Welcome to the Gateway Camera Club

Our goals are to share ideas, knowledge, and insight; to help improve the skills and abilities of our members; and to have some fun while enjoying photography. We recognize photography is changing, growing and with ever-emerging technologies, more exciting than ever!  Gateway was one of the first local camera clubs to embrace digital photography and, as a result, we have some very knowledgeable digital photographers. Many award-winning members of Gateway Camera Club honed their talents and abilities through the mentoring they found at Gateway.

Our club is very active and we meet on most Tuesdays from September to June 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Want to compete, learn and share? Check out our exciting schedule. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Just stop in and introduce yourself. We hope you'll soon find an aspect of Gateway that fits your interests. Please browse our website, learn more about what we do, and enjoy. And remember, enthusiasm is catchy. Come and catch some!   Our Membership Information Page provides details on our club along with a link to our membership application. 

The Slideshow to the right features the images from our Southwick Zoo Field Trip in June

Upcoming Events - All Meetings on Zoom until further notice

Education Night - Sept 7th -  Sculpting with Light; a Transformative Process presented by Harold Ross

Join noted photographer Harold Ross for a presentation of his Sculpting with Light process, a technique that he has been perfecting for 30 years. (Yes, that's right! Harold used his light painting process on transparency film, before Photoshop existed!) He will show you how his photographic methods using the technique of light painting can transform the ordinary into the remarkable.

Harold is drawn to photograph things that have history; old machines, tools and various still life subjects. His goal is to elevate and monumentalize these subjects, which are often taken for granted. His transformational approach to photography can, in a way, breathe new life into his subjects. In his landscape work, Harold is interested in the interplay between the real and the unreal. An unmistakably real scene, illuminated in a way that can’t happen in nature, creates a quandary in the mind of the viewer. In a more subtle way, this same interplay exists in Harold’s still life work.

Harold will share his work, and he will explain the lighting tools he uses (simple and few), the advantages of light painting, and the Six Principles of Light that he feels are essential to mastering lighting. He’ll also touch on the amazing power of enhancing dimension and depth through specialized (yet simple) masking techniques in Photoshop. These masking methods, which Harold teaches in his workshops, are akin to painting and drawing, and are not taught as photographic techniques anywhere else.

Harold will be using his images to convey the transformative nature of his image-making process, which allows one to transform an ordinary subject into something remarkable!

This will be an information-packed program. Be prepared to be inspired!

See Harold’s work at: www.haroldrossfineart.com
See Harold’s blog, with lots of technical information on Light Painting at: www.haroldrossfineart.wordpress.com
Harold’s Instagram: #haroldross_sculptingwithlight

Image Study - Sept 14th 

Program Night - Sept 21st - From Capture to Print:  The Art of Black and White Photography presented by Lewis Katz

By first looking at some black and white images from iconic photographers we will discuss the reasons to convert  to monochrome: timelessness, contrast, mood, pattern and emotion. Using personal imagery the black and white conversion process will be demonstrated using both Lightroom as well as Nik software. Why you should always shoot in color and then convert to monochrome and the importance of the color channels in the conversion process. The emotional impact of black and white versus color will also be discussed. How to create more dramatic and powerful images using contrast as well as creative composition. This presentation is an unique combination of the  “howto” with the “why and when” which sets it apart from other programs in regards to black and white

Bio: Lewis had a camera in his hand from the age of 14. Inspired by his father he began to explore photography more seriously in high school with a darkroom in the basement. Fast forward many years to his life in Baltimore and his joining the Baltimore Camera Club. Further inspired by his peers Lewis became an award winning photographer and photography teacher. He currently teaches at Johns Hopkins University, the Community College of Baltimore Country, Capital Photography Center out of DC as well as at the Baltimore Camera Club. He lives for the aha! moments which only teaching can provide.  Website:  https://www.lewiskatzphotography.com/

Competition Night - September 28th - Judge Tom Noonan

Groups and SIG Meetings and Field Trips

Lighting SIG - Saturday August 7th

Terry Anderson is continuing as our Lighting SIG Organizer and primary teacher.  I have offered my services as a Lighting SIG assistant.   During periodic meetings, he will be discussing everything lighting including, but not limited to:  small electronic flash (speedlights)  and strobes (more powerful instantaneous light)  and continuous lighting.   He will be preparing and sending out a survey soon on what members would like to learn about photographic lighting.  

Sat. Aug. 7-  Mark your calendars for our first Lighting SIG meeting.  Time: TBD.  Place:  South Natick dam.   The exact topics TBD, but it'll be about portrait lighting in some form.   Sign up by writing to me.  I will build the list and keep everyone apprised of the details.  

Important:   This meeting is for everyone.  No need to worry that you don't understand lighting.   That's exactly what this SIG is about.  For more experienced lighting users,  there's always something to learn.   And we need you to assist others.  

Buz Bragdon

 


Boston Harbor Boat Cruise - Friday August 13th

Boston Seaport District - Sunday August 22nd

Come join us on Sunday, August 22 as we travel to Boston’s Seaport District, a redeveloped stretch of the South Boston waterfront. We’ll make (not take) fascinating photos of Fan Pier and its iconic views of downtown Boston, the Harborwalk, and the Seaport’s stunning architecture with its crazy reflective surfaces. There are also antique ships, planes taking off from Logan Airport, and people, dogs, and people walking dogs.

We’ll go early in the morning (meet at 9 am) to avoid the largest crowds and the worst of the August heat. We’ll wander independently among the promising sites (about a 10 to 15-minute walk apart from each other) and take photos until noon. Those who are comfortable eating in restaurants can then meet up for lunch.

Bring a walk-around lens for views “Through a Window,” or photos of things “All in a Row.” Bring your biggest telephoto lens to capture planes “In Flight.” And for our bird photography specialists, we guarantee sightings of overfed and aggressive gulls.

Please sign up on our website, and join us on August 22>>/club/Events_view.aspx?Eventid=6801ef52-ca8d-4f11-b4ed-0351565fb4dc