Community
6 February, 2022
FOCUSING ON The Douglas Shire
HOW we take a photo hasn’t really changed much over the years, but the technology certainly has.
I can remember being given a Kodak Camera in the mid 1970’s that instantly produced a printed picture and this seemed incredible at the time. To be fair the photo was black and white, fairly blurry and had to be coated with a very acidic smelling chemical once the camera had spat out my latest photographic effort.
I remember a similar smell in the Dark Room of my school’s photographic club, a far cry from the more recent digital technology and, of course, the Smartphone.
For today’s professionals and keen amateur photographers’ digital technology plays a big part, but the passion to capture the ultimate shot certainly hasn’t changed.
In the Douglas Shire, such pursuers of photographic perfection exist in the form of the Douglas Photographic Society Inc., originally established in 2009 by teacher Nada Petrasevic. In 2013 the Society became a registered not for profit organisation with affiliations to the Photographic Society of Queensland.
It had the invaluable guidance of professional photographer Ian Arcus, plus was and still is supported by local businesses.
In 2019, Port Douglas based professional photographer Tracey Jones took over as President. Tracey has worked in underwater photography for over 10 years and has her own business teaching photography online.
Having grown rapidly in popularity, the Society fosters the love and learning of photography as a pleasurable pastime, hobby and vocation. Members are encouraged to develop their profificiency, ideas and knowledge through fun and interesting challenges, workshops and excursions, plus camping trips and outings held throughout the year.
Monthly outings or workshops are held on the first Saturday of each month at various venues and meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month.
These include a small competition where a points system is used, culminating in an end of year awards presentation evening.
An annual photographic exhibition celebrates members achievements, with many entering their work into other competitions around Australia.
Anyone can join including juniors, novices, amateurs and professionals, all supporting each other in a positive environment. Members believe anyone can take a photo, but a good photographic image takes time, patience and skill.
For details, email douglasphotographic@gmail.com or phone 0497055151.
I’m offff to check my shutter speed, so for now it’s Gazza signing out!
Send your stories to: gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
