Showcases

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Current Showcase Schedule | Completed Showcases

The Camera Club ”Brings the World to the Village” with Showcases, featuring photography of both Club Members and professional photographers.

Showcases range from spectacular personal adventures captured around the world, to informative “how-to” presentations on the techniques and art of photography.

Clubhouse #7

Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments at the Laguna Woods Village Clubhouse #7, presentations start at 7PM, and last for about one hour.

These events are open to the public. Club Members attend for free, non-members pay a $5 donation.

Join Our Club!

Contact the Showcase/Critiques Committee if you would like to present.

2026 Showcases Schedule

Mon. January 19
“Through the Lens: Africa & Asia”
Presenter: Ken Furuta

Join us for an evening of visual storytelling as Ken and Susan Furuta present two shows featuring stunning imagery and video from their travels.

The first program captures an unforgettable African safari through Zimbabwe and Botswana, including Mana Pools National Park—famous for its elephants and endangered wild dogs—the diverse wildlife in Hwange National Park, the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, and Botswana’s legendary Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, home to the world’s largest elephant population.

The second show journeys through Japan and Southeast Asia, with highlights that include Japan’s Imperial Palace Gardens and its parks and gardens during cherry blossom season, Taiwan’s Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Vietnam’s Marble Mountain Caves and Po Nagar Cham Towers, Hong Kong’s impressive cityscapes and harbor views, highlights of Seoul, Korea and its scenic countryside, and Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay.

Mon. February 16
“Iran’s Culture & Architecture”
Presenter: Tom Getz
Location: Clubhouse 7

Tom Getz will present a new show on Iran’s cultural, architecture and scenic aspects. The show will include major cities, tourist sites and the scenery connecting them: Tehran, Qazvin, Tabriz, Kerman, Yadz, Isfahan and Shiraz.

We begin in Tehran will the magnificent palace of Golestan, and the nearby National Museum of Iran with the finest collection of art and artifacts in Iran. More art will be seen in the Raza Abbassi Museum, and surprisingly contemporary art in the parks. The finest carpets of colorful designs were seen in Iran’s famous carpet museum. Before leaving Tehran, we visit the White Palace and the Green Palace, both richly furnished.
Traveling north we spend several hours at the extremely elaborately decorated Imam Zadeh Mausoleum, and then walked through our first of many markets and shops. Next was the doubled-shelled restored archeology site: Dome of Soltanieh, the largest brick domed structure in the world. Now a UNESCO Heritage site.

Travelling further north through scenery reminiscent of the Dakoda badlands we arrive at Tabriz for a three-day visit that featured an Armenian Monastery, plus the famous Blue Mosque, nicely restored and recently a museum.

Next was a southern flight to the desert city of Kerman to see the Shazdeh Mahan Gardena and Palace. Next was a highly decorated bathhouse: Hammam-e-Vikil. Now mostly an exhibit center; there we enjoyed a live musical performance at lunch.

Traveling again overland we learn about the still active Zoroastrian religion. The ruins of their Dakmeh (Tower of Silence) and an active temple are open. Also seen in Yadz were several honeycomb mosques, a beautiful garden ((Dolat Abat), and a rather unusual men’s exercise club, where we were allowed to take videos. Every visitor to Iran spends a day at Persepolis, one of the most famous archeology sites in the world, famous for its bas relief and double-bull capitals or bull protomes. Still in the desert, we gaze up at the ancient carved sites of Persian kings’ burials, often depicting a battle scene.

Shiraz, another city visited by all, features both honey-combed and domed mosques, palaces and mausoleums, plus the Naranjestan Gardens and Palace.
Our final destination before travelling overland to Tehran, was Isfahan, featuring large complex of palaces and mosques, and the giant Ali Qapu Palace, with beautiful interior designs, especially ceilings. Tom was able to photograph the most interesting markets, and many candid images of men, women and children. Perhaps Tom’s most memorable image of Iran were the children yelling “we love you” and jumping and waving, all caught on video.

Our final visit in Isfahan was to Vank, a highly decorated Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Cathedral, with pictures of Bible scenes and/or a vision of heaven and hell on every wall and ceiling. Our final formal event was the Vank Armenian Museum with ancient illustrated Bibles, jewelry and clothing.
The show will be accompanied by live narration and ethnic music.
Mon. March 16
“Cuba: Two Perspectives”
Presenters: Mary Madden, John Lafferty
Location: Clubhouse 7

Enjoy this special presentation of Cuba presented by two groups of Camera Club members who visited the island in 2025. Photographs and video with the great Afro-Cuban music present a fascinating look at the people, art, and architecture of Cuba.

