Photo improvement seminar to be held Nov. 5-6
Beginner and advanced classes still available
By KATHRYN HIRSCHFELD
Staff Writer, Journal Record

Courtesy of The Journal Record

HAMILTON - Due to the great response among participants at the first photography improvement seminar in June, the Northwest Alabama Arts Council (NWAAC) will once again team with the Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce to offer another course to interested persons on November 5-6.

Former Kodak regional manager and photography instructor John Dersham of Fort Payne will return to offer his expertise again, with both a beginner and advanced seminar on Friday night and a photo shoot on Saturday morning.

Friday night’s segment will be held at the Econo Lodge in Hamilton, with the beginner’s photography seminar at 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. and the advanced photographer’s seminar at 7:30-8:45.
NWAAC publicity officer Marla Minter said, “If you did not attend Mr. Dersham's first seminar, you are encouraged to attend the beginning photographers’ seminar.  This is not a ‘how to work your camera’ seminar.  A good portion of the beginners’ seminar discusses lighting, angles, composition, etc.

“You can register for either or both.  The fee covers both seminars, if you wish to attend both.”

On Saturday, a rural photo shoot will take place from 7:30 a.m. - noon in areas surrounding Hamilton.

“Photographers will be able to receive personal instruction from Mr. Dersham ‘out in the field,’” noted Minter.

The cost is $10 for arts council and chamber members and $20 for non-members. Fees will be collected on-site.

There are only a few spaces remaining, so interested persons should contact Minter at 921-3632 or Dana Scott at 921-4444 to reserve their spot.

More information on the photo seminar, including photos by Dersham and seminar attendees from June, can be found in the Community Arts Programs section at the art council’s website at www.northwestalabamaarts.org.

KATHRYN HIRSCHFELD/STAFF, Journal Record
‘Baby’ and John are back by popular demand
Former Kodak regional manager and photography instructor John Dersham of Fort Payne will be returning to Hamilton on Nov. 5-6 to lead another photo-improvement seminar, sponsored by the Northwest Alabama Arts Council and the Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce. Dersham was photographed with “Baby,” his 