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SIERRA VISTA — Ghost towns, rugged mountain ranges, rolling ranches and a diverse assortment of wildlife.
Southeastern Arizona’s landscape has it all, the ideal composition for photographers of all ages.
It didn’t take George Broxton long to figure that out.
 From left: "Light House near Santa Cruz, California" by George Broxton: "Wilcox Barberry" by Gary Noonan; bird photo by Fay Loomis; and "San Pedro House" by Gary Noonan. (Submitted) |
After moving to the area in 1970, he purchased his first 35 millimeter camera, a Hanimex Praktica.
It’s a purchase that led to an addiction to photography, eventually snowballing into the formation of Sierra Vista Camera Club.
“The club has been around for awhile now, since 1974,” Broxton said. “I bought my first 35 millimeter camera in 1973 and enjoyed photography so much, I decided we needed a club.”
Broxton recalls how the club started with 12 charter members and has watched photography enthusiasts come and go through the years.
There are now about 30 members, each person bringing something different to the organization.
Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Mona Bishop room of the Sierra Vista Public Library.
All meetings are open to the public.
“We have a huge range of interests,” Broxton said. “We have the wildlife photographers, birders, people who love to shoot landscapes and some who shoot a whole variety of things.”
It makes for an interesting mix of people, he added.
The meetings typically feature a guest speaker. “We’ve had archeologists, members of the astronomy club and people from the hummingbird sanctuary. All are experts in their field.”
In addition to the presentation, every meeting gives members an opportunity to showcase their latest photos.
“Our members are encouraged to bring in some of their favorite shots which we display at the meetings. We have slide shows and a table set up for print displays, along with provisions for people with digital cameras who want to show their pictures on a laptop.”
Club president Murl Rindahl has been a camera club member since 2003.
Like Broxton, he’s a self-taught photographer who started out with a 35 millimeter camera in 1974.
“Even though photography has made some amazing advances since I started out, I still have my film camera,” Rindahl said.
For Rindahl, one of the most rewarding aspects of the club are all the interesting people he’s met through the organization.
“We have one member who was a World War II photographer — Don Mittelstaedt — who has put together a whole photo album.”
After the war, Mittelstaedt went on to become a professional photographer.
“He’s one of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. I really enjoy looking at everyone’s photographs, listening to their stories and comparing all the places we’ve visited. We see photos of Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and mountain ranges in Colorado,” Rindahl said. “We learn so much from each other, and I think that’s probably one of the club’s most important features.”
Gary Noonan, the organization’s membership and activities coordinator, has been a club member for about one year. Another self-taught photographer, he got his first 35 millimeter camera in 1965. He’s been shooting photos ever since.
“It was a primitive camera compared to what we have today,” he said.
“Technology has changed photography dramatically, especially when you look at digital photography. In my years as a photographer, I’ve gone from slide nut to digital nut.”
In addition to the technological advancements, Noonan has seen big changes in film speeds through the years, a jump from 25 ASA to 1600.
Club members come from varied backgrounds and use different approaches to photography.
“Some shoot film, some prefer slides, some like black and white, and some are into digital. We have a very diverse group of people.”
As the activities coordinator, one of Noonan’s goals is to put together a membership survey to see what kinds of events interest members the most. Plans are to use the survey when organizing group outings and presentations.
In past trips, the club has visited the Sonoran Desert Museum, Chiricahua National Monument, different ghost towns, the San Pedro River, Tombstone, Ramsey Canyon and Picacho Peak, to name a few.
For information about the club or any of its upcoming events, call Broxton at 458-2040 or e-mail broxtonga@cox.net.
Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
Tony P wrote on Nov 25, 2008 12:24 AM: