This spring, Poolesville Seniors in partnership with Story Tapestry offered a multi session photography class led by professional photographer and teaching artist Jessica Wallach. Using cell phones, point-and-shoot cameras, mirrorless cameras, and DSLRs, participants developed photography skills while investigating light, motion, time, composition, editing, and visual storytelling. Through field trips, discussions, hands-on practice, and collaborative photo reviews, they explored not only how cameras work, but how photographers make choices about what to notice and what matters.
Participants photographed familiar landscapes, historic sites, wildlife, farms, sunsets, community spaces, and everyday moments. They learned from the instructor as well as one another—discovering how different people can stand in the same place and create entirely different photographs. The final sessions were dedicated to editing and modifying the images for the correct framing, shading, color level, density, and size for printing.
The Town of Poolesville is hosting an exhibit of the resulting images in the Town Hall lobby. This exhibit reflects a shared exploration of observation, curiosity, creativity, and community. Be sure to visit the exhibit Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, throughout June. The photos invite us to slow down, look closely, and consider the many ways people see the world around them.
The enthusiasm generated by this class has led participants to establish a Poolesville Seniors Photography Club, which will continue meeting to photograph, learn, and share their work together.
The greatest advantage of this class was to have an experienced photographer coaching us as we went out to a variety of places. Each class we practiced a specific aspect of photography under her guidance.–Bill McDonald
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Poolesville Seniors creates opportunities for older adults to remain active, engaged, and connected through educational, recreational, and social programs. To learn more about Poolesville Seniors, visit www.poolesvilleseniors.org or contact [email protected].
Story Tapestries is a communications organization and arts service provider that uses the arts as a tool for community development. Through classes, performances, workshops, and creative experiences, Story Tapestries uses the arts to teach skills, engage communities, create space for conversation, support workforce development, and strengthen quality of life. We believe in the power of people and in "Elevating Voices and Celebrating Community."To learn more about Story Tapestries, visit www.storytapestries.org or contact [email protected]