APUG members in Southern NH

rternbach · Jun 21, 2009

VCP=Vermont Center for Photography, Brattleboro, VT
VPC=Valley Photography Center, Springfield, MA
QVP=Quabbin Valley Photographers, Belchertown, MA

At least that's how I think of them. VCP is the most film oriented and large format group but there's analog people in all three.

Best,

rternbach · Jun 21, 2009

NavyMoose said:
I enjoyed the APUG event this past weekend in Manchester. I'm looking for ideas of places to go for another APUG shoot in Southern NH. I've been here for only a little over six months and I haven't found a lot of places yet.

I know its not southern NH but the Kancamagus Scenic Byway ("The Kank") will definitely lure you a bit further north in NH once you're ready for it.

Best,

jeff.blackwell · Jun 21, 2009

You should look at meeting in the Portsmouth/Dover area, particularly in the fall. Those towns serve as kind of a gateway to Maine and/or the White Mountains, and leavers from all over pass through there every autumn. I'm sure you would find many traveling APUGers among them.

rternbach · Jun 21, 2009

jeff.blackwell said:
You should look at meeting in the Portsmouth/Dover area, particularly in the fall. Those towns serve as kind of a gateway to Maine and/or the White Mountains, and leavers from all over pass through there every autumn. I'm sure you would find many traveling APUGers among them.

Do you think there would be interest in an event sponsored by New England Apugers willing to lead one or more days of a Fall Tour for Apug peepers and leavers not familiar with the area?

Best,

rternbach · Jun 22, 2009

CORRECTION

VCP=Vermont Center for Photography said:
QVP was a mistake on my part, what I should have listed was

PVPA=Pioneer Valley Photographic Artists, Belchertown, MA.
They meet at the Quabbin Valley Reservoir Visitor's Center the last Thursday of each month.
Next meeting will be 6/25/09 at 7:00.

Best,

papagene · Jun 22, 2009

rternbach said:
QVP was a mistake on my part, what I should have listed was

PVPA=Pioneer Valley Photographic Artists, Belchertown, MA.
They meet at the Quabbin Valley Reservoir Visitor's Center the last Thursday of each month.
Next meeting will be 6/25/09 at 7:00.

Best,

A little more info on the above organizations:
bdial is on the Board of the VCP (Vermont Center for Photography)

I am on the Board of the VPC (Valley Photo Center). There are a couple of us film shooters involved with the VPC, but alas it is leaning heavily digi these days.

And I know many of the PVPA members. It is a good group of people, but very heavy on the digi side, except for a few members.

If you live near any of these groups and are looking for a cause to join, all three would be glad for the influx of new blood. I know we really need it at the VPC.

gene

bdial · Jun 22, 2009

Yes, VCP needs new blood, to say the least.
I've pitched VCP fairly often, hopefully not too much.

VCP holds a portfolio night on the third Thursday each month where folks can share work. The usual crowd is largly digi, but it's not about equipment, it's about photographs. All are welcome and there is no requirement for membership to attend.

I know it's a stretch for most people here to come mid week, but if anyone can swing it, it would be great for some APUG participants to come out. If that doesn't work, we generally have world-class work on the walls to come and see on weekends.

BTW, the upcoming members show in August will be all traditional work. (hint, there is still time to become a member and submit)

NavyMoose · Jun 23, 2009

bdial said:
NavyMoose,
From me as well, it was nice to meet you.
Obviously, there isn't as much open country in SoNH as in the Whites, but there are some nice areas.
Working west from where you are, the area along 122, from Milford down into Groton MA. There are several farms and orchards and good rural landscape views

To the north and west;
Routes 47, 136 and 31 form a loop around Crotched Mountain, through the towns of Francestown, Greenfield and Bennington. There are good spots along those roads, especially 136 between Francestown and Greenfield. Farther to the west and north there is Hancock NH and route 123 from there through Marlow has some good spots. Most of these places don't require much, if any hiking.

Straight west from Milford, Temple and Pack Monadnock mountains, then there is Monadnock Mt. There are state parks on Pack Monadnock and Monadnock, also in Greenfield.

For urban landscape, Milford and Amherst might be good. Farther west, Peterborough, Jafferey, and then Keene.
A little to the south and in Western MA Quabbin Reservoir which you could spend years working. I'm sure that PapaGene will be up for an excursion there just about any time. (He is the expert on Quabbin). Google Quabbin, and you'll get a lot of information about the place.

