Member Bios
Peter Newman
I have been a serious amateur photographer for well over fifty years. For many of those years I have been active in a local camera club. My photography has gone through several phases. ( I will eliminate the family only phase.) In the first I tried to follow CC "rules." But when I realized that photography is a hobby, and the only one my work should please is me. In my current phase I seek to present an interpretation of what I see. If the communication has not occurred It is my failure. My personal art philosophy, should be mentioned so that the context of my comments may be understood. To me a photo taken for purposes other than as an aid to recollection of a beautiful spot, or moment in life is art. As such a literal reproduction is a catalog or postcard shot, which usually communicates nothing about the object. My approach is some type of abstract interpretation. I am always seeking to learn. Please do not be shy about making negative constructive comments, I will learn more from a constructive negative comment, them than a basically meaningless "nice image," without further explanation. Hopefully, I will follow my own philosophy. I also like to experiment. As we all know some experiments work, and others don't. Most of the time I just let the image tell me what to do.
Sylvia Williams
I've had a camera in my hand since I was in high school many years ago, taking mostly snapshots, shooting in auto.
Finally a couple of years ago I joined a photography club and seldom shoot in auto these days.
I would like to find my own voice, or signature style.
I shoot a Nikon D7500. I do very basic editing in Lightroom or Photoshop.
I reside in Virginia in the USA.
Fran Yates
I wasn't always in love with Photography.
It wasn't until retirement and an "Introduction to Digital Photography" course at a local community college that I became interested. And, it wasn't "love at first sight." Initially, all those dials and settings were very confusing. Exposure triangle, F stop, Shutter speed, ISO...oh no! Then, one day in 2014 while out photographing a snowstorm, it all came together. I became entranced with what I saw and with being able to capture it for others. And a Passion was born.
We moved to Oregon from Arizona in 2021 and my work has evolved from Wild Horses, Rock Formations, and Saguaro Cactus to include the birds and flowers of Oregon, as well as the lushness of the redwood forest, the waterfalls, and the Oregon Coast. I am still primarily a Nature and Wildlife Photographer. I have always been interested in Creative Photography. How do I make my vision of a shot taken a million times unique? How do I push the envelope?
I shoot with the Olympus M1-X Mirrorless System. I post process with ACR and PS. Plug Ins include the NIK Collection and Topaz Studio 2. Most often, I make my own Background Textures.
Photography remains a learning process. If I am not learning or expanding my skills, I am bored. I love critiques...they help the process.
Keisha Becerra
I'm an artist and corporate educator based in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Growing up as the daughter of military officers, my global upbringing has greatly influenced my art. My travels have inspired me to create illustrations of diverse cultures and people.
I hold a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and have combined my love for art and teaching throughout my career in corporate and public education. I've worked as a freelance illustrator for Resilient Walker, the Tennessee Department of Health, and Pixit LLC.
In 2019, I founded XavierArts.com, where I publish multicultural art books, stationery, and surface pattern designs. Recently, I have expanded into fine art and abstract photography, exploring street, nature, and macro photography.
In 2021, I received the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, recognizing my integration of art and business.
Photography Tools:
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS R5
iPhone
Photoshop
Lightroom
Topaz
Traditional Art Tools:
Graphite
Pen and ink
Watercolor
Clip Studio Paint
You can see my work on: XavierArts
Angela Bonner, PPSA
I was born in Essex, UK but moved to beautiful Mid Wales 28 years ago. In January 2020 I moved to a bungalow just outside Hay on Wye. I have my dog Gemma and we go for long walks each day. Apart from my photography I am an avid reader.
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<br />MY interest in photography mainly started when digital came in though have always owned a camera. I am mostly interested in macro, wildlife and still life photography. I have had quite a lot of acceptances in international salons and recently managed to get a PSA gold medal in one of them.
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<br />I joined Hay on Wye camera club about eight years ago and am their treasurer which I enjoy doing.
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<br />I have gained the BPE* award, PPSA and AFIAP.
Group Admin
Deborah Milburn
I live in Colorado, and I enjoy being in nature. Photography is my passion. I am semi-retired and love to travel. Photography and travel allow me to "tell the story" of what I am experiencing. I want to experience and enjoy each day and each opportunity. I am a member of a local art co-op where I display and sell my images, and I am also a member of our local camera club.
Many thanks,
Deborah Milburn