Newsletter of the Westchester Photographic Society - WPS

From the Presidents Messy DeskH i everybody, and Happy, andExtremely Healthy New Year. Weare coming close to the electiontime again. It is amazing how timeflies. It seems like yesterday thatwe had the last elections, when Iwas elected to the board and hadthe pleasure and distinguishedhonor to become the club’s presidentand program director. Thefact that we always have goodattendance, even in bad weatherconditions, and even when wehave to travel from rather faraway, makes me realize that wedo something right. That’s thanksto the board, the many volunteerswho do so many duties, and theenthusiasm, and love of photographyof our members.Notice for Mail Recipients ofinFocusCurrent and past issuesmay be retrieved atwww.wpsphoto.org/Newsletters.htmIndividuals with special needs, or those who cannotaccess the on-line version, are asked to contact theInFocus Editor at P.O. Box 93 Larchmont, NY 10538.inFocusNow AcceptsAdvertisingOn the web, seewww.wpsphoto.org/AdvertisingRates.htmCover photo:Winter Scene Mohonkby Rose Ann KimmelAnd speaking about volunteers,even though all of them deserve abig “thank you,” I wish to mentionone particular person, only becausewe don’t see him often at theclub, but who has worked silentlybehind the scenes throughout theyears, helping Lois Barker hangingour shows. This is John Maccanello.Because he doesn’t come thatoften to our meetings, I am surethat many of our new membersdon’t even know who he is.Many of us give to the club, while,at the same time, also benefit fromit. John, most of the time, onlygives. Thank you, John.I attended the opening of our “APlace to Dream” exhibit at theCancer Center in Mt. Kisco onJanuary 16. What a beautiful show,and what fantastic talents we havein our club. No wonder that thehospital wants us to continue tohold exhibits there.The prez, ManoContact InformationDear readers:Your comments and suggestions are alwayswelcome and should be addressed as follows:If concerning the WPS Newsletter,In Focus, address comments to theeditor at infocus@wpsphoto.org.If concerning our website, address comments toour webmaster, Dick Budnik,at webmaster@wpsphoto.org.All other comments should beaddressed to our President, Mano Orel,at mano22@optonline.net.COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Unless specifically notedherein, all images and articles are copyrighted bytheir respective authors. Clip-art is used under licensefrom Microsoft Corporation and other sources.This publication is copyrighted property of theWestchester Photographic Society (WPS) and maynot be reprinted in whole or in part without itsexpressed written permission, with the usual exceptionsfor fair use as defined by §107 of the U.S.Copyright code.inFocusRon Carran, EditorDick Budnik, Web editionWPS Board of DirectorsDick BudnikChairman of the BoardWebMasterMano OrelPresidentProgram DirectorCharles KoenigExecutive Vice President, Treasurer &Corporate SecretaryAlbert TangRecording Secretary, Assistant TreasurerLois BarkerExhibits Chair, Guest Book, Host ChairRon CarranNewsletter EditorWalter KimmelCompetition ChairJoe PollockCollege Shooting Program, WCC CoordinatorWarren RosenbergField TripsVolunteersRose Ann KimmelCompetitionsElinor Stecker-OrelWPS Official PhotographerRoger ChenaultHiring JudgesCharlotte RodziewiczPublicityJanet King & Marty BernsteinHospitalityRobert BlumenthalDonations CoordinatorSherm ShiaoEquipment CoordinatorJonathan KaplanEquipment, ProjectionistCommitteesHost/Hostess CommitteeLois Barker, Deborah CohenHospitality CoordinatorsJanet King & Marty BernsteinCompetition Evaluation CommitteeDick Budnik, Lois Barker,Elinor Stecker-Orel, Harvey Augenbraunnewsletter: infocus@wpsphoto.orgwww.wpsphoto.orgWestchester Photographic Societymeets 12 months a year, on Friday eveningsat 8:00 pm (excepting school holidays) in theTechnology Building of Westchester CommunityCollege, Valhalla, NY (across from parking lot #11).Guests are welcome.2 Jan/Feb 2010

