PLEASE BE ADVISED! E-mail Scam Hits Photographic Community

There are many scams out there on the internet requesting money in one form or another or asking you to verify a purchase which you have never made. There is one such scam making the rounds from Antoinette Gombeda as President of NECCC asking you to give an amount of money to an organization because she is out of town and can not do it herself. Neither NECCC nor Antoinette would NEVER, EVER, EVER ask anyone to do this. Please beware of this and do not respond. 

Note that this same scam hit the previous NECCC president so it isn't new. Be careful. If in doubt about any message simply delete it. That is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

Connecticut Invitatiional

Greetings everyone! The CAP Board has voted to discontinue the Connecticut Invitational due to low participation. It may come back in the future, but for now, it will be replaced with other events. The Board is working on putting together a Scavenger Hunt type of event for October or November. We are checking on some locations for part of the day (for lunch and processing images). As soon as we have all of the info put together, we will get it out in the blog.

Thanks,

Hazel Meredith & Loretta Paul-Goldin, former CT Invitational Chairs

A Letter from the CAP President

Dear CAP Members,

As we celebrate the United States of America’s 243^rdBirthday, please take a few minutes to give thanks to our ancestors along with our military service members. Our country’s volunteers in 1776 kept our enemies at bay to help form this great nation. 

Volunteering

As with any organization, CAP runs with the help of its members. (You may see a theme developing here in my message.)

Many of us will be headed to the New England Camera Club Council’s 74^thAnnual Conference at UMASS, in Amherst next week. As Summer continues, we need to think about the Fall fair season as many fairs have photography contests. I have entered a few images myself in the past as many of you have. While on this subject, the Durham Fair is looking for volunteers to help with their photography division competitions. They will also be in need of judges. Many CAP members have judged and volunteered in the past and I hope to see a few new volunteers offer to help. If you are interested, contact Jennifer Schulten, Asst. Superintendent, at 860-287-3291; or Matthew Kabel, Asst. Superintendent, 860-347-0131, phototeacher@gmail.com.

CAP EVENTS

Connecticut Invitational 2019. At the last board meeting we discussed possibly changing the format of the Invitational as we have had very few clubs enter the past couple events. Hazel Meredith and Loretta Paul-Goldin are the co-chairs of the event. Loretta and Hazel plan to continue on as chairs (though Hazel & I will be relocating to TN later this year, so we will need a new co-chair for 2021). We are looking for alternative event ideas for the contest. Should it be opened to all CT photographers (like the TOPS event is)? Should we have a “theme” for the images (such as black and white, buildings, transportation, crazy creative, artist creative, portraiture, cellphone/tablet entries)? Please submit ideas to Hazel@meredithimages.com or lmpaul67@aol.com. 

TOPS in Connecticut is the premier venue for Connecticut photographers to compete and share their excellent work. This competition is held every two years in even-numbered years. The 2018 event had almost 125 Connecticut photographers enter, competing with 734 images!  

The Co-Chairs of TOPS have been Antoinette Gombeda and Bill Barnett. They are retiring from this position and would need to pass along the management of this event to new Co-Chairmen. Ideally, two individuals will handle this competition. Some of the responsibilities include: receipt of entries, organization of entries for the competition, obtaining judges for the event, reserving venues for the competition and subsequent awards dinner, ordering awards, etc. Please contact me at Dave@MeredithImages.comif you are interested in co-chairing this event.

Watch for more news soon on other upcoming CAP events. Hope to see you at Amherst!

Dave Meredith

CAP President

Rockport Field Trip-May 3, 4, and 5, 2019

CAP is holding an exciting weekend field trip to the beautiful Cape Ann Peninsula!  Although it is early in the season and we won’t be swimming yet, there are numerous opportunities for photography in and around Rockport and Gloucester.  We will visit these locations in the best lighting conditions (primarily early morning and sunset).  Both towns have “downtown” areas with quaint shops which are fun to photograph.  Of course, shopping is always a possibility!  The group will be staying in a motel facing the beach which will provide even more opportunities for creative photography.  

HOWEVER - space is very limited – so if you are interested, please email Linda Thomas (humbrd001@yahoo.com) or Ann Yost (ayost4@aol.com) as soon as possible.  

We are looking forward to a fun and productive weekend!  

Thank You from the CAP President

April 8, 2019 

Dear Connecticut Association of Photographers Members,

I want to take a couple of moments of your time to say thank you!

Thank you to all of our CAP members and friends who entered the TOPS in CT competition for 2018. We had a great turnout for the winning images show and buffet dinner Saturday evening at The Whitney Center in Hamden. The members of the CAP Board wrote the critiques that were used for the commentary.  Antoinette Gombeda and Bill Barnett, who were the co-chairs of this great event, deserve more than a simple ‘thank you’. 

For close to 20 years they have promoted this bi-annual event and turned it into one of the best photography events for Connecticut photographers. It has also become a great social event for the attendees who come to watch the show of amazing images. It is always good time when you get to catch up with friends in person. While social media is a great way to keep in touch, there is still something to be said about shaking hands, hugs and comradery.  

I especially want to thank Cynthia Gosselin, as she takes the position on the board as the immediate past president of CAP. Cindy was great help to me in my role of vice-president. Her leadership and attention to detail has made my transition into the position of President for the next two years much easier.

Another big thank you to Matt Collen for stepping up to join the board in the position of Vice President of CAP. I look forward to working with him on future photography events that we are looking to present to the CAP membership over the next two years.

And most of all, I want to say thank you to all of our other board members: Treasurer, Loretta Paul-Goldin; Secretary, Hazel Meredith; Membership Chair, James Dionne; Field Trip Committee, Linda Thomas, Art Yost & Ann Yost; Webmaster, Bill Barnett; NECCC Rep, Lisa Cuchara; and Directors: Bob Fedder, Collen Reilly, Scott Hudkins, Pat Benham & Donna Owens.

