The Image Maker
for Ontario Leaders in Photography Education
Reminder - Tomorrow is the AGM and Rep Meeting (Info below)
Volume 2023-5: May 26, 2023
A Message from the O3C President
Social media is such a big part of our lives. At this point, the O3C supports our member clubs and all individual members through 4 social media avenues:
O3C Website (https://o3c.ca/)
First, I want to thank Doug Sluys, of the Oshawa Camera Club, for filling the role of O3C Webmaster for the past 9 seasons. Doug certainly put in his time on the O3C staff, but has had to step aside due to a busy work and personal schedule.
Fortunately for us, another OCC club member recently put up his hand to replace Doug. You’ll see the results of Ryan Hammond’s expertise as we work to update the website. Besides being the source for all things O3C, we’re glad to post your clubs’ events, so send your graphics to webmaster@o3c.ca.
The Image Maker
Our E-newsletter was introduced earlier this year as a way for us to communicate O3C activities to the member clubs, but it quickly grew into a way for clubs to advertise their upcoming events to the whole O3C community. As the by-line on our website reads, you can “Catch up on local O3C Club News & Events with our E-Newsletter”.
If you’d like to promote a club event, contribute an article for the newsletter or introduce your club, get in touch with the Editor, Jennifer Shoniker, at education@o3c.ca.
O3C Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1417451565455688)
Our Facebook Group was created in January, as a private group available to all O3C club members. As I write this article, we have 177 members in the Group. Check it out, and if you would like to join, just click on ‘join’, read the rules and, most important, show your club affiliation - your request will be declined, if you don’t. Also, please note that you have to be a Facebook member to join the Group.
We are very pleased to see that several clubs are taking advantage of our FB Group to promote their events.
NOTE: You may have been following the public O3C Facebook page or used it to post your events or photos. It has been removed, so is no longer available. The Group is the sole O3C Facebook presence.
We haven’t had much action on Instagram yet; however, if you’re an Instagram member and would like to your photos to appear, include #o3cphoto in your hashtags.
I think you’ll agree that we’ve come a long way with social media, but we’re anxious to add to what we’ve already accomplished. If you’re interested in making a difference in the Ontario photography community, please consider joining the O3C staff as the Social Media Manager. Contact Bharat Mistry, our Information Director, at pastpresident@o3c.ca or me at president@o3c.ca.
All the best,
Leif Petersen
A Report from the Travel Day Seminar on April 22
After a couple of months of planning, several conversations between the O3C and our travel partner (Photo Tour Trekkers), contacting speakers, securing a venue with the help of the Toronto Digital Photographic Club, not to mention the finger-crossing and the nervous gnashing of teeth, I am very pleased to report that, according to many very positive comments throughout the day and feedback since, the Travel Day Seminar was a total success.
Don Morrison, of the Scarborough Camera Club, shared with me that “This was my first OCC event and I was thoroughly impressed.”. He went on to comment on the “wonderful breadth of topics”, “first rate, expert speakers”, the program flow and “superb” management of time. Thanks very much for the feedback, Don.
June West, of the Etobicoke club, agreed: “I thoroughly enjoyed seeing people again.” and “I also persuaded a new ECC member to attend and had a chance to chat with her. She made it to round three in the competition. The speakers were excellent and the draw was an unexpected bonus.” Thanks for your comments, June.
Highlights of the day:
• 62 attendees
• 38 entries in the photo competition
• 3 speakers
• Excellent photography
• Great information
• Lots of enthusiasm
• Information on the exciting tours!
Several people arrived at the Edithvale Community Centre early and quickly began setting up chairs, tables, the screen, etc. – Irv, Sharon, Nick, Sharad, Harvey, Bharat, John, Rob, James. Oshawa Camera Club members, Bob Wilson and Glenn Saunders, didn’t hesitate to take on the job of checking the attendees in at the door. Thanks to everyone who helped and my apologies to anyone I’ve missed.
Attendees were treated to coffee, tea and muffins before we kicked the meeting off with James Cowie describing his family’s long involvement in the photography business, to his progression through retail to owner of Photo Tour Trekkers and our partner in the O3C Photo Tour program. His presentation on what members can expect on our exciting tours was enjoyed by all.
Following the break, professional Newmarket photographer, Ron Clifford, presented us with his perspective on capturing the characteristics of landscapes. Ron’s presentation style, his photography and his approach to landscape photography were very well received. I, for one, appreciated his inclusion of water and skies in his photographs.
After lunch, multi-career, multi-talented Toronto photographer, Jim Chung, presented his approach to astrophotography. It was refreshing to learn that this form of photography can be enjoyed without having to take out a mortgage for specialized equipment…although there is that option. Some knowledge, dark skies, warm clothes and lots of patience will take you a long way to exploring this fun, rewarding form of photography.
James returned as our final speaker giving us tips on wildlife photography and the equipment needed if you plan to sign up for next year’s photo tours to Costa Rica, Antarctica or Africa.
Then the photo competition. Thanks to our 3 judges – Harvey Rogers (RHCC), John Allman (TDPC) and Randy Nickerson (OCC). They provided us with interesting, informative and amusing commentary as they worked their way through the 38 entries using an in/out judging approach. The final result:
• 1st place: ‘Sunset on the Chobe River’ - Mazna Almutawa, Mississauga Camera Club
• 2nd place: ‘Extreme Cold Science’ - Cheryl Goff, Oshawa Camera Club
• 3rd place: ‘View from the Quiraing’ - Sharon Janushewski, Oshawa Camera Club
• Mazna was excited to win the $1,000 Photo Tour Trekkers gift certificate toward a future O3C photo tour. Being an avid wildlife photographer, I’m sure she’ll cash that in very soon.
• Cheryl and Sharon each won a Henry’s gift card, $50 and $25 respectively.
We wrapped the day up with several door prizes.
Having said all of that, I also have to say that the best thing about the day was being together face-to-face, meeting old friends and new ones. After 3 years of on-line meetings, speakers’ presentations and viewing images online, it was fantastic and refreshing to be together.
You can be sure that we will plan future similar events featuring interesting speakers, educational topics, photo competitions, etc. Stay tuned for more information in The Image Maker, the O3C Facebook Group, the O3C website and your club’s announcements and email blasts.
If you weren’t able to attend Travel Day, but are interested in learning more about the exciting trips coming up, click on the top banner on the O3C website home page (https://o3c.ca/). While you’re there, check out the photos from the Travel Day Seminar.
Leif Petersen
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
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O3C Upcoming Events
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O3C Rep Meeting and AGM
Our last O3C Rep Meeting of the season is TOMORROW, Saturday, May 27th. Note that this is also the AGM.
Links to the Agenda and the Director and Manager AGM reports were sent out previously, but can be found by following the link to the last edition of the O3C Focus, HERE.
In order to save time, the individual reports will not be read during the meeting, so please review the reports ahead of time and prepare any questions or comments for discussion. I will present the President's report on Saturday.
Please note that, since our Treasurer is on an extended European vacation until the end of May, he has not been able to access his files to prepare the financial statements. He is trying his best to get them to me prior to the meeting; however, if he is not able to get it done in time, I will send them out as soon as I get them.
Join Zoom Meeting: Saturday May 27th, 2023. The meeting will open at 8:45 AM for a 9:00 start.
ZOOM Link Removed
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
About Us
Email: education@o3c.ca
Website: o3c.ca
Phone: 6133894162
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/o3cfbgroup/