“Photography is …about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. It has little to do with the things you see, and everything to do with the way you see them.” Elliot Erwitt, French-American Photographer
If you’ve walked down the hallways at ACC Senior Services, you’ve probably noticed a gallery of some great photos displayed on the walls near the Program office. These are images of people, places, and moments, captured by your friends at ACC who’ve found great satisfaction in capturing images of the world around them.
One ACC active volunteer who’s found a passion in photography is Jeff Jong. A founding member of the ACC Camera Club, Jeff convinced ACC to allow the Club to set up a gallery at ACC to showcase photos taken by club members. For Jeff, photography is an ideal way for seniors to stay engaged and active. He’s amazed how the camera can lure you into connecting with people and places more closely. As for social interaction, the joys of seeing photos taken by others, and sharing yours on YouTube or Facebook, are hard to beat.
ACC News caught up with Jeff recently via email, and he shared his thoughts about photography for seniors.
Jeff, how did you get into photography?
“Cameras were always around us growing up, but with retirement, I enjoyed a lot more time with it, and found it to be a useful part of my lifestyle. I took some courses at city college and then continued at CSUS. About the same time, I also started getting involved with ACC, first as a volunteer with the Respite Care, and then I got more involved and started to photograph for public relations like images and videos for ACC programs offered to seniors like myself. My wife and I also started to travel more, and I realized what a great and creative documentation tool it was.”
What appeals to you most about photography?
“I like the freedom of creativity photography gives to me – I can record many types of subject matter, events, places, or things, and after touching them up, I could arrange them into an album or video. For me, the ultimate image type is travel. With a camera (or two) on hand, you become more immersed in your surroundings, noticing and appreciating the architecture that other people have put into a place, throughout the ages. You tend to notice the people more so too, as possible subjects – a friendly or helpful face here, the way they talk. And then there’s the food – so tempting and colorful (unfortunately we can’t record the aromas yet!).”
What are some of your favorite photo subjects, events, or locations (especially local)
“Everybody has favorites of what they like to photograph. Past ACC Camera Club members have posted on the ACC Gallery walls images of places, people, pets, flowers, food, and wildlife. Besides traveling, I like all forms of transportation such as cars, motorcycles, airplanes, and boats. There are numerous car and motorcycle shows, and classic wooden boat shows regionally, and airshows at places like McClellan AFB with spectacular flight demonstrations by the Air Force Thunderbirds. For events, ACC’s Annual Golf Tournament and Awards and the My Sister’s House Fun Run have been among my recent coverages.
What’s one of your favorite photos on display at ACC, and why is it so special to you?
“This photo from the Gallery at ACC is one of the four main bridges crossing the waterway that encircles ‘Plaza de Espana’ in Seville, Spain. I took the photo in 2019, with my Canon 6D, using a zoom lens, set at 30 mm, on a trip through Spain. The plaza was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and is a fascinating mix of Baroque, Renaissance, and Moorish Revival of Spanish architecture. The huge Plaza is situated inside a large park, offers boats to row around its enclosed moat, a grand central fountain, and bridges to cross the moat. While the rest of Seville was also gorgeously beautiful, for me the Plaza de Espana was the crown jewel!”
What advice can you give on getting started in photography?
“You might already have a camera, but with today’s cellphones, getting into photography has never been as easy as now. Most cellphones handle so many of the photographic controls for you automatically, and the photo editing software is usually free and works pretty good. The real question is figuring what subject(s) to shoot. As you shoot more, you may find that you have a preference or ‘natural’ ability with certain subjects, such as people, nature, or travel. Then look at lots of pictures in magazines, on-line, or TV. Notice how the shots are framed to capture the action and background. Put all together, they tell the story of the event, with a beginning, middle, and an end. Eventually, you might invest in a quality camera or lenses, but first figure out the subjects you like and how best to photograph them.
Of course, the traditional method of learning is taking a class. You can take an expensive class, or check out the ones offered at ACC. ACC is lucky to have a computer lab, and the instructors are volunteers who enjoy sharing their knowledge, and classes are small enough where you get personalized attention.”
So, feeling bitten by the photography bug? Want to use your new smartphone for more than just “snapshots?” As Jeff says, it’s so easy to get into photography these days. With the COVID pandemic, ACC has had to put in-person classes on hold, but when we reopen, check out the photo classes and meet others who want to learn. And remember, photography is all about seeing the world around us in new ways – even at our age — and capturing the images that bring our most precious moments back to life. And seniors – be pleasantly surprised if your photos turn out very different from those taken by your Gen-Z grandchildren – even of the same subject!
Add a Comment