Celebrating 125 Years

September

Monday, September 9, 7pm · First Meeting (in-person meeting)

Welcome newcomers and returning members! At this in-person meeting at the Woodfords Club (directions), we will start with an introduction to the Portland Camera Club and our activities for the year. The club's officers and executive board will be introduced. Then on to the Summer Print Challenge.

The theme for the Summer Print Challenge is A Trail in Maine.

• Everyone—members and non-members—are welcome to participate.
• Photograph any trail in Maine this summer. Image must be taken after 6/1/24 and before 9/9/24.
• Bring one print of your best Maine trail shot to the first meeting on Sep 9th.
• Prints must be 8"x10" or larger, up to a maximum of 18"x24" including the mat; however, a mat is optional.
• Prints must be mounted (foamcore, gatorboard, cardboard, etc.) so the print will stand up on display racks.
• No need to write your name on the back of the print.
• A winner will be selected by popular vote at the meeting! The winner will receive a free PCC membership for one year.

Sunday, September 15, 3:30pm · Group Shoot: Merrymeeting Bay Tour

Important: be sure to pay before Sept 9th (deadline extended). Pay online (click here) or mail a check for $41/person payable to "Portland Camera Club" to the PCC Treasurer:
Steve Painter
6 Wildwood Ave
Kennebunkport, ME 04046-7425

For details about the boat tour, click here.

Directions to the Maine Maritime Museum.

Monday, September 16 · Equipment Sale & Introduce Yourself with an Image (in-person meeting)

This is an in person meeting. 6:00pm Equipment Sale (see below). 7:00pm a discussion where members and newcomers are invited to show an image as a way of introducing yourself and your interest in photography. This will be a welcoming and supportive discussion.

• Submit one image in advance of the meeting.  Deadline for submissions is Sat Sep 14th.
• Images must be in JPEG/JPG format and sized to a maximum width of 1920px, and max height 1080px.
• Name your image file your-name-image-title.jpg (for example, Ansel-Adams-Yosemite-Valley.jpg)
• Email your image file to pccupload@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.

Equipment Sale: Starting at 6:00pm, the club will be selling all the equipment that was donated over the summer. Please note:

• Click here for a list of the equipment for sale.
• Only paid club members can purchase gear.
• First come, first served.
• Check (preferred), credit card and cash accepted.
• All gear is sold in "as is" condition, no returns or warranty.
• There will be a table of lesser value items that will be available for a good will offering to the club.
• Once an item is purchased, it must be taken away that night. Items will not be held for later.

Monday, September 23, 7pm · All About Projected Image Competitions (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  There will be changes in how PI Competitions are done this year. The Competition Committee will update members and explain the new process for judging PI Competitions.

Monday, September 30, 7pm · High Scoring Images (in-person meeting)

At this in person meeting, we'll view a beautiful slideshow presented by our guest speaker and slideshow creator, Barbara Rozavsky, Membership Vice President, NECCC. Afterwards, we'll break into groups to review and discuss high scoring images from past PCC competitions.

Photo Walks: Autumn In Its Finest

Photo Walk dates and locations to be announced.

October

Monday, October 7, 7pm · Projected Image Discussion Night (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  We'll discuss images in an open, supportive way. Images are not judged or scored. All members are encouraged to submit one image.

• Deadline for submissions is Fri Oct 4th.
• Images must be in JPEG/JPG format and sized to a maximum width of 1920px, and max height 1080px.
• Name your image file your-name-image-title.jpg (for example, Ansel-Adams-Yosemite-Valley.jpg)
• Email your image file to pccupload@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.

Saturday, October 12 · Deadline: Print Submissions to the NECCC Print Individual Competition

The online entry form must be submitted by Oct 12 for the competition on Oct 19. The mailed-in prints must be received by Oct 12 also. If you choose to drop off your print(s) in person, bring the print(s) to the competition site, Greater Lynn Photographic Association Headquarters, between 9:30-10:30am on Oct 19. For all the competition details, click here.

Monday, October 14, 7pm · Guest Speaker: Jacki Spearly (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  Professional photographer and workshop leader Jacki Spearly will present on Lensbaby lenses and how to shoot creatively with them. Visit Jacki's website: www.jackispearlyphotography.com

Friday, October 18, 8am · Fall Photo Excursion (leaving from McDonald's, So. Portland)

All are welcome! We will leave at 8:00AM from the McDonald’s in South Portland by the Mall (map/location). Get there earlier for breakfast if you would like. We will first go to Hacker’s Hill in Casco (a popular spot that we visited last year with views from Sebago Lake to the White Mountains). From there, we will travel to Brackett’s Apple Orchard in Limington followed by a trip to Libby's Apple Orchard not far from Brackett’s (both locations offer some great photo opps). From Libby’s, we will drive to Cornish with a stop at Sokokis Lookout (beautiful views) on the way. We will have lunch at BayHaven Seafood Restaurant in Cornish (one of the best!). After lunch, we will travel down Route 25 with a stop at the Bonny Eagle Recreation Area along the Saco River (great opportunity to photograph water rapids). From there we will return to South Portland. I expect to be back at McDonald’s by mid-afternoon –Dick Sawyer

Monday, October 21, 7pm · Print Discussion Night (in person meeting)

We'll meet to discuss prints in an open, supportive way. Images are not judged or scored. All members are encouraged to bring in one print.

