Congratulations

These four Shutterbugs have photos in the 2015 United Bank Calendar: Jim Davidson (Dec. 2014), Marcia Fisher (April 2015), Melba Brown (July 2015),  and Leah Jordan (October 2015). We are so proud of them and for them. A reception for all the photographers was held on November 20th at the United Bank in Zebulon. Stop by any of the branch offices to secure a free copy of the calendar. (Please note: Jim’s photo is on the Dec. 2014 page, not on the Dec. 2015 page, as indicated on the calendar.)

Featured Photographer Don Brown

Don Brown

I retired in 2006 from the Federal Aviation Administration after serving as an air traffic controller for 25 years. I was a founding member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and wrote a column for AvWeb (an internet-based aviation magazine) for 5 years. My retirement gift from my wife was a Nikon D80.

I started taking photographs on my first visit to the Rocky Mountains when I was 28 years old. A brief association with a stock photography company convinced me that I didn't want to be a commercial photographer. After drifting away from it for a few years, I was glad to pick up the hobby again when I retired. Learning the digital side of photography is still a challenge.

Photography -- like all my hobbies -- is an excuse to get outside. I photograph the sunrise virtually every morning. Being alone in the darkness, watching the stars fade into daylight is my favorite time of day. Besides the sunrise, my favorite subjects are mountains and rodeos. I'd love to photograph every sunset but there are other demands on my time.

I'm currently the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Pike County. I sing in the choir at St. George's Episcopal Church in Griffin. I live in Williamson with my wife and daughter. After the first of the year, I will start working on a large, long-term project -- creating the world's first photography park.

You can find me most mornings, walking and taking pictures at the neighborhood lake while I try to get comfortable with the word "artist" and taking a compliment.

Lacie Kate Jordan

Vice President Leah Jordan and her husband Henry proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Lacie Kate, on Nov. 14^th at 1:31 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs., 11 ounces and was 19 inches long. With a talented photographer like Leah for a mother, Lacie Kate will not lack for beautiful photos of herself. Congratulations, Leah and Henry! Welcome, Lacie Kate, to the Shutterbugs “family.” Hope to see you soon at a meeting!

Shutterbugs at GNPA Reception

Several Shutterbugs are also members of the Georgia Nature Photographers’ Association (GNPA) and are active in the GNPA—Central chapter that meets every third Tuesday (except Dec.) at the J. Joel Edwards Library in Zebulon. Photos taken by members of that chapter are on display during November at A Novel Experience Bookstore, located on the courthouse square in Zebulon. Six Shutterbugs have photos in the exhibit: Dianne Kelly, Jim Davidson, Johnnie Ann Gaskill, Linda Best, Linda Godwin, Marcia Fisher, and Francis Hauke. Congratulations to Dianne Kelly who sold a photo!

These Shutterbugs attended the reception there on Nov. 15th: Johnnie Ann Gaskill, Jan Price, Don Brown, Linda Godwin, and Linda Best. (Jim Davidson also attended but was not present for the group photo). Photo by Karen Jenkins, member of GNPA.

Shutterbugs Donate Food

Johnnie Ann Gaskill, one of the charter members of the West Central Georgia Shutterbugs, delivered bags of non-perishable food items to House of Care in Thomaston. The food was donated by the Shutterbugs who attended the Nov. 11^th meeting at the Peachtree Café in Thomaston.

Peachtree Cafe

Shutterbugs enjoyed a delicious meal (and each other’s company) at Peachtree Café in Thomaston on Nov. 11th. Shown in the photo, starting left and going around the table: Ellen Tew, Jim Davidson, Jan Price, Marcia Fisher, Don Brown, Melba Brown, and Dianne Kelly. Photo by Johnnie Ann Gaskill.

Shutterbugs Visit Gibbs Gardens

Shutterbugs Marcia Fisher, Don Brown, Johnnie Ann Gaskill, and guest Pat (on the far right) visited Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground on Thursday, Nov. 6th and had a wonderful time.

Below are some of the photos they took that day.

Johnnie Gaskill (3)

Don Brown photographing a water fall at Gibbs Garden.

Marcia Fisher (2) 

 

Don Brown (3)

Williamson LEAF Display

The Williamson LEAF (Library, Educational, and Arts Facility) invited the Shutterbugs to display (and offer for sale) some of their beautiful images, mid-October through the end of December. Congratulations to Harolyn Castleberry, who has sold a photo! The library is located at 65 Patton Street (off Hwy. 362) in Williamson. For hours and/or directions, 770-467-4001.

No December Meeting

The Shutterbugs will not meet during December. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hightower Memorial Library in Thomaston. (Please enter through the door on the back of the building and then turn to the right (toward the multi-media room.) Visitors are always welcome.

Featured Photographer Dianne Kelly

Photo by Ellen Tew

Dianne Kelly is our featured photographer for November 2014 as she loves the colors of the changing leaves in the fall. Dianne has served in several positions as an officer of West Central Georgia Shutterbugs and is also a member of Georgia Nature Photographers' Association (GNPA)--since nature, landscape, macro/closeup photography is her specialty.

Her work has been chosen for several issues of United Bank's annual calendar; has won awards at the Georgia National Fair; has been exhibited in several locations, including Callaway gardens, Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC), A Novel Experience, the Williamson LEAF (Library, Educational, and Art Facility), among others. She says, "Just being able to get out with other photographers to learn and have fun is a wonderful experience!"

November Meeting

In lieu of our regular meeting and program at the library, we will meet on Tuesday, November 11th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Peachtree Cafe, 99 Jeff Davis Road, in Thomaston.(The cafe is very near the intersection of Hwy.19 and Jeff Davis Road.)

If you were an official member as of this past August, you are invited to enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet (hot bar, salad bar, desserts, etc.) for FREE. If you weren't a current member at that time, you (and other guests) are welcome to attend. The cost per person (non-members) for the buffet is $9.90, which includes drink and taxes.

Please bring at least one non-perishable food item to donate to a local food pantry.

If you're planning to attend, please respond on Facebook, the blog or by email no later than Thursday, Nov. 6th, so we can let the cafe know how many to expect.

Congratulations, Marcia

Congratulations to Marcia Fisher.  She did very well at the Georgia National Fair, Perry, GA.

GA agriculture in black and white - 1st

Animals in black and white - 2nd

Plants in black and white - 3rd

People in color - 5th

Featured Photographer Marcia Fisher

Marcia Sue Fisher, our October photographer of the month, is a charter member of the W.C. Georgia Shutterbugs. The first meeting was held in her home in Jan. 2006. She has served the group as recording secretary.

Marcia enjoys nature and travel photography. She is also a member of the Georgia Nature Photographers Association. Her work has won various awards at the Georgia National Fair, GNPA competitions, and the Tobler Mill Art Fest, and she has been juried into Slow Exposures and Atlanta Celebrates Photography.

Marcia is a native of California and a graduate of the University of California in Berkeley. She has a Master's degree in Social Welfare. Marcia moved to Georgia in 1997 and she works part time for Be in Health as a teacher. Marcia has an autobiography entitled A New Song for Marcia which gives testimony to the transforming power of God in her life.

After moving to Thomaston Marcia took up photography following in her father’s footsteps. She loves to photograph at nearby Callaway Gardens and other beautiful sites in Georgia. She also is a world traveler and has included two photographs taken in Israel. Her trip to Israel in 2007 was a high light in her life.