Newest - and best - meeting place ever!

It's easy to see that things are better.

Monthly meetings of the 21st Century Photography Group just improved with a terrific meeting site - the Carolina Ice Palace.

More private space. Lighting and sound control.

A full bar and food service right at hand.

What a nice spot.

We started meeting in the Penalty Box bar during the summer.

Management has confirmed we can continue to use the empty Sports Bar for our 2nd Wednesday gatherings from 7-9pm.

It lends itself to our goal of small one-on-one conversations about photography and techniques.

We can dim the lights for our very popular SHOW & TELL exhibitions on the big screen

We also can use our PA system so members can describe what we are watching.

Members often give instructions on various topics, describe how to do darkroom manipulation,  and how to make their camera do manual labor - not as a lecture - but as  a conversation.

The spacious room has more capacity than we've ever had before.

We started in an Irish Pub for one meeting,  met for 3 years in a Greek restaurant, then to an Italian one and now we're back in a bar that's perfect for meetings.

Please circle 2nd Wednesday on your calendar, bring your camera and a few favorite photos on a CD or memory stick and join in the fun.

Welcome to the 21st Century.....

Hey! The quick search is over.

We needed to move so we found a close-by restaurant near Northwoods Mall.

It's named Bella Napoli.

I see that North Towne Grill has closed and sits empty.

Too bad. They drove away a 3-year customer who met each month, dined and drank as a group, and filled empty seats on a slow Wednesday night.

The new spot is less than a mile from the other site but there's a world of difference.

Well, Italian food instead of Greek and management that LOVES to work with groups like ours.

Chef Gary even offers us a discount on food and drinks. Yikes.

Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687.

This outside picture is NOT to imply there is an excess of drinking at the meetings!

This was taken on a rainy night as I prepared to leave after another fun evening.

Looking through the windshield, I liked what the distortion did.

I took several pictures and chose this one.

Then I turned on the wipers.

You really should come to a meeting and check it out.

2nd Wednesday of the month. We start at 7:00pm and it ends about 9:00pm.

(2012 update: This restaurant closed suddenly and months later, re-opened across the street. Unfortunately, there was no quiet side-room there so we looked around again.

It's our artistic Gypsy nature.)

Monthly Show & Tell Themes....

Photographers like to share what they've been shooting.

Or just sit back and enjoy seeing what others are doing.

Please take a moment or two to check out this talented and friendly group.

If you have a camera, or are planning to get one, these are people who love to make suggestions.

And, to show results.

The 385+ members of the local photography group suggested we add a monthly theme.

It would be optional but it's interesting to see how creative minds interpret a common topic.

Here's an entry for "DARKNESS."



The month we were illustrating "HEAT" I appeared to really suffer for my art.

Actually the bottle was sealed and Photoshop was used to "open" it. The flow of orange molten lava also was added later.

I did splash water on my face to simulate sweat.

Rigging a mini-studio set up, I crafted a picture using a small realistic model Volkswagen.

Then I created a cloud of smoke - as in an overheated engine - and positioned it rising from the open front hood.

Several members were kind enough to point out that the VW has an air-cooled engine.

And the motor is in the back.

Well, duh. That was the joke part of my theme photo.

[Click - twice - on the photos to see more detail.

Digital is fantastic!]

My OTHER blogging site

This blog was created so I could cross-reference.

I wanted to direct viewers to my 21st Century Charleston photography group.

Please join us on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Bring your camera and enjoy the SHOW & TELL that has an optional monthly theme.

Suggestions are always welcome.

It's an informal group that tries to make everyone comfortable and informed.

We also create Photo Walks and often meet on weekends to explore photo opportunities.Details are posted on the Message Board.


Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687.


A very nice North Charleston Greek restaurant has been our meeting site every month for more than 3 years.

They have provided a cozy room at the back where we can dim the lights for our photo presentations. We, in turn, encourage the 25-45 members attending to eat and drink there.

Members and guest are invited to bring 10-15 of their favorite shots to share.

Or, just sit back and see what others are doing.

Unfortunately, a few months ago, the restaurant imposed a $10 PER PERSON minimum if we wanted to continue using their empty back room on a slow Wednesday evening(?)

Members have suggested we look elsewhere so I am. Loyalty is a 2-way situation. I'll post any meeting location changes.

Thank you

*Footnote: The 20-year old restaurant closed 5 months later.