My camera bag, a heavy load,
Lenses and gadgets, a winding road.
From wide-angle wonder to tele-zoom’s might,
I’m ready for anything, day or night.
A tripod stands, my loyal steed,
Ensuring every shot’s agreed.
With light meter in hand, I scan the scene,
My settings correct, oh so keen!
But oh, the price, the endless quest,
To find the perfect, sharpest test.
My wallet weeps, my bank account sighs,
Just give me bokeh 1, before my demise!
-anon
Welcome Back to Our 81st Year
It’s been 6 months since I’ve sent a message to the club and now is a good time to do so as we start our 81st year as a club. This is the time of the year we all come back from our vacations and summer traveling and start another season of learning and fun in our club.
We will be starting our season opener on September 4th at Norway House with an exciting list of presenters that will cover almost everything the club has to offer. They are great speakers to listen to. This is going to be a great time to meet everyone again and swap stories of the adventures our members had during the summer. I will be excited to see and talk to all those great people I haven’t seen for 6 months. This is also a great time to introduce the new members to the club and make them feel part of our great club.
Bear Warning 
However, I must point out one new member who joined us this summer, and I have noticed a few things about this person. He always needs to be the centre of attention and wants to be in every photo. He also doesn’t pay his membership dues and expects everyone to take him everywhere he needs to be. It’s a good thing Shutter Bear is cute and huggable.
Saanich Fair 2025, Focus on Photography and Drones
We are the centre of attention at the Saanich Fall Fair this year as their theme is Photography called Focus on Farming (focus as in focusing a camera). We will be a big part of that theme as we will be operating The Gallery Print Show, being managed by Dennis Crabtree and his volunteers.
We also managed to get a big booth on the main strip at the Fair to showcase and promote the club and what we have to offer. This is a great opportunity to get new members. I love talking to people and shmoozing, so we might get a few. We may even put on a drone show for 1hr a day for the 3 days. It depends on licencing.
We are going to need lots of volunteers to be there for these two venues. It would be nice to get as many people out to the Fair as possible. Not just to volunteer but take in the sights and sounds and do some photography to document what it’s like to be at the fair. A night shot with all the whirling lights would make a great Presenter’s Night or Members’ Night presentation, or blog post.
Thank you
Once again, I want to thank our Board of Directors who have done a remarkable job in steering our club through some challenging times. I appreciate their wisdom and guidance. We are very fortunate to have them. They are a fun (and sometimes funny) group to work with.
Remember, my door is always open.
James Dies – President – Victoria Camera Club