Monday, October 28, 7pm · Let's Talk Cameras (in person meeting)

At this in person meeting, we'll hear from five different members about what gear they use. Each will give a brief talk about the brand of camera they use, lenses, etc. Come and hear from users of Nikon, Fuji, Sony, Olympus and Canon.

November

Monday, November 4, 7pm · Projected Image Competition (Zoom)

Monday, November 4, 7pm · Projected Image Competition (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  A last-minute change at the Woodfords Club requires us to hold this meeting via Zoom instead of in person. The deadline for competition images was Oct 24th.

Monday, November 11, 7pm · Member-submitted Autumn Images (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  A discussion night viewing members' images of autumn. Members are invited to submit one image.

• Deadline for submissions is Fri Nov 8th.
• Images must be in JPEG/JPG format and sized to a maximum width of 1920px, and max height 1080px.
• Name your image file your-name-image-title.jpg (for example, Ansel-Adams-Yosemite-Valley.jpg)
• Email your image file to pccupload@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.

Monday, November 18, 7pm · Two Breakout Sessions (in person meeting)

We will break into two groups:

• Mounting and Matting. Bill Shumaker will cover the archival qualities of the various materials, mat cutting using the Logan mat cutter, and assembly of the mounted print to professional standards and for use at the PCC, which is cheaper and faster.
• Work flow using the iPhone and iPad from creating the image to preparation for printing with Dick Sawyer. He will share his techniques for making images on the iPhone using Portrait mode and Photo mode with live view and other available tools in the Camera app. He will then share his editing process on the iPad beginning with selecting and organizing images and then walk through the editing tools he uses, including mobile Lightroom and Retouch, to prepare the image for print.

Monday, November 25, 7pm · Indoor Family Holiday Shots & Holiday Lights (in person meeting)

A relaxed evening. Bring 1 or 2 prints of holiday or other gatherings of family/friends photos you are willing to share and talk about the "backstory" of the photos and how they were or weren’t staged, the lighting conditions, camera used, settings/film (if remembered), and anything else you’d like to say about the images.

December

Monday, December 2, 7pm · Projected Image Competition (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  Competition Submission Guidelines:

• Deadline for submissions is Thur Nov 21st.
• Click here for details about rules regarding AI-generated content.
• One image per member. JPEG/JPG format only. Images should not exceed maximum width 1920px and maximum height 1080px.
• Digital matting is not allowed. A single white stroke around the image, or no stroke, are acceptable.
• Name your image file your-name-image-title.jpg (for example, Ansel-Adams-Yosemite-Valley.jpg)
• Email your image file to pccupload@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.

Photo Walks: Winter In Its Finest or Worst

Photo walk dates and locations to be announced.

Monday, December 9, 7pm · IMPORTANT NOTICE: ZOOM MEETING (not in person)  Guest Speaker: Gregory Rec (Zoom)

Due to the weather forecast, this meeting will be on Zoom (get link here), not in person. We will welcome the Portland Press Herald's Chief Photographer, Gregory Rec.

Gregory has worked at the Press Herald since 1997, photographing a wide range of subjects. He was twice embedded with Maine Army National Guard troops in Iraq. In 2004, he was named Journalist of the Year with columnist Bill Nemitz by the Maine Press Association for their work in Iraq. Visit him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gregoryrecpph/

Monday, December 16, 7pm · Members Favorite Slideshows (in person meeting)

An enjoyable evening of member slideshows from past years.

Slideshow Guidelines:

• Submission dates: submit your slideshow (i.e., use WeTransfer to send your .MP4 file) between Tue Dec 3 and not later than noon on Sat Dec 7.  Also you can submit your slideshow between Fri Dec 13 and noon on Sat Dec 14.
• Use WeTransfer (a free program) to send in your .MP4 file. When WeTransfer prompts you for a destination email, enter mleonard@maine.rr.com – Mike Leonard is collecting the slideshows for presentation at the meeting.
• Family appropriate content, please.
• Create (export) your slideshow as an .MP4 file (1080P at 30fps).
• Shows should be not longer than 4 minutes.
• Royalty Free or your own original music
• First "slide" should include the slideshow title and your name.
• After all of the image slides, add a slide that provides music attribution (song title, artist).
• The final slide should be a black slide. This will help with transitions from one slideshow to the next.

