<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Coastal California Photographers]]></title><description><![CDATA[CCP is a non-profit, professional photography organization committed to advancing photographic excellence while maintaining high ethical standards.]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:37:49 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.ccp.photos/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Beware - Monthly Critique Rules Have Escaped the Darkroom!]]></title><description><![CDATA[There was a time, not so very long ago, when entering the Coastal California Photographers Monthly Critique was as easy as photographing a sleeping cat. Life was simple. Your masterpiece needed only to be 1080 pixels vertically, 1920 pixels horizontally, and have the proper filename that didn't resemble your cat walking across the keyboard. Those carefree days have now ridden off into the sunset. The Competition Committee, in its infinite wisdom (and probably after consuming industrial...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/beware-monthly-critique-rules-have-escaped-the-darkroom</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a44493d51416e35e7873add</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:31:22 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coastal California Photographers             Weekly Update  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Week 27 - June 28 Mike Mercadante Highlights Event Reminders Recent Blog Posts Picnic Highlights Website Update - We have shifted our event ticketing to our Wix Website during the first week in June. Bob Turk has done a great job of switching all the events over from LearnDesk. Thanks, Bob!   Please read the blog post dated June 5th to learn how to book any upcoming event. Click here Event Ideas - We want to hear your ideas on events that you would like to see on our calendar. So, we created...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/coastal-california-photographers-weekly-update-3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4296b23c06bdad5426acb4</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:16:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_dcf05476480d4512b682ada29c37ed03~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_454,h_227,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Week of June 22, 2026 Reminders]]></title><description><![CDATA[Website Update Tonight - Tonight we have a Zoom session to update members on changes to the website, including event registration, site login, and other minor updates. Please attend so we can ensure you can log in to the site and register for events. Click here to register 6/24/2026 7pm Discussion working the image - Discussion: Working the Image - June | CIPPA. 6/25/2026 7pm TechTalk - Preparing your image for Competition - TechTalk: Preparing your Image for Competition | CIPPA 6/26/2026 -...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/week-of-june-22-2026-reminders</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a39c04cfa54cc84484bb6b6</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:21:29 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coastal California Photographers             Weekly Update  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Week 26 - June 21 Mike Mercadante Highlights Event Reminders Recent Blog Posts Picnic Highlights Website Update - We have shifted our event ticketing to our Wix Website during the first week in June. Bob Turk has done a great job of switching all the events over from LearnDesk. Thanks, Bob!   Please read the blog post dated June 5th to learn how to book any upcoming event. Click here This week, we will post a TechTalk to illustrate the process, answer questions, and remind members of the...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/coastal-california-photographers-weekly-update-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a37f03ca8977cb11dd89537</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2026 14:57:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_dcf05476480d4512b682ada29c37ed03~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_454,h_227,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[July Photo Challenge: Colorless Color Photography]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photography is often celebrated as the art of color. Brilliant sunsets, vibrant flowers, colorful city lights, and richly saturated landscapes all compete for our attention. But what happens when color itself becomes nearly invisible? July's Coastal California Photographers challenge invites members to explore that fascinating question with a deceptively difficult theme: Colorless Color Photography. The objective is simple to describe but surprisingly challenging to achieve: create a color...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/july-photo-challenge-colorless-color-photography</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a32fb042659c481bf8e8887</guid><category><![CDATA[Critiques]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:49:29 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coastal California Photographers             Weekly Update  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Week 25 - June 15 Mike Mercadante Highlights Event Reminders Recent Blog Posts Member Recognition Website Update - We have shifted our event ticketing to our Wix Website during the first week in June. Bob Turk has done a great job of switching all the events over from LearnDesk. Thanks, Bob!   Please read the blog post dated June 5th to learn how to book any upcoming event. Click here Next week, we will post a TechTalk to illustrate the process and answer questions and remind members of the...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/copy-of-coastal-california-photographers-weekly-update</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2df67200dbe48b1c782da6</guid><category><![CDATA[Updates]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2026 01:53:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_dcf05476480d4512b682ada29c37ed03~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_454,h_227,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Newsletter / Upcoming Events]]></title><description><![CDATA[Newsletter June Edition of the Newsletter - Below is a copy of the monthly newsletter "Coastal California Journal", which is the first newsletter of our combined organizations. Enjoy the content, and give us feedback on how we could improve our newsletter.]