Museums, Exhibits and Events of NoteWPS Group ExhibitsCancer Treatment andWellness CenterNorthern Westchester Hospital“A Place to Dream”Exhibit: Jan 12 - Jun, 2010Drop off: Jan 11, 2010, 10 amReception: Jan 16, 3-5 pmMount Kisco LibraryExhibit: Feb 1 - 26Hang: Feb 1, 10 amTake down: Feb 27, 11 amJCC of Mid-Westchester“All About Water”Exhibit: Feb 15-Mar 25Hang: Feb 15, 2010, 10 amTake down: Mar 26, 11 amGroup photo trip to SpainManhattan MiniatureCamera ClubApril 10-17, 2010Price: $1,500(includes everything but airfare)Food, drinks (plus wine), guides,accommodations, airport transfers,etc. are all included!Guided photo oriented trip to the beautifulmountainous region of SouthernSpain focusing on spring flowers, thesurrounding countryside and charmingMoorish white washed villages.Please check out our website formore information:http://mmcc-nyc.org/images/Robyn-SpainShow/RESpain/RobynSpainShow/RobynSpainShow.htmlThank you to John Maccanellofor his help in hanging theCancer Center exhibit.LoisWPS Member ExhibitsEssential VisionJane Castorina GordonPamona ultural Center584 Rt. 306, Pamona, NYExhibit: Dec 6, 2009 - Jan 16, 2010Reception: Dec 6, 5-8 pmHours: Fri-Sun, 2-6 pmCityscapes/Innerscapes IIWalter KimmelLarchmont LibraryFeb 2 - 27, 2010Westchester MuseumsNeuberger Museum of Art(www.neuberger.org)Photographs CollectionHudson River Museum(www.hrm.org)Permanent Photo CollectionWestchester Community CollegeExhibition “Luminous Beauty”Portrait photos of famous women by photojournalistand celebrity photographer TonyVaccaro. This show will consist of over 50 photographsthat Tony has taken over the past40+ years, of famous women, for magazinesincluding Life, Look, Travel & Leisure, ReadersDigest, Signature, Flair and also for manyinternational publications.More information on the show and the receptionis on the New Rochelle Council on TheArts web page at www.dolice.con/NRCA, anda copy of our media release for the show, alisting of some of the photos in the exhibitionand a recnt interview with Tony by a New YorkCity magazine can be found at http://www.dolice.com/RELEASEFINAL0207.pdfWPS MemberInformationKeep your contact informationup to date. Send updated emailaddresses, telephone numbers andmailing addresses toCharlie@wpsphoto.orgWPS will post a link to yourpersonal photographic website.See http://www.wpsphoto.org/Links.htm and then contactwebmaster@wpsphoto.orgNew York City MuseumsMetropolitan Museum(www.metmuseum.org)CollectionsMuseum of Modern Art(www.moma.org)Irving Penn, 1917-2009OngoingInternational Center for Photography(www.icp.org)All 10.2 - 1/17/2010Dress Codes: The Third ICPTriennial of Photography and VideoJohn Wood: Quiet Protest10/2/09 - 1/17/10Dress Codes: The Third ICP Triennial ofPhotography and Video1/17/10 - 5/9/10Twilight Visions: Surrealism,Photography, and ParisMuseum of the City of New York(www.mcny.org)Only in New York:Photographs From Look Magazine11/17 through 1/18/2010Legacy: The Preservation of Wildernessin New York City Parks10/9/09 through 3/21/2010aperture foundation(www.aperture.org)Many different photo exhibitions,special and ongoingFor more information, seeThe City of New York, Mayor’sOffice of Film, Theaterand Broadcasting.http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/index/index.shtmlGallery GuidesPhotography Galleries, NYChttp://art-support.com/galleries_ny.htmhttp://www.photography-guide.comhttp://www.aipad.com/members/?sort=city4 Jan/Feb 2010

