Award recipients in the Plano Photography Club January contest were announced during the monthly club meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Detailed results are listed below; honored photographs are visible on the right. Congratulations to the awardees and thanks to all competitors.
Entry
- 1st: Happy Hump Day - Jonathan Biser (Honorable Mention Overall)
- 2nd: Bow practice - Dennis Hahn
- 3rd: Security Guard - Janet Yiu
- HM: Portrait in bamboo - David Valdez
- HM: One Lightbulb - Lisa Wilkins
Intermediate
- 1st: The troll tongue or Trolltunga, Norway - Chung Oey
- 2nd: Heart to Heart Connection - Jodi Smith
- 3rd: Lightning Storm Patagonia, Arizona - Rachel Allen
- HM: Jazz Hands - Robert Turnage
- HM: Strawberry Parasol - John Copes
Advanced
- 1st: Focused fedora - Mark Bernthal (Best of Show)
- 2nd: Girl on Fire - Eddie Yu (3rd Place overall)
- 3rd: Backyard Firewood - Sanjay Kaul
- HM: Mother Love Baby Mandrill - Siu Wong
- HM: Shades - Fred Manchester
Master
- 1st: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle of Clouds - Linda Grigsby (2nd Place overall)
- 2nd: Ride Like The Wind - Anita Oakley
- 3rd: Someone to Lean On - Dennis Fritsche
- HM: McKinney Blacksmith - Larry Petterborg
- HM: Waiting for the Perfect Moment - Janice Goetz
Full-Screen Slideshow | Gallery | Judge's Commentary
Standings: All Classes | Entry | Intermediate | Advanced | Master
If you attended the Texas Discovery Garden photo activity on February 8, we hope you had a wonderful time while capturing some terrific photos.
As is common with club member activities, we would like to feature your images from the event in the slide gallery on the right.
If you wish to submit pictures for that gallery, here are the guidelines:
- SEND UP TO TEN (10) of your best photos to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com.
- The maximum dimension (long edge) for submitted images is 4096 pixels; the maximum individual file size is 10MB.
- Please include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., AndreasBartoldus_Discovery_1.jpg).
- The submission deadline is WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025.
We look forward to seeing your pictures.
This gallery is now CLOSED. Thanks for your submissions.
Gallery | Full-Screen Slideshow | All Galleries and Slideshows
Texas Rose Horse Park
We hope you can join us for an all-day photo shoot at Texas Rose Horse Park on Saturday, March 1, 2025 (the rain date is March 8).
Texas Rose Horse Park is a premier equestrian facility in Tyler, Texas. Spanning 1,700 acres of beautiful rolling hills, it offers horse enthusiasts and event organizers a wide range of facilities and services.
The park is highly regarded for its well-maintained facilities, Texan hospitality, and the quality of its events, making it a favorite among equestrians and visitors alike.
Location: Texas Rose Horse Park |
14078 State Hwy 110N, Tyler, TX 75704 | (directions)
Time: This is an all-day event, so come and/or leave at your convenience; you may arrive as early as 8:00 AM
Admission: FREE
Photo by Larry Petterborg; used with permission
What and Where Can You Photograph?
The equestrian competitions feature multiple arenas hosting simultaneous events, along with two dedicated warm-up areas. Competitions span various age groups and skill levels, offering a diverse range of photographic opportunities.
Capture the excitement of show jumping, the focused preparation of riders, and the relaxed moments after their performances. Don't miss the behind-the-scenes moments like horses being bathed and cared for. And there are award ceremonies at the end of each event.
Beyond the action, you'll find abundant opportunities for candid shots throughout the venue. Get close and capture the details with macro photography, focusing on the beautifully decorated arenas, adorned with floral arrangements at each jump.
Bleachers are available at select arenas, offering elevated and unique perspectives. With a sprawling event space, you're free to explore and discover captivating images around every corner.
What Lens(es) Should I Bring?
According to professional photographers we have spoken with on prior trips to the Horse Park, a 200mm lens should be good for most events, but you may want to consider a 400mm prime or 100-400mm zoom for shooting the horse jumping.
Important Things To Know
Please do not get too close to either the riders or their horses. They are wild animals and unpredictable.
