If you go
› What: Photographic Society of Chattanooga Spring Show› Where: Gallery at Blackwell Automotive, 71 Eastgate Loop› When: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday› Admission: Free› Information: www.chattanoogaphoto.org
PSC meetings
The Photographic Society of Chattanooga meets the third Thursday of each month at St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. Each meeting starts at 6 p.m. with a boot camp teaching fundamentals or camera tips to improve your photography, followed by a program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome.
"Survivor" by Lin Prabish.Forty photos are mounted around the walls of Blackwell Automotive, a striking mix of everything from wildlife to seascapes to architectural images.
It's an unusual spot for a photo gallery, but a mutually beneficial partnership between the Photographic Society of Chattanooga and the Brainerd automotive repair shop for Lexus and Toyota brands. Society photographers have unlimited space in which to display their work; the business' clients are surrounded by interesting and colorful images to view while they wait for repairs.
Photographic Society of Chattanooga is an open community organization whose 170 members include both professional and amateur photographers.
"We are the only active photo club in the Chattanooga area and the oldest ongoing photography club in the state," says Milton McLain, chairman of the Blackwell Gallery and liaison between PSC and the business.
There is no theme designated for the exhibit, but the work has a common bond of capturing memorable moments in the photographers' lives.
Pat Gordy, club secretary, joined in 1997 to learn more about her hobby.
"I'm still an amateur," she says 20 years later, "but I'm a very serious amateur."
Gordy enjoys the friendships she has with other photographers, and says these close relationships keep her coming back.
"I also enjoy seeing what other people photograph and learning from them."
Bob Mueller joined PSC in 2008. Although he considers himself an amateur and says he shoots "for fun," he has entered work in local, state and international shows.
"One of the things I enjoy most about our meetings is that we bring in a professional in an area of expertise," Mueller says. "In the last five or so years, we have focused on making meetings educational as opposed to watching a slide show. You can do that at a travelogue. To be able to work with a photographer who is an expert in what he does - I get a lot out of that."
Mueller has several photos in the exhibit at Blackwell. He sets a vintage tone in the still life "The Study," but reveals his eye for humor in another photo. "No and You Can't Make Me" captures the stubborn set of a gorilla's face with his arms folded across his chest.
"I shot that at the Atlanta Zoo. He was mad at me because I was looking at him, and gorillas do not like eye contact. He was sitting there, saw me looking at him, folded his arms and glared at me," recalls Mueller.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.