FeatureBen EdelmanImmediately upon meeting BennettEdelman, a couple of years after joiningWPS, I was taken by his wry, insightfuland playful humor. As I got to know himover the years, learning that he was oneof Tony Gezirjian’s cohorts in creatingour photo club, loves photojournalismand is one of the kindest people in theworld, he became a friend. Recently, ashe was busy packing up his apartmentto move to Wisconsin, he invited melook at his photos. Out came severalboxes containing beautiful, poignantand humorous photos as well as astatement on his view of humor he’dwritten for one of his exhibits. We feltBen’s last month in Westchester should becommemorated with that statement andsome of his favorite humorous photos…at least those his grandchildren haven’ttaken possession of! Ben hopes you themenjoy today as much as members in thepast have done!!Deborah Lea CohenOne Man’s HumorHuman predicament is a fact of life as likelyto be experiences as birth, death andtaxes. To treat this disease and its agonizingsymptoms man developed laughter as anantidote. To produce laughter he createdhumor and wit.So, the fact that humor and wit is aliveand well and present in the psyche of nearlyevery person on this occupied planet is dueto its valuable contribution to health andwell-being. So essential is laughter to thealleviation of stress and strain that life cannotconceivably do without it. Humor existsbecause of these conditions and because iteffects its catharsis.Why we need and benefit from laughterhas been a subject of serious investigation bypsychiatrists, psychologists, anthropologists,sociologists, philosophers, writers, artists, andeven merchants of entertainment. Its historyhas been hypothesized about its origins in theearly times of the cave dwellers. As a resultwe have some understanding of its naturebut much remains to be unraveled. Theproblem is that it is difficult to make seriousassertions about what is funny. It has beenwell established that what is funny to somepeople is not a laughing matter to others.This contradiction will become evident to theviewer of this exhibition and is the reason forits title.Those who have a “sense of humor”similar to this photographer’s are remindedthat “silence is golden” in a library for itsmany good books on the subject. Study (andenjoyment) of these books should inevitablylead to a new “lease on life”. Then return andreview this show once again for a response…even a smile will do.No text or explanation is attended tothese photographs (nor is any necessary)vand no offense is intended to anyone or anygroup. The purpose behind this omission isto play down thepossibility of theexistence of somedegree of ridiculeor even hostilityin their content….reactions that areinevitable giventhe enervationforces present in acomplex society.Commentsboth humorousand less thanhumorous arewelcome. Please use the register bookprovided for that purpose.Bennett EdelmanBen would like to donate his enlarger tosomeone in the class or club. If you areinterested, please call him at 914-793-3853.The enlarger comes with:• Magnifier• Film proofer• Printer easel and filters• Prints negatives up to 2.25” x2.25”• Mounting boards• Assorted trays, tubs, pails• Printing paper 11” x 14”6 Jan/Feb 2010