Also, be aware that there are professional photographers on the grounds and we do not want to get in their way and interfere with their shots.
What About Food?
There is a food pavilion at the Horse Park or you may bring your food. There are picnic tables to relax and enjoy the experience.
Information Resources
Questions?
Please contact club Activity Chair Mary Ruehle.
We have been asked to share the following information about the 47th Annual Heard Nature Photography Contest, which is coming next month.
The Heard Nature Photographers Club administers the contest and has for over 40 years. All proceeds go directly to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary for operating expenses or special projects. In just the last nine years since the contest went all digital over $57,000 has been raised for the museum.
Both Adult and Youth divisions are available with a wide choice of nature-related categories. There is a $100 cash prize for Best of Show in each division, and certificates will be awarded to all winners.
You can be a part of it this year by entering in your division. And you don’t have to be a member of the Heard Museum or the photography club to participate.
The contest is open to all photographers, so find your best nature images and get ready to enter (submission dates are March 22 - April 13, 2025). The awards ceremony will be on May 4, 2025.
To learn more, including the contest rules, fees, and requirements for submitted photos, please visit the contest website, where you can also view winning images from the 2024 contest.
Plantation Inn
As was announced at the January club meeting, we're heading to the Wichita Mountains this spring.
Our field trip is set for April 14-16, 2025, and we'll be based at The Plantation Inn in Medicine Park, Oklahoma (map).
Built on the original foundation of the old Oklahoma Press Association's Clubhouse and re-created from old photographs to look like the original building, The Plantation Inn has the charm of yesteryear with all the modern conveniences.
The Inn has 20 rooms (a mix of upstairs and downstairs) and reservations just opened up for the week of our trip.
If you're interested, don't wait to book your room.
RESERVE A ROOM AT THE PLANTATION INN
We're still finalizing some trip details, but stay tuned - we'll share more info in the coming weeks.
Got questions? Reach out to Mary Ruehle, our Activities Chair, and she'll get you the information you need.
The Plano Photography Club's February contest is a PRINT competition with the theme LAYERED LANDSCAPES.
Please review the print contest procedures before producing your image for submission.
Electronic entries must be uploaded to the PPC Competition Site before 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
NOTE: You must be a Plano Photography Club member to submit contest images.
Resources
Won't You Be My Valentine?
Parvin Stiles
Getting up early for a sunrise shoot at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on January 25 was a challenge — driving 70 miles through the dark to arrive before the sun for the snow geese. The weather was cold and windy, and hunters were shooting hogs in the distance, but thankfully we had no trouble capturing the stunning sunrise and the migratory birds around us.
Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate than with a creative photography project? Consider capturing a tender portrait of your Valentine, or arranging a charming tabletop scene with a delightful mound of candy adorned with a sprinkle of flowers.
Join us on February 8 to photograph exotic butterflies in an indoor sanctuary and Texas-native plants outdoors at Fair Park’s Texas Discovery Gardens. This is a great chance to capture the beauty of butterflies and native plants, blending your love for photography with the peaceful natural surroundings.
Don’t forget this month’s photography contest theme is "Layered Landscapes" in print form. Let your creativity shine, and we look forward to seeing how you capture the beauty and depth of our world.
We’re going to the Wichita Mountains from April 14-16, with reservations at The Plantation Inn. Before the February meeting in the library, we will review the daily agenda for the trip. There will also be a new member orientation meeting in Room 1.
Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that our guest program speaker this month is Julio Cortez, a Pulitzer Prize-winning staff photographer for The Associated Press. Currently serving as Chief Photographer for the Texas/Oklahoma region, Julio brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to our community. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, and a native of Mexico City, Julio earned his Pulitzer in 2021 for his powerful and evocative imagery of the George Floyd riots. His versatility shines through in capturing both news and sports moments, like Odell Beckham's one-handed catch against the Cowboys and the viral photo of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. We are honored to have him share his insights and experiences with us.
Jay Miller | Aviation Photography
Janet Cunningham | Lensbaby
Ben Jacobi | Jacobi Creations, LLC
Graham Hobart | Infrared Nature and Wildlife Photography