Member Bios
Linnea Matthiesen
Hi All,
I support myself by being an attorney for low income parties, therefore, I also have a low income (for the sterotypical attorney). I do enjoy helping others. Because the facts of the cases that I have are pretty horrible, I felt I needed something beautiful and artistic in my life to achieve balance. Thus, photography.
I started taking pictures in 1982 when I purchased a Yaschica FX7 film camera. It was totally manuel. When the cost of film and processing rose, and digital cameras improved, I got a Nikon 40dx. Since then I have purchased a Nikon d7200 dSLR and a Nikon 810 full frame. Eventually, I will move a mirrorless.
I enjoy photographing just about anything. I like nature, table top, macro, sports, etc. I believe that no matter the subject, you learn skills and techniques that you can apply when taking photos of other subjects. What I am very weak on, is post processing. I primarily use Photoshop Elements but want to move to the lightroom/photoshop subscription. I really need help in understanding those two programs better.
I have been a member of PSA for over 5 years and have attended several Photo Festivals. I learn a lot and meet some great people at the Festivals. I am co-chair of my local camera club and am active in my local chapter of PSA. This is the first that I am joining a study group and want critiques of my images so that I can improve my photography. Thanks!
Alec Chester
I'm a general internal medicine physician with a special interest in chronic fatigue. For the last five years I've been devoting more time to photography with a particular interest in nautical and travel photography. Lightroom 6 has been an invaluable help. I'm still working on getting better Photoshop Elements skills. As a recent member of PSA I've enjoyed exploring all the opportunities and hope to participate more in the future.
Taeyoung Kang
My name is Taeyoung Kang, and I live in Busan, South Korea.
I work at a logistics company and discovered my passion for photography around September 2025 when I first started using a mirrorless camera.
As I still consider myself a beginner, I currently use an older bridge camera (LUMIX DMC-FZ300) to focus on building fundamental skills. I mainly enjoy photographing everyday scenes in black and white, especially street photography and travel moments.
Recently, I have been challenging myself with street photography through the PSA Street course. To strengthen my foundation, I am also preparing for photography-related certifications in Korea and attending seminars to learn more about camera techniques and visual storytelling.
I enjoy trying new challenges, so I occasionally participate in photography contests and share my work on the international photography community 1x as a way of learning through experience.
Until now, I have mostly studied photography on my own, but I am very happy to join this study group and look forward to learning and growing together with everyone here.
I would truly appreciate any feedback or advice.
You can see my work on: 1x and instagram and portfolio
Carol Heffernan
I'm originally from Long Island, NY, where I had a brownie camera and took only a few photos back then.
I'm now a retired teacher living in Southwest Florida. My husband and I taught military kids for 31 years in Stuttgart, Germany. As we began traveling the world, we both bought cameras to record all we saw. Film was a challenge because you had only 36 possible pictures to shoot on the roll, and you had to anticipate the perfect moment to shoot. We gave away our Pentax cameras, got Canon Sureshots to go digital 20+years ago. I finally took the plunge to start learning how to make better images 10 years ago, and bought a Nikon D7500, took classes, joined photo clubs and enjoyed trying to improve both my photography and my editing. I love the challenge of new things and places to shoot, though often get frustrated when I can't get exactly what I want. I also shoot with my iPhone, and was just given an OM-5...another new challenge.
Group Admin
Lori Azevedo
I'm a retired mortgage lender by profession and a photographer by passion. I never picked up anything but a point and shoot camera until 2017. After a few lessons, I ventured into the world of the "M" mode. I'm still learning to use Photoshop and Lightroom in my post processing. Baby steps there. I joined our local photography club in 2018 and love the feedback I receive from others. I look forward to your critiques also.
Pauline Jaffe
I work full time as a Contracting Officer for the federal government in the Washington D.C. area. I live in Silver Spring, MD. When I am not working, I may be:
1. at Toastmasters, improving my speaking and communication skills, specifically impromptu speaking and my leadership skills.
2. at Montgomery County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). CERTs augment Response Resources when Response Resources are taxed and they must focus on the highest priority needs.
3. at a knitting store, learning to knit a new sweater or blanket.
4. Spending time with my beautiful family. My husband and five children ages 18 to 26. (While my children aren't married, they don't live at home).
In my early 20s, I purchased a Pentax ME Super film camera, but at the time didn’t understand the concept of Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority. Then, six or so years I purchase a Canon T2i DSLR and I took classes to understand these concepts. I also use a Tamron 70-300 lens.
I enjoy nature photography to include landscapes, birds, flowers, and micro-photography. I just joined PSA and am excited about the learning and growth that I can achieve as a result!
Robert Pantazes
My name is Robert Pantazes, and I live in Greensboro, NC. I have been practicing photography since the film era, when I developed and printed my own work in a home darkroom and used slide film for club contests. I transitioned to digital photography in the early 2000s.
My favorite subjects are scenery, flowers, and architecture. I currently use a Canon EOS R camera and use Apple Photos and Luminar Neo for post-processing.
I am a member of the Fort Myers Camera Club, where I attend meetings via Zoom and enter my images online.
Best regards