A group of people interested in sharing their interest in photography started a club in Clearwater that began its fifth year in March. Today there are 12 regulars, although the actual number of club members is in the twenties, that come from Clearwater and surrounding communities, including Big Lake, Buffalo, Monticello and St. Cloud.

 

The group was the brain child of Ken Bachofer and Bob Payne, who began talking about it after Bachofer held a photo presentation of his trip to Alaska that was attended by a large number of people and realized people’s interest in the pastime.

 

They tried different formats in the beginning, such as holding a second meeting each month for beginners that wasn’t very successful. Eventually the club evolved to what it is today, a group of people with varied photography experience who share photos and learn from each other.

 

“I’ve been at this a real long time,” said Bachofer. “I built my first darkroom when I was 15.”

 

It wasn’t until after he retired that he really got into photography, purchasing quality equipment and eventually converting to digital. He’s known around the area as “The Lyndon Twp. Photographer,” with his work featured on their website and other materials.

 

Payne used to manage a photo store and became really involved with photography at that time. After he returned from the military he got into it again, converting to digital when it became available.

 

“I’m amazed at how far photography has come so quickly,” he said.

 

Mary Pratt didn’t start photography until after she retired, starting with an instamatic and then continually upgrading. Dick Nohner’s first camera was a Brownie, and after a 40-year career in the auto industry he retired and purchased a digital camera.

 

Sharon Johnson’s dad used to put film in a box camera for her when she was 12. From there she graduated to a 110, but purchased a better quality camera after she had kids and wanted to get photos of them participating in sports.

 

“My uncle gave me a Kodak Tourist II with a bellows in front that used 620 film,” said Anthony Hall. “I took a lot of family event pictures.”

 

The only schools offering photography careers were expensive and on the coasts, so instead he got an art major with a science minor, getting back into photography again after he retired.

 

Renee Maass was given training in photography when she was a photographer for her high school yearbook. She eventually purchased a digital camera, and although she had the creative eye she didn’t know how to use it and was looking for camera classes when she found the Clearwater group.

 

In junior high Jean Davids had a Brownie camera and got a photography book from the library, learning photo tricks like taking a picture that looked like she was holding her sister in her hand. It’s been her hobby ever since.

 

First time meeting attendee Duane Manke took photos in high school and then got back into it after he had kids. He got his first digital camera in 2008 and has upgraded a couple of times since then. 

 

Each month the club meets for two hours, with the first hour dedicated to sharing photos the group members have recently taken and the second dedicated to learning from each other, usually led by Bachofer, Payne or Hall. They also have guest speakers and go on field trips to photograph different subjects and practice different techniques.

 

“There’s a lot of aha moments,” said Payne.

 

“We all learn from each other,” said Hall. “And we try not to keep it not too technical so it’s for beginners, too.”

 

“Once you start to learn you want to learn more,” said Maass. “The club is really applicable to everyone.”

 

“There’s always more to learn,” said Pratt. “There’s no end to it.”

 

“We try to repeat things,” Bachofer added. “For example, we’ve had four classes on hyperfocal distance. There’s also variations in the techniques you can use,”

 

Davids runs the club’s Facebook page where she posts photos and tips, which can be seen at facebook.com/groups/476268152539060/.

 

She and some of the other members also belong to the Monticello Photography Club, which creates even more learning opportunities for the Clearwater group.

 

The Photo Club meets at 6 p.m. at the Clearwater Library on the first Wednesday of every month. Everyone interested in photography is welcome.