Keeping Our Promise

by John Buck

The CCB board of directors has dedicated this year to educating our members in all thingsphotographic. This decision includes extensive review and critique sessions via zoom, informational workshops, tutorials, local and regional field trips, a line-up of terrific speakers, and a deep dive into the effectiveness of our redesigned newsletter format and website. Whew! Let’s take a closer look at each of these measures:

Competition Critiques and Reviews

Finding competent judges for photo contests is very difficult, and this year we are upping our game in regards to photographic feedback. Each April, July and October the monthly photo contest theme is designated as “Open + Creative”. Anything goes in this competition, with the added category of “Creative” where altered photos are accepted. These contests usually have a lot of entries. This year we have solicited three professional photo critics to review and comment on our Open category entries. The
judges are FCCC trained or have extensive experience in judging photographic work. Their comments on all entries will be shared a couple weeks after the monthly meeting, allowing ample time for review. The Creative category will not be reviewed. The decision to have professional judges significantly upgrades and legitimizes our Class A and Class B Open competitions.

What about the other months? I’m glad you asked. We are offering a discussion via ZOOM of contest entries in the months not professionally critiqued. These online reviews are moderated by Gordon Elwell and are scheduled for two days after the monthly meeting. This is your opportunity to learn what you may have done to make a better image and to comment and share thoughts on other entries. The photos are anonymous and all entries will be available for discussion. Please bear in mind no AI generated visuals are allowed in any of our competitions.

Informational Workshops

Each year CCB member Chuck Palmer hosts a very popular Lightroom module workshop. If there is interest in a Photoshop or other editing software, please contact me. Are you interested in Artificial Intelligence in photographic work? We have an opportunity for a workshop on this subject if there is ample interest. I am hosting two workshops in the coming months; a location portrait workshop with models, and one in Cocoa village or Eau Gallie where I demonstrate the process of finding a photo subject. These workshops are a great opportunity for you to learn from more experienced photographers, and with the exception of model fees for the portrait workshop, are free of charge.

Field Trips

Director Jake Anderson, with the help of several other CCB members, has provided a schedule of both regional and local field trips where we meet as a group, take 1000’s of photos, have lunch and basically learn better photography in a relaxing and fun location. Field trips are a marvelous way to connect and socialize with other club members. Check out our website for details on future field trips. Thanks Jake!

Monthly Presentations & Speakers

So far this year we have been entertained by awesome member slide shows with music, learned the intricacies and science of astrophotography and were once again gobsmacked by incredible photography by my friend and south Florida photographer George Kamper. On the schedule is jungle photography by member Stephen Blythe, an insight to the capture process by me, Colorado-based photographer Cole Thompson, macro photography by Mike Moats, member videos with Richard Thomson, Jack Rogers on photographing birds, and our own Joseph Brunjes with black and white photography. I must thank director Stuart Landman for assembling this spectacular lineup of
presenters. Amazing!

Communications

Leah Caflisch, guided by Chuck Palmer, is our new webmaster and has patiently listened to a whole lot of input from the board regarding website changes and improvements. Our goal is make our website the hub of the CCB communication wheel. Our website (ccbrevard.org) is in constant flux as information is added or changed. Try it. You’ll like it!
Communications Director Deb Colangelo is an expert on internet analytics and she has applied her experience in taking a close look at what specific sections of our website viewers click on and how long they stay engaged. This information will tell us what interests website visitors and ultimately what changes we should make in order to have a more efficient website. Actually this is way too complicated for me, so seek out Deb at the next meeting and she’ll explain it to you in detail, and with a smile!

Here’s the thing. We’re trying hard. We want you to be better photographers. We’re open to ideas. I must say I am so proud of the help I receive with the current board of directors. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of volunteers that make our club such a terrific value. I hope you agree.

Click away,
John