Ken Duquaine

Are you a casual photo snapper or a seasoned photographer? In either case, if you are truly interested in improving your photography, there are many reasons to join a camera club.

One of the best ways of improving your photographic skills is to get objective feedback on your photos. The Sun Lakes Camera Club holds monthly competitions in which members’ photos are judged by impartial experts. Members who elect not to compete are still able to gain valuable insights as observers, being exposed to the work of fellow photographers whose photos are being evaluated. Both observers and competing members draw inspiration from viewing a wide variety of work in various photographic genres presented by fellow members. For those who wish to go beyond the club competitions, there are opportunities to enter inter-club and international competitions as well.

Our club also has frequent photography outings to various destinations, ranging from local to more distant photographic venues. Recent opportunities have included a Milky Way shoot at Picketpost Mountain; a Desert Photo Retreat at Marana, Ariz.; the Grand Canyon; Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge; and White Sands National Park.

One of the most rewarding experiences offered by camera clubs is simply the opportunity to meet new people and to spend time with like-minded folks who share your love of photography.

And, finally, camera clubs are wonderful sources of information on a seemingly endless range of topics such as photographic techniques, equipment, post-processing, types of photography, and skill development.

Helping aspiring photographers improve their skills has always been central to our club’s mission. To that end, we developed the Digital Photography Fundamentals class series several years ago. Classes were canceled last season due to COVID concerns but will resume starting in January.

Once again, two separate courses will be offered: Introduction to Digital Photography is designed to equip novice photographers with skills to produce beautiful photos using the automatic features of digital cameras. Mastering Your Technique is more appropriate for experienced photographers striving for superior results by matching equipment and settings to the shooting environment and desired impact.

Each topic is presented in great detail, with a wealth of examples. All students receive class notes prior to each session. Field shoots and studio workshops are included! Classes begin in January. For additional information, visit our club’s website or contact Dan Dragoon at [email protected].

The Sun Lakes Camera Club (SLCC) meets the first and third Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club, from October through April. During the summer, the club meets on the first Thursday of each month in the Ceramics Room of the Cottonwood Country Club. For more information about the SLCC and its activities, call SLCC President Lynn Thompson at 480-734-0040, Vice President Judy Daidone at 480-216-3062, or Past President Jan Ballard at 602-621-3344, and visit our website at www.sunlakescameraclub.com.