Photography club works to develop photographers

By Charity Parker, April 2010
Features Editor

It starts as an idea and gains focus through a lens. Through the viewfinder it finds it’s shape and begins to take form. It is captured with the movement of an index finger and a photograph is born.

“When you have a camera you have so much power,” says student Eric Fisler, as he concludes a discussion about macro photography.

Fisler is a member of the new Paradise Valley Community College Photography Club. New to PVCC this semester, the Photography Club offers students a way to work and learn from one another to create strong photographic images.

The club meets bi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. in M142. “Topic Tuesday” as club members refer to it, is the day when students select a style of photography to study for the week. Students then educate one another about the photo style. Members share tips and techniques to help each other master the style.

“I’ve (photographed) everything in my backyard at least five times, ” says Fisler as he continues to lead the discussion on macro photography, offering his insight and technique. Fisler lists items that he has personally shot for macro photography and lists several other items of interest for a macro photographer. Objects of interest like bugs, flowers and other "strange small things."

The informal meeting allows students to offer knowledge based on their experiences. Students cover everything from equipment to alternatives to expensive brand name camera accessories. They give basic demonstrations of technique and discuss the history and the inner workings of their cameras in order to gain a better understanding of the craft.

After the students have gathered their knowledge, they go out into the field and work on capturing images pertaining to the newly introduced style. Students work on capturing images related to that style and bring them to the meetings on Thursdays for peer critique. By trying new styles week-to-week, photographers branch out and gain strength in different styles of photography. The goal is for the students to build a portfolio by the semester’s end. Club members are also working to display their images in an exhibit at the end of the semester.

"We're putting out the best of what we've got," said Jonathan Lucas, student and president of the Photography Club.

Lucas and Rob Cantrell, both students and photographers, founded the Photography Club and worked nearly five months to get it up and running. Both students approached Jerry Sieve, PVCC adjunct faculty photo teacher and freelance photographer, and asked him to be the adviser for the club.

"I'm more than happy to do what I can," says Sieve. "I want to foster their enthusiasm, it's wonderful to see them going in different directions."

Sieve's 32 years of experience taking pictures for Arizona Highways magazine informs his professional opinion as he advises the aspiring photographers.

The club was created not only to help photographers strengthen their images and technique but to work with other clubs and provide them with images to give them a visual presence around campus.

Lucas hopes to involve a public relations coordinator in order to attract more members rather than relying on word of mouth.

"It's been very challenging but very fun," says Lucas.