMU-in-Plano campus. In addition to classes and seminars, Rob also hosts photography workshops throughout the world. Students have enjoyed these workshops in such majestic locales as Banff National Park, Olympic National Park, the Grand Tetons, the desert southwest, and the Texas Hill Country. He’s recently hosted photography programs in the Greek Islands, Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica.

Program Description: The etymology of the word “photography” roughly translates to painting or drawing with light. So, it’s no wonder that light is the single most important element in the photographic process, and understanding light is essential to great photography.

George Eastman said it best as follows:

“Light makes photography.
Embrace light.
Admire it. Love it.
But above all, know light.
Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.”

Understanding light is essential if you want to advance your photographic skills. But light is a vast and deep topic. Rob will explain light in a way that will help you find and create beautiful lighting that complements your subject.

Examples of Rob's Photography

The Plano Photography Club's August contest is an ELECTRONIC competition with an OPEN theme.

Electronic entries must be uploaded to the PPC Competition Site by 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, August 21, 2025. SUBMIT CONTEST IMAGE

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

Winning Images from the June 2025 Club Contest
Topic: Open (Electronic) (Click any image to see it full-screen)

Award recipients in the Plano Photography Club June contest were announced during the monthly club meeting on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

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

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

• 1st: Licking your wounds - David Valdez
• 2nd: Cara with Space - Ben Zajdel
• 3rd: Serenity on Caddo Lake - Julie Yu
• HM: Remembrance - Dia de los Muertes Girl - Ann Tilger

• 1st: Mama Mantis Shrimp with eggs scurrying across reef - Lily Mak (2nd Place overall)
• 2nd: Foggy River Dock - Shannon Hutchison
• 3rd: Fighting Tricolored Herons - Rachel Allen
• HM: Chasing the Wagging - Jonathan Biser
• HM: Climbing a Grain Tower - Lisa Wilkins

• 1st: Getting Ready for Balloon Glow - Cliff McKenzie
• 2nd: Hell's Ankles - Mark Bernthal
• 3rd: Pre-dawn over Torres del Paine - Alan Abair
• HM: Gentle Blue - Greg Rains
• HM: Capuchin AKA The Organ Grinder Monkey - Jodi Smith

• 1st: Breakfast - Alan Daniel (Best of Show)
• 2nd: Sunset at Factory Butte - WenChi Lee (3rd Place overall)
• 3rd: Perth Spanda Arches at Sunset - Clive Fernando
• HM: Roman Colosseum by night - Nock Wong
• HM: Cabin with Moonlight and Stars - Dennis Fritsche
• Beneath the Tuscan Sunrise - Eddie Yu (Honorable Mention Overall)

Full-Screen Slideshow | Gallery | Judge's Commentary

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