Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 16^th, 7:00 pm, at First Lutheran Church!

Come early to visit and share with your fellow photographers.

Agenda

• 6:30 Set up and social time.
• 7:00 Welcome and Member News
• 7:10 Quote of the Month
• 7:15 Announcements
• 7:30 Program: Works Completed and Works in Progress
• 8:15 – Member Photo Share

Program: Works Completed and Works in Progress – Grant Fergeson

Grant Fergeson is working on two books. One on the Texas Hill Country and another on “abstract hearts.” Born in Austin and trained in geology, he is drawn to rivers, creeks, and springs of our region. His hope is to include entries from journalists, writers, poets and scientists as commentary to his Hill Country photographs.

His second project is from the studio. Using glass, foil, plastic, and other surfaces, he adds pigments to oil, alcohol, and other liquids to create abstract heart images. Perhaps reflecting on his own cardiac “debacle” in 2023, he wants to express gratitude and explore the possibilities of working with a single concept with many renditions, which he has named “Deeper into the Hearts.”

Grant was raised in Austin, educated at Southwest Texas State and UT Austin. His career kept him in Texas (Houston, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi) before he returned home to Austin.

His interest in photography goes back to the 1980s.  He counts the West Coast f/64 group, George Krause, and Paul Caponigro as influences. Although he started in traditional darkroom photography, he has since transitioned to digital work.  You can find out more about Grant and his work at the website grantfergeson.com. 

Member Photo Share Theme: Hill Country

We live on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, and many entries to Naturescapes feature Hill Country subjects. BUT, there is a lot more Hill Country located outside the counties included in that show. For those of us who range further afield, here is a chance to show off what the rest of the Hill Country has to offer photographers. And if you range even further, you may have images of “hill country” in other states or even continents. This month please send one or two images to share to Jim Philpott at J.PhilpottWoodturner@Gmail.Com.

Naturescapes Awards Reception

The reception was held at the San Marcos Activity Center, from 5 pm to 7 pm, on September 27^th.

There is still time to invite friends to see the works hanging in the “Walkers Gallery.” Please remember all prints must be picked up at the San Marcos Activity Center on Saturday, October 25^th, 2025, from 10:30am to 2:30pm

Dues

Annual dues are a bargain at $12 per year. If you haven’t renewed, you may pay at the meeting, or use our PayPal by using this link, or you can mail your check to Winifred Simon at 600 Red Hawk Road, Wimberley, TX  78676. (Only paid members may post on our HCPC Members Facebook page.  If you are a paid member and cannot access the account, ask Charlie Kreitler, our admin, to allow you access.

Social Media

We have two Facebook Pages — Public and Members Only.   

If you have any news or stories you’d like to have included in the newsletter, please send them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, August 21^st, 7:00 pm, at First Lutheran Church!

Come early to visit and share with your fellow photographers.

Agenda

• 6:30 Set up and social time.
• 7:00 Welcome and Member News
• 7:10 Quote of the Month
• 7:15 Announcements
• 7:30 Program: Working with Antique Family Photographs
• 8:15 – Member Photo Share

Program: Working with Antique Family Photographs

We all have them, in a drawer, a box, or an album, those old family photos. Some are faded, torn, even stained with the patina of the past. Sometimes we know the subjects and locations, sometimes not. What if we could restore these images with the modern tools at our disposal? This program will offer ways of scanning, copying, or photographing antique images and editing them to preserve both history and relationships. Our own Bill Galloway will lead a team of “experts” in presenting the program.

Member Photo Share Theme: Old Photos

Our photo sharing will be different this month. Please bring a couple of antique photos to the meeting. We want to see them, regardless of condition. They will be placed on a display table, and you will have an opportunity to talk about them as part of the program.

Naturescapes Awards Reception

The reception will be held at the San Marcos Activity Center, from 5 pm to 7 pm, on September 27^th. Take a stroll along the Walker’s Gallery to see both Naturescapes photos and the Street companion show and stay to enjoy the awards ceremony.

