Thompson's shutterbugs - and shutterbug wannabes - have a new way to meet and share with other photography enthusiasts.
The Northern Exposures Photography Club started up in September, and meets in the library from 5:30 to 7:30 on the second Tuesday of every month.
"We're sitting at 15 members after our first meeting," says organizer Brian Taylor, pleased with the turnout.
Northern Exposures, currently a free club, is open to anyone interested in photography, of any level of skill, with any sort of camera. Taylor says there is an emphasis on improving everybody's photography skills, teaching new tips and tricks, with little room for tearing each other down. "Constructive criticism meant to help and nurture," is how Taylor describes the club's attitude towards each others' pictures. "We don't want to hear 'well, you didn't do that very well.'"
After each meeting, members are sent home with an assignment to bring back a photo for the next month. "This month's assignment was fall," explains Taylor. "The idea was that each member would bring a flash drive with one picture to do with fall, and one picture you really like. Next month is going to be Halloween."
In addition to sharing photos, the club makes a point of providing its members with information on how to get better at specific aspects of photography. At their next meeting, on Oct. 12, Larry Hall will be presenting a tutorial on taking pictures of the northern lights. Taylor adds that if the lights are particularly visible over the next month, the entire club might go out to shoot them using Hall's tips.
"Right now there is no fee," says Taylor. "I suspect that may change over time if we do a lot of group shoots." Taylor also forsees a more formalized structure in the future, with an elected executive, but for now he's running a one-man show.
"I want to learn," he laughs when asked when he started the club. "There's so much I don't know."
