Dear PPSCF Members;

Our PPSCF General meeting this month is on Tuesday January 17, and features Photographic Art Theory, by Ben Shuloc. This class is a quick overview of academic art theory involving a breakdown of the more common and well-known basics within the academic field of art theory. He'll review art as a form of communication and how the creator and the viewer are able to interpret art as a form of communication from different points of view. Specifically, Ben will talk about symbolism of line, shape, color, texture, light, depth, balance, movement and motion, and various themes from art history. Ben's talk will prove beneficial to those seeking a firm grasp on improving their scores in competition and will benefit any photographer wanting to improve their understanding of how photographs and images are achieved through a basic understanding of Art Theory. You can see some of Ben's work at his website -- www.benshulokphotography.com

You needn't RSVP to attend this meeting, just come! (If you already did, thanks!). The menu is Honey Glazed Ham from BostonMarket, macaroni & cheese, black eyed peas, garden salad, cornbread and dessert (subject to change). The cost to attend is $10 per member in good standing and $20 for each guest. This is considered a “program fee” and it covers many costs above and beyond the food. PPSCF covers the reasonable expenses of the speakers we host, as well as rent on our meeting space, projector rentals and other expenses that we photographers understand all too well. Remember to bring a print to submit for "The Peoples Choice", our monthly informal print competition. 8x10 or smaller meets the size requirement, please enter something! If you win, your door fee for next month's meeting will be waived. If you don't bring a print for The People's Choice competition, you'll be asked to contribute $2 for PPSCF's Harry & Ruth Langdon Scholarship.

THE AWARDS BANQUET - The PPSCF 2005 Annual Awards Banquet will be next Sunday Evening, January 22, 2006, at The Olympia Restaurant, 8505 East Colonial Dr. (about 1/4 mile west of toll road 417)

Come enjoy an evening of photographic fellowship, dinner, awards, door prizes and Greek dancing.
The price for this year's banquet is $30 per person and includes:
Appetizers, Soup, Greek Salad, Soft Beverages, your choice of one of four Entrees, Dessert, Coffee and Entertainment.

Scheduled highlights include:
5:30 - 6:30 Cocktail hour / Appetizers / choose your entree
6:30 - 7:45 Dinner
7:45 - 8:15 Door Prizes & Awards
8:15 - 9:00 Entertainment

Invitations with stamped, pre-addressed RSVP cards were mailed to all PPSCF members the first week of January. We need the RSVPs back no later than next Wednesday (January 18), to finalize our head count. Send the RSVP back now please, if you haven't already, or better yet, bring it to the general meeting on Tuesday. Please include your payment with your RSVP, it will be much appreciated! Payment is due no later than the evening of the Banquet, in any case. If you have any special dietary needs, and want to attend, please call or e-mail Mike ASAP, so we can do our best to make your dinner enjoyable. If you need a vegetarian meal, or anything else special, I need to know in advance.

Your 2005 and 2006 PPSCF Officers and Board of Directors sincerely hope you'll join us for the awards banquet this year.

See you Tuesday night!

Thanks, Mike Gibson, PPSCF Hospitality Chairperson
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Upcoming Program info: (visit www.ppscf.com for more detailed information on upcoming programs - programs are subject to change).

April 18, 2006 "Weddings: Make It Easy, Make It Fun!!" by Brenda Estes Brenda will discuss the changing environment of Weddings, and how they (through necessity) try to put some sanity back in their lives by making the whole wedding process easier and more fun! One of Florida’s “Top Ten Photographers” in 2003, Brenda was also awarded two of the top five Albums in the prestigious Loan Collection by the Professional Photographers of America in 2003. She and husband, Steve, were also awarded another Loan Collection album in 2004. They also got another PPA Loan album this year (2005). http://www.estesphotography.com/
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