Kent Miles from Salt Lake City, and excellent photographer has come up. Rip Black, who shoots images for Playboy had a full house for his presentation. Richard Prehn, who gives workshops for Marshalls (the oil & pencil handcoloring folks) came up and gave a nice presentation as well as a one day workshop. The list goes on and on, with most we approach giving freely of their time and talent in the effort to help those with an interest in photography.

I think those photographers who have come up here got more out of it than we did. They give their time and talent to help others, just as others helped them as they were learning photography. And yes, we have had some of the finest in the State, a tradition that will continue. Tillman Crane is coming in May and Val Brinkerhoff is on the schedule for the fall. Excellent photographers all with a message to share: photography is fun.

All the photographers we have invited have had one basic thing in common and that is that they all communicated in their own words that photography is fun. Whether it was the disciplined approach to the craft that allows the gifted creativity to shine in his excellent prints (Rodger Newbold is an excellent example here) or a more laid back approach such as bicycling through Bangladesh with 35mm Nikons & tire patch kits such as Ravi Miro Fry, all the photographers we have enjoyed have communicated their joy in creating photographic images.

This joy is catching. With a small town photo club that has members using throw away point and shoots to 8x10 and larger view cameras, we have all levels of expertise. Even is some have no desire to use a view camera, seeing images of the highest quality is inspiring. Though one has no plans to photograph formal portraits, viewing images that have won the highest PPofA awards is instructive. The gap bridging the chasm from beginner to advanced professional is smaller as the images communicate and the photographer excites those looking at these images. The fun element is there and it is catching.

Few in our little group spend much on gear and we all try to help each other get the most out of our equipment. Canon Rebels & Pentax K1000's to EOS 3's are in use at field trips. Cheap drug store processing to custom Ilfochromes account for prints shown at the meetings. Public gallery shows give every member a chance to have their images seen. (and a few bought as well) We try to have fun and encourage photography at whatever level our folks may be at. If they don't learn and improve it isn't for lack of opportunity or encouragement. And yes, some have upgraded equipment and started using higher quality films & processing as a result of exposure to images of top calibre.

Seeing quality & learning how to do it is a powerful incentive to do better work.

Every presentation we have had involved travel for those who came to talk & share images with us. An hour to two hours on the freeway is common among those who visit. It takes time and effort and everyone who has come was worth it to us. I think they all benefitted from the experience. Some aren't public speakers by any means and others don't do the kind of photography I would do. But there are others in our group for whom their style was perfect and the exposure knowledge they needed.

So why do these folks drive & visit our little group in a small Northern Utah farming town? (gateway to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, worlds greatest bird refuge-the archway sign over Main Street)

Because they believe in what they photograph and they believe in giving back to the hobby, avocation or profession they have chosen. All are creative individuals. Some are more entertaining than others for different segments of our group. But all of these photographers give to help others. We have a museum gallery in town and it is photographer friendly. Arthur Morris, noted bird photographer, is the headliner for our show going up this Friday, 5 May, entitled The Birds: Wild Bird Photography. We have images from excellent bird photographers from across America in the show.

We have shows planned for the future, all involving our small photo club, with the backing and encouragement of our local Museum Gallery. Photographer friendly is right. Larry Douglas, museum director, is a painter. But he put on a 55 image show of the Meeting of the Rails, using prints from the two official photographers for the competing railroad lines. An excellent show. Our little group helped & supported it. We have a Scenic Utah show coming just before the Olympic Games. Our members are involved in planning and setting it up. They are involved with their own images and in showing the best images others will bring to us.

Yes, we are a small town but we have a group of people of similar interests who support each other. I shoot a lot of wildlife in color and both sports & large format work in B&W. Some of our people teach school. A few are retired. Some just want to take better photos of their kids or grandchildren. But all want to become involved in something positive, to be better photographers, to meet others with like interests.

From the professionals we bring in to the complete amateurs who enjoy their talents, everyone gets involved on some level. If one meeting isn't on your style of photography, another will be. (or at least close) And learning about how one of the biggest custom lab owners in the state does his personal photography because he enjoys it helps establish a rapport that helps when our people go to his lab to get some photos enlarged. Yes, he runs a business, but each of our people has a choice as to where to take film to be processed. I know most of our folks have taken more work to Borge B. Anderson & Associates since Borge came up and spoke to us. His presentation was very good and his bringing his own Ansel Adams 'moonrise' print was going beyond what was expected. The print was excellent and so was Borge. Just as so many others have been. His getting involved was more than business, it was a labor of love, talking with other enthusiasts about his passion for fine images.

Most of our speakers and members both are involved because they want to be, not because it is 'good business'. Many say, when asked to come up & speak, "I haven't done this before". Some do it often. But the willingness each has to come up and give their time, talent and experience is appreciated.

The best thing is that this can be done almost anywhere. A few people with an interest in photography get together & pool their information. Plan a photo trip to a local attraction or two. Talk with some friends and get them to come over and share information and talk about their images. Plan one a specific place & time each month & before you know it, you are on your way. Can you get folks of the quality of Rodger Newbold, Craig Law, Kent Miles, Tillman Crane and others? Yes, you probably can. (we bribe a few of them with a meal at the Idle Isle-in business since 1919) All you really need to do is ask. Most are gracious and willing to help a group of interested photographers. All were beginners at one time & remember it. If you get involved in starting something like this on a local level these photographers will get involved in helping on many levels.

I don't know how much all of the folks we have had enjoyed the drive to Brigham City, but I do know our folks enjoyed every one we have had come and visit us. And, their visits do pay off. At the local Peach Days Celebration Art Exhibit, two years ago there were mainly snapshots. This past year most of the photos entered were much better prepared, matted and exhibited as fine art. Quite a difference. All but one exhibitor has been involved in our little club. Helping people to improve is a lot of fun and getting involved has paid off in new friendships and more enjoyment in taking pictures.

So, whether you get involved in a photo group as we have or go one on one with friends or students or other photographers as you meet them in the field, give something back as you photograph and improve. After all, if you would really learn a subject, teach it. Getting involved will improve your photography.