Monthly Photo Challenge
Monday, November 2 at 7:00 PM 

Standard Photo Challenge Rules (Assigned and Open classes)
Zoom Link:   Zoom Link to Photo Challenge
Judge: Mel Carll (About Mel Carll)
    Website at https://www.scvphotocenter.com/
    Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/melcarll/
    Facebook at unavailable

This month's topic:: 
      Fairs, Rodeos and Parades – We end our challenge year with a fun one. Capture an element of a fair, rodeo or parade and share it with us and the judge.

• Competition Rules: Thousand Oaks Photo Group Photo Challenge Guidelines (Revised March 2026)
• Entry Closing Date: Submit your images by Wednesday, October 28 no later than 10 PM.

Critique and Judging will take place via Zoom at 7:00 PM. See our calendar for details.

Coffee and Cameras
On the 4th Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM

Please join fellow club members for Coffee and Cameras at Stonehaus in Westlake Village on the 4th Wednesday of each month for coffee and camera talk. Each month, a group of TOPG photographers gather to chat and have coffee, a cold drink or a late lunch and share information. Stonehaus is located at 32039 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361

TOPG Webinar Series

Experimental Processes: Watergrams, Lumens, and Magnetic Fluids 

Host: Mike Macartney

Presentation by: Lori Pond, Visual Artist
Website at https://www.loripond.com/

 Video Link:  Lori Pond Webinar

 Downloads: No downloads at this time.

 Lori Pond is a visual artist based in Los Angeles. Her photography and mixed media projects encompass themes such as: good vs. evil, life and death, the impermanence of all things, how our brains interpret "reality" and, most recently, experimental techniques. Using ferrofluid, food coloring, magnets, found objects, saran wrap and sound waves, she produces abstract, mind- bending images in her series, "The Atlas of Chimerical States." Her most well- recognized work is her series, "Bosch Redux." She replicates details from 15th century painter Hieronymus Bosch's works. She recreates every detail by hiring propmakers, prosthetics designers, models, and costumers to match his paintings. She has also made bodies of work using infrared photography, drones, wet plate
collodion, and silver and gold leafing. 

Lori  discussed experimental processes she explored over the past year: Cymatics, Watergrams, Lumens, and Magnetic Fluids. The two images attached, from left to right are: "Jewel" (using the magnetic fluids technique), and "Ukiyo-e." (Lumen process.)

Webinar presented on April 12, 2026. via Zoom

TOPG Webinar Series

Introduction to Southern California Council of Camera Clubs

Host: Hutch Hutchison
Video Content: Introduction to S4C 2026 

Details:  

Hutch Hutchison described what S4C is, what it does and what's in it for you.

A key feature of S4C is that it provides you with an avenue for learning how to compete against photographers from other clubs. S4C begins its annual competition season in October. This presentation will cover what competitions are all about. Past participants as well as those club members who are thinking about competing this season will find the information useful.

Additionally, Hutch provided a brief review of the Photographic Society of America (PSA), covering activities and benefits free to all PSA Club members.

Presentation was given on September 17, 2026.

TOPG Webinar Series

African Photo Safari

Host: Carl Volpe

Video Content:  Carl Volpe's African Safari

Downloads: No downloads at this time.

 Details:  For many photographers, an African safari is a once-in-a lifetime bucket-list trip. Carl Volpe, a long-standing member of TOPG, has taken wildlife safaris for more than 10 years and has photographed in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa. Using a travelog of his images, Carl shares the safari experience and photographing in the bush. He’ll discuss the technical challenges of shooting in the field and offer some hints for getting compelling images - even when the action borders on chaos.

Webinar Presented on October 27, 2025 via Zoom.