I've wanted to visit Chesterfield Gorge, which is west of Keene for a while, I've never been to it, but drive by a lot.

Finally, there are good spots in and around Brattleboro, VT, depending on whether you prefer urban or open landscape.

Thank you for the route numbers to drive along, this is exactly what I'm looking for Is it legal in NH to park on a numbered road to take photos?

Wow, lots of activity the past few days I am familiar with VCP, I was brought there last August by Mr. Ritter. I'll be joining one of these days....

Last Summer Mr. Ritter brought us around Brattleboro, I liked the downtown, very quaint. I got some nice shots in the early morning.

In about a month, I'll be taking my girl to the Kancamangus, not the best time of year but this is her first trip to New England. I spend time every year up near Franconia or North Conway.

Quabbin is beautiful. I've driven all around it. I found a beautiful little town called "Petersham" on Rt. 32A. I haven't explored any of the fire roads to get closer to the reservoir. I heard about an abandoned town which was not flooded and is out in the woods somewhere. Does anyone know anything about this?

If there is an APUG event for foliage season, I would definitely be interested.

Thank you all!

rternbach · Jun 23, 2009

Drew B. said:
uh...AFB?)

(hussshh...let's keep this thing a secret) some of the area maps still have it listed as a municipal airport just to throw off the jerrys I guess.

I joined VCP as a non-exhibiting member a few months back. PVPA too. Not VPC yet but I know a number of photographers there. Can't say enough good things about the people involved in all three groups--digital shooters included.

Best regards,

Nathan Potter · Jun 23, 2009

Not mentioned in this thread is the splendidly preserved New England village of Harrisburg N.H. It's in southern N.H. and contains some architectural gems, especially the 1830s' or so granite mill in perfect repair. I've wandered around doing photography without interruption.

Nate Potter, Washington DC.

rternbach · Jun 23, 2009

bdial said:
...VCP holds a portfolio night on the third Thursday each month where folks can share work. The usual crowd is largly digi, but it's not about equipment, it's about photographs. All are welcome and there is no requirement for membership to attend. ...

I became a VCP member and started attending the third Thursday meetings several months ago and have learned something useful each time that I've attended. A piece of advice to all who are interested in participating--as a way of introducing yourself bring one or two examples of what interests you or what you are currrently working on and not a full portfolio of unrelated prints you have made over an extended period of time like I did on my first visit. It was my mistake to do that and while the folks in attendance were receptive and interested they were not prepared (either individually or as a group) to digest a stack of prints in the time available. I was hoping to share this info with some other newbies and now I'm glad that this forum has provided me the opportunity to do so. I missed the last Portfolio Review because of family obligations but I hope to attend many more times in the future and recommend the VCP highly to film and digital shooters of all persuasions. It's a growing organization with a lot of energetic and creative photographers willing to share their knowledge, experience, and love for the photographic arts.

Best,

Rudy

bdial · Jun 23, 2009

Nate,
Yes, I should have remembered Harrisville. I have no excuses, especially since it's more or less just two towns away. I've not had good photographic luck there, yet, but that is my fault not the setting.

Rudy, Thanks for the good words about VCP, I'm glad you find the portfolio sessions valuable.

z3guy · Jun 24, 2009

NavyMoose said:
Wow, lots of activity the past few days
Quabbin is beautiful. I've driven all around it. I found a beautiful little town called "Petersham" on Rt. 32A. I haven't explored any of the fire roads to get closer to the reservoir. I heard about an abandoned town which was not flooded and is out in the woods somewhere. Does anyone know anything about this?

If there is an APUG event for foliage season, I would definitely be interested.

Thank you all!

Yes, Quabbin and the surrounding area is beautiful but the abandoned town is just a folk tale. When Quabbin was made everything now under the reservoir and on the watershed surrounding it was taken down or moved to adjoining towns, with cellar holes and other foundations about all that is left.

Paul

rternbach · Jun 24, 2009

NavyMoose said:
Quabbin is beautiful. I've driven all around it. I found a beautiful little town called "Petersham" on Rt. 32A. I haven't explored any of the fire roads to get closer to the reservoir. I heard about an abandoned town which was not flooded and is out in the woods somewhere. Does anyone know anything about this?If there is an APUG event for foliage season, I would definitely be interested. Thank you all!

Hi NavyMoose,

The best single resource for info about the Quabbin and adjoining towns and byways is Les Campbell who lives at Sky Meadow Studio across the road from it. Les has been a photographer of the first order since the 50's and is always willing to share his knowledge and offer support to visiting photographers from all over. If you can make the QVPA meeting, 7:00 this Thursday the 25th at The Quabbin Reservoir Vsitors Center, you will be able to meet a roomfull of people able to answer your questions about the area. And then there's the NECCC in July at U.Mass. I've never been but this year I will be there or bust: if you've never been you should make every effort to attend.

Best,

Rudy

NavyMoose · Jun 24, 2009

z3guy said:
Yes, Quabbin and the surrounding area is beautiful but the abandoned town is just a folk tale. When Quabbin was made everything now under the reservoir and on the watershed surrounding it was taken down or moved to adjoining towns, with cellar holes and other foundations about all that is left.

Paul

Well, it looks like some local folks almost pulled a fast one on a tourist thanks for clearing that up. If we can coordinate a shoot out there lead by someone familiar with the area, I would be there.

I've seen a number of documentaries on the towns there, my father has one or two books on the towns which were flooded.

rternbach · Jun 24, 2009

z3guy said:
Yes, Quabbin and the surrounding area is beautiful but the abandoned town is just a folk tale. When Quabbin was made everything now under the reservoir and on the watershed surrounding it was taken down or moved to adjoining towns, with cellar holes and other foundations about all that is left.Paul

Very true that the towns were taken down, buildings moved, and many structures bulldozed and burned to the ground before the valley was flooded. There are still certain things remaining however, not whole towns but stone foundations, country roads, and some archaeologic artifacts which can be found by "walking into The Quabbin" from the various access gates in the woods around it. If you are motivated you can walk a few miles out to the "Baffle Damns" on The Harwicke side of the reservoir--it's definitely worth the walk. Pick up a fishing map of the area either in Ware or Belchertown and you'll get other good leads. Sorry my time is so limited right now but once September gets here I'd be ready to sign on for a photo safari in the area. Also, at The Quabbin Visitors Center there's an exhibition of b&w prints made from 1890's photos of the area--Les put it together.

papagene · Jun 24, 2009

NavyMoose said:
Well, it looks like some local folks almost pulled a fast one on a tourist thanks for clearing that up. If we can coordinate a shoot out there lead by someone familiar with the area, I would be there.

I've seen a number of documentaries on the towns there, my father has one or two books on the towns which were flooded.

In the past I have led several outings to the Quabbin, all posted here on APUG. And come this fall I will be making more trips out there to do some photogying. Summertime the bugs are just way too vicious, thinking that bug repellent is Special Sauce.
I grew up just north of the Quabbin in Athol and have been photographing there since 1991.
And keep an eye on the Valley Photo Center in regards to Les Campbell.

Below are a few links to maps of the Quabbin.

gene

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/documents/eastquabbike.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/documents/northquabbike.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/documents/quabparkbike.pdf

NavyMoose · Jun 24, 2009

rternbach said:
Very true that the towns were taken down, buildings moved, and many structures bulldozed and burned to the ground before the valley was flooded. There are still certain things remaining however, not whole towns but stone foundations, country roads, and some archaeologic artifacts which can be found by "walking into The Quabbin" from the various access gates in the woods around it. If you are motivated you can walk a few miles out to the "Baffle Damns" on The Harwicke side of the reservoir--it's definitely worth the walk. Pick up a fishing map of the area either in Ware or Belchertown and you'll get other good leads. Sorry my time is so limited right now but once September gets here I'd be ready to sign on for a photo safari in the area. Also, at The Quabbin Visitors Center there's an exhibition of b&w prints made from 1890's photos of the area--Les put it together.

This sounds interesting. Lets keep talking about this. Thank you for the information.

APUG members in Southern NH

rternbach

rternbach

jeff.blackwell

rternbach

rternbach

papagene

Membership Council

bdial

NavyMoose

rternbach

Nathan Potter

rternbach

bdial

z3guy

rternbach

NavyMoose

rternbach

papagene

Membership Council

NavyMoose

APUG members in Southern NH

Membership Council

Membership Council

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