A Personal Experience
Nora Adelman
Little did I suspect when I joined the GCCC six plus years ago what a great impact it would have on my photography skills and life. At that time I had a good eye, a 35mm camera and had never heard of Photoshop. Today I have a better eye, use a digital single lens reflex camera, edit with Photoshop, produce a quality print, custom cut my own mats, assemble a professional framed work and have wonderful photography chums with whom I have had many good laughs and adventures. How did all this come to pass? It started with Camera Club Camaraderie: the free exchange of information with friendly members who have a wide range of knowledge and experience and an inquisitive, supportive and enthusiastic attitude. Competitions are held on the second Thursday of each month at the Greenville Public Library. This provides artistic stimulation, useful feedback and healthy competition. Club members may submit photographs on assigned or other subjects, which are displayed, rated and critiqued. The Annual Luncheon celebrates the best works of the year selected both in our monthly competitions and by a guest judge. The club also gathers at an Annual Picnic and a Winter Holiday Party. An organized series of educational workshops with photography experts is held on the third Wednesday of every month at the Athens Cultural Center providing an interesting range of technical and artistic topics. Topics include pinhole photography, lighting, Photoshop, grant writing, the Bromoil technique, mat cutting, product, large format, black and white, portrait, street, and outdoor photography. The fourth Thursday meeting, also in Greenville, is called “Show and Tell and Ask.” With the help of the Club digital projector and computer, members bring in images with which they need assistance or to share interesting projects. There are also occasional organized shooting expeditions.

How It All Began
Amelia Andersen
It all began in 1995, when Phyllis Lilienthal, a professional portrait and wedding photographer, and Delmar Camera Club and Guild members Robert and Amelia Andersen, advanced amateur photographers, got together to start a Greene County Camera Club. From their combined knowledge and experiences, they set up the necessary rules and regulations. Shutterbugs interested in learning more about photography answered a newspaper ad and attended an initial meeting held at the Rainbow Lodge in Greenville where the club goals were decided: to teach photographic technique, composition and selecting subject matter; camera skills, and sharing photography with the community. The Club found a home in the Greenville Public Library where it has been meeting for 14 years. The three skilled photographers shared their knowledge and the group improved their techniques and started entering their work in local shows. With an annual shows at the Columbia Greene Community College, the Gallery at the Greenville Public Library and many other venues, the public has become aware of the high quality work done by the group. Many members have had their work honored in contests and are often represented in local and national publications including the Catskill Mountain Region Guide magazine.

An Evolving Organization
Eileen Camuto
The Greene County Camera Club has grown and changed to keep up with the latest information and trends. The principles of good photography will always be taught by experienced club members and now there are even more techniques to learn. Many members have digital cameras and do their own printing in the digital darkroom. The club owns a digital projector and computer with Photoshop CS3 installed. Members are encouraged to bring in their work for the monthly Show and Tell and Ask to highlight accomplishments and talk about ways to fix problems that might have developed in processing. The club continues to encourage beginners. More advanced members are eager and available to mentor. Questions are encouraged and help always available. Two beginners have won the Grand Prize in the the Catskill Mountain Region Guide Photography Contest, many have had their images grace covers as well as inside. Many group and solo shows have sprung from the talents of this group, and members have gone on to sell their work and to teach in other forums. From a small group, with a solid foundation, the GCCC has developed into a progressive, dynamic place where photographers, amateur and professional, can come for support, encouragement and honest evaluation of their work. As the changes evolved over the years so did the officers. A new president and vice president have been in place for a number of years now, as well as an active and diverse Board of Directors who are committed to continuing the legacy, which began in 1995. A spinoff group, the Palenville Photography Group, meets at the Palenville Branch Library on the first Tuesday of each month for friendly, helpful critique of their work as well as questions or concerns about equipment and the latest technology. The Greene County Camera Club and the Palenville Photography Group are dedicated to those who want to be the best photographer they can be. Professional and advanced members, as well as outside speakers, help to achieve this goal. A monthly newsletter and Web site (www.gccameraclub.com) give information on both groups. We are first and foremost a friendly place, and new members are always welcome.

Eileen Camuto, CGCC President
morninglight1@verizon.net

Nora Adelman, CGCC Vice President
brphoto@mhcable.com

Amelia Andersen, CGCC Founder and Board Member
polyphase200@wildblue.net