Something for everyone at photography exhibit
Article content
Tillsonburg Photography Club’s annual exhibit at Station Arts Centre will appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
On display in the main gallery until Feb. 7 at 41 Bridge Street West, photographs include wildlife, travel, scenic landscapes, portraits and still life – some with stunning, vibrant colours, some with misty, subtle shading. Most are available to purchase from the photographers.
“About 75 photographs,” said Maryann Balazs. “I didn’t count them all.”
All of the photos were taken by club members, which currently numbers about 20.
“It’s a real variety, we’ve got a good collection of them,” said Balazs.
“It is a really nice variety, there’s something for everyone,” said Ches Sulkowski, a club director, who noted the photographs match the diverse talents of its members.
“We’ve got Russ (Chantler), who is an expert in birds, so he does really neat stuff,” said Sulkowski. “We have expertise in many areas.”
“We have everything, from people who take pictures with their phones like me…” smiled Jackie Fletcher.
“We have people who are just learning,” Sulkowski nodded, “up to fairly experienced photographers.”
The club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Station Arts Centre from 7-9 p.m., but they do take summers off with no meetings in July-August.
At the beginning of every meeting they have ‘show and tell.’ Members are encouraged to bring their best photos, often with a theme. The theme for the Feb. 4th meeting is ‘red.’
“We try to keep it low key. If you’ve been on a trip, share your shots. Don’t be afraid, that’s why we are here. The critiquing here is very friendly, very positive. I’ve never found it to be negative.”
Each month, they have a workshop which often features guest speakers, or a senior club member who presents a topic.
“People usually communicate what they want to know about,” said Sulkowski.
In-house workshops have included macro photography, portraiture, shadows, astro photography, and wildlife, said Chris Riches.
The club also has workshops ‘on the road.’ They have travelled to Niagara Falls for night photography at the falls, a raptor conservancy and butterfly conservatory.
“We’ve been down to Port Burwell,” Sulkowski noted. “It’s whenever we can fit them in. Usually we have something going on – we’ve had a good variety. We’ve also had workshops in post processing – Lightroom.”
The club produces an annual calendar focusing on Tillsonburg.
“In a way it’s a challenge. Everyone comes up with photos, then we decide on them. It’s a nice motivator really. But it also turns out to be a fundraiser for the club – we just about sell out every year, there’s only about 10 (2020 calendars) left and we printed 165. So it’s well received.”
The club has its own website (tburgphotoclub.wordpress.com) and Facebook page to keep members up to date on events and monthly themes.
cabbott@postmedia.com
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.