A Collection of Photographic Art by the Merrimack Valley Camera Club
WHO: Members of the Merrimack Valley Camera Club
WHAT: An exhibit of photographs by MVCC members
WHERE: Flint Memorial Library, 147 Park Street, North Reading, Mass.
WHEN: October 28 – December 1, 2023 during library’s opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10 a.m – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: closed
WHY: The first public exhibition by MVCC photographers of all experience levels in almost a decade
ABOUT:
For the first time in almost a decade, members of the Merrimack Valley Camera Club are holding a public exhibition of their photographic works. The exhibit will be held at Flint Memorial Library in North Reading, Mass., during library’s opening hours from Oct. 28 through Dec. 1, 2023.
In existence for over eight decades, the MVCC’s members comprise beginner photographers just learning how to use their cameras internalize the rules of composition and other aspects of photography through professional photographers who have honed their craft for years and the exhibit organizers encouraged every member to submit photographs to display, especially if it is their first time exhibiting a piece of work.
Exhibit organizer Maryellen Stone, of North Reading, Mass., and an MVCC member since 2011, said, “It’s a very different experience between showing your work digitally, on social media, to friends and family, and the experience of seeing your image printed, matted, mounted, framed and hanging on the wall for all the world to see. Often what keeps us from embracing new experiences are two things~ opportunity and ‘the how.’ We created an opportunity to exhibit and everyone learned from each other about ‘the how.’ All MVCC members were encouraged to choose whatever image they wanted to be able to share with the public and promote our camera club as a place that welcomes photographers of all levels of experience. All members of the club have learned from this experience, even if they chose not to exhibit this time. The experience will be complete when members bring their family and friends in to see the exhibit in person.”
Some MVCC members who are participating in the exhibit share their images and thoughts about them here:
Barbara Brissenden of North Andover, Mass., a member of MVCC for four years, shares this image, titled “Veins of a Leaf.” She says, “I chose this image [for the exhibit] because of the simplicity of the veins and the warmth of the colors.”
June Carson, of Pelham, N.H., originally of Windham, N.H. selected “Autumn in the Village of Somesville, Maine” for the exhibit. She says she took this photo “in the Bar Harbor area when the fall colors were spectacular. The village of Somesville, with its white bridge crossing the water to its historic Selectman’s building surrounded by fall foliage absolutely spoke to me in terms of its combined beauty. It’s a personal favorite location which always brings me back to my mindful happy place.” She has been a member of MVCC since 2011.
Stephen Carson, of Pelham, N.H., originally of Windham, N.H., selected “In flight,” for exhibition. He said, “This image capture took place in St. Augustine [Florida] during a morning shoot when the skies were filled with pastels providing a beautiful background to capture an equally beautiful egret in flight. It’s a personal favorite that brings back fond memories of this great setting.” He has been a member of MVCC since 2011.
Sandra Emro, a member of MVCC for four years, has lived in Newburyport, Mass. for 35 years. She selected her piece, titled, “Iris,” because, “An iris makes me smile.” She went on to explain more, “this plant melds both of my passions, gardening and photography. I am an avid gardener, and the iris is my favorite summer flower. I love the variety of colors they offer, but since yellow is a happy color, I chose a yellow iris for this exhibit. I began photography as a result of, in large part, my gardens – I started using photography as a means to document the season, sort of in a photojournalistic manner. Soon I realized how much creativity the camera could offer in garden photography, and expanded my use of the camera beyond documentation. Since then, I’ve taken many photography courses, and now find that I’m allocating more time to enrich my photography hobby than that of gardening.”
Mark Goldstein, of Andover, Mass., has been a member of MVCC for more than four years. His piece is titled “First Frost (Oak Leaf), and here are his thoughts about why he selected it for this exhibit: “The photo is a close-up of a fallen oak leaf coated in frost on a cold November morning. As a skier, I look forward to the first frost and especially the first snow each year in late fall. The literal interpretation of the photo is a document of the anatomy of an oak leaf in fall colors coated in frost crystals. I also see this image as an aerial view of farmland with roads running through it. There was very little editing done to the image. There were some adjustments to the contrast, saturation and cropping to center on the area in sharpest focus.”
David Manzi of Boxford, Mass., a member of MVCC for four years, but was a member in the early 1970s when the club was known as the Lawrence Camera Club. His photo, “The Wave,” is one of his favorite landscape images, he says. He converted this originally color image to black and white. “No other ‘Photoshopping’ was used to create this image. It’s real,” he said.
About Merrimack Valley Camera Club:
The Merrimack Valley Camera Club, about eight decades old, welcomes novice to advanced amateur and professional photographers. The MVCC meets every Wednesday evening from 7:30-9 p.m., with social time starting at 7 p.m., from September through May, with some meetings virtual, and most meetings in person at the Trinitarian Congregational Church (72 Elm St.) North Andover, Mass. The club holds photo competitions, hands-on workshops, talks and demonstrations, and regularly scheduled field trips. Visitors, guests and new members are always welcome. The MVCC, which is based in North Andover, Mass., has members hailing from all around the Merrimack Valley, from southern New Hampshire towns such as Sandown, Windham and Pelham, to Newburyport, Haverhill, North Andover, Middleton, and the many towns in between and adjoining.
For More Information:
Merrimack Valley Camera Club: mvcc.visualpursuits.com for information, events, news, to join and for award-winning photos
MVCC Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mvcameraclub
Flint Memorial Library website: https://flintmemoriallibrary.org, and for hours and directions: https://flintmemoriallibrary.org/the-library/hours-and-directions/