Dues

Annual dues are a bargain at $12 per year. If you haven’t renewed, you may pay at the meeting, or use our PayPal by using this link, or you can mail your check to Winifred Simon at 600 Red Hawk Road, Wimberley, TX  78676. (Only paid members may post on our HCPC Members Facebook page.  If you are a paid member and cannot access the account, ask Charlie Kreitler, our admin, to allow you access.

Social Media

We have two Facebook Pages — Public and Members Only.   

If you have any news or stories you’d like to have included in the newsletter, please send them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, June 19^th, 7:00 pm, at First Lutheran Church!

Come early to visit and share with your fellow photographers.

Agenda

• 6:30 Set up and social time.
• 7:00 Welcome and Member News
• 7:10
  • Quote of the Month
  • Naturescapes Photography Contest and Companion Show
• 7:15 Announcements
• 7:30 Program: Birding and Photography (A Marriage made in the Marsh)
• 8:15 – Member Share Photos

Program: Birding and Photography (A Marriage made in the Marsh) with Janet Davis and Jeff Osborne

In January 2020, Jeff Osborne and Janet Davis vowed to become better birders. Once the pandemic hit their schedules changed dramatically. Birding became their respite, a socially distant balm. By June, they realized a Travis County Big Year was taking shape. Their talk will reflect upon their adventures and lessons learned.

Bio: Janet Davis and Jeff Osborne went to Horicon Marsh in southeastern Wisconsin to watch waterfowl on their second date back in 1988. They’ve been birding and hiking ever since. Jeff teaches high school Biology at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and Janet is a professor of American Studies and History at UT-Austin. Both regularly bring birding into their teaching.

Member Photo Share Theme: Water

The way our summer is progressing, water is going to be a scarce commodity. So, let’s remember and celebrate an abundance of water with pictures of rivers, oceans, waves, rain, fountains…anywhere that water provides a subject for our cameras (and phones). Think of it as a photographer’s community rain dance.

You are encouraged to send 2 images for this part of the meeting, on this topic … or another if you prefer. Please rename your images 1FirstName_LastName.jpg, 2FirstName_LastName.jpg and send to photos@jerrysargent.com no later than May 13^th to make sure they are included. This is mostly a Show and Tell time, but if you are looking for a critique or help with an image, you are welcome to ask for that sort of feedback.

Dues

Annual dues are a bargain at $12 per year. If you haven’t renewed, you may pay at the meeting, or use our PayPal by using this link, or you can mail your check to Winifred Simon at 600 Red Hawk Road, Wimberley, TX  78676. (Only paid members may post on our HCPC Members Facebook page.  If you are a paid member and cannot access the account, ask Charlie Kreitler, our admin, to allow you access.

Social Media

We have two Facebook Pages — Public and Members Only.   

If you have any news or stories you’d like to have included in the newsletter, please send them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com.

There is a conflict with the 1st Lutheran Church meeting space for the 17th. We will be meeting at the San Marcos Public Library instead.

The address is 625 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666. Look for the multipurpose room.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, April 17^th, 7:00 pm, at First Lutheran Church!

Come early to visit and share with your fellow photographers.

Agenda

• 6:30 Set up and social time.
• 7:00 Welcome and Member News
• 7:10 Quote of the Month
• 7:15 Announcements
• 7:30 Program: Capturing Texas Textures
• 8:15 – Member Share Photos

Program: “Capturing Texas Textures” with Kat Swansey

Kat Swansey is a self-taught documentary photographer known for preserving the spirit of rural and abandoned Texas. Born and raised in Brenham, Texas, her small-town roots deeply influence her work, which highlights the beauty and stories of Texas’s backroads. Now based in Austin, Kat’s work celebrates the beauty, history, and resilience found along the backroads of the Lone Star State.

Kat’s photography spans from shuttered beer joints to national parks, revealing the diverse and rugged charm of Texas. Her acclaimed series, Texas Textures, features rich, vibrant images that highlight the state’s expansive blue skies and weathered structures. She recently released the second volume of this series, continuing her journey into the heart of Texas.

Kat’s work has drawn comparisons to renowned photographers like Walker Evans, William Eggleston, and Stephen Shore, earning her recognition in publications such as Texas Highways Magazine, Alcalde Magazine, and Fstoppers. She has also been featured on NPR’s Texas Standard and in numerous online publications.

