Detroit - September Report

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Opening night for the Detroit Stereographic Society last night, with a
program on judging stereo slides by Billy Turner and the first slide
competition of the year.

Billy Turner, APSA, has been taking pictures for over 50 years (he is not
that old, just started when he was five!) and he is certainly qualified to
tutor us, young lads, and what a great job he did!  Showing examples of
good and not-so-good stereo pictures he stressed the importance of
composition, subject mater, impact, and other virtues of good stereo.  It
was a great learning experience for all of us.  From now on I will have 1/3
written with big letter in my cameras, reminder of the "rule of thirds" to
follow in my composition.

For the "Open" night of stereo competition we saw a variety of pictures and
techniques.  Projection was flawless by Derek Gee, President of the club
and Master Projectionist.  The judges, obviously effected by Billy's
presentation, gave high scores to pictures taken by graduates of the
"Turner School of Photography".  Unfortunately, I am just a student (and
not a very good one). 

Not a good night for the Cleveland chapter of the club.  The problems
started when we were faced with a CLOSED I-275 highway.  Driving like a
stereo-possessed soul, going 80 MPH in a 35 MPH alternate route, over
bridges and inside tunnels (only the paparazzi were missing), we managed to
arrive just 10 minutes late.  They threatened not to accept our slides
because we were late... Had we known the outcome of the competition we
might as well had let them...  

Anyway, I was lucky to capture a second place with a twin SLR waterfront
scenic from Greece.  It was a bit of a disappointment that the bottom-to-
bottom twin SLR 135 mm portrait of my lovely 8-year old daughter Lea did 
not do well (I'll have to wait until she is 18, I guess...)  And that 
close-up of the cat was seen as a snapshot and marked accordingly.

Impressive showing by out-of-state member, Paul Talbot, who just joined the
club.  Paul captured two well-deserved third places, with wonderful scenics
from the Southwest.  His third entry of a glacier was equally impressive
for me but perhaps too cold for the Detroit judges, in anticipation of a
long winter.  Dennis Hanser, who finished second last year, made an
impressive start, capturing the onlyirst place and second and third places
as well.  Obviously, he is determined to "go for the gold" this year.  But
it is still early, with challenging assignments to follow:

- Government
- Wood
- Sky Things
- Bridges
- Contemporary
- Through the Window
- Winter

Right now, my eyes are on the "Government"... Interesting assignment with
symbols, people and buildings to photograph.  Stay tuned for future reports
from the Detroit meetings...

Reporting from Cleveland, site of yet another stereo club,  

George Themelis


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