Southern CA Council of Camera Clubs Awards Banquet - 2018
So I have been a part of the Glendora Camera Club for 6 years now and we meet monthly to gather images for S4C competition entry and critique. As a group, we compete against 18 other Camera Clubs in the Southern California area in an Open Color Interclub Division.
During these critiques I typically run the computer and demonstrate in Photoshop on a projector how to crop, color correct, clone, adjust, and overall improve the photographs as each member brings in 6 digital images on a thumb drive. Our group has an incredible variety of photos they bring in each month from delicious looking food photography, to studio pictures of models, to macros of insects or flowers, to exotic landscapes, animals, and architecture. (All breathtaking!)
We also have the chance to compete individually in 10 different categories. These categories include Color, Monochrome, Arranged Color, Arranged Monochrome, Creative, General Nature, Wildlife, Travel, Photojournalism and Human Interest. Here is an example of each that I have taken and submitted in previous competition years.:
This group has inspired me to take more photographs in general with an acute attention to composition, subject material, human expression, color, tone, details, overall effect and beauty. I would say I specialize in the Arranged divisions because I love studio photography where I can control the subject, lighting, background, poses, and expressions of the models. But since there are so many divisions that do not have anything to do with a model posing in the studio, I find myself branching out and finding new subject material all around me.
I try to capture candid situations for the Photojournalism divisions at the Renaissance Faire or in the park to capture the joy on people's faces. I also attend Classic Car shows to get just the right angle of a shiny car in the glorious sunshine, or I capture squirrels, birds, and lizards in their natural habitat or even bravely come close to bees collecting nectar from bright, colorful flowers.
Of course, I really shine in the studio and since my mom has over 100 backgrounds, and professional studio lighting, we make the most of our shoots together with interesting characters, stunning pin-up models and costumed pirates, wizards, and historical reenactors. I have gathered quite a portfolio of images over the years now! Here are a few examples.:
This I feel is my true passion! Being able to capture expression, emotion, costume detail and even a touch of comedy is what I strive for in order to evoke viewer response.
So we had a Final Awards Banquet yesterday on June 2, 2018 where we awarded the top winners from over 5,000 images submitted during the course of 7 months from all participating Southern California Photographers. I was filled with excitement and joy knowing that some of my images may get the honor of being recognized for the year. My mom and I sat nervously together in Alhambra's Almansor Court, and my husband Mike joined us right after the luncheon portion was through.
A slideshow presentation of all Award and Honorable Mention images cascaded by on two projectors as we enjoyed conversation and a delicious 3-course meal. Then it was time for the Awards!
Believe it or not, I got a BEST IN SHOW in the Arranged Monochrome Division (one of 11 since they award just one per category), a GOLD in Arranged Color, a SILVER in Arranged Monochrome, a Bronze in Arranged Monochrome and several Honorable Mentions. Please see Award Certificates below:
What a fabulous collection of images selected! I am so honored and humbled because although I can only show you my personal awards, the other photographers really produced some unbelievable images! I am looking forward to continuing my role as the Creative Chair with S4C and I'll be working all summer on taking new photographs to compete with by this next October!
Hope you enjoyed looking through all my photos! If you are interested in joining a local camera club look into Meetup and find one near you! The more creative people out there capturing the magic of this world, the better!
Thanks for reading and happy shooting!
-Crystal Olguin
Photography by Crystal
June 3, 2018