Field TripKung Hay Fat Choy ! Year of the Tiger !!February Field Trip—Chinese Lunar New Year CelebrationChinese New Year is the most celebrated festivity in the Chinese calendar. The NewYear falls on Sunday 2/14/2010, Valentine’s Day. The year 4078 will be the year of the Tiger,a ferocious year with plenty of big ups and downs especially for people born under the Zodiacof the Tiger - 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998. They are forces hard to keepup. The year may look good on the outside, but the economy and life quality still leaveplenty to be desired. We will make it through the year of the Tiger working together.Chinese New Year celebration is very colorful both visually in decorations, and activitiesin parades and performing arts, all signifying new time and fresh energy. The annualChina Town Parade ( 2/21/10 this year ) is great to watch but usually extremely crowdedmaking photography not only difficult but also dangerous. The best day to capture thecolors and activities is on Chinese New Year day - Sunday, 2/14/10, when pedestrians canstroll down the major streets in China Town with no worry of traffic and get up-close and“ personal “ with the Lion Dance performers. Chinese children in their traditional colorfulnew year costumes are great subjects for photography.I will be leading a field trip to China Town on Chinese New Year’s day. We will meetat StarBucks Coffee ( near corner of Center and Canal street ) at 10:00am. Memberswish to come are requested to e-mail me with their cell phone numbers on/before Wed,2/10/2010. This helps me to make lunch arrangement, and get connected in the event thatwe are separated in the crowd.The itinerary is as follows :10:00am Meet up at StarBucks Coffee10:15am Start out10:30am Buddhist or Toaist Temple or both11:00am Street shooting12:00pm Lunch - Chinese Dim-Sum1:00pm Street shooting3:00pm Field trip ends. Members can stay on to do more shooting on their own.See photo gallery (right) of Chinese New Year 2008 - 2009 :Caution: When you are going to crowded places, it is best to leave you money and valuablesat home. Travel light and bring only the essentials, and dress appropriately for theweather. The objective is to enjoy the festivity. Hope to see many of you there.Sincerely,Albert Tangamktang238@aol.comMembership BenefitWe are happy to unce a new benefit to our Members. Our sponsor, Mutual ofOmaha/Companion Life Insurance Company, has the ability to discount up to20% on some of their insurance plans such as Disability, Long Term Care andCritical Illness as benefit to our Members. These Association Products withenhanced benefits or preferential rates are not available to the general public.Life, health, retirement, and annuity plans are also available to our Members.Please contact Albert Tang for more information.Email amktang238@aol.com Cell (914) 345-9782Jan/Feb 2010 7

CompetitionJoyce BlumenthalRobert BlumenthalWalter KimmelWalter KimmelJoyce BlumenthalJane Murray8 Jan/Feb 2010

CompetitionAlbert TangRobert BlumenthalCOMPETITIONRESULTSRegular Competition #2BDec. 4, 2009—B&W/PrintsJudge: Chuck PineDigital Projector—B&W1st J. Blumenthal, R. Blumenthal, W. Kimmel2nd W. Kimmel3rd J. Blumenthal, J. Murray, A. TangHM R. Blumenthal, A. RainePrints—B&W1st J. Gordon, A. Raine2nd A. Raine, A. Raine3rd R. Baron, J. Gordon, R. KudelkaHM R. BaronAnn RainePrints—Color B1st A. Raine2nd R. Kudelka, A. Raine, A. Raine, F. Shapiro3rd J. Ferreira, J. FerreiraHM S. MigdalPrints—Color A & Salon1st Z. Kuo, A. Tang2nd R. Baron, J, Gordon, R. Kimmel, R. Kimmel,W. Kimmel, A. Tompkins3rd D. ThorntonHM J. Gordon, R. Kimmel, Z. Kuo, D. ThorntonPrints—Open Mind1st A. Tang2nd J. Gordon3rd J. GordonHM A. TangJobo PhotoGPSby Jonathan Lawton—Hunt’s Photo & VideoOver the last few years, geotagging photos has become increasinglypopular among photographers. Geotagging is the process of attachinggeographical information, such as the longitude and latitude, to photographswhen taken. Although the geotag capability has been around for years, onlyuntil recently has the size and usability changed. In the past, geotaggingrequired carrying a bulky GPS receiver and then manually attaching thecoordinates after photographing. This laborious task was typically executedonly by serious enthusiasts and professionals.Thankfully, Jobo has made the process of geotagging more user-friendlywith their newly released PhotoGPS receiver. The device is compact, lightweight(2.7 x .8 x 1.7 inches), and designed to be mounted on the hotshoe ofany camera.The PhotoGPS allows the photographer to take photos as usual; wheneverthe shutter button is pressed, the receiver automatically captures yourgeographical coordinates. That information is saved to the device’s internalmemory. Later when downloading your images to your computer, alsoconnect the PhotoGPS receiver to download the GPS data. After running thePhotoGPS software, each photo will be tagged with its GPS coordinates aswell as other important information such as country name, state, city, postalcode, street name, and nearby points of interest.The PhotoGPS helps you easilyorganize and archive your photosby geographical location. Anothergreat advantage of geotagging is theability to see the exact location on amap where your photos were takenwhen using websites such as Flickrand Google Earth. The PhotoGPS isa great device to add to your camerabag. Whether you are a professional photographer with thousands of pictureto organize or an enthusiast looking for an interesting way to display yourvacation photos on a map, the Jobo PhotoGPS is an invaluable tool.The Jobo PhotoGPS includes, the receiver, a USB cable, user’s manual, a CD-ROM featuring PhotoGPS matching software for Geocoding.Jon Lawton is a sales associate at Hunt’s Photo and Video in Melrose, MA. He is a 2003graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he studied photojournalism.He operates a photography business, specializing in wedding and portrait photography.(www.jonathanlawton.com)If you have any questions on the Jobo PhotoGPS or any other photo related topic, feelfree to contact me at jlawton@wbhunt.com, or at the store at 1-800-221-1830.Jan/Feb 2010 9

