January 2015 Featured Photographer

This months featured Photographer is Marsha Shuff. Here is a blog about Marsha and her love for photography.

I am passionate about the outdoors, nature, wildlife...I love the woods and anything in it and I feel very fortunate to live in an area where we have an abundance of it!  When I got my first camera for Christmas,  (just a few years ago..NOT!) I knew I had an interest in photography.  I always liked it, but just didn’t use my camera all that much.  Then one year I bought a bigger camera, and with winter just starting...I set up a bird feeder, sat at my window and took a lot of photos of birds.  Then I would put them in the computer and "process" them. That is how I learned!  Not to mention a good friend  (a fantastic photographer) who was very instrumental in helping me get started on this never-ending road of learning!  That is Al Meadows and I know we all wish we could get him to our photoclub sometime!  I can't thank him enough for all the help he has given me over the years!

One of my first happenings at my window was a fox that decided to run into my yard and attack the birds.  I was sitting there with my camera in my hand and I just started snapping.  I was hooked and have not looked back!  As the saying goes, "you never know what you might see"!  So why not try and capture those images??  It has opened up a whole new world for me.  Just being able to photograph wild animals, birds, landscapes, and night photography has been more than I had even hoped for.  (Just don't ask me to photograph people!) 

With the start-up of our photoclub things only got better.   That brought more learning, photography outings and many wonderful new friends, friends of which I just can't say enough good things about. (Aren't we lucky to have such a fantastic group)!  

I've also thought many times that I now have all the equipment I need, (happy husband about that!) but then I get GAS..."gadget aquisition syndrome"!  Thank goodness for a supportive husband!  And...wonderful non-photographer friends who understand it when I say, "STOP...I need to take a picture of that"!

Happy New Year dear friends and may your year be filled with many wonderful photos!

Marsha

 

Featured Photographer

Lori Dobbs - Hobbyist Photographer


From the time I was quite young, I've always had a fascination with the camera.  I loved hearing the sound of the shutter and looking through the viewfinder.  I can remember the thrill, as a young teenager, getting my very own Kodak camera, and how it seemed like forever to get your pictures back from the developer.   My, how cameras have changed!  It's been about four years now since my sweet husband surprised me with a Canon 50D for Christmas, along with two lenses, filters, and a camera bag.  Since then, I've really started to pursue this passion of photography.  

 

I really enjoy the area of nature and landscape photography the most, along with local sports shooting, but have also done a few graduation photos, weddings, and night shooting.  I was thrilled when one of the photos I submitted to the WDIO-TV 2014 weather calendar was selected and used on the front cover.   It's pretty neat to see a photo you have taken in some form of print, other than on your own computer screen. 

The photos I chose to display on this month's blog, are a mix of some recently shot and some that are a few years old.  The fox was one of hundreds I was able to take, while watching this den that was in my brother-in-law's wood pile.  The red squirrel and Big Fork River photos were just taken a few weeks ago, along with the bog walk photo that was taken in Orr.  I also LOVE old buildings/barns and can't resist stopping to photograph them when I have the chance.  Many of you may recognize the old home that sits along Highway 6 going to Deer River, and of course, over the years our population of eagles have increased, making more opportunities to photograph these beautiful birds.  

One of the best things about pursuing my passion in photography, has been the new friends I have made through our local photography club.  Everyone has shared their knowledge with one another, their frustrations, and their achievements; they're just a great group of individuals who have taught me so much. 

If you have an interest in photography, please feel free to meet with us at the library every third Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the down-stairs meeting room.  There are no member fees and no pressure to commit to anything.  We are just a group of people who all enjoy photography, and want to learn more about our cameras and taking better photos.   If you'd like more information, please feel free to give me a call at 218-278-4244.  Come, meet new friends and learn with us!  As my father-in-law, Elmer says, "You'll never learn any younger."  Happy shooting!!!

February's Feature Photos

The Owl Header picture was taken by Marsha Shuff , very beautiful shot.
The Berries background was taken by Joan Pearson this winter and is a very beautiful shot.
 Each month we will feature a new member of the photo club, so check back often.

Jan 15th Photo Club Meeting

First meeting of the new year was held on Jan 15th.

• Due to the weather it was a small group, but still had a great time.
• Welcome to our 3 new members who came last night.  It was good to see you and we are glad you joined our group.
• Snow-Scapes was the theme for the photo review period.
• A YouTube presentation called "Registration Counts: How to copyright your images.  It was sponsored through B&H photo was shared by Lori, great information on copyrighting.
• A number of people have expressed interest in learning different things about "their" camera.  So bring your camera and your questions to the next meeting.  We will answer questions and share information on your camera.
• Our challenge for next month is winter activities.  Remember Ice Box Days are this weekend.  Maybe our "warm" climate people could send some "activities" photos also.  Please email photos to Marsha.
• Our next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 19th, 6:00 pm in the downstairs library.