Betsy Wilson
Still Life – Beyond Fruit Bowls and Flowers
September 2024
Betsy Wilson will explore the world of still life photography through her unique perspective. A combination of traditional still life subjects, nature’s fascinating still subjects, and a few whimsical and unusual creations, Betsy’s still lifes provide studies in composition and lighting. Unlike landscape or street photography, the photographer is in complete control of subject matter, composition, shape, color, depth of field, lighting and presentation. The true skill lies in the ability to take something mundane and everyday out of its normal habitat and transform it into something of beauty by using our skills as photographers. (more)
David Akoubian
The Decisive Moment in Wildlife Photography
October 2024
Capturing the perfect wildlife image is the goal of anyone that goes out and spends any time with a camera chasing wildlife. Join professional nature photographer David Akoubian as he discusses techniques and offers tips for capturing what he refers to as “the Decisive Moment” in wildlife photography. Capturing images that help the viewer personally identify with the subject can be that decisive moment whether it is eye contact, or even the timing in an action photo. Join David as he shares settings, secrets, stories and images of some decisive moments in his wildlife photography. (more)
Peter Benoit
Land of the Ice Bears
November 2024
“Land of the Ice Bears” focuses on the natural wonders of the arctic region north of the Svalbard archipelago. Peter joined an eleven-day small group National Geographic expedition. He chronicled the wonders of pelagic birds, arctic fauna and the majestic polar bears of the region. (more)
Jennifer King
Creative Composition: It’s Not What You Photograph, It’s How You Photograph!
December 2024
A photo subject can be the same, yet captured in so many different ways. What makes one photograph stand out above the others? It is simple, a great composition. Understanding how our vision responds to an image is the first step in achieving success. From the basics of line, color, and form to the use of more advanced techniques, we will explore and discuss different artistic approaches used to create better photos and help you become a better photographer. Creativity spreads… come and catch it. (more)
JW Johnston
Home Body
January 2025
I live in my boyhood home. I am 71 years old. I miss my mother and father. The house dates to 1899. It is in a small upstate New York village called Whitney Point (pop. 904), where two rivers merge and where you can see a bald eagle just about anywhere. My parents – Rilla Stone Johnston and Walter Kenneth Johnston – raised my sister, Charlene, and me here from the time she was eleven and I was seven. I lived out of the area for two decades and moved back in 2003 with my wife, Sharon Ball. I have lived more life here than anywhere else… (more)
Charles Needle
Impressionistic Photography: How to Use Your Camera (and Smartphone) as a Paintbrush
February 2025
Unlock your creative potential and discover how to craft Impressionistic-looking photographs using nothing more than your digital camera or smartphone. Charles will describe the process of using long-exposure and multiple-exposure techniques to transform everyday scenes into unimaginable visual masterpieces.
Using an easy-to-understand, step-by-step approach, he will define and illustrate techniques such as, Long-Exposure Pan/Tilt, “Multiple-Exposure Monet” (a technique Charles invented), Multiple-Exposure Rotate & Zoom, Soft-Glow Montage and Composite Montage. He will also … (more)
John Barclay
Through the Lens of Love
March 2025
If you are like me, you’ve probably chased after images, even images you might have seen searching for inspiration on social media. You may have even created a checklist to be sure you got exactly what you planned for. You have likely gone out with expectations only to be disappointed when the conditions were not right, or you did not find what you had hoped for. Realizing that photography is a creative art form, I am constantly exploring new ways to connect with my subject … (more)
Jonathan Esper
The Incredible Photographic Diversity and Richness of the Adirondack Park
April 2025
Jonathan will present images and talk about photographing in the Adirondack Park. He will share his experience of the diversity of images that are possible in the Adirondacks. (more)
Janet Jeffers
Frame of Mind: Creativity, Perception, and Mental Focus”
May 2025
Possibilities for creative photographs are everywhere, but we have to open our eyes — and more importantly, our minds — to see them. Relaxing our beliefs, and tapping into our right-brain activity, can help us stretch our creativity. In this presentation, I’ll share some photographs I’ve created and discuss how I make my images. This presentation is not about technical details like f-stops and lens choices — I’ll be talking about my mental approach to exploring with a camera; I’ll be talking about frame of mind and how that applies to a mindful, contemplative practice of photography, and how that can help us explore our creativity and our individual vision more deeply. (more)
Photo Credit: Product School on Unsplash