Member Bios
Group Admin
Bev Caine
I began my interest in photography about 1977 when we were planning a trip to Europe and I threatened my husband, telling him if he fell over another bench while taking pictures I would leave him there. He suggested I take a course. I did, After my first course, I submitted a photo I took in Madeira to a local contest and took first place winning a week in Mexico, and the rest is history.
I am a semi-retired travel agent, living in Boynton Beach, FL., and my love of travel offers me many opportunities to enjoy my photography hobby. I also enjoy photographing people and flowers.
Richard Distlerath
While in grade school, I made pinhole camera and have been hooked ever since. After graduating from Michigan, I purchased a used Canon F1. I began shooting in black and white and soon set up a darkroom. I finished my MBA from the University of Cincinnati and work consumed much of my time for years.
About 2000 the digital world lured me in and I subsequently tried a variety of cameras and processing programs. My Chemical Engineering background lends itself to a process orientation. I have essentially learned photography by trial and error.
My work enabled me to travel much of the United States and parts of the world. My photography was a means to share my experiences with family and friends.
I am open to learning about any aspect of photography. When I take photos, I look for good light and try to find pleasing compositions. I am an avid Lightroom Classic user with plug ins like DXO and Topaz.
I look forward to learning about you and your photography.
Donald Darling Jr
I started my photography hobby in the mid 1990's. I have interests in closeup/macro photography; scenic, and some sporting events when I get a chance. I do a lot of flower photography because one of my wife's hobbies is flower gardening. So, I have many ready subjects just outside my door. For some reason I have a disinclination to photograph people, even candid imagery. So, you'll not likely see images from me with people as the subject.
I am a member of the Eastern Maine Camera Club (EMCC). I joined a little over 20 years ago. I was club president for a time, and I'm the correspondence secretary. I manage our participation in Projected Image competitions with the New England Camera Club Council.
I've been in PSA for a similar amount of time as EMCC. I am a participant in one of the PID groups dating back to slide film days. I miss slide film by the way, and I've been tempted to shoot a roll or two just to see if doing so is as enjoyable as I remember
I shoot Nikon gear. One mirrorless (little Z 50 with two kit lenses) and two DSLR's (D750 and D90) with an assortment of film era Nikon lenses and a few "crop sensor" lenses from Tamron, Tokina and Nikon.
I am looking forward to participating in this study group, and will welcome your commentary on my work. I am good friends with Bev Caine and will enjoy meeting you, even if it's only via the Ethernet!!.
Jamie Federick
I am originally from Laurel,Mississippi but for the past 14 years have lived in Hot Springs Village, AR via Dallas, TX.
When I was no more than 6 years old, I had a small Brownie Instamatic camera. I loved arranging my dolls and taking photos of them. I really can never remember a time that I did not have the use of a camera. I have joked that through my photography I can remember my life.
I have always loved to create and took many art lessons through school. When I realized my talents were better utilized through photography instead of painting, I invested in much better equipment and joined the Camera Club to pursue my passion.
Composition of images has always intrigued me, and it seems that I am looking at the world through those eyes. I tend to lean toward architecture, shapes, textures and love to do macro work. Even though I love to photograph nature, flowers, sunsets, family events and my pet, my work largely encompasses doorways, buildings, and interesting people. I am constantly learning more about lighting, camera settings and post processing in Lightroom. I shoot with a Canon T6i.
I have enjoyed using some of the artistic enhancements in post processing that make my work have an artistic flair. We certainly cannot improve on God's beauty, but it is a challenge to bring it into a frame, so others can enjoy my personal photographic expression.
Rizwan Choudhry, QPSA
Born in Pakistan and now based in Fort McMurray, Alberta, I am an engineer by profession working in the oil and gas industry, but photography has always been my true creative anchor. I moved to Canada in 2001 to attend university, bringing with me a lifelong fascination with images that began in childhood while shooting with my father's film camera.
My photographic journey evolved with technology: a Sony point and shoot in 2003, my first DSLR a Nikon D7000 in 2012, where I taught myself to shoot fully in Manual mode. For many years, my photography centered around family moments and travel memories. Everything changed in 2023 when I upgraded to a Nikon D800; that shift reignited my passion and pushed me to pursue photography with new seriousness and artistic intent. Today, I shoot with a Nikon D850 and a growing collection of lenses, exploring more advanced genres and techniques.
I am drawn to people and the stories written on their faces. Street photography and travel photography are where I feel most alive observing, connecting, and capturing the rhythm of everyday life across cultures. I also enjoy photographing landscapes, monuments, and cityscapes, especially when light, geometry, and atmosphere come together to create a sense of place. I've even experimented with bird photography, appreciating the patience and precision it demands.
Travel is a major part of my photographic growth. I've attended the last three PSA Photo Gatherings in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam which have deepened my love for exploring the world through a lens and connecting with fellow photographers from around the globe.
Photography, for me, is a blend of curiosity, culture, and craft. It's a journey that began in childhood and continues to evolve with every trip, every encounter, and every frame.
You can see my work on: Instagram and Facebook and YouTube
Christy Crimmins Garcia
Bio Coming Soon . . .
Stephanie Phillips
I currently live in Las Vegas, NV and I've been retired since 2013. I worked 30 years for the USDA Forest Service and have lived in 9 different states. I have undergraduate degrees in Art and Forestry, and a Masters degree in Forestry. I seriously got into photography in 2019. I was preparing for my trip to Cuba when my neighbor (who is a photographer) suggested that if I was going to Cuba I should buy a good camera. I thought that was an excellent idea, and promptly went to my local camera store where I bought the Sony A7 mirrorless camera. I was clueless how to use a digital camera, so in Cuba I shot everything in automatic and JPG. Surprisingly, the images turned out pretty good. I was hooked. I had wonderful visual memories of my trip. I continue to travel a lot, and consider myself a travel photographer which by my definition means I photograph everything - people, architecture, flowers, wildlife, landscapes, etc. Most recently I started traveling with photography tour companies which has really helped me to grow as a photographer. I also take on-line and in-person post processing courses. I'm pretty good at Lightroom, and sort of okay at Photoshop (but getting better).