Oct. 1999
President's
Message
DCC Photo
Course
Portrait of ...
Portrait Of ...
Sandro V. Cuccia
(DCC Webmaster)
I started in photography in 1969 as yearbook and newspaper photographer at my high school, Archmere Academy in Claymont, DE. I was mostly self-taught back then - a voracious reader of books. I also struggled through my darkroom work then. I wish I had known about the DCC in the 70's - I probably could have used a mentor! Back then I started with my father's rangefinder camera that I still use on occasion - a Zeiss Ikon Contina 35mm. But as my photography really took off in the early 70's, I put a Mamiya-Sekor 1000DTL to a lot of use.
Paris Rain
Copyright
© Sandro V. Cuccia
More recently, I am a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography—that course was a tremendous shot-in-the-arm for me in my photographic "mid-life." It has taught me to really develop and enhance my "photographic eye." I have since taken several courses at local colleges, and I like to attend as many seminars and workshops as I can. As with my professional career, I place much importance in "continuing education." My career as a systems analyst for DuPont Pharmaceuticals keeps me extremely busy, and about the only time I can really dedicate to my photography is when I take trips with my wife a few times a year. I am a native-born Italian, and I find myself traveling to Italy about once a year ...Each time a photographic journey for me! My favorite subjects are landscapes and old architectural elements such as doors, windows and other building details. I also revel in taking images of open-air markets, people at play and at work, and industrial settings.
I work primarily with Nikon equipment, but occasionally use a Leica M6 or an old Hasselblad 500C. I must admit I still struggle with doing portraits and getting the proper lighting! In the darkroom, I am just getting into color processing of Ilfochromes. As for digital photography, I am really on the fence about this! Even though I work with the latest in computer technologies, I still like the traditional aspects of silver halide photography and wet darkrooms! However, my work with websites does give me a good deal of experience in working with manipulating digitized images.
At DuPont Pharmaceuticals, I am the corporate webmaster and standby photographer. That photography gives me some experience in photojournalism—another aspect of photography that I love. My work has been published in the Company annual reports, brochures and Company newsletter.
During the past summer I was given an opportunity to examine the DCC website, and it was clear that it needed a facelift and its own name. With the help of many DCC members, I set up the site (www.delawarecameraclub.org) for production release in late August. The website will be a valuable marketing tool for the Club. Not only can present members visit the site for all the latest news, events, and Club documents, but the site will be a great recruiting tool. Also, the site acts as an information source for those photographers throughout the world who are interested in participating in the Wilmington International. Now, instead of just mailing out brochures, contestants can download everything including the entry forms directly from the website.
I invite all members to publicize the site - spread the word! And, if you would like any of YOUR images in our "Member Gallery" on the site - send me email for instructions. Email me at cucciasv@msn.com