Photography by John Martin: “Sunrise from Brasstown Bald”
When John Martin retired as Habersham Medical Center’s Director of Engineering he had to find something to fill up his days. Engineering was his career. Photography became his passion. He started looking at life in new ways from behind the camera lens.
Now, Martin is sharing his passion for photography with others. He’s the driving force behind the newly-formed Foothills Photography Group (FPG).
“I was actually looking for a photography club to join. My search concluded that there are no clubs within a reasonable driving distance of Habersham…strange since Georgia’s premier photography school is at NGTC (North Georgia Technical College) in Clarkesville,” Martin says. “I mentioned this to several friends who have an interest in photography and the response was encouraging toward starting our own club.”
Martin began emailing friends he knew who had an interest in photography. Those who responded first met in October. Martin calls them the “founders” of FPG and they make up the group’s board of directors. They are: John Martin, Phoebe Martin, Kevin Croom, Colby Moore, Rich St. John, Steve Griswold, Lane Gresham, Melissa Henderson, Barb Johns, Chuck Lotts and Wendy O’Connor. Martin says FPG also has received a lot of support from NGTC photography instructors Jeff Gulle and Jim Loring and from the college itself.
For Martin and FPG’s board of directors photography isn’t just a hobby, it’s an art form. “I think most photographers, myself included, see photography as a means of expression. The same can probably be said about musicians, artists, or authors. It is quite satisfying to capture an image that can be enjoyed over and over by yourself and others.”
Photography has changed with the advent of the digital age. Photographic film companies like Eastman Kodak and Polaroid have had to reinvent themselves – their once strong hold on the market diluted by digital cameras and cellphones. What hurt these legacy companies has, in Martin’s opinion, helped the creative process. “Think about this,” he says pointing to recent statistics, “there are 4.4 billion phones on the globe that are equipped to make photographs. 90% of people who have ever taken a picture have done so only with a camera phone. That is just the beginning. Easy to use computer software has put creativity in the hands of every one of those picture makers.”
If you enjoy taking pictures but don’t yet fancy yourself as a photographer, no worries, there’s a place for you in the Foothills Photography Group. Martin says the group is made up of professional and novice photographers. He says the diversity of skill levels is what makes the group tick, “Those with a lot of experience help those with none. Our mentoring program is set up to facilitate that.”
The board of directors envisions the group as a place to teach, learn and grow. Each meeting will feature an expert speaker in some aspect of photography. Activities will include photography field trips. Annual membership dues are $40 for individuals, $50 for families and $10 for NGTC students.
The Foothills Photography Group will meet the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Visual Tech Building on the Clarkesville campus of North Georgia Technical College off Highway 197 North. You may join at any time but if you want to get in on the ground floor now is the time. The club holds its first official meeting next month on January 20, 2015. Anyone who joins by that time will be considered a founding member.
By all indications the FPG board is not just starting a club, it’s building a community. Martin says some board members have expressed a desire to use their skills to support non-profits and those who are less fortunate. He says membership dues are reasonable to encourage all to join.
For more information about the Foothills Photography Group or to join, contact president John Martin at 706-499-0956 or email him at [email protected]. You may also contact FPG’s publicity chair Lane Gresham at [email protected] or visit the FPG website at https://www.foothillsphotogroup.com/.
Click here to learn more about the Foothills Photography Group.
