This week we will review our club member’s submissions for the November and December themes (Shooter’s Choice and Abstract).

We also have the judge’s critique of our 3rd Digital Cycle from 2011. Between guest speakers, banquets, and holidays we haven’t had a chance to hear that feedback yet!

We will also be discussing expectations and plans for programs in 2012. If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or speaker you’d like to hear, feel free to share it.

Remember our new time of 6:30PM doors open, and 7PM meeting begins! See you there!

Last night MGCC held its annual awards banquet at Macon’s famous Sidney Lanier Cottage and announce the winners in the end of year print & digital cycles. Here are the digital winners in the General and Creative categories. You can see all the winners and submissions from the year in our 2011 gallery.

 1st Place – General
“Donald Blake” by Binks Solomon

2nd Place – General
“Morning at Acadia” by Larry Brown

3rd Place – General
“Twisted” by Bonnie Cornelius

1st Place – Creative
“Passage” by Binks Solomon

2nd Place – Creative
“Living the Artist’s Life” by Binks Solomon

3rd Place - Creative
“The Rose” by Janice Thiese

Each month we assign a theme and club members are asked to shot 1-5 images along that theme. The following month we take some time out of one of our regular meetings to look at all the theme submissions. Members that are present are encouraged to share information about their photos: where was the image made? what camera was used? with what lens? on what settings? why?

This year we are moving away from abstract concepts or specific subjects as themes and focusing on themes that are processes or techniques. We hope to encourage club members to step out of their comfort zone and maybe learn a new technique or figure out what that unused knob or button on their camera is for.

January’s theme: Drive by Shooting

Take a photo from inside a vehicle that will prove it was done this way in a creative manner. Tip: use a window frame to frame your subject. Be safe, no snapping photos if you are the driver of a moving vehicle!

The results are in from Ocmulgee National Monument‘s Indian Celebration photo contest.

1st – Chris Bryson – “Warriors on Horses”

2nd – William Haun - ”Grass Dancer”

3rd -  Dennis Mullis  – “Young Girl”

The judges also decided to award an Honorable Mention to Chris Bryson for his untitled pottery picture.

You are invited to the

MGCC Annual Awards Banquet

Saturday, January 14, 2012

to recognize our members’ photographic achievements,
have an excellent meal
and
install new officers for 2012.

The banquet will be held at the

Sidney Lanier Cottage
935 High Street

Social hour will begin at 6:00 PM
and the buffet line starts at 6:30.

You are encouraged to bring a guest, enjoy the digital slide show
and print viewing and meet your new officers for 2012.

The price of the Banquet is $20.00 per person.
Please contact president@mgcc.ws to reserve your spot. You may pay our treasurer at the banquet.

PS: If you won a club photographic award during the year, you could win a yearly award.

MGCC is pleased to start off 2012 with photographer Perry Dilbeck, native of McDonough, Georgia!

Perry earned an Associate of Arts degree from The Art Institute of Atlanta, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Georgia State University, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design – all in photography. He has achieved much recognition for his work and was most recently awarded Georgia Author of the year for The Last Harvest-Truck Farmers in the Deep South.

Join MGCC for a great start to a great new year. Thursday – January 5. Doors open at 7 pm. Meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Guests welcome.

MGCC members and friends are invited on Saturday, Dec 10th on a field trip to Fort Hawkins and the Ocmulgee National monument (aka Indian Mounds).

WHERE: 1200 block of Emery Highway
WHEN: Saturday 10th Dec. Begin 3pm at Fort Hawkins.
COST: No admission charges

First visit the replica blockhouse, photo the interior and interesting artifacts/excavations. Great views of Macon. Closes about 4pm.

Then travel a few hundred yards to the Indian Mounds (aka ONM) and photo the sunset from the Great Temple mound, or boardwalk. Those who wish can stay for the astronomy program, by the Museum of Arts and Sciences, starting at 7pm.

Weather permitting, of course. Wrap up warm and bring a torch. Aka flashlight.
Hot chocolate will be served!! Some may like to go on to the Rookery for supper.

Sunsets have been quite colorful this week so far, but alas, are unpredictable.
SUNSET – 5.29pm MOONRISE 5.43pm (full moon)

The MGCC Annual Christmas Party and Covered Dish Supper will be held on Thursday December 1st in the Church Fellowship Hall.Park in front of the church and enter the door on the left.

Social time begins at 6pm.
Supper starts at 6:30pm.
Bring a covered dish to share.

If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift not to exceed $10.00 in value. Family and guests are invited to attend.