Hello Fellow Snappers!

Welcome new members! Welcome back old members! By now, you may have noticed some changes with our group. Why, you may ask? Sometimes change is good; sometimes change is necessary. While I am not a big fan of change if things are working, IMHO, some things were not working right. I have made some changes to generate new interest and invoke a positive response. It's time to get the momentum back and to remember why we love photography.

I have spent a lot of time researching the local area and have found we don't have a photography group in the area that focuses on learning or teaching the fundamentals of photography. My first goal for the group is to introduce a learning or teaching slant. While the group will remain a social group, I wanted to take advantage of our own internal resources. There is a lot of experience within our group, and I hope to attract even more.

The first big change you have noticed, and I hope that you will agree with me, is that I changed the name of group. Photography is about exploring and learning our craft. It is about learning about our cameras. It is about knowing our subject. And it is about exploring new opportunities. I hope we can take our group further and to discover Unexpected Treasures.

Some of the new components that I am implementing are listed below:

• Workshops. I would like to schedule a monthly workshop to learn about the fundamentals and various techniques of photography. I am sure we all know some tips and tricks - and I'm always looking for new ones.
  
• Field Trips. Let's take what we've learned in the workshop and apply some hands-on training. If you have an event in mind, please share with the group in the Calendar.
  
• Monthly photo assignments. Sometimes we have to be challenged to be our best. Let's step outside the comfort zone. You may be pleasantly surprised of the results - I'm positive that you will be.
  
• Message Board. Please take advantage of the Forums. This is the place to share techniques, ask questions, and to rub elbows with the experts.
  
• Sharing Photos. I have set up a Flickr Group to share photos to solicit critiques and comments. Show us what you've got!
  
• Social Events. This is still a Meetup group after all.
  

I hope that you will join me in getting the momentum going again in our group. I look forward to meeting you and to learn with you the joy of photography.

Jerry
Unexpected Treasures