Local shutterbugs can now share their passion and learn new shooting and processing techniques in photography.
The MidWisconsin Photography Group meets at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month in Meeting Room C of the Waupaca Area Public Library.
“The meetings are informal and involve discussion of a wide range of topics about photography – equipment, shooting techniques, post production issues, printing and matting, selling and marketing,” according to Michael Patrick, who currently chairs the group.
Patrick said the meetings last two to three hours and include presentations by members or guests. Members also share examples of their work.
Another benefit of being in the group is that members with expertise in different areas of photography are willing to meet privately with those desiring help, Patrick said.
Members of the MidWisconsin Photography Group also participate in field shoots and cooperative exhibits.
Photos by the group’s members can be seen at the Waupaca Community Arts Center, RiverFront Gallery in Stevens Point, Riverside Medical Center and several area businesses.
Several members also show and sell their work at the Waupaca Art Show, Arts on the Square, Phantom Art Gallery, Hidden Studio Art Tour, Rising Star Mill Exhibit and Trout Museum in Appleton.
Last summer, the group had a collective exhibit at the Thrivent Gallery at Mosquito Hill in New London.
Patrick, whose photos of the Greek island of Santorini were exhibited at the Waupaca Area Public Library in the summer of 2012, has been selling his work at the Waupaca Community Arts Center.
“About 50 years ago, I began learning the art and techniques of film photography – by trial and error – guided by what I saw or read by the masters of the art, and then experimenting in the dark room,” Patrick said. “Because I was a university scientist, part of the fascination was simply the science behind photography; but more importantly, it was a wonderful means for artistic expression.”
The photos of Ken Dequaine, another group member, have appeared in such publications as Our Wisconsin, Reiman publications, Browntrout and ACCO calendars.
His framed photos are on display at the Waupaca Community Arts Center, Bethany Home and the Red Mill.
“I received my training in photography while serving in the U.S. Air Force as photo lab technician and aerial photographer back in the 1940s,” Dequaine said. “Then I tried to make a career selling rights to pictures to calendars and magazines but there was never enough money in it, so my main source of income was through architecture.”
Trey Foerster’s commercial photography grew out of his experience as a newspaper photojournalist as his work became increasingly expressive.
“My first creative venture was to document some of the historic barns of Waupaca County and I have about 150 of them processed. Next, with the Iola Old Car Show in my backyard I ventured into classic car photography. Finally, the beauty of the Waupaca County landscape inspired me to shoot nature and landscape images,” Foerster said.
Foerster has twice been selected for the Culture+Agriculture annual exhibit at New Visions Gallery in Marshfield. His work has also been exhibited at the Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega and featured in the Iola Old Car Show posters.
He has a website at trey-foerster.fineartamerica.com and a Flickr site under the moniker “treysdayz.”
Currently, there are no dues to join the group, although there is a voluntary contribution to the library for use of their facilities.
For more information, contact Michael Patrick at [email protected] or 715-258-5141.