GV Camera Club’s classes start Friday

Green Valley News

The 30-year-old Green Valley Camera Club begin classes Friday for Green Valley Recreation members wishing to expand their knowledge of taking quality photographs.

The club’s theme for 2008 classes is “Picture It Better.” The winning name was submitted by Ron Love during a contest held this past fall.

Classes are held Fridays and Saturdays and are presented over a 10-week period.

The format has changed so that the series of five introductory classes on “Getting to Know Your Camera” will be offered twice, plus a class on “Matting and Framing,” and a series of four classes dealing with “Beyond the Basics.”

GVR members can register for some or all of the classes based on interests and scheduling.

“In my view, everything is better today when you take a picture or make a video than it was in the old days with film,” says club president Don White. “Of course, the best thing is digital images cost less to create than pictures made on film.”

“It is possible to teach yourself all you need to know, if you are so inclined. But it is much easier if you take advantage of the knowledgeable members in the Camera Club,” White adds. “We teach our members how to use and enjoy their cameras and much more.”

White likes to emphasize that the “lower cost” is just the beginning of the benefits of the new digital methods. He believes that it is this “multi-use feature” of digital that has fostered high attendance at the club’s photography classes over the last eight years, and has contributed to the club’s unusual growth in membership.

This year the digital photography classes have been updated to include many new developments.

“Because the industry no longer has revenue from film and chemical sales, the manufacturers are constantly developing new and interesting products,” says Don Spear, club past president and instructor. “We like to keep our members up on the latest industry developments.”

During these classes, the Camera Club will still maintain a full schedule of activities during the week. This includes workshops almost everyday on more advanced subjects.

The club also sponsors three evening meetings a month January through April, a regular monthly meeting featuring an interesting speaker; the very popular “Showtime” where members show creative digital slide shows; and a travelogue meeting for members to show off their travel slide shows and videos.

For more information about the Camera Club and the upcoming classes, visit the current Studio/Classroom at GVR’s East Center, 7 South Abrego Drive, next to the pool. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. until noon. Or call Carl Sparfeld at 520-625-9648. You can also learn about the club at its web site at www.gvcameraclub.org.

To enroll in the classes, you must be a GVR member and join the Camera Club. Annual dues are $30 for one person, $35 for a GVR household. A $25 fee per person is charged for the photo classes.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740