See her work below.

Member Photo Share Theme: Arcs

Consider the graceful, curving lines which are an eye-pleasing element found abundantly in nature and in man-made objects. Think rainbows or the curving arches supporting bridges. Wander about and find some arcs to photograph in your environment. Or take a stroll through some of your image files and look for arcs lurking in your past compositions.

You are encouraged to send 2 images for this part of the meeting, on this topic … or another if you prefer. Please rename your images 1FirstName_LastName.jpg, 2FirstName_LastName.jpg and send to photos@jerrysargent.com no later than April 15^th to make sure they are included. This is mostly a Show and Tell time, but if you are looking for a critique or help with an image, you are welcome to ask for that sort of feedback.

Photo Excursion

AN EARLY MORNING WITH ATHENA AND OWL DOCENT/PHOTOGRAPHER BILL BOYD

Date: Saturday, May 10^th

Location: Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. South Austin

The center opens at 8:00 AM, allowing an early-morning shoot with Athena, the resident great horned owl, and her brood in the best lighting. Docent Bill Boyd will be available to suggest the best locations and techniques for photographing Athena’s nest. The Center also has a variety of native wildflowers in full spring bloom as well as interesting architecture to photograph.

There is a small admission charge. Parking is adjacent and free.

Dues

Annual dues are a bargain at $12 per year. If you haven’t renewed, you may pay at the meeting, or use our PayPal by using this link, or you can mail your check to Winifred Simon at 600 Red Hawk Road, Wimberley, TX  78676. (Only paid members may post on our HCPC Members Facebook page.  If you are a paid member and cannot access the account, ask Charlie Kreitler, our admin, to allow you access.

Social Media

We have two Facebook Pages — Public and Members Only.   

If you have any news or stories you’d like to have included in the newsletter, please send them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, February 20^th, 7:00 pm, at First Lutheran Church!

Come early to visit and share with your fellow photographers.

Agenda

• 6:30 Set up and social time.
• 7:00 Welcome and Member News
• 7:10 Quote of the Month
• 7:15 Announcements
• 7:30 Program: Before and After
• 8:15 – Member Share Photos

Program: Before and After with meeting participants

Photography has two steps, capturing an image and editing it. As we say, “Maybe I can clean that up in post (processing).”  We crop, dodge and burn, and add or remove material as we want. Sliders, layers, and masks have become our editing tools of choice in the digital age.

Meeting participants are asked to submit two images which represent before and after in your editing. Be prepared to explain what you did in the process and why you took these steps to arrive at your final image. This is an opportunity to share your editing style and learn from others.

Please submit the images to Jerry Sargent (photos@jerrysargent.com) using this format: Your_Name_1.jpg, Your_Name_2.jpg.

Member Photo Share Theme:  Sunrise / Sunset

“Winter brings short days that make it easier to experience both sunrise and sunset. Select two favorite images, regardless of the season, that capture the colors, shadows, activities, or subtle shades of light that define the transitions between light and dark. Remember, astronomical, nautical, and civil twilights are all a part of sunset and sunrise.” – Bill Galloway

You are encouraged to send 2 images for this part of the meeting, on this topic … or another if you prefer. Please rename your images 1FirstName_LastName.jpg, 2FirstName_LastName.jpg and send to photos@jerrysargent.com no later than February 18^th to make sure they are included. This is mostly a Show and Tell time, but if you are looking for a critique or help with an image, you are welcome to ask for that sort of feedback.

Dues

Annual dues are a bargain at $12 per year. If you haven’t renewed, you may pay at the meeting, or use our PayPal by using this link, or you can mail your check to Winifred Simon at 600 Red Hawk Road, Wimberley, TX  78676. (Only paid members may post on our HCPC Members Facebook page.  If you are a paid member and cannot access the account, ask Charlie Kreitler, our admin, to allow you access.

Social Media

We have two Facebook Pages — Public and Members Only.   

If you have any news or stories you’d like to have included in the newsletter, please send them to hcphotoclub@gmail.com.