And one last big thank you to YOU, our CAP members. You are why we do what we do! If you have suggestions for events or field trips, feel free to contact me with your ideas.

Sincerely,

Dave Meredith, CAP President

dave@meredithimages.com

TOPS in CT 2020

TOPS in Connecticut is the premier venue for Connecticut photographers to share, exhibit and boast of their excellent work.  The TOPS competition, sponsored by the Connecticut Association of Photographers (CAP), is presented every two years.  For the 2018 event, about 125 Connecticut photographers entered the competition, competing with about 734 images!  

The Co-Chairs of TOPS, starting in 2006, have been Antoinette Gombeda and Bill Barnett. Antoinette and Bill would now like to pass along the management of this event to new Co-Chairmen.  At least two individuals will be needed to take over the obligations for the TOPS competition.  Some of the responsibilities include receipt of entries, organization of entries for the competition, obtaining judges for the event, reserving event venues for the competition and subsequent awards dinner, ordering awards, etc. 

The next TOPS competition is scheduled for the Fall of 2020 with the TOPS awards dinner scheduled for the Spring of 2021.  Antoinette and Bill will help the new Co-Chairmen for TOPS in Connecticut 2020 as they learn their new roles and will provide lots of templates and examples for rules, entry forms, etc. 

Please contact any of the individuals below if you have an interest in Co-Chairing future TOPS competitions.

Dave Meredith, CAP president, at racenfish@aol.com

Cindy Gosselin, past CAP president, at cgosselin@sbcglobal.net

Bill Barnett at WBBBarnett@gmail.com

Antoinette Gombeda at agombeda@optonline.net

Thank you,

Cindy Gosselin
Past President, Connecticut Association of Photographers 

Reminder to Make Reservation for CAP Dinner and Tops in CT Show

This is just a gentle reminder that the Tops in Connecticut show and CAP dinner are scheduled for April 6, 2019. Deadline for receipt of reservations is March 28, 2019. The show will contain 101 images selected at the judging last December along with commentary written by some of Connecticut's most experienced photographers. Come and see the excellent and varied work by many talented Connecticut Photographers.

Details

• Date: Saturday, April 6, 2019
• Time: Show begins at 5 p.m. followed by a short business meeting and presentation of the awards followed by a buffet dinner
• Location: Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Road, Hamden, CT
• Cost: $25 per person

Click for a flyer and dinner reservation form. 

Deadline for receipt of reservations is Thursday, March 28, 2019.

Reminder, Tops in CT Show and Dinner Coming Soon

This is just a gentle reminder that the Tops in Connecticut show and CAP dinner are scheduled for April 6, 2019. Deadline for receipt of reservations is March 28, 2019. The show will contain 101 images selected at the judging last December along with commentary written by some of Connecticut's most experienced photographers. Come and see the excellent and varied work by many talented Connecticut Photographers.

Details

• Date: Saturday, April 6, 2019
• Time: Show begins at 5 p.m. followed by a short business meeting and presentation of the awards followed by a buffet dinner
• Location: Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Road, Hamden, CT
• Cost: $25 per person

Click for a flyer and dinner reservation form. 

Deadline for receipt of reservations is Thursday, March 28, 2019.

CAP Dinner and Tops in Connecticut Show

CAP is pleased to announce that the 2018 Tops in Connecticut acceptances will be shown at a dinner on April 6 2019, including commentary about the images. These 101 images from talented Connecticut photographers were chosen from more than 700 submitted images.

Details

• Date: Saturday, April 6, 2019
• Time: Show begins at 5 p.m. followed by a short business meeting and presentation of the awards followed by a buffet dinner
• Location: Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Road, Hamden, CT
• Cost: $25 per person

Click for a flyer and dinner reservation form. 

Deadline for receipt of reservations is Thursday, March 28, 2019.

NECCC Conference Courtesy Enrollment for a CAP Member

Here a chance for a CAP member to attend the NECCC Conference July 12, 13, and 14, 2019, with registration being free of charge if you have never attended before. It is a great weekend filled with exceptional presenters, timely topics, and many photo opportunities. For more information on the Conference go to http://www.neccc.org/p/2019-conference.html.

The New England Camera Club Council, Inc. invites each NECCC member camera club to select one of its members to receive free registration to the next annual NECCC conference, held at U-Mass, Amherst, Mass. on July 12-14, 2019. The complimentary registration gives the person submitted by the club (Connecticut Association of Photographers) all the learning experiences, photo opportunities and inspirational programs that go along with the conference. Please note, that the enrollment covers only the registration fee. The three day registration is $205.  The recipient will be responsible for his or her own room, meals and transportation.

Rules governing the courtesy enrollment:

1. Candidates must be at least eighteen years of age as of July 1, 2019.
2. A candidate must be a member of an NECCC member club (Connecticut Association of Photographers) in good standing (i.e. dues paid for the current year).
3. Candidates must have never attended a previous NECCC conference.
4. Selection of the candidate will be the responsibility of the individual clubs.
5. A $40 co-pay has been established for the Courtesy Enrollment, due at the time of the application.  CAP will pay this co-pay for the individual accepted to represent CAP at the 2019 conference.

CAP would like to give the opportunity to one of its members who has never attended the NECCC conference a chance to be part of this exceptional weekend. The dates are July 12, 13 and 14, 2019.  If you are interested in attending this conference (and follow the rules governing the courtesy enrollment) please submit your name, address, phone number and email address to Cynthia Gosselin at cgosselin@sbcglobal.net by December 14, 2018. Please put "Courtesy Enrollment" in the subject line.