Staying in focus: Casements Camera Club remains active with assignments, virtual meetings

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

How do you keep a club active during a global pandemic?

For the Casements Camera Club, the answer was: You start holding your meetings through Zoom, and you keep up with the photography assignments for your membership. For the month of July, that assignment was long exposure photography.

Ans van Beek is the president of the Casements Camera Club, and first joined in 2005. Courtesy photo

“I try as president to be as involved as possible and to come up with other means of keeping the club going,"said Club President Ans van Beek. "Sometimes, it’s a little bit frustrating, but the Zoom meetings now are getting better.”

She also creates challenges for the members and brings in other photographers to conduct webinars. It's an adjustment, and not all the club members participate in the virtual meeting, but it does keep the club's momentum going, especially since they haven't met in person since February.

Donna Armstrong has been a member of the Casements Camera Club since 2016. Courtesy photo

Club member Donna Armstrong — who placed first in the long exposure photography assignment after she submitted a photo she took in Laos two years ago — said she's liked the virtual meetings because it's helped her keep in touch with everyone. The social nature of the club is one of her favorite parts of being a member.

“It keeps us in the loop and it’s kept me from going nuts being home," Armstrong said. "It’s nice to see everybody, to see what they’re doing and still have that camaraderie of the club. It’s really been helpful for me.”

This photo by Donna Armstrong was taken in Laos two years ago. Courtesy of Donna Armstrong.

Stan Mitchell was a member of the Casements Camera Club in the 90s before rejoining in 2006. Courtesy photo

The challenges and assignments also continue to push them creatively. Member Stan Mitchell likes to see what he can come up with. The long exposure assignment was no different; his photograph of lights on wheels earned him fourth place.

“That was my beach cruiser flipped upside down and I put a glow stick necklace in different positions on the tire," Mitchell said.

Stan Mitchell photographed the wheels of his beach cruiser for about 15 seconds before layering multiple shots. Courtesy of Stan Mitchell

The photographs in each of the club's exhibits and challenges are available to view online, something that helped when the coronavirus triggered the stay-at-

Joan Robinson was in Casements Camera Club in the 80s and rejoined about 5 years ago. Courtesy photo

home order back in the spring, just days after the 27th Ebony and Ivory show opened at the Casements. The Casements Camera Club, founded in 1976, does three shows a year at the Casements, van Beek said, and its 40th annual is coming up on Sept. 4.

Skip Lowery's photograph placed fifth in the assignment. Courtesy of Skip Lowery

While there will be no opening reception, individuals will be able to see the exhibition on their own. The winning photographs will also be displayed later in the display case at the Ormond Beach Library.

Joan Robinson placed second in the long exposure assignment. Courtesy of Joan Robinson

Van Beek has also held an ongoing challenge for the members. She coined it the "Stuck at Home" challenge, and asked members to submit photos that have inspired them since the start of the pandemic.

Adelet Kegley has been a member of the Casements Camera Club since 2016. Courtesy photo

“For me, the creative part is very important," she. said.

Part of the club's draw is the learning opportunities that come with spending time with other photographers, said Adelet Kegley. You get to share ideas, results and what you're working on, she explained.

“When you stay home and try to teach it yourself, you don’t progress in the same way as if you’re out there sharing your experiences with everybody else," Kegley said. "It’s definitely a good learning experience and I think everybody is so passionate about photography that we really enjoy each other.”