Lexington, KY - When a small group of Lexington photographers joined forces to start a local camera club in 1936, the country was experiencing a surge of interest in hobby photography, due in part to an increasing availability of affordable cameras that came about in the '30s. The group particularly blossomed in the '50s and '60s, making a name for itself as one of the leading visual arts organizations in the area and fostering the talent of regionally and nationally renowned Kentucky photographers that included Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Van Deren Coke, Guy Mendes, James Baker Hall and Robert C. May.
The original club disbanded in 1972 following the death of Meatyard, a startlingly original photographer who was renowned for his unique and often disturbing take on American life. In many ways, he had become a paternal force within the group, and their fervor and productivity took quite a hit following his death. While the group's membership has waxed and waned in the years since, today's Creative Camera Club, a direct offshoot of the original group, continues to foster an exceptional level of interest, activity and talent in the region. Boasting more than 170 members and maintaining the proud stance of one of the country's longest continuously operating camera clubs, the Creative Camera Club marked the 40th anniversary of the Annual Print Show, the biggest competition held by the group each year, in 2010. The exhibit (on display through December at the Living Arts and Science Center) features nearly 200 entries.
"Our club has grown a lot over the last few years," said club president Tom Myers. In fact, the club has grown so much among beginning photographers that the group recently added an additional monthly meeting, intended to be educational for photographers of all levels. The "First Thursday" meetings, as they're called, take place the first Thursday of the month and cover topics ranging from how to cut a picture mat to how to photograph sunsets. Regular club meetings, which tend to draw 60 or more members, take place the third Thursday of each month, alternating between theme-based competitions and educational sessions.
According to John Snell, past president and active member of the club, digital technologies in recent years have led to another balloon of interest in photography.
"Digital photography has made it easier for people to control the process, from the click of the shutter to the production of the print," he said. "Cameras are better, people can take better pictures."
While the club has a handful of "hold-out" members, who strictly adhere to film, the overwhelming majority of the members have moved to digital photography in recent years. Myers points out that the basic tenants of good photography apply to either film or digital, and that the educational components of the club are geared to help people become a better photographer on whatever type of camera they have.
The club encourages new membership, offering perks for seasoned photographers and beginners looking to sharpen their skills, in a friendly and inviting social setting. Membership is $22 a year ($6 for members under the age of 18). While meetings are open to the public, only members are permitted to enter the theme-based competitions that occur every other month, with this year's scheduled competitions starting in February. This year's scheduled themes include sunrise and sunset, fungi, fog and mist, historic, and reflection.