Members Only Photo Shoot April 8th

In lieu of our regular meeting on April 8, Shutterbugs will be participating in a “members only” photo shoot from 6-8 p.m. Guests will be invited, as always, to attend our next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13th, 6:30 p.m., at the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) Gallery, located on the courthouse square. The May 13th program will focus on how to upload/store/sort photos, as well as how to set up a photo gallery on www.betterphoto.com and participate in contests offered there.

Other Photo Opportunities:

• A photography contest being sponsored by the Georgia Strawberry Festival in Reynolds, GA. Click for more information.
• The cherry trees on Griffin Avenue in Thomaston are in bloom and are a beautiful sight! As you approach the square, follow the signs for 36 West. Once on 36 West, follow it for about 1.5 miles. After you pass Providence Nursing Home on the left, go to the bottom of the hill and turn RIGHT onto Nelson Drive. Griffin Avenue is the first street on the RIGHT.
• Two events at New Hebron Church in Pike County: The Franklin Family drum, fife and bugle corps on April 20th & Founders Day Picnic May 18th at 2 p.m. Click for more information.

In Memoriam

Dee DeLoatch
May 19, 1950—February 27, 2008

Dee was a charter member of the West Central Georgia Shutterbugs and hosted our first meeting in her salon in January 2006. She also served as president from August 2006-November 2007. She attended various photography workshops and was a great encouragement and inspiration to other photographers.
Her photography was juried in to exhibits (the 2006 Tobler Mill ARTfest, the 2006 WCGS exhibit at Pike Arts and Local Flavors, a special display at SlowExposures 2007, as well as exhibits hosted by the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC). Her photography was also chosen for use in special publications, including the 2008 Georgia State map, the 2008 United Bank calendar, and a greeting card used/sold by the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council. Dee often used some of her best photos on greeting cards she created. In addition, she displayed some of her work in her salon, Dee’s Downtown, which she owned and operated for several years. Several of her matted and framed images are also in private collections. Some of her favorite images, in addition to those of her grandchildren, were those taken while traveling, which she loved to do.
Although Dee is no longer with us, her photography leads us to believe she would agree with David Bailey, who said, "It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. You need less imagination to be a painter because you can invent things. But in photography everything is so ordinary; it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the extraordinary," and with Ansel Adams, who said, "In my mind's eye, I visualize how a particular . . . sight and feeling will appear on a print. If it excites me, there is a good chance it will make a good photograph. It is an intuitive sense, an ability that comes from a lot of practice."
Dee was greatly loved and respected; she will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to know her.

Dee's BetterPhoto Gallery

Shutterbugs will meet on Tuesday, March 11, 2008

When the Shutterbugs last met on Feb. 12th, Melba Brown, Linda Best, and Harolyn Castleberry used a PowerPoint presentation to share some of the beautiful photos they took while on a recent trip to Italy. Attendees enjoyed seeing the work of these talented Shutterbugs and are anticipating the next regular meeting on March 11th, when they will see images captured by award-winning photographer, Scott Ash, the featured speaker for the evening. The public is invited to attend. Photo by Johnnie Ann Gaskill

The West Central Georgia Shutterbugs will meet on Tuesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) Gallery, located on the courthouse square. Award-winning photographer, Scott Ash of Peachtree City, will be the guest speaker. On his website, http://www.wanderlustphotography.com/, Scott says that wherever his job as an international pilot takes him, he sets aside time to hike and to take pictures. Therefore, he has a collection of beautiful images that express the joy he felt when he captured them. “Nearly every photo has a story behind it,” Scott says, “which reminds me of the hike taken, people met, places seen, weather experienced, or other unique challenges I faced on that particular day.”

Scott joins a growing list of excellent photographers who have been invited to showcase their work during Shutterbugs meetings and to discuss the techniques they used to capture the images. Other photographers have been invited to speak at future meetings because Shutterbugs want to learn from “the best” how to take better photos.

Shutterbugs met for the first time in January 2006, with 10 persons present. Currently, there are 26 members of various ages and skill levels, who reside either in Lamar, Pike, Spalding, or Upson County. Members welcome other photographers, from beginners to professionals. For more information, contact Shutterbugs President, Johnnie Ann Gaskill, at 706-646-4170.