Mar. 2000
President's
Message
Portrait of ...
Portrait Of ...
Patsy Costis
When I first joined the Delaware Camera Club, it wasn’t because I knew how to use a camera or that I was even interested in photography. It was mostly out of curiosity. As I attended more and more meetings, I became more and more interested. I guess you could almost say that I became interested by default, too. Before Gus and I joined the Camera Club I spent a LOT of time carrying some of his camera equipment and a lot more time waiting while he got “just the right shot.”
"Canyon
Lands " Copyright © P. Costis
Then several years ago we vacationed in the Southwest and there is where I really got hooked. There is no place in the world so photogenic as the Southwest. If you haven’t been there, you should definitely put it on your list of places to visit. One of the places we visited was a slot canyon. When Gus said we would be there all day (and we even took lunch!), I thought “What in the world are we going to do in there all day?” However, once I walked inside that slot, I was never the same -- the guide practically had to force me to leave. I was hooked on photography from that time forward. When we came back to Wilmington and I began to look at the results of my fresh, new hobby, I knew there was no turning back.
So, I began competing and receiving fairly good scores on my submissions – even though I hardly knew one end of the camera from the other (and I still don’t). I was assigned to Class B by the “powers that be,” and stayed in that category for about 2 years. After the first year, one of the executive committee members called, and Gus answered the phone. The reason for the call was to notify me that I was being moved into Class A. I will never forget Gus’ retort: “Class A? Patsy doesn’t know an ASA from an f stop!” And he was right; there is still so much that I don’t know, even after attending the Maine Photo Workshop for a week, and Amherst for a weekend. For example, what’s the difference between a 50mm normal lens and a 50mm macro lens? What does “stopping down” mean as opposed to “opening up?” and what do the two accomplish? Gus says I have “the eye” though, and I do have a live-in expert photo instructor. Plus, with all the modern, electronic equipment, it’s pretty difficult not to get at least one good exposure out of a roll of film.
Speaking of having a live-in photo expert, I recall when Gus first got interested in photography, he would sometimes hand me a point & shoot so that I wouldn’t be bored silly. Oftentimes, my point & shoot pictures turned out better than what he had taken – so that now when we are out shooting together, he is like my shadow. He follows me around to see what I’m taking pictures of so that he can “do it better.” And he usually does!
It might be said that where photography is concerned, I am a slow learner. However, I must be honest and admit that, even though I enjoy photography, it is not a priority in my life. Right now, though, Gus and have plans to upgrade our computer so that we can install the “Adobe” package that’s been sitting on the shelf for a year. And when we do — Bill Talarowski, watch out!!!
Seriously, I can honestly say that the people are the most rewarding thing about this wonderful hobby. The Camera Club members are the best. Everyone, almost without exception, is so congenial and so willing to share what they know. It’s hard to find a group like that anywhere – even in church (which is what I love most of all).
Just to sum it all up – I think there is no better hobby; so many wonderful memories to capture on film; so many wonderful friends to capture in my heart; and there is always something new to learn that can be taken throughout life.