Member Bios
Group Admin
Tom Buckard
I am a retired high end computer engineer. Lives in Key West, FL. during the winter months and Gainesville, FL. during the summer but I must say that summer is when my wife and I travel to get away from the heat and humidity. My absolute passions since college years, is photography with sailing close behind. I am a member of the PSA, PSA Central Florida Chapter, Florida Council of Camera Clubs and three camera clubs in Florida. I had a dark room in my years ago and did B&W and color. My wife and I have competed for well over forty years and love competitions where they critique. You have to have a thick skin but this is how you learn. We shoot anything and everything and love it all. One of our favorite places to shoot has been Havana, Cuba where we have been fortunate to spend many amazing weeks. Also love New England, Savannah and the Alligator Farm in Saint Augustine when the rookery is in full swing. Looking forward to being critiqued and critiquing in this Digital Dialog Group.
Jim Overfield
My serious interest in photography started just before the digital technology gained a foothold in the market place. I started with 35mm film and slide film, and later purchased my first digital camera (full frame) when it became affordable. I began with flower macro photography then gravitated to landscapes and onto bird photography. I was a member of the Buffalo Science Museum camera club for a few years, moved to Canada and became a member of the Montreal Canada club for a short time. After I retired in 2021, I purchased a subscription to Photoshop/lightroom (what a learning curve) and later became a member of PSA with expectations of learning how to improve the quality of my images.
Don Poulton
I am a retired environmental scientist and retired computer networker, and have been involved with photography for almost 50 years, taking on digital almost 20 years ago. I have used Canon equipment through all these years. Living with my wife Terry in Burlington, Ontario, I belong to two area camera clubs as well as CAPA and PSA. I enjoy all genres of photography including nature, scenic, travel, and anything else that comes in front of my camera. When HDR became popular, I rapidly embraced it and tried out all the popular software programs including Photomatix , Nik HDR Efex Pro, and Aurora HDR 2019. I continue to explore additional HDR options, such as the recently introduced HDR option in Luminar Neo. As well, I enjoy experimenting with the various plug-ins for creatively enhancing my work.
Ted Evans
My interest in photography really began while I was in Havasu Canyon and I was mesmerized by the beauty of the canyon and purchased a used Minolta from a pawn shop. I later graduated to a Nikormat 35mm film SLR.
<br />My interest has been revived by the use of the iPhone technology and my upgrade to a Canon R6 mirrorless camera with an RF 28-70 f/2 lens. My interest in joining PSADGroup 46 was because of my desire to be a better wildlife photographer. I live in Chicago and frequent areas where birds are prevalent and find bird photography an enjoyable pastime. I work as a consultant for an IT company. My membership with the Washington Park Camera Club and the Chicago Area Camera Club has been fulfilling.
<br />Most of my birding photography has been enhanced by the purchase of my Canon 200 800 lens. Post processing is done through ON1 Raw 2025. I shoot Manual and Raw hand-held.
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Mike Cowdrey, MPSA
I am a retired Chartered Accountant, living in Nottingham, England. I have 5 grown up children and 12 grandkids. I joined PSA in 1990, and in 2014 I managed to achieve Galaxy 9 in PID and 5 Star in Natural History, enabling me to qualify for MPSA. I have also been lucky enough to have been awarded ARPS, EFIAP and MPAGB. I enjoy creative photography, and before the advent of Photoshop I gained some success via slide manipulation. I no longer enter exhibitions, but I am out and about almost every day taking pictures of anything that moves (or doesn't!)
During lockdown at virus time I had just retired and to keep busy I wrote a novel and was fortunate to get offers of publication, and the book came out in 2022.
Leslie Larson
I chose your group because you all seem to be taking great pictures and the comments were helpful. I added my travel blog to the PSA site in case anyone is interested. It's info for Do-it-Yourself travelers.
I live near Lyons, CO. I've been shooting non-stop since retiring. It's my new favorite thing to do. Joining a camera club has helped hone my skills immensely. Feedback is essential.
You can see my work on: Travel Blog
Michael Braunstein
I bought my first camera before a trip to Europe in 1972 as an exchange student. The camera cost $2. I was surprised at the quality of the photos and moved on to a Minolta SLR shortly after that. I continued to travel frequently taking many photos but with little knowledge of how to adjust F stops or shutter speed to get the effect I wanted. In 1995, during a scuba trip to the Solomon Islands I rented a Nikonos 5 and started my hobby as an underwater photographer. Automatic functions did not work well underwater so I had to get better educated as to how to take photos. I believe this has greatly helped my photography. Now I am interested in expanding my photography above water as well.
Marilyn Ross
I retired in 2004 after working as a computer scientist in the federal aviation administration system. I got my first SLR camera in 2010 and am still learning the fine aspects of it. I have been working on my skills for the past three years trying to improve both the camera and post processing. I currently own Photoshop CS5.
I truly enjoy photography, loving the creativity involved. I now see objects in an entirely new way. I find it fascinating but challenging as well. I currently belong to a camera club and joined PSA to improve my photography by learning from such a talented group.