CompetitionJune Shihoten Ann Raine MJ Wilson Deborah CohenEdwin Melliza Marty Bernstein Jennifer DooleyJoyce BlumenthalRobert Blumenthal Warren Rosenberg Zane Kuo Frank MalliaJackie Ross Lois Barker Walter Kimmel Robert Baron10 Jan/Feb 2010

CompetitionLorri Freedman Edie Rosenstrach Robert Baron Walter KimmelJanet King Lorri Freedman Lorri Freedman Jane GordonRobert BlumenthalWalter KimmelWalter KimmelAnn RaineCOMPETITIONRESULTSRegular Competition #3AJan 8, 2010—DigitalJudge: Phil EchoDigital Projector—Color B1st J. Shihoten2nd A. Raine3rd MJ. WilsonHM D. Cohen, E. MellizaDigital Projector—Color A1st M. Bernstein, J. Dooley2nd J. Blumenthal, R. Blumenthal, W. Rosenberg3rd Z. KuoHM F. Mallia, J. RossDigital Projector—Color Salon1st L. Barker2nd W. Kimmel3rd R. Baron, L. Freedman, E. RosenstrachHM R. Baron, W. Kimmel, J. KingDigital Projector—Open Mind1st L. Freedman2nd L. Freedman, J. Gordon3rd R. Blumenthal, W. Kimmel, W. KimmelHM A. RaineJan/Feb 2010 11

inFocusThe Newsletter of theWestchester Photographic SocietyRon Carran, editorc/o Robert BaronP.O. Box 93Larchmont, NY 10538-0093Sponsors of the Westchester Photographic Society*Ask for your discount from sponsors marked with asterisksAdvance Photo Labs 693-0778*909 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley, NY 10502www.myphotocenter.comCentral Seafood Restaurant 683-1611285 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale, NY 10530Color Group 769-8484*168 Saw Mill Rd. Hawthorne, NY 10532-1505http://colorgroup.comJake’s Art Center 668-0230*150 North MacQuesten Pkwy., Mt. Vernon, NY 10550Eastchester Photo Service 961-6596*132 Fisher Ave., Eastchester, NY 10709Fuji Photo Film555 Taxter Rd., Elmsford, NY 10523Hunts Camera 1-800-924-8682100 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176-6104www.huntsphotoandvideo.comThompson’s Art Supply*184 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10601Charlie KoenigMamiya America Corporation 347-33008 Westchester Plaza, Elmsford, NY 10523www.mamiya.comNikon, Inc1300 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3064www.nikonusa.comPDK Labs 777-2477*83 Calvert St., Harrison, NY 10528Photo Pro 761-5205*60 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10601Photoworks 769-6425*465 Bedford Rd., Pleasantville, NY 10570*(restrictions apply)LowePro USA1003 Gravenstein Hwy. NorthSebastopol, CA 95472www.lowepro.comMano OrelMutual of Omaha Financial Services253-0775 Ext.237800 Westchester Ave., Suite N-315, Ryebrook, NY 10573www.mutualofomaha.comB&H Photo and Videowww.bhphotovideo.com