History of the NECCC

PSA Journal, May, 2004 by Mary K. Hall

The Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts, a historic site dating back to 1683, has been a witness to history for over 300 years. It is here, circa 1938, that the beginnings of the New England Camera Club Council (NECCC) began. Originally it was made up of a small group (approximately 12) of camera clubs whose members would meet once a year, on a Sunday afternoon to picnic and discuss the latest innovations in photography. At that time, all photographs were black and white and the club members were predominantly male.

In 1945, John Vondell, then president of NECCC and a professor at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst MA, arranged to have the yearly Sunday picnic-meeting held at a facility by a small pond on the University's campus.

It was 1954, when Council President Newell Green, FPSA coaxed Leslie Campbell, FPSA of Belchertown, MA to investigate the feasibility of organizing a multi-day photographic conference. That was the year the last conference was held by the pond. In 1955 under the guidance of Council President Les Campbell, the first three-day conference as we know it today, was held. Today, 1200-1500 photographers typically attend the conference, with attendance some years reaching 2000.

In 1979, the PSA Convention was held in nearby Hartford, Connecticut. Although NECCC was not directly involved, its members were most active. It was at this convention that a soon-to-be staple of the NECCC Conference, Photo Hi-Jinks, had its PSA inception. Today it is a very popular part of our conference with hands-on workshops, nature subject photography, character models, glassware setups, and more.

This year at Photo Hi-.links, Jerry Hixson, FPSA, will present his program called Mylar Mystique followed by a hands-on workshop. Many photo opportunities will be provided, including nature subjects, sets-ups for glass, and clowns for the three days. Models will also be available for photographs. This 59th annual conference will be held on July 16, 17 and 18.

With digital photography being as popular as it is today, the conference is offering many digital programs this year. For instance, Richard Frieders, FPSA will present a program on buying a digital projector, and Robert Gorrill, APSA will teach us about basic digital techniques. Rick Sammon will tell us about the life of a digital travel photographer.

The NECCC featured speakers this year are Michael Goodman (Massachusetts), Alissa Crandall (Alaska), Donald Lyon (California), Jim Block (New Hampshire), and David A. Murray (Maine).

Dr. Kenneth Cheng, FPSA from Toronto, Canada will present the International Showcase featuring photographers from Hong Kong and Canada, hosted by the International Affairs Committee of PSA.

The Keynote speaker this year is Gil Lopez-Espina (New Jersey). His program titled "Proceed Without Caution" is sponsored by Nikon and will be presented Saturday evening in the Fine Arts Theater.

Come for an educational and fun-filled weekend. Please visit the NECCC website for complete, updated information about the conference at www.neccc.org or request a registration form by writing to NECCC, c/o Abe Reisman, RO. Box 2544, Springfield, MA01101.