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14 North Shore Towers Courier n March 2016 NORTH SHORE TOWERS Photo of the Month “Balloon Cappadocia” This month’s photo was taken by Club Member Leo Tujak whilst he and his wife, Jane, were in Cappadocia, Turkey, as part of a three-week tour. When a hot-air balloon ride was offered, Tujak jumped at the chance. “It was something I always wanted to do, so I signed up,” he said. The adventure’s only caveat was the 3 a.m. wake-up call for the anticipated 5 a.m. take-off, which may or may not have happened, depending on the wind conditions at that hour. Plus, given the early hour and the fact that he’d be ascending thousands of feet into the frigid upper atmosphere, he had to make sure to dress appropriately, which meant bundling up in every piece of clothing he’d brought along. “The peaceful feeling floating in the air just can’t be related,” Tujak explained. “It has to be experienced. The sights and scenery were spectacular!” With so many competing adventure company balloons taking off, it seemed to Tujak that the area was “the” place to get airborne. “All the shots I took were of other balloons, but this one involved a balloon to one side and ahead. The way the balloon was poised in proximity to the towering rock formation gave it an accentuated sense of floating. I hoped, as I leaned out to take the photo, that the feeling would translate as well.” Any doubts to Tujak’s success were put to rest after “Balloon Cappadocia,” was selected as one of the grand prize winners of Marriott Rewards Facebook Mega Bonus promotion. Tujak’s interest in photography started at a relatively young age. “My interest started in high school,” he said. “I took a photography course and subsequently contributed photos to the yearbook.” In college, he served as photography co-editor of the yearbook, but after graduation, as happens with many of us, life intervened, and photography took a backseat. “Joining the North Shore Towers Camera Club renewed my interest,” Tujak revealed. “I’m also a member of the Manhasset/Great Neck Camera Club and belong to the Photographic Federation of Long Island.” Tujak says his approach has changed over the years from performing as photographer for family events, vacations and candid shots of his children, to employing more of an artistic eye in an effort to Photo by Leo Tujak take more interesting photos. He credits his “look” being dependent on where he and his wife’s travels take them and to “the invaluable eye of my spotter wife Jane, who says ‘take that; it will make a good photo!’” Tujak’s work can be seen occasionally accompanying articles in the North Shore Towers Courier; at showings along the Arcade walls and in the Coleridge Lounge of NST; as part of numerous exhibits at the Manhasset Library; as well as being a part of the Douglaston/Little Neck Library showing, which opens March 5 (see below). Don’t miss these upcoming NST Camera Club showings NST Camera Club March - April Opening Reception: Saturday, March 5 @ 3:00 pm Douglaston/Little Neck Library 249-01 Northern Blvd., Little Neck (across from Stop & Shop) More than a dozen photos will be on display in the meeting room in the back. Featuring photos by Julie Weissman, Rose Tracey, Leo Tujak, Lloyd Kaufman, Jack Schwarz, Irwin Robinson, Arlene Kelvin, Marion Kashunsky, Maida Sperling, Katherine Bitetti and Dawn Steinberg April 2-May 19 Tobi Held Art Gallery 633 Eagle Ave, Suite 202, West Hempstead (part of New York Equestrian Center) Photo by Kathy Bitetti Photo by Arlene Kelvin Camera Club BY STEPHEN VRATTOS LEO TUJAK


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