Just over a year ago, 2 separate groups of photographers from the Camera Club visited Cuba. One group was on a purely photographic tour, the other had a more musical and cultural bent.

Mary Madden and John Lafferty will be presenting their joint Hybrid Photography presentation of an island still trapped in the Cold War – a nation of contrasts.

Cuba is a fascinating country – colonized by multiple nations, shipping point for over a million slaves and a hub of remarkable music. Cubans have a deep spiritual history in which ancient African religions merged with Christianity with a dash of Fidelism thrown in.

You will see musical performances, the beautiful tobacco growing region of Vinales, Hemingway’s Finca and of course Havana’s beautiful Old Town and Malecon.

Cuba is undergoing another difficult time, but tour operators have told us it’s still possible to travel there. The hotels and restaurants all have generators and gasoline is still available – and the Cubans are as welcoming as ever. We all had a fantastic trip!
Mon. April 20 – Next
“The Golden Era of the Silver Print”
Presenter: Carmen Pacella
Location: Clubhouse 7

Shaking hands with history with Carmen Pacella co-founder and Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Oriental Photo Distributing Company, one of the world’s foremost companies providing photographic supplies, particularly darkroom materials and paper.

Up close and personal interactions with the artists, Ansel Adams, Brett Weston, John Sexton, Jeff Dunas, Steve Anchell and others, inside the world of museum-quality black and white photography.

Join Carmen as he tells us stories about some of the most famous photographers in the world.

Carmen spent hours and days with these photographers as they worked in their darkrooms as they created art with negatives, light, and paper. He was there to understand how they worked with photo paper, and then make sure that Oriental provided the papers these photographers wanted.

You will hear stories that you will hear nowhere else. Don’t miss this special Showcase.

Since moving on from the Camera Club, Carmen has founded and manages the “All Musicians Club”, is a Wood Shop supervisor, and a GRF Director.
Mon. May 18
Subject TBD
Presenter: Hugh Foster
Location: Clubhouse 7

Hugh Foster is a Photographer, Fine Artist, and Creative Director based out of Orange County. Hugh shoots a diverse range of subjects for commercial and editorial clients, with unique perspectives, and elegant aesthetics. Besides his commercial work, Hugh is a regular presenter at the Pageant of the Masters.

Hugh’s work is extraordinary, finely tuned, beautiful, focused, highly constructed. As stated by one of his many collaborators:

“If you want brilliance, with a touch of madness, he’s already ten steps ahead,”

Hugh is a member of the creative photography space Load Bearing Studios in Santa Ana, established in 2019 as a collective of local photographers.

Take a look at his work, while we patiently wait for June Levinson and Hugh to work out what subject will grace us at Clubhouse 7. Hugh Foster Fine Art website.
Mon. June 15
TBD
Presenter: TBD
Location: Clubhouse 7
Mon. July 20
Exploring the seasons of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Presenter: Jeanette DiAnda
Location: Clubhouse 7

Club annual ice cream social, and Showcase.

From the Tetons to Glacier. Wildlife, habitat, timing and off the beaten path. With a bit of landscape thrown in.

Jeanette DiAndra is one our respected Club Judges for Critiques, and the Year End Competition.

She is an accomplished wildlife photographer, concentrating in the greater Yellowstone area with an emphasis on Grand Teton National Park. She is not just a summer photographer, many of her great images are captured in the rain, and snowy winter conditions.

Jeanette share her beautiful images with us, provide some tips on photographing in these locations, and talk about how to work in adverse weather conditions.
Mon. August 17
Annual Slideshow Competition
Location: Clubhouse 7
The Annual Slide Show Competition presents unique slide-shows created by Club Members. Voting (secret) by fellow Club members attending the event awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

View the 2025 Competition Results
Mon. September 21
TBD
Presenter: TBD
Location: Clubhouse 7
Mon. October 20
Annual Membership Meeting
AND Showcase: “Mystical Mosaic: Exploring Indonesia”
Presenter: Jack Salvador
Location: Clubhouse 7

The Republic of Indonesian encompasses over 17,000 islands, stretching from the Bay of Bengal to the Coral Sea. This beautiful archipeligo has been a vital cross roads for thousands of years between the peoples and cultures of the Asian and Australian continents, and the Oceanic Islands. It’s history is complex, it’s people and beliefs diverse and fascinating.

In the early ’90s, Jack traveled extensively throughout Indonesia, exploring and photographing. Jack experienced ceremonial events throughout the islands, and spend extended personal time with Indonesian friends and families. He grew to understand that Indonesian is a land of deeply spritual people, many who are still devoted to traditional beliefs and the spirit world, even while embracing the major religions of modern times.

