Photography Café
Meet fellow photography enthusiasts every second Thursday at Tracy Memorial Library in New London! Connect, learn new techniques, receive feedback, explore exhibitions, and join group outings.
Welcoming New Members!
We are a friendly group of area photographers getting together to share our common interest in photography and photographic art.
Who we are: Center for the Arts (CFA) Photography Café was established in 2019 as a venue for those interested in photography to share their knowledge and advance their craft through regular meetings, whether in-person or virtually.
When/where we meet: The group meets on the second Thursday of each month starting at 6pm. Meetings take place at the Tracy Library in New London, virtually via Zoom, a location for photo shoots, or one of the member’s homes (to be announced well in advance). Occasionally, members meet at other times and locations such as for photo walks when we want to explore new areas conducive to picture-taking.
What we do: While one can learn a lot about photography by watching online videos (i.e., YouTube) and attending classes and workshops, meeting regularly with like-minded photographers gives everyone an ongoing outlet for their questions about any aspect of photography. We all learn from each other in an informal and friendly setting. During our regular meetings, group members share some of their recent work, and offer it up for discussion. We often work together on special “challenges” such as shooting in black and white, creating “minimalist” images, and setting up and photographing still life, seasonal images, and so on. We also discuss composition, matting and framing, upcoming exhibit opportunities, photography equipment, software, printing, and more. The goal is to keep learning, sharing, and enjoying the company of others with similar interests.
Venues for shows and sales: As a member of the CFA and Photography Café, many opportunities are available to exhibit and sell your work. Examples include the many microgalleries, annual member shows, and other venues such as Naturally New England at Sunapee Harbor and Arts on the Green.
What’s the cost: Membership in the Photography Café is free of charge to current members of CFA. If you are interested in joining or want more information, please email Jay Fitzpatrick using jall@tds.net or call (603) 455-6595. Regular emails are sent to those interested in advance of upcoming meetings.
CFA Photographers Create Abstract Art
The Center for the Arts’ Photography Café had a fun, productive and creative meeting at the Tracy Library. Members practiced photographing “swirls” and colorful liquid combinations to create abstract photos, seen in this post.
Members explored what can happen when you have your camera and light source ready, then pour cream into coffee, food coloring into water or a combination of milk, oil and dish detergent. A great way to practice close-up (macro) capture and put a creative spin on colors in a coffee cup or soup bowl.
Thanks for those contributing their photos to include with this post: Bill Balsam, Nate Carey, Jay Fitzpatrick, Lindsay Holmes, Tom McHugh and York Xavier.
The Photographers’ Café meets on the second Thursday of each month, and sometimes in between
meetings for special activities such as gallery strolls, photo shoots, etc. For more information or to join the mailing list, contact Jay Fitzpatrick at jayfitz6932@gmail.com.
Photo caption: photographers York Xavier (left) and Bill Balsam work on shooting colorful swirls and the Photography Café meeting in July.
Upcoming Meeting
Hello photography friends:
The next meeting of the CFA’s Photography Café will be this Thursday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. at the Tracy Library.
A couple of things:
Exhibit at Bar Harbor Bank: I had put out an email to see who was interested in exhibiting at Bar Harbor Bank Nov.-Jan. and got no affirmative responses, and three who said they were not interested this time around. After discussions, we’ve decided to forego the Nov. 7 Gallery Stroll and opening reception, but leave some of our current work up through January. However, those of us who currently have work there are encouraged to swap out at least a few of their pieces with new work prior to Nov. 7. This can be done as a group or individually as your schedules allow. So please consider swapping out some of the photos fairly soon.
Field Trip to Griffin Museum and Hunt’s Photo: I’ve made arrangements with Hunt’s Photo in Melrose, Ma., to meet with members of our group on Friday, Oct. 24, at 1 or 2 p.m So our plan is to leave the Tracy Library parking lot on Oct. 24 at 8:15 a.m. and drive to the Griffin Museum first to check out their current exhibits (see link below). Hunt’s has a relatively small retail outlet in Manchester, but the Melrose store is much bigger with lots of gear and supplies on display. The general manager has agreed to meet with us in one of the training rooms when we arrive to answer any general questions we might have about photography gear, from the features of various brands and models of cameras and lenses, to tripods, printers, photo papers, lighting equipment, etc. Then we can browse and meet with other salespeople who specialize in various equipment. This should be a fun and informative trip. Mark your calendars!! (Note: there is a small entrance fee at the Museum, and we will be stopping for lunch in between the Griffin and Hunts.)
For this Thursday, please bring in some photos on a thumb drive to share and discuss, or some prints, books, techniques, ideas or suggestions, or just come and enjoy the show!
Hope to see you then.
Here's the link to the Griffin exhibits:
Past Meetings
September 2025 Meeting Update:
Hello Fellow Photographers:
Time seems to be going quickly these days, as it is already time for the monthly meeting of the CFA’s Photography Café.
The group will meet this Thursday, SEPT. 4, AT 6 PM AT TRACY LIBRARY. Please bring in some photos on a thumb drive for viewing and discussion. Or bring in prints frames, ideas about presentation, composition or anything photographic. Want to take a field trip to the Griffin Museum in Winchester, MA, with maybe a stop at Hunts in Melrose? Or a group visit to the FOCUS photography gallery in Woodstock, Vt. (great work)? And/or a trip to the Vermont Center for Photography? Or a photo shoot somewhere as fall approaches? Let’s chat.
The following night (Sept. 5) will be the Gallery Stroll and Opening Reception of the photography group’s work at Bar Harbor Bank, along with the other artists’ opening receptions at Grounds, the Fleming Center Gallery, Blue Loon Bakery and the New London Inn. All of these opening receptions take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Our exhibit at the Bank will feature works by Tom McHugh, Lindsay Holmes, Bill Balsam, Jay Fitzpatrick, Kim Pease, Garrett Evans and Peter Jacoby. If you plan to attend and feel like sharing a small dish, feel free to bring it in. Singer/songwriter Carl Beverly will provide us with music, thanks to the contribution of some members.
Hope to see you this Thursday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. at Tracy Library
August 2025 Meeting Update:
Hello everyone…
I hope you are enjoying your summer. The heat has been rough, especially if you enjoy outdoor activities, but I guess it’s what we waited all winter for! (Remember February?)
The CFA’s Photography Café will be meeting this Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Tracy Library.
As usual, please consider joining us and bringing in some of your photos on a thumb drive to view and discuss as a group. Or bring in a show-and-tell item…a piece of photo gear, print(s), frames, thoughts, ideas, techniques or share something that you recently learned about the craft of photography. Or just relax and take it all in.
Not sure if anyone has pursued our most recent challenges, “Hands,” or “Books,” but if so, we’d love to see what you’ve come up with.
Ok, until then, enjoy the week and I hope to see you on Thursday.
July 2025 Meeting Update:
Hello. Friendly reminder of this week's Photography Cafe meeting, July 17th 6 p.m. at the Library. Hope you can make it.
Anyone working on the challenges of "Hands" or "Books?" FYI, as always, these challenges are voluntary but are used as a way to help us keep practicing our craft. And, there are no deadlines, so one could work on these, if they wish, for longer periods or as time allows.
Next, for those indicating an interest in exhibiting at the bank Aug.-Oct. I still need 2-3 images of your work for publicity purposes (asap). The CFA promotes these exhibits through advertising, press releases, on their website, facebook pages. They also create e-cards that we all could post on our own social media, and are specific to each artist. And our members create our own posters to further promote our photo exhibit.
Please consider bringing in images, ideas, prints, questions, etc. for viewing and discussing. I always look forward to seeing everyone's photos.