Monday, December 23 · Holiday Break – no meeting

Monday, December 30 · Holiday Break – no meeting

January

Monday, January 6, 7pm · High School Photography (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  Teachers and last year’s recipient of the Latimer-Hutchinson Scholarship will join us for a discussion about the photographic arts being taught in high schools.

Monday, January 13, 7pm · Let's Talk Printing Part 1 (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  A Presentation by Rob Smith on how to prepare an image file for printing, including sizing and resolution.

Monday, January 20, 7pm · Print Discussion Night (in person meeting)

We'll meet to discuss prints in an open, supportive way. Images are not judged or scored. All members are encouraged to bring in one print.

Monday, January 27, 7pm · Guest Speaker: Craig Shaknis – Antarctica (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  Landscape photographer Craig Shaknis will give a presentation on his trip to Antarctica. Visit Craig's website: craigshaknisphotography.com

February

February 2–28 · PCC Exhibit in Brunswick

An exhibit of 29 prints by PCC members will be on display at the Curtis Memorial Library (Brunswick's public library) in the Morrell Meeting Room. The library is located at 23 Pleasant St in Brunswick (map); phone 207-725-5242.

A reception for the exhibit is on Saturday, Feb 15, from 4-8pm.

Monday, February 3, 7pm · Projected Image Competition (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  Competition Submission Guidelines:

• Deadline for images: Thursday, Jan 23rd.
• Click here for details about rules regarding AI-generated content.
• One image per member. JPEG/JPG format only. Images should not exceed maximum width 1920px and maximum height 1080px.
• Digital matting is not allowed. A single white stroke around the image, or no stroke, are acceptable.
• Name your image file in the format your name-title.jpg, for example, Ansel-Adams-Winter-Storm-Yosemite.jpg
• Send your image file by email to pccupload@gmail.com (every entry receives a confirmation within 72 hrs).

Monday, February 10, 7pm · Guest Speaker: Shawn Carey – Iceland: Land of the Midnight Sun (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  In addition to majestic landscapes and waterfalls, Iceland is home to a wide variety of species, including razorbills, guillemots, phalaropes, terns and of course the puffin. In this presentation, you will visit two islands. First is Grimsey, the northern-most inhabited island off the mainland of Iceland. Nesting seabirds abound. From Grimsey we will travel to the island of Flatey, a real hidden gem for bird photographers and bird watchers alike.

Shawn Carey has been photographing birds and other wildlife for over 25 years. For 18 of those years, he has taught wildlife photography for Mass Audubon. Shawn is co-founder of Migration Productions, a team of audio visual specialists who create high quality media about birds and other natural history subjects. Visit https://migrationproductions.com

Monday, February 17, 7pm · Cropping & Sizing, and Black & White (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  A two-part presentation by Mike Leonard – Mike will demonstrate how to crop or resize an image (e.g., to 1920 x 1080), then Mike will demonstrate the best way to tip a color image to Black & White and why you should not just desaturate. If time allows, he will also demonstrate how to color a Black & White image using the Neural Filters.

Monday, February 24, 7pm · Member-submitted Winter Images (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  A discussion night viewing members' images of winter.

• Deadline for submissions is Sun Feb 23 at 6pm.
• Images must be in JPEG/JPG format and sized to a maximum width of 1920px, and max height 1080px.
• Name your image file your-name-image-title.jpg (for example, Ansel-Adams-Yosemite-Valley.jpg)
• Email your image file to pccupload@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.

March

Monday, March 3, 7pm · Projected Image Discussion (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  We'll discuss images in an open, supportive way. Images are not judged or scored. All members are encouraged to submit one image.

• Deadline for submissions is Fri Feb 28th.
• Images must be in JPEG/JPG format and sized to a maximum width of 1920px, and max height 1080px.
• Name your image file your-name-image-title.jpg (for example, Ansel-Adams-Yosemite-Valley.jpg)
• Email your image file to pccupload@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.

Monday, March 10, 7pm · Print Discussion Night (in person meeting)

We'll meet to discuss prints in an open, supportive way. Images are not judged or scored. All members are encouraged to bring in one print.

Monday, March 17, 7pm · Guest Speaker: Jack Montgomery (in person meeting)

(in person) Jack Montgomery is a fine art photographer working in portraits and landscapes. In recent years, Jack has used the photogravure process to create subtle, beautiful prints.

Visit Jack's website: www.jackmontgomeryphotography.com

Saturday, March 22 · Deadline: Print Submissions to the NECCC Print Individual Competition

The online entry form must be submitted by Mar 22 for the competition on Mar 29. The mailed-in prints must be received by Mar 22 also. If you choose to drop off your print(s) in person, bring the print(s) to the competition site, Greater Lynn Photographic Association Headquarters, between 9:30-10:30am on Mar 29. For all the competition details, click here.

