I view the world sometimes in color and sometimes in black and white. Sometimes the world is in focus and sometimes it is just a blur. The process of taking photographs and preparing them for viewing is my favorite creative outlet. From the time I first saw photography as something more than a way of keeping memories of events, it has struck me as magical.
Over the years my photography has evolved from exploring a person's inner sole in a portrait to viewing how the world works in the great outdoors from up close and from far away. Working with my camera gives me a pleasing sense of accomplishment and has become my favorite way to not only explore the world at large but to also explore myself.
My wife and I have lived on the Peninsula since 2000. I found Padre Trails shortly after settling in and have enjoyed watching the Club grow and prosper over the years. My love for photography began at an early age during photo-trips with my grandfather. Today I photograph a wide range of subjects, the natural beauty on the central coast being high on my list, of course.
I use mostly Nikon DSLR equipment, currently Nikon D300 and D300s. However, recently we traveled to Europe with only one camera, a Leica D-Lux-5. my "'Li'l Leica". The light weight and tack sharp images overcame the camera's 90mm max zoom. Since that trip, I've added a Nikon Coolpix P-510 to my kit and having a light weight rig with excellent picture quality and good reach is no longer a problem. I usually wind up bringing all three on trips because you just never know.
Please visit: kenslens.zenfolio.com to see some of my images.
I’ve been a member of PTCC since 2010, but a photographer since the 1940s. A native of San Francisco, I have been taking pictures since high school. After weaving my way through television production, PBS station relations, owning a kite shop, and building and selling kite aerial photography (KAP) equipment, I'm now retired and happy to spend some time filling in the gaps in my photographic experience, for which the club is well-suited.
After many years hanging cameras from a kite line, and two years flying a lightweight drone, I’m not taking pictures from the air anymore. I'm still a bit of a camera junkie, with models ranging from the Sony NEX-5 to the Nikon D5300 SLR and superzoom Nikon P-900. But I’ve been fairly successful taking most of my pictures with my Apple iPhone SE.
See some of my airborne and groundbound photos on: Flickr, my VR Panoramas at World Wide Panorama and my KAP equipment at brooxes.com
Born in Chicago, Jim Lambert grew up among artists. His father studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and became an accomplished painter and graphic artist, and his grandfather had been a lithographer specializing in fine etchings. Jim's early exposure to artistic expression and process fashioned his appreciation of individual style. His sense of style was enhanced through the study of figure drawing and painting, with years of pouring over art books at the city's libraries. He felt the urge to create "Something no one has ever seen," a concept with humor that continues to define his art. Jim began taking pictures in the mid-60s, drawing inspiration from the work shown at the local County Fair.
Jim moved to California in 1976, and began submitting his photography to the Monterey County Fair in the mid 90s. He was awarded first place in juried images, best of show twice, and countless other awards including at the California State Fair for his intriguing and truly unique style of photography. Jim is a member of the Padres Trails Camera Club, Pacific Grove Art Center, Carmel Center for Photograph Art, and had currently exhibiting at the Art Council for Monterey Country.
Please visit: arts4mc.org
Karen Schofield is a passionate photographer who ignites the viewer's imagination through her images. As a born water lover, she captures the beauty and awe of nature both above and below the water's surface. Karen's images allow the viewer to experience a place, or a moment in time as seen through her lens. Karen's photography has won 1st and 2nd place awards in international and local photo competitions, published in books, dive magazines, and in National Geographic online publications. Please visit: DiverinDeep.com
Photography reconnects me to my beginnings and who I once was. My Midwestern family and friends included blacksmiths, railroad men, barkeeps, farmers, industrial line workers, and clerks. Few had educations beyond high school. These folks worked hard and stayed close to their birthplace. I was one of the few that left. However, fifty years of the Marine Corps, university, and corporate life gave me the feeling that I did not belong, loosed from the moorings of my past and uncomfortable in a new life. I traded the familiarity of a small town for the anonymity of the city. Either can kill the soul. Both can provide comfort. Unfortunately one cannot go back. Modern urban environments reconnect me to the folks with whom I lived, loved, and laughed. The settings differ, but the players are much the same. Everyday people leading everyday lives crowd these streets. If I cannot return to what once was, I can at least use my camera to get closer, to somehow make a connection, however fleeting. With my corporate life complete, I am free to walk and make photographs, while exploring today’s hectic cities, among those who feel familiar to me. Please visit: David Clarkson Web Site
Often the solo adventuress, Bender roams the globe, exploring Earth's natural beauty. Published by leading names such as Tamron and Outdoor Photographer, her images have been featured in galleries from New York to Las Vegas, while her work as an international artist has been recognized from Japan to the U.K. Bender is happiest in the field and passionate about sharing unique animals and environments from around the world in hopes of connecting people to the planet through imagery. She believes that connection is key to promoting environmental awareness and protecting vulnerable species and their habitats. When she isn't leading tours or teaching classes, she publishes location guides and writes articles about her adventures which can be found on her website. Find more of her work at: www.abenderphotography.com
As an amateur photographer, I enjoy participating in the local groups and trying to learn more about the art of photography by seeing the works of so many talented members. I have enjoyed photography from the time I got my first camera as a young boy, through active work on B&W film in my home darkroom. I now use mirrorless cameras from Sony, and concentrate on travel/family/landscape subject matter.
My photo web site it at: rgt.photos
Photography and physics have provided me with fascinating windows into the nature of our world since grammar school, with early box cameras, Polaroid cameras, and 35mm SLRs holding my interest all through adult life. The advent of digital cameras and sophisticated post-processing software at the turn of the 21st century coincided with my retirement from a technical career and allowed me to develop my interest further, blissfully free from the need of a darkroom and chemicals to produce and manipulate images. My pursuit of enjoyment is now focused on learning from the world of photographic art to make more judicious choices of what to put in front of my camera for various purposes. Padre Trails Camera Club provides a wide array of examples to stimulate that learning. An assortment of my photos is at VerbanecPhotography.com
Padre Tails Camera Club lost one of its oldest friends and most loved supporters on Friday, December 5th, 2014 with the death of Harold Black. Over the years, Harold, along with his wife, life member Jane Black, was a mainstay of Club growth and vitality through his generous hospitality, his valuable counsel and his unfailing good humor.
The Club's thoughts go out to Harold's wife Jane, his daughter Connie and to all the members of his loving family.
Padre Trails lost one of its brightest guiding lights on September 2, 2015 with the death of long-time PTCC Member, past President and Secretary, Sharon Blaziek.
Sharon was an avid photographer who loved the natural world around us and her images brilliantly reflected that love. A member of PTCC for nearly 30 years, Sharon was a driving force behind the growth of the Club over the years and we owe much of what we are today to her leadership and vision.
Thank you, Sharon, for all the time, love and energy you have given to PTCC over the last three decades and for the example and memories you leave with us. We'll all miss you!
You can see her fine work at SpiritEarthPhotography.com
