I received an invitation to the camera club from amateur photographer Wayne Cummins.
“We encourage people who love photography to get involved in something new,” Cummins said. “I would like to start a camera club in early April.”
A longtime camera enthusiast, he has been capturing the world around him for over 50 years, first on film and now digitally.
The Huntsville Photographic Society has promoted the art of photography in northern Alabama for more than 40 years, and Cummins wants to bring a similar experience to Scottsboro. A camera club where students with different talents and skills come together to share ideas and work in regular meetings.
“The Scottsboro Public Library is happy to provide the space needed for these meetings,” Cummins said. “Right now, I’m reaching out to the community and trying to come together and form a club.”
The concept of starting a camera club is not new to Cummins, who started one in Grand Junction, Colorado in the '80s. He served as president of the club for several years.
“It was a lot of fun,” Cummins said.
When Cummins started the hobby, digital cameras weren't yet on the market, and it took time for them to evolve and embrace the transition to digital, he said.
“Photographers now really enjoy digital photography because software has given them more options to create better photos,” Cummins says.
Although Cummins has his photos on display at the Huntsville Museum of Art, he did not choose to go professionally.
“I did spend some time photographing weddings,” Cummins said. “But meeting deadlines wasn't what I wanted to be a hobby of.”
Camera Club is open to all ages and experience levels. Those with natural or hidden talents will have a chance to flourish.
“My mother was a natural photographer,” Cummins said. “I didn't realize it until years later when I looked closely at the photos she took.”
Cummins has been taking art lessons, which she feels have improved her ability to understand composition and color and take higher-quality photos.
Spring is the perfect season to start a camera club. Warm weather invites outdoor activities and photos of the brightly colored spring buds.
Anyone interested in joining the camera club should contact Cummins at wcummins@farmerstel.com.
“The current plan is to use email to keep members informed of club activities,” Cummins said.
“A good snapshot prevents a fleeting moment from escaping.” – Edra Alice Welty
