Image Conscious

Spring Hill Camera Club selects its finest at its annual End of Year photography competition.

It’s often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s the case, then the Spring Hill Camera Club is worth billions. Formed way back in the mid-80s, the club continues to be a valuable source for photo enthusiasts to the present day.

The club is a healthy and vibrant community of about two dozen, and home for photographers of all skill levels – whether taking shots with cell phones or featuring their work in MoMA or some other prestigious art gallery — the club is where they can come together and learn from each other.

Club President Paul Johnson said, “We hold two meetings a month on the 2nd and 4th Mondays; The 2nd Monday is when we conduct our business meeting and the 4th is when we get to enjoy the real work of photography with workshops and Photoshop instruction,” he said.

A longtime member of the club, and president for the past two years, he added, “Tonight though is special. It’s our annual end-of-year competition and we have invited three professional photographers to judge the entries.”

The invited judges were Emilio “Sonny” Vergara, author and photographer, former chairman of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, former executive of SWFMD and former USMC aviator; John Salter, an award-winning, published photographer and photography teacher; and Jim Sykes, an award-winning freelance photographer and teacher. He operates from his studio in Ybor City and leads guided photography tours in the American Southwest and other locations in the US several times a year.

Competitions Chairman Steve Zimic explained that the club uses a lightbox to display the entries and the judges will consider a range of technical considerations such as exposure, sharpness, color and contrast. “The judges will also consider the form and feel of an image, the presentation, and the composition before selecting the finalists,” he said.

Tonight, as members arrive for their Annual End of Year Competition, the club has an air of welcoming energy, inviting all to join and share their love for photography. Members can present their photographs for constructive.

“Everyone here tonight all share a passion for photography and we’re eager to welcome novice photographers to professionals,” said Joan LoBianco. “We think our club brings people together to share a love of not just photography, but of closely observing the world around them.”

Joan was joined by her husband Bill LoBianco, also a club member. “I’m looking forward to seeing some great photography tonight,” he said. “There will be some spectacular shots of Florida wildlife, fauna, portraiture and landscapes from other parts of the US,” he said.

“This is the night when everyone brings in their prints and digital images to be judged and win awards,” said club member JoanLoBianco.

Club member Nancy Lester agreed. She was there hoping for a win with her two entries. “This is the night we see the best of our best,” said Nancy. “My husband, Bill, is a member also.”

The club holds competitions throughout the year — on the second meeting of each month from January through October for a total of up to 10 competitions culminating with the end-of-year competition in November. In addition, the club organizes frequent workshops focusing on specific photography techniques, such as portraiture, landscape, night photography, or post-processing skills using software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.

“An upcoming event will be our annual Scavenger Hunt from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. , on Saturday, Dec. 7, Club Treasurer, Mike Mosher said. “We meet at the Aviation Flea Market on Spring Hill Drive and it’s a fun opportunity for keen photographers to capture diverse subjects and improve their camera skills in different environments.”

“Tonight’s competition is incredibly significant for us, and I’m thrilled to see so many members submitting their images,” Club President Paul Johnson said. “I hope the community is as excited as we are about the remarkable photography being showcased. We not only want to share the art of photography but also encourage others to take up the art of photography,” he added.