Arlene Wong
PhotoWorks is a SaddleBrooke Ranch club promoting the art, science, and fun of photography for the benefit and enjoyment of members. All skill levels are welcome. The club offers monthly general meetings, special education and training sessions, weekly drop-in Open Studio, and field trips. Some past field trips have included the Gladsden-Pacific Model Train Museum, San Xavier del Bac, Pima Air Museum, barrios of Tucson, the Oracle Lavender Farm, St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, and Boyce Thompson Arboretum. We also had several nature Meetups at Honeybee Canyon and Park Link Road.
In the past, our meetings have included presentations and training on the exposure triangle, composition, painting with light, street photography, macro photography, shooting wild horses, and much more.
Many of our nearly 60 members have been actively photographing since March, during the time of the pandemic. Some have been photographing flowers, still life, landscape, backyard wildlife, and 4th of July images at the Ranch. Others have also enjoyed going further afield to the Salt River Canyon, Picacho Peak, San Manuel, Saguaro National Park, Catalina State Park and Mount Lemmon. Photographing the Big Horn fire and Neowise comet presented members with special challenges.
Some members have shared past favorite images on our GroupWorks site and have enjoyed feedback and support from club members. Also, some of us have sought out online learning opportunities and expanded our skills by experimenting with different techniques and going outside the bounds of our normal comfort levels.
Accompanying this article are some images taken by a few of our members since early March. I think you’ll agree we have some very talented photographers at the Ranch.
The COVID-19 pandemic will likely impact our September through May meeting calendar, but when it is deemed safe to do so, PhotoWorks will plan to hold two meetings a month in the La Mesa conference room. To inquire about PhotoWorks, please send an email to [email protected].