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/newsletter-upcoming-events</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26390e579005354a9aac68</guid><category><![CDATA[Newsletter]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 03:39:48 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coastal California Photographers             Weekly Update  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Week 24 - June 7 Mike Mercadante Highlights Event Reminders Recent Blog Posts Member Recognition June Edition of the Newsletter - Shortly, you will receive a copy of the monthly newsletter "Coastal California Journal", which is the first newsletter of our combined organizations. Enjoy the content, and give us feedback on how we could improve our newsletter. Website Update - Given the maintenance issues with LearnDesk this week, we implemented a contingency plan to create an event-tracking...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/coastal-california-photographers-weekly-update-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a243d501f44c606b3799201</guid><category><![CDATA[Updates]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 20:08:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_dcf05476480d4512b682ada29c37ed03~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_454,h_227,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[CCP Website Changes ]]></title><description><![CDATA[June 5, 2026 Motivation Recently, LearnDesk went down for maintenance unannounced on May 31st, and as of 6/5/2026, it remains down. This behavior is totally unacceptable, so we are acting on our contingency plan. On Monday, I deferred some of the website rebranding changes to implement a ticketing mechanism within the website. As a result, I’m turning off the LearnDesk events page and enabling the new event registration capabilities on the website. While you will see some visual differences,...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/ccp-website-changes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2301e83919feaaedf8f952</guid><category><![CDATA[Website]]></category><category><![CDATA[How To]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:28:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_8eb732a57ed44d3ba70602913860f6ff~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_721,h_94,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Share Your Vision with Ventura County: CPP Photo Exhibition at the Ventura County Fair]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every photograph tells a story. Some capture fleeting moments of beauty, while others reveal the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary. This summer, Coastal California Photographers members have a unique opportunity to share those stories with tens of thousands of visitors as part of our special exhibition at the Ventura County Fair. The Ventura County Fair has long been a celebration of community, creativity, and local talent, making it the perfect venue to showcase the diverse...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/share-your-vision-with-ventura-county-cpp-photo-exhibition-at-the-ventura-county-fair</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1de38299ad5c2aac7d87de</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:25:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bf3d72_a6a1a40890af4847b1aa3b2f40e7bfc6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_585,h_439,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coastal California Photographers             Weekly Update  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Week 23 - June 1 LearnDesk - Is currently down for maintenance. I will send out a message when maintenance is complete. Website Update - A series of minor updates have been made to the website this week. Some Menu modifications reflecting the future content will be rolled out in the next couple of weeks. You will see some new pages marked as Under Development. The Blog is now located in the Resources Menu We added a monthly critique menu, where we will post galleries of merit images This...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/coastal-california-photographers-weekly-update</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1c5ed074254bcae08217df</guid><category><![CDATA[Updates]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 21:29:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_dcf05476480d4512b682ada29c37ed03~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_454,h_227,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Getty Center Visit Instructions]]></title><description><![CDATA[July 14th, 2026 The final day for sign-up is June 26th. Sign up prior to June 26th If you want a service merit, please send me your PPA Number We will need to carpool; we have a limited number of parking passes A brief Zoom will be held July 9th at 7:00 PM to answer questions and arrange carpooling, Zoom Link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89469993611?pwd=YjYTrmT09tPT7Q7Qnad4GmLBlkiRt7.1 THE J. PAUL GETTY MUSEUM DEPARTMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHS   ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS   Please plan to arrive by 9:30am...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/getty-center-visit-instructions</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1c60bb74254bcae0821bd7</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><category><![CDATA[Programs]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 16:46:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_ca3cf839b800480bbc0bd88174f21eac~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Monthly Photo Critique: Through the Looking Glass]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photography has always been about more than simply recording what we see. It is about revealing what lies beyond the obvious, discovering hidden stories, and inviting viewers to experience the world from a fresh perspective. This month's challenge, "Through the Looking Glass," encourages photographers to do exactly that. The theme invites you to explore the idea of looking through something, whether literally or creatively. Your image may capture a view from outside looking in, from inside...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/monthly-photo-challenge-through-the-looking-glass</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1b11d5b2b59ee8f7528000</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><category><![CDATA[Critiques]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 16:40:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bf3d72_e52338d70c19468f9982bef78dfc454d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[V.C Fair Photo Exhibition Opportunity!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photography Superintendent – William Horstick Assistant Superintendent – Patricia Gladstone   Coastal California Photographers Guidelines for submitting images to the 2026 V.C. Fair   Point of Contact – Ron Kaplan   We have been given the opportunity to display images of CCP members during the 2026 Ventura County Fair. This is NOT a competition. This is open to current paid CCP members. These guidelines outline how to submit an image for consideration. We will be allocated 2-3 display boards...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/v-c-fair-photo-exhibition-opportunity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ff7412406b142671069ce9</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 09 May 2026 18:02:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_0b0f591072a94fc6b9389cf3bc51151a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_383,h_209,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[2026 April  Springtime in the Sierras]]></title><description><![CDATA[During the trip, we plan to capture the night sky, sunrise/sunset landscapes, and wildflowers in the Alabama Hills, Owens Valley, Volcanic Tableland, Bishop Canyon, and Buttermilk Boulders.]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/2026-april-springtime-in-the-sierras</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fe6b5aecab901137523432</guid><category><![CDATA[Past Events]]></category><category><![CDATA[Programs]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 23:05:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/wg1G6uZmJb8" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Capture the Thrill of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship at Laguna Seca]]></title><description><![CDATA[The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship Weekend returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from September 4 to 6. This season finale promises an electrifying showdown as the best open-wheel drivers compete on one of North America’s most challenging circuits. For photo enthusiasts eager to master auto racing photography, this event offers a perfect opportunity to capture the speed, skill, and drama of high-stakes racing. The Corkscrew turn at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a challenging and...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/capture-the-thrill-of-the-2026-ntt-indycar-series-championship-at-laguna-seca</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69966fb97b02767d86630d95</guid><category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:05:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_190e55ff10234f22830f547b3a04ddba~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Learn Photography Through Our Engaging Events and Workshops]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photography is a skill that grows best when practiced and explored in a supportive environment. While tutorials and books offer valuable knowledge, nothing compares to hands-on learning and real-time feedback. Our site hosts a variety of events designed to help photographers at every level improve their craft, connect with others, and find inspiration. These events provide practical experience, expert guidance, and a chance to explore new techniques in a friendly setting. Workshops That Build...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/learn-photography-through-our-engaging-events-and-workshops</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69966d43f797687350e749a4</guid><category><![CDATA[How To]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 01:55:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af7744_aff4b18a62d7493189d3c1c09defc7b9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_577,h_531,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[CIPPA May 2025 Image Competition ~ Best of Show &#38; Category Winners!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our 2nd quarter Image Competition was held Monday, May 12th. We had 47 excellent entries in 9 categories: Architecture/Industrial, Fashion/Editorial, Illustrative, Lifestyle, Nature/Wildlife, Landscape, Open Nature/Animal/Landscape, Portrait Studio, and Photojournalism . The judging by 3 experienced PPC Judges: Antonie Didienne, Dea Bachard Meyer, and Michael Van Auken was excellent. Each judge brought a different view and critique skill set. Kudos to all who entered, every single photograph...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/cippa-may-2025-image-competition-~-best-of-show-category-winners</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6823bfe7586626533b27a5e2</guid><category><![CDATA[Quarterly Merit Images]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2025 22:25:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e6ee4d_9847510569ba4b2e8a29dec28fb7843a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[CIPPA February 2025 Image Competition ~ Best of Show &#38; Category Winners! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our 1st quarter Image Competition was held Monday, February 10th. We had 49 excellent entries in 11 categories: Commercial, Fashion/Editorial, Creative Imaging, Electronic IMaging, Illustrative, Lifestyle, Nature/Wildlife, Landscape, Open Nature/Animal/Landscape, Portrait Studio, and Photojournalism . The judging by 3 experienced PPC Judges: John Powers, Elizabeth Toller, and Kristi Elias  was excellent. Each judge brought a different view and critique skill set. Kudos to all who entered,...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/cippa-february-2025-image-competition-~-best-of-show-category-winners</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67abc3d1f66843ffa6a4ee14</guid><category><![CDATA[Quarterly Merit Images]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 21:46:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e6ee4d_97f538a3cf8d443c98e2770a68945a0c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[CIPPA August 2024 Image Competition ~ Best of Show! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our 3rd quarter 2024 Virtual Image Competition was held Monday, August 12th.  We had 42 excellent entries in 10 categories: Architecture, Commercial, Fashion/Editorial, Illustrative, Lifestyle, Nature/Wildlife, Landscape, Open Nature/Animal/Landscape, Portrait Studio, and Photojournalism . The judging by 3 experienced PPC Judges: Eleanor Gray, James Trapp, &#38; Michelle Pennings was excellent.  Each judge brought a different view and critique skill set.   Kudos to all who entered, every single...]]></description><link>https://www.ccp.photos/post/cippa-august-2024-image-competition-~-best-of-show</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66c773791f3430df922b2baf</guid><category><![CDATA[Quarterly Merit Images]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 22 Aug 2024 17:21:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e6ee4d_a130794e23ae451abf49676911e72bb2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item></channel></rss>