Member Bios
Karen Botvin
Hi, my name is Karen Botvin. I am from Pennsylvania, however I retired to Palm Coast, FL. I spent my working career in the field of tax law so when I retired, I decided to do something more artistic. I bought my first Nikon DSLR camera in the Fall of 2016. I enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography’s Professional Photographer’s course since that seemed to provide the most well-rounded course work regarding the basics. I knew nothing about the camera, lighting, composition, etc. I successfully completed that program and many others in my pursuit to understand and apply best practices to my photos. I enjoy shooting flowers, macro and close-up; landscapes; candid street scenes; and anything nature. I have dabbled in Infrared with a Full Spectrum conversion of a Sony A6400. My goto camera is my Nikon Z7 and Z6-2. I belong to 2 camera clubs in my area and participate in local competitions. My photography is my hobby. I thoroughly enjoy making pictures and seeing what they can become after post processing. I look forward to continuing to learn from all of you and expand my areas of interest.
Tom Lee
I learned photography in high school, and it quickly became my passion. While raising our kids, I didn't have much time to dedicate to photography, and as a result, I traded in my SLR camera for point-and-shoots to capture their activities and family events. However, as the children grew up and left home, I found myself with more time and rekindled my interest in photography. I purchased an M-4/3 digital camera and started relearning and honing my photography skills. Today, after several upgrades, my main camera is still an M-4/3 camera, accompanied by a collection of lenses ranging from 12 to 400 mm (24-800 mm f.f.e).
Ruth Mayer
I live in the Boise, ID area. I have been taking photos for about 20 years. About the last 6 or 7 years, I started working harder on the skill of photography.
I have entered photos in the fair for the last few years and have won some awards. I especially enjoy trying to photograph the birds, but most of those come out as snapshots. I don't worry about it much about it because I am outside and I enjoy the birds.
I have done some macro and closeup mostly photographing water drops and flowers. Recently I discovered hi key and low key photography, and still life light painting. I did a 52 week challenge last year and am working on one again this year. I belong to the Boise and Treasure Valley Camera Club's. I use Olympus cameras and lenses.
Doris King
Photography has been my passion for many years. I've enjoyed the creative process of film and the darkroom experience. I am an active member of the Southeast Queens Camera Club and the Park West Camera Club in Manhattan. These clubs have brought me into the digital photography world and given me the freedom to explore many aspects of photography. What has always excited me about photography is its spontaneity and there is still so much to learn. I reside in Queens, NY. I am a retired teacher of 21 years. I've raised a family, traveled the world, and now have plenty of time for me. Still life photography is a recent area of interest for me. I am striving more for visual calmness in my photographs and aiming to improve my technical skills.
Group Admin
James Silliman
Jim Silliman
Photographer
When working in the field, I prefer nature and landscape photography. Although I have a great love for large format black and white photography, I enjoy the mobility and functionality of 35mm digital imagery, with a particular interest in close-up/macro photography.
I became seriously interested in photography in late the 60's. Although basically self-taught, I took my first official photography classes as a graduate student. Over the years I have worked as a freelance photographer as well as worked for a photography studio in Roanoke, VA. While on the faculty at Longwood College, now Longwood University, I taught classes in basic photography and Pinhole photography. I have been lucky enough to have studied under such influential photographers as Ansel Adams and Marie Cosindas. Most recently, I taught photography through the Community Education Program at St. Catharine College. Today, much of my subject matter can be found in the back yard gardens nurtured by neighbors and my wife, Evelyn.
Jim and his wife Evelyn, a potter, have resided in Bardstown, KY for the past twelve years. Both are exhibiting artists at Bardstown for the Arts/The Gallery.
Charissa Lansing
My interest in photography as a personal hobby was launched about ten years ago. I put aside the disposable film cameras (that I purchased frequently for making family snapshots) and invested in a point-and-shoot, digital camera. My purpose was to make flower images to send to my mom, who could no longer work in her beloved garden due to a progressive illness. In the spring of 2009, I wanted more control over my images and invested in a DSLR camera (Canon Rebel XSI) and a seminar with a local photographer to learn some photography basics. The following spring I joined our local camera club and a few months later the PSA. One valuable benefit of joining the PSA was the opportunity to complete Jon Fishback's beginner and later some advanced photography courses!
My husband and I have been married for 45 years and have lived in Champaign, Illinois, a rural community and university town, for the past 30 years. We love to travel when time allows. I am an emeriti professor at the university here with expertise in speech and hearing science. My research has focused on auditory rehabilitation, on topics such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, auditory-visual speech perception, and the impact of hearing loss on the quality of life.
There are many facets of photography that interest me, although making images of flowers is probably my favorite subject. I am intrigued by close-up and macro photography. I hope to learn from the members of the digital dialogue study group and improve my technical skills, image composition, and the impact of my images. I am learning what it is to be a photographer and strive to become a keen observer of nature and succeed at sharing what I see.