Author: Connie Emerson

Brittany Colt grew up in the state of Washington where the rolling fields and deep pine forest were her playground. Being born blind in one eye motivated her to photograph the beautiful scenery that was set before her. Eyesight was something that she never took for granted. It helped Brittany value her ability to recognize and capture those fleeting moments of life.

Brittany first found her passion for photography at age ten while on a family vacation in the Olympic National Forest located in the state of Washington. Her passion for the art form grew exponentially, along with developing a strong desire of capturing more intimate subjects. The way Brittany “sees” is unique and has helped shape her photographic style.

Brittany’s creative journey began by photographing landscapes and continued further into the applications of portraiture and wedding photography. This led to her establishing a photography company in 2012, while also working in the Film Industry in Portland, Oregon. In 2016, Brittany started a formal degree program in Graphic Design. These combined experiences in Graphic Design and the Film Industry helped mold and influence her attention towards light, color and composition in her work.

In 2018 Brittany developed an additional interest in teaching photography and started working as a Staff Photographer for The Ansel Adams Gallery (TAAG) and is currently the Education Coordinator for TAAG. Brittany loves to challenge her students and expand their minds, not only technically, but creatively as well. Working in a national park and The Ansel Adams Gallery has combined her passion for being in the great outdoors, teaching photography, and photographing the wilderness of Yosemite.

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Have you wanted to photograph the night sky but don’t know where to start? Learn what it takes to capture luscious Milky Way landscapes (starscapes), constellations, glowing pink nebula, galaxies and more. This presentation will cover astrophotography using a range of gear – from a camera and tripod to star trackers to computerized telescopes with dedicated astro cameras. The night sky is an endlessly fascinating subject for photographers of all skill levels.

Our speaker, Rich Wilbourn, is a retired IT/Business Project Manager with a lifelong interest in both astronomy and photography. As a teenager, he started an astronomy club in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, built his own telescopes and even ground his own telescope mirrors. While pursuing a degree in astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin, he worked as a summer intern at McDonald Observatory in west Texas.  Rich’s interest in photography go back to the days of film and include developing and printing black and white images. In recent years much of his photography includes wildlife and nature subjects – particularly the abundant birdlife found along the Texas coast. You can follow Rich on Instagram at @rwilbourn.

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After operating as a freelance photographer for several years, he took over as chief photographer for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1996, where he then served for 25 years, retiring in 2021. His assignments for TPWD and its magazine took him to every corner of the state, documenting its landscape, people and historical treasures. Based in Temple, Texas, Earl continues shooting professional assignments and teaching workshops.

Earl will speak about the many ways that TPWD is involved in conservation efforts throughout Texas outdoors and the way photography is used to bring it to the public’s attention through engaging images.

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This is a Members Only Scheduled Zoom Meeting

Kathy has been a professional nature photographer since 1995.  She is the owner of a stock agency called KAC Productions that represents the work of fifteen outstanding nature photographers.  Kathy’s work has been published in many well-known, well-respected newspapers and magazines.  Her photos have also appeared in ad campaigns, guidebooks, textbooks, and brochures.  In addition, her photos appear every week in the “Nature” column in the Houston Chronicle written by her husband, Gary, and have appeared in all of Gary’s books.  In addition, Gary and Kathy have worked on seven book projects over the years. “Texas Wildlife Portfolio”, “Texas Gulf Coast Impressions”, “Portrait of Houston”, “Texas: A Photographic Journey”, “Backroads of the Texas Hill Country”, “Enjoying Big Bend National Park” and “Photographing Big Bend National Park”. 

Kathy teaches photography through Leisure Learning in Houston and at local and national events.  She leads photo tours in the United States and abroad for Strabo Tours.  Kathy is Past-President of the North American Nature Photography Association.

Visit www.kathyadamsclark.com to see more about Kathy’s tours, classes and her nature photography images. You can also follow her at kathyadamsclark.blogspot.com.

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Z O O M …… Yes, Zoom Meeting Tuesday, April 21 @ 6:30 p.m.

Program:  Tunnel Vision: Concentrate on Your Preferred Subject

Our speaker, Ken Fitzgerald, works as a full-time photographer in the railroad industry.  Ken is also a model railroader and locomotive horn collector.

Join us as he shares his love of trains & photography talent!

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Hope you join us Tuesday evening!

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This is a Members Only Scheduled Zoom Meeting

While having paid his dues over the years documenting the usual weddings and real estate, at the end of the day, our speaker, Ken Fitzgerald would rather be remembered for his railroad photography.  If there is one subject you are knowledgeable about, consider using your skills with a camera to be in the right place at the right time to record definitive images.  Ken will share his favorite train-related photos and how he applied this thought to capture and record moments in history.

Today Ken works as a full-time photographer in the railroad industry.  In 2019 alone he documented several major railroad engineering projects; the startup of the DFW TEXRail commuter service; the operation of Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” steam locomotive across south Texas; the CSX Santa Train as celebrity Marty Stuart’s personal photographer; and BNSF’s Holiday Express across the Pacific Northwest.  Ken is also a model railroader and locomotive horn collector.

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February 18 Program: Texas-Central and Way Out West

See the red highlighted area below on book prices. Amazon has discounted the books and the books that will be available at the meeting will be at retail price.

Landscape photography and how to keep it simple and still produce some super work.

He will also touch on some easy post processing hints for the final touches.  Equipment? Yes, he will go over that too. But, it will not take long!

After several more book projects for commercial companies, it was back to landscape work with “The Texas Hill Country, A Photographic Adventure” (Texas A&M University Press-2018 ). The introductory essay is by Native Texan and Houston Chronicle columnist, Joe Holley and the photography commentary is by Roy Flukinger, the longtime Photography Curator of the Harry Ransom Center-The University of Texas. This coffee table book benefits the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

The books for sale at the meeting will be directly from the publishers at full retail price: “The Texas Hill Country, A Photographic Adventure” for $36 and “Texas’ Big Bend, A Photographic Adventure for $35. Mike will accept credit cards or personal checks.

Going to Fredericksburg with the Club, March 31 – April 2? Mike’s “The Texas Hill Country” book has a section “Schnitzel, Peaches, and One-Room Schools – Fredericksburg and Its Environs” that might be a great resource.

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Landscape photography and how to keep it simple and still produce some super work.

He will also touch on some easy post processing hints for the final touches.  Equipment? Yes, he will go over that too. But, it will not take long!

Mike has taught professional and amateur photographers for many years. After forty years of portrait photography at Kaye Marvins, Houston’s leading Studio started by his Dad over 70 years ago.  Mike started working with landscape photography–mostly on backpack trips in Big Bend. This evolved into the best-selling book, “Texas’ Big Bend, A Photographic Adventure”, some associated major exhibits and sales of large prints for commercial spaces all over Texas. The book is still selling well and all book profits benefit The Big Bend Conservancy. After several more book projects for commercial companies, it was back to landscape work with “The Texas Hill Country, A Photographic Adventure” (Texas A&M University Press-2018 ). The introductory essay is by Native Texan and Houston Chronicle columnist, Joe Holley and the photography commentary is by Roy Flukinger, the longtime Photography Curator of the Harry Ransom Center-The University of Texas. This coffee table book benefits the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

This will be a fun evening!

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