Berrien Springs Camera Club

The Berrien Springs Camera Club will open its new season on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Berrien Springs Community Library at Cass and Union. The club’s season runs from September through June each year, with programs alternating between an informative presentation about some aspect of photography, and a competition open to members.

            The September meeting will provide an opportunity for the members themselves to critique each other’s images. Each is invited to submit up to five digital images, taken during the past year, for projection and critique as time allows. The critiquing will be a group activity, nonjudgmental but thinking out loud how each picture might be improved. The 2014-2015 season began this way, and members found it enjoyable and helpful.

            Anyone who plans to join the club that evening may submit their five images by following instructions on the club’s blog site, http://berrienspringscameraclub.blogspot.com/

            Programs for November, January, and March will be as follows:

            November 4: Member Suzanne McDonough will give instructions on matting.

            January 6: Member Ted Post will share, through videos, tips on digital enhancement.

March 2: A look at what’s new in photographic equipment.

            In competition months members can submit up to 10 digitally projected images and up to 10 prints for judging, following guidelines on the blog. Awards are given for the top projected images and prints. Acceptable topics always include Nature (nothing domesticated or showing evidence of mankind) and Open (anything), plus two special topics each month. The special topics for each competition month this year are:

            Oct. 7: Water; What Is It?

            Dec. 2: Macro; 25+ Years of Age

            Feb. 3: Alphabet; Motion

            Apr. 6: Bridges; Mechanics and Industry

            The May 4 meeting is for final judging of the year's acceptances, when 3 judges will select the top 10 projected images and prints of the year, and the June 1 end-of-season meeting will include a potluck meal at 6:30 and a show from the year's acceptances.

            Club officers this year are:

            President—Jill Kline Dodge 

            Treasurer—Ted Post

            Vice President for Judges—Jim Lynch

            Vice President for Publicity—Madeline Johnston 

            Vice Presidents for Digital Projection/Blog/Facebook—Suzanne Anderson and Tom McDonough

            The public is welcome to attend and enjoy the competitions. Annual membership fees are $10 for students, $25 for other individuals, or $35 per family. Refreshments are served at each meeting.