Larry Fields, leader of TVAR’s photography club, has long been involved with creative pursuits. As a young person, he experimented with water color painting, wood working, travel snapshots, and various “fix-it” projects. His active interest in photography started when he purchased a Nikon camera with a close-up lens for use in his dental office. This was followed by many photography classes, more camera equipment purchases, and eventually the setting up of a home darkroom for processing film. Larry’s wife, Bonnie, also began a serious interest in photography by taking numerous courses in the photography department at Montgomery College. Together the couple has produced many pictures for shows in Gaithersburg, at Oasis in Westfield Mall, and other venues. After they arrived at TVAR, a number of their framed photographs were displayed on the wall across from the Glenmere art center.

As TVAR grew in numbers, people with like interests began to assemble in groups to share their skills and knowledge. Larry organized a photography club where camera folks could meet. The meetings began with assignments to take pictures of various subjects such as flowers, reflections, favorite foods, and scenes around where we live. This is why you may have noticed people snapping pictures of special events, parties, the Alzheimer’s walk, dogs in the dog park, the Talent Show, and other activities. The club has also taken field trips to Georgetown and the Franciscan Monastery to capture images for the club to view and critique.

The club is now meeting every other month in the Engage Café lounge where passersby can watch club members critiquing each other’s photographs. Guests and new members are always welcome. Fancy cameras are not necessary; many members do very well completing their assignments with their cell phones! Plans are in the works to teach others how to better utilize their cell phone cameras. Larry even gave Trisha a quick lesson on how to get better pictures using her iPhone.

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