New River photographer draws in talent from around Valley

MARC BUCKHOUT ~ MANAGING EDITOR ~6/8/2011

New River photographer Alan Lowy asks students taking his classes whether they are picture takers or picture makers.
Lowy, who has been teaching photography workshops and seminars for more than 30 years, also has been opening his home to 40 men and women, a bunch called the Desert Light Photo Club, which he’s proud to say are a bunch of picture makers.
“In the age of digital anybody can go out and take 1,200 shots and show you three that came out pretty well,” he said. “I ask the students that take classes or seminars from me to try and be the type of photographer that takes 35 or 40 shots and comeback with maybe 28 really good ones that you’re proud of. The idea is for them to be able to show me that they are thinking about what they’re shooting rather than just snap shooting. 99 percent of
the photos of our group members you can tell they were making a picture.”
What started as a group of eight seven years ago quickly grew to a number that members decided to cap at 40. The group, which meets once a month, gathers at Lowy’s home to show off images, critique photos and share ideas.
While the North Valley is represented by more than Lowy members come from as far away as Flagstaff, Queen Creek and Ahwatukee.
“It’s the people that make this club what it is,” Scottsdale resident Richard Rubenstein, one of the group’s original members said. “This isn’t like a normal club. There aren’t any officers, nobody keeps minutes and there’s no bureaucracy. It’s just a neat bunch of people that are passionate about photography. It’s my monthly fix. I look forward to them each month and I leave with more enthusiasm for photography. I’ve been shooting professionally since 2005, but I learn something at every meeting.”
In December of each year the group gathers for a Christmas potluck during which they exchange gifts of photos and pick monthly subject matters for the coming year.
“Everybody gets to nominate an idea,” Lowy said. “We look at all the suggestions and put together some themes.”
Some of this year’s themes have included tattoos, S-Curve and things that fly. Upcoming
ones include tracks, inside the box and toys.
“You’re excited to go out every month,” Al Shefler of North Scottsdale said. “You try to be better than the guy sitting next to you, but it’s a friendly competition. Everyone is respectful of one and other and tries to help each other.”
At the monthly meetings each group member brings in one to three photos to be critiqued.
While Lowy gets critiques started he quickly opens things to a group discussion.
Shefler, who has been in the group for approximately a year, after moving to the Valley from Chicago, said the discussions are very helpful.
“It’s challenging,” he said. “When you’re given an assignment I’ll think about it for weeks prior to the meeting. You really scratch your head trying to come up with a unique idea. You go in there pretty proud of yourself sometimes and you see what the other people have done and it’s just unbelievable.
We’re constantly talking amongst each other, what we like, what we don’t like, what we could have done better.”
Nadine Ackerman of Scottsdale is one of the group’s newest members and also one of its youngest. Ackerman, who took a class from Lowy at Paradise Valley Community College, joined the group six months ago after a nearly year-long wait.
Ackerman, who specializes in pet photography, said the group has helped her broaden her range of skills as a photographer.
“I was so accustomed to shooting portraits and pets,” she said. “With this group you’re forced to try new things and it improves your photography when you’re trying more than just what you’re already strong at.”
Ackerman said that she was overwhelmed at the first meeting she attended.
“It was amazing to be honest,” she said. “The first time I was shocked. It’s very inspiring
to see the photos the members of this group produce. It makes you work harder.”
She said her preparation in setting up a photo has improved as a result of being around the group’s members.
“I do a better job focusing on seeing the image,” she said. “I’ve always had the mindset that I have photo shop and I can fix an image if something isn’t quite right. Now I’m more likely to be more aware of the lighting before hand and concentrate on shooting it correctly.
This group uses Photoshop for slight enhancements rather than to fix problems.”
While photography is only a hobby for a majority in the group Rubenstein said the members do take a real pride in what they do.
“With the proliferation of inexpensive point and shoot digital cameras I think a lot of people think of themselves as photographers,” he said. “I would just say that if you and I go and buy a violin we wouldn’t think of ourselves as a violinist. We’d say we were people that owned violins. This group is serious about what they do.”
For information about the group or to view photos by group members go to desertlightphotogroup.com.