PHILLIPS — A new photographers group is forming in Price County and is designed for the new and experienced camera users, phone and standard digital, as a way to share knowledge, plan classes and trips, and help to showcase their work.
Price County Photo Group meets in the studio building of the Wisconsin Concrete Park at N8236 State Highway 13 just south of Phillips. Follow the group Facebook page of the same name for posted meeting dates and other events.
“This is a newly formed casual group of people in the Price County, Wisconsin area who meet to learn, share, and grow in their skill and art of photography,” said Jan Favret, who formed the group with her husband Dave Favret. The retired couple moved to a small farm about 10 miles northwest of Phillips in 2021 and are in the process of converting a barn loft into a studio.
“I’ve been an avid photographer for many years,” Jan said.
While “dabbling a little bit,” like most people Jan said she was very busy with her career until retiring as a registered nurse in 2019. She was compelled to spend more time on photography and joined the Eau Claire photography club. After moving to Phillips she joined the Minocqua Photography Club but thought it was important to establish something local as a new couple to the area who also enjoy being active in the community.
After speaking to the Friends of Fred Smith Board of Directors about using the studio building at Wisconsin Concrete Park, board chair Marjory Brzeskiewicz said there was interest in a photography class for some time.
“So then it just kind of evolved from there,” Jan said. “It’s a great fit for here. There’s a lot of material to use for practicing out there, for sure.”
Starting a club in a new community was a little scary when there is no idea what to expect, she said. But the first meet and greet Saturday event was attended by 19 people which resulted in another Thursday night meeting for people who had time conflicts where nearly a dozen people attended.
“There was so much enthusiasm in the group of people who were here and I was very encouraged by that,” Jan said. “So they said that what they wanted more than anything was classes.”
Most of the group stayed three-plus hours to attend the smartphone photography segment, followed by the digital and DSLR photography segments. Going forward the meetings will be shorter but the content will be based on what the members want most, she said.
“When people don’t get up and run off at the end that means you’re doing something right, I think,” Jan said.
The goal will be to have regular meetings on consistent days and times during the month, she said. For now the meetings are being planned by group consensus and the Facebook page is the best way to keep up on activity and to view posted photos.
“Photographers want to share their work,” Jan said. “The Facebook page is a way to share that’s easy and free.”
There will be people who attend once or twice to learn what they want and move one, which is fine, she said. Others have more interest in learning more and being in the company of other photographers. The people will form the core group to plan photo walks and try other photography experiences.
“You can’t have a group unless you meet the group needs, unless you’re providing something that feeds their desires, and so that’s one thing I’m hoping to do,” Jan said.
Once the group gets established and people can understand and respect rules about accessing locations as a group of photographers, then it will be possible for day trips to private or public properties to photograph wildlife, structures and waterfalls, she said.
“There’s obviously an endless list of things that you can do with photography and grow in it,” Jan said.
The group lessons are on basic photography, standard digital, camera photography, and smartphone photography to include informal classroom and hands-on practice. A main point of the group is to show that a good photo, even without the latest camera or gadget, comes from knowledge and planning.
“You can still improve what you’re doing when you’re thinking about what you’re doing,” Jan said.
Participants introduced themselves and said what they like about photography and why they attend the group. Some said they wanted to learn to take better phone pictures now that phone cameras are capable of so much more than before. Some were experienced but wanted to be part of a photographers group as a learning experience, while others commented they liked the informal atmosphere that encouraged questions on the technical and the artistic.
Bill and Elaine Hoffman, of Park Falls, are experienced photographers who recently purchased smartphones with more photo features. They wanted to not only learn the camera functions but also learn from the creativity of others in the group.
“I joined because I want to know more about my camera and what to do with my pictures,” Elaine said.
“We think it’s just easier to learn hands-on, so this is an opportunity for someone to show us some skills they have and learn something,” William said.
Charles Kandutsch, a chef and a sommelier, has plenty of experience traveling and taking photos for his books and articles on food and wine. He said the group is a way to better understand the functions of a new brand of phone camera after using another for so long.
“I was just focusing on my Android because it now has AI in it and when I take a picture, it tells me that it’s food or it tells me this.”
Jan explained that the advantage of a group is that it keeps things simple and informal but still offers classes and outings. Establishing a club brings structure and guidelines, dues and a board. It is a different level of commitment.
A club, as opposed to a group, might have more success with getting work displayed in libraries, banks, newspapers and other area establishments, she said. A club has more access to discount opportunities for materials and gear and even to sell their work.
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