Though his photography, Jack looked to document these experiences, and to understand their significance.
Mon. November 17
TBD
Presenter: TBD
Location: Clubhouse 7

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Completed 2025 Showcases

Mon. January 20 Japan (Part 2)
Tom Getz
Mon. February 17 “A Visit to Peru”
Steve Comstock, Steve Comstock’s Website
Mon. March 17 “A Visit to Hoi An: A Gem in the Central Coast of Vietnam”
Keith Leonin, Keith Leonin’s Website
Mon. April 21 Edging Towards Abstraction & the Power of Negative Space
Jacques Garnier, Jacques Garnier’s Website
Mon. May 19 “Morocco – Color Everywhere!”
Mary Madden
Mon. June 16 Marks on the Land – Creating in a Dream State
Tom Lamb, Tom Lamb’s Website
Mon. July 21 “Travel Photography, Video &Making Motion Pictures.”
Rick Graves, Rick Grave’s Website
Mon. August 18 Annual Slideshow Competition
View the Competition Results
Mon. September 15 “Explore the Northern Mountains of Vietnam and Laos”
Brad Friesen, Brad Freisan on Instagram
Mon. October 20 Annual Membership Meeting AND Showcase: “FIfty Ways of Seeing”
Carol Stanley, Carol Stanley’s Website
Mon. November 17 “Bears, Bears, & More Bears”
Adriana Greisman, Adriana Greisman’s Website

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Completed 2024 Showcases

Mon. January 15 “Playing Chicken With Charging Elephants”
Paul Renner
Mon. February 19 “Photographing the Sky at Night”
David A. Churchhill
Mon. March 18th “Club Night”
Presenter: Pat Burr
Mon. April 15 “Romania – Then & Now”
Presenters: Jack Salvador, Jonathan Williams
Mon. May 20 “My Personal Photographic Journey”
Presenter: Veronica Gray
Weds. May 29 “History in the Making”
Presenter: Scott McKiernan
Mon. June 10th “Club Night”
Mon. June 17 “Palouse Hills – Walla Walla”
Presenter: Mike Bray
Mon. July 15th Annual Slideshow Competition
Mon. August 19 “15 Days in Ethiopia”
Presenter: George Harper
Mon. September 16 “Eyes on History”
Presenter: John Cornell Jr.
Mon. October 7 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
“A Photographic Journey”
Presenter: Adriana Greisman
Mon. October 21 “Papau New Guinea”
Presenter: Tom Getz
Mon. November 18 “Oldies But Goodies”
Presenter: Mike Bray – Camera Club “Vintage” Member Slideshows

Completed 2023 Showcases

Mon November 13 – Next Meeting
“African Adventures and Other Hard-to-Visit Destinations”
Ken Furuta
Mon October 9 – “Club Night” General Members “Club Night” Meeting
Speaker: Barry Evans, Manager SAMYS, talks all things camnera equipment.
Mon September 11 – Next Showcase “Eyes on History”
Presenter John Cornell
Mon August 14 “The Unique World of an Underwater Photographer”
Presenter Dale Kobetich
Mon June 12 “Capturing Stunning Portraits”
Presenter Rick Valasek
Mon May 8 “Joshua Tree in Holy Grail Timelapse”
Presenter Larry Cunningham
Mon Apr 17 “Is Paradise Lost? An African Wildlife Review”
Presenter Bob Greenberg
Mon Apr 10 “Mongolian Heartland: Ulaanbaatar, the Steppes, and the Gobi Desert”
Presenter Tom Getz
Mon Mar 13 “Visit Fascinating Turkey”
Presenter Pat Burr
Mon Feb 20 “Exploring Namibia and Some of Ethiopia”
Presenter Tom Getz
Mon Feb 13 “Innovative Photography — From High-energy Action to Fine Art”
Presenter Rick Graves

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Previous Showcase Presentations

Some interesting and informative Showcases presented via Zoom during the period of Covid-19, by Club Members and visiting photographers.

2021
Travel Photography

Presented by Erin Manning

This excellent Showcase gives valuable lessons on travel photography from a talented professional photographer.

Travel Photography Video
Travel Photo Basics (PDF, 3 MB)
Other Videos by Erin

2021
The Long and Short of Exposure Times

Presented by Tony Prince

A thorough, clear presentation from Tony covering several techniques for capturing motion, low-light, time-lapse, stacking, and more. The Showcase ncludes guidance for mobile phone cameras.

Exposure Times Video