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.
Stewart Savage
I have been involved with photography for most of my life. My father was a professional photographer so I spent many days helping with all aspects of his photography business. I would help photograph, process film, and print.
In high school, I was a photographer on the yearbook staff; taking photographs of school sporting and spirit events and on-campus candids. In college I took a few photography classes to experiment with different types of photography.
As life became busy, photography turned into a means of documenting things like family events, friends, vacations, etc.
After many years and starting of my website design business, my interest in photography was re-kindled. I found that many of my website design customers were in need of quality images that would showcase their businesses. As a result, I began offering photography services as an add-on to my website design business. As I started photographing more client work, I rediscovered my love of photography and began photographing on a more personal level.
I enjoy photographing most anything. I love learning more about photography techniques and experimenting with new styles of photography.
I shoot with whatever camera I have available. My kit ranges from Nikon DSLRs, to Sony mirrorless, and to my Pixel phone.
Christy Crimmins Garcia
Bio Coming Soon . . .
Bridget Zaremba
I have lived in Chicago all my life. I have always appreciated photography but did not pursue it until later in life. My son passed in 2018 and I picked up his Nikon 5600 and started shooting just to honor him. I caught the bug quickly. I have been a student at Richard Stromberg's School of Photography for the last three years. I have a Nikon Z6 (my favorite) and also enjoy shooting macro with my Olympus OM-D and I use my Ricoh gr iii for street photography. I have learned a great deal from my photography colleagues and am very much looking forward to the group.