Monday, March 24, 7pm · Member Slideshows (in person meeting)

(In-person meeting)  Always a popular, entertaining night of short slideshows by PCC members. Family, friends, anyone is welcome to join us to watch the shows. Submissions by members only.

Note: To watch a video about how to create a slideshow using Lightroom, click here. For a video about using WnSoft's PicturesToExe, click here.

Slideshow Guidelines:

• Submission dates: submit your slideshow (i.e., use WeTransfer to send your .MP4 file) by Monday, March 17th.
• Family appropriate content, please.
• Use WeTransfer (a free program) to send in your .MP4 file. When WeTransfer prompts you for a destination email, enter mleonard@maine.rr.com – Mike Leonard is collecting the slideshows for presentation at the meeting.
• Create (export) your slideshow as an .MP4 file (1080P at 30fps).
• Shows should be not longer than 4 minutes.
• Royalty Free or your own original music
• First "slide" should include the slideshow title and your name.
• After all of the image slides, add a slide that provides music attribution (song title, artist).
• The final slide should be a black slide. This will help with transitions from one slideshow to the next.

Monday, March 31, 7pm · Photographing Birds in Flight (in person meeting)

At this in person meeting, Mike Cullivan will give a presentation on photographing birds in flight.

Photo Walks: Spring In Its Finest and Worst

Photo Walk dates and locations to be announced.

April

Monday, April 7, 7pm · Projected Image Competition (in person meeting)

Submission Guidelines:

• Deadline for images: Thursday, March 27th.
• Rules and instructions for submitting your image are on the Competitions page.
• Send your image file by email to pccupload@gmail.com (every entry receives a confirmation within 72 hrs).

Monday, April 14, 7pm · B&W Print Discussion Night (in person meeting)

We'll meet to discuss black and white prints in an open, supportive way. Images are not judged or scored. All members are encouraged to bring in one B&W print.

Monday, April 21, 7pm · Member-submitted Spring Images (Zoom)

(Click here for Zoom meeting link)  A discussion night viewing members' images of springtime.

• Deadline for submissions is Friday Apr 18.
• Images must be in JPEG/JPG format and sized to a maximum width of 1920px, and max height 1080px.
• Name your image file your-name-image-title.jpg (for example, Ansel-Adams-Yosemite-Valley.jpg)
• Email your image file to pccupload@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.

Monday, April 28, 7pm · Infrared Photography (in person meeting)

At this in person meeting, Knapp Hudson will give a presentation on infrared photography. Knapp writes: the purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of digital infrared photography (IR). You will learn about the differences between near-infrared and far-infrared light, the options for infrared filters, how to begin, camera conversion services, equipment concerns, and the fundamental principles of processing an IR file. This is not a training session on shooting and processing IR. I will not cover the creation of an infrared aesthetic through software or shooting IR film.

May

Monday, May 5, 7pm · One Shot Competition (in person meeting)

Join this classic, fun challenge. For all details, go to the One Shot page. Deadline for entries is Mon Apr 21.

Monday, May 12, 7pm · PCC Annual Business Meeting (in-person meeting)

Tonight's in-person meeting will begin with the club's annual business, including the Treasurer’s report as well as the election of Club Officers and Executive Board members for next year.

Important  The rest of the meeting will be a facilitated discussion to review the past year—what worked, what would you like to see done differently next year?

Monday, May 19 ·PCC End-of-year Celebration (in-person)

Come and celebrate the end of the 2024-25 season of the camera club.

• Doors open at 5:45, happy hour from 6:00-6:30, dinner at 6:30.
• Dinner is pot luck and a covered dish to share will be the price of admission. If your last name begins with:
  A - F please bring an appetizer
  G - M please bring a main dish
  N - R please bring a salad or side dish
  S - Z please bring a dessert.
• We will supply power strips & extension cords for crock pots. We also have full use of the hall's kitchen so some food can be kept warm in ovens.
• We will supply plates, plastic ware and Solo cups.
• After dinner and a short club program we will welcome our guest speaker, Michele MacDonald, former head of the Portland Press Herald photography department.
• There will be a cash bar for those interested.
• Note: If you are planning on coming, please contact Sharon Roberts at membership.pcc.slr@gmail.com . Include your name & how many people will attend.

Summer 2025

The Summer Print Challenge!

For this summer's Print Challenge, the theme is a town: Bath, Maine. Visit Bath this summer and do some shooting. In September at our first club meeting, bring in a print of your favorite Bath image shot over this summer. The maker of the no. 1 print will win a free year's membership in the Portland Camera Club!

To learn more about Bath, click here for visitbath.com

The club doesn't hold meetings in June, July or August. See you in September!