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.
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, 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.
Janie News
Hello to members of Study Group 48
I live in a tiny Mid North Coast town in NSW Australia with my husband Len and cat Molly. Our smallest 2 grandsons visit from Sydney most school holidays to enjoy the beach and river life here. The other three grandchildren live in the area. I agree with Jeff that retirement is great.
My photography adventure started late in life when I married an enthusiastic amateur photographer at the age of 50. I had barely used a camera before then so together we threw ourselves into digital photography, PhotoShop and the camera club scene.
For 12 years I was a camera club judge for NSW and a few international clubs until we retired and moved from Sydney to Nambucca Heads. My philosophy is similar to Sheldon: I enjoy working with the tools technology provides to bring my photos back to what I saw, not the technical interpretation of a camera.
After Temporarily losing the use of my hands a few years ago, likely due to having too many vaccinations, I gave away all my cameras and prints, left the PSA and APS and now have had great pleasure in shooting the beautiful scenery around here and documenting family events using my phone camera.
Now I’m back! My hands are working �“ though a bit arthritic. I joined the local camera club last month and have rejoined the PSA.