Chad Mearns wrote the following article featuring me in my role as the Vice President of the Greater Johnstown Camera Club on the club’s annual exhibit at the Arts Center. I have six pieces there through August 9th.
http://www.ourtownonline.biz/articles/2008/07/25/
entertainment/entertainment_news/sample153.txt
“Michelle Misner
Vice President, Greater Johnstown Camera Club
Through Aug. 9, the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, located at 1217 Menoher Blvd., is displaying over 80 examples of local photography with “Through the Lens,” an exhibition compiled by members of the Greater Johnstown Camera Club.
According to club vice president Michelle Misner, the exhibition is showing steady progress from the inaugural showing last year, which included more than 60 photographs.
“We have also had many new members join us since last year, and much of their work is on the walls for this exhibition,” explained Misner, who has her own photography studio in Southmont.
“Through the Lens” expected to be is the camera club’s only exhibition of the year and only the second in club history.
“Just as last year, it’s an impressive collection of photography. It’s always great to learn about people you spend time with through their photography. You get an insight of their personality, talent, and passion,” said Misner, who joined the club three years ago.
The exhibition, she said, includes examples of landscapes, portraits and urban candids, which are candid snapshots of public settings.
“In my mind it mimics a lot of Life magazine from the ’50s,” Misner said.
Samples of macro photography, which according to Misner use special lenses “that allow extreme magnifiation to allow you to photograph minute details such as within a flower or of insects” are also included.
Misner said “Through the Lens” could offer viewers a few surprises.
“Human beings are very visual creatures and photography is always such a draw for the public because one never knows what they may see. There truly is something for everyone to look at and enjoy because of the diverse nature of the pieces,” she said.
The Greater Johnstown Camera Club is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in photography. The group includes more than 40 members of various ages, skill levels and styles. For additional information, visit www.inphocus.info.
1) When did you develop an interest in photography?
I was born into photography as my father began his photographic studies when I was born. Growing up it has just always been a part of my life and I’ve never known anything without photography. My children’s births gave me the push to take on studio photography, as my father had done when I was younger and it continues to branch out into other styles of photography.
2) They say that kids and animals are always the toughest subjects to photograph. Which one is tougher?
Haha! Well, I have tackled both and they are equally as challenging. A play on Abraham Lincoln’s quote: You can engage some of them some of the time, but never all of them all of the time. Some animals listen better than kids, just as some kids listen better than some animals. The slate is clean with each and every session and you never know what will come through the doors and what the end result will be…that’s the magic of what I do and why I love it so much.
3) Whose work do you like better: Ansel Adams or Anne Geddes?
Both inspire me for very different reasons, so I can’t say that I prefer one over the other. I have had much more exposure to Ansel Adams than Geddes through my lifetime so I am naturally drawn to his work and much more in awe of the wilderness that is most often displayed in his work.
4) What local landmark do you think makes for the best photo?
For a ‘landmark photo,’ I would have to go with the tried-and-true Inclined Plane. For photos WITHIN a landmark, certainly the Grandview Cemetery. There are fascinating things to photograph there, if you look for them.
5) Digital or film?
I shoot all digital, but learned SLR photography on a film camera - and I’m very glad I did it that way. Film is fun, but getting much more expensive to use. The upfront cost of digital SLR photography can be hefty, but is much quicker study as you have your results instantly.
6) Pick a song: Def Leppard’s “Photograph” or Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome”
Kodachrome - it’s a classic!
7) If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?
I would be doing the same thing I am now and that’s being a full-time mom to my daughter and son.
9) What other hobbies do you have?
I’ve designed websites for about 12 years now and I have a few that I maintain for people in the area, as well as keeping mine as up-to-date as I can.”