Member Bios
Patrick Holt
I love capturing portraits of people, especially dancers and comic fans! Dance and cosplay photography really excite me because I enjoy celebrating both movement and character. I've been passionate about photography for about 20 years now! While I usually focus on subjects that bring energy and life, I also have a special place in my heart for photographing the night sky and sparkling gemstones.
You can see my work on: Flickr Album
David Terao
After a 40-year career in the commercial nuclear power industry, I retired from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2014 and currently reside in Silver Spring, Maryland. I first became seriously interested in photography in 1975 when I purchased an Olympus OM-1 camera, shot Tri-X black-and-white film, developed the film myself, and made prints in my darkroom. I currently use a Canon full-frame digital camera and also use a micro-four-thirds system for travel. My post-processing includes the use of Lightroom, Photoshop, and several plug-ins. For subjects, I have no particular specialty, but I do favor landscapes, cityscapes, macro, wildlife, abstracts, and architecture. I have difficulty with portraits and street photography, but still keep trying.
Paul Halphen
After retiring, Paul adopted photography as his primary hobby, pushing aside golf and woodworking. Until then, international business responsibilities and travel precluded anything more than snapshots of the many countries he visited. Using a 4 mp Kodak point and shoot, he captured many remembrances of his travels; but few of them were to the standard which he hoped some day to achieve. The big SLR or DSLR wasn't in the luggage as the travel was "strictly business."
Now, while most of his travel isn't international anymore, it's leisurely, and suited to photography. And, there's so much opportunity that doesn't even involve travel... But, it does involve TIME...time which he has now.
Paul's film cameras were Yashica, Minolta, and Canon. All now discarded. The first digital camera, a Canon 60D, was replaced by an Olympus OMD EM-1 Mark II. And he now shoots with an Olympus OMD E-M1X. He doesn't have a "favorite" type of photography, and enjoys shooting people to old cars, landscapes to closeups, animals to insects. Light feeds his fascination with photography.
Paul joined PSA in 2018. He is the current Chair of the PSA Pictorial Print Division. He is also VP of the Spartanburg (SC) Photo Guild and its PSA rep. And, he's a member of the Carolinas Nature Photographers' Association, and is its PSA rep as well. Participation in the PSA and these other groups have added immensely to his knowledge and skill, thanks to the many skilled members who are willing to share what they know with others.
Mike Bullington
I fell into a fever with photography in 2004 with the Nikon D70. I talked my way into credentials to photograph concerts, events and other photojournalism, hoping to find a career. I had some limited success. However, I was often in over my head with what my young skills could handle. I eventually gave it up and went back to work full-time.
After years off I came back and started shooting again for me. I hope to tell stories with the camera. There are so many good stories to tell from so many fine humans. I shoot street portraits, urban photography whatever catches my eye.
Crystal Parker
I've become passionate about photography since joining a local photography club four years ago. I've been dedicated to learning, experimenting, and developing my skills, which is no easy feat considering how much technique is involved. I'm fortunate to have met so many seasoned photographers at my club who are generous in sharing their knowledge and patient enough to work with a newbie. I really enjoy Nature Photography, but I haven't put myself in a box where I'm not open to exploring other genres.
Robert Knight
I live near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, UK. I grew up in Leicestershire and have lived in Africa and London in between.
<br />My uncle introduced me to photography when I was quite young and gave me a couple of cameras at the time. He had a pharmacy and in those days many pharmacists also supplied cameras and arranged for films to be developed and printed.
<br /> I decided to take up photography seriously about 10 years ago with a view to making it a retirement project. I joined a local club and entered club competitions. I was programme secretary for 2 years.
<br />I have Nikon equipment which has been built up over several years. I now have a good range of lenses and go photographing whenever I can.
<br />We have a caravan and the Caravan Club has a photographic section which I joined. It runs 8 weekend meetings at various sites during the summer and I have taken on the role of Site Coordinator which involves identifying and booking the sites and organising the social events during the weekends. There is also a digital circle attached to the group.
<br />I am currently working on long exposure images and I am building a website with the help of my older son. I also take advantage of the Study Groups and the Education courses offered by the PSA.
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Group Admin
Cindy Lynch
When I retired from being a school district administrator, I told a good friend that I wanted to take up photography when I retired. As a retirement gift, she gave me my first year's membership in the St. Louis Camera Club. That is when my new passion began. I found the people talented, friendly and so willing to share their knowledge with a beginner like me. I was both inspired and hooked. I had taken art classes my freshman year in college with thoughts of a career in art. However, I turned to education and had a very rewarding career. With photography, I found that I could develop my artistic side while also learning new technical skills. I love that photography keeps me learning and that my initial captures can turn into art in any number of different ways. There is always something new to learn. At the same time I joined the St. Louis Camera Club, I also joined PSA. I have taken advantage of the many opportunities to grow in the art of photography. I participate in two PID Digital Study Groups: Fine Art and General, where I am the secretary; as well as three PID Digital Dialogue Groups: General, Monochrome and Macro. I love the feedback I receive and often submit my images to these groups prior to placing them in competition.