Photo adventures under the northern lights

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CALDWELL, NJ — At a first-ever open house sponsored by the Essex Photo Club for the area’s amateur photographers, William Gutsch of Caldwell, former chairman of New York’s famed Hayden Planetarium, will discuss the intricacies of photographing the northern lights at a club meeting at the United Methodist Church of Caldwell, 8 Academy Road in Caldwell, on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m.

The club is one of the oldest in the state, having been founded in 1949, and meets at the Caldwell church on the first and third Thursdays of the month. In announcing the open house, Robert Thomas of Verona, newly installed president, took note of the growth of photography on the amateur level and said: “We are opening this meeting without charge to familiarize photographers of all levels of experience with the programs we offer.”

Arrangements for Gutsch’s lecture have been made by Warren Marchioni of Caldwell, the club’s program chairman. Gutsch, he noted, has led professional photo shoots to Mexico, Europe, Asia, Africa and Antarctica. He covered several space missions as a special science correspondent for ABC’s “Good Morning America” program.

An astronomer himself, Gutsch taught at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City and is the author of syndicated newspaper columns and several books, and produced and directed a number of large-screen science programs.

Another learning experience open to the public will come on Thursday, Oct. 20, when the club holds a pictorial and nature competition at which approximately 100 images will be critiqued by Vinnie Kempf of the Ridgewood Camera Club, an official of that club’s international salon.

Refreshments will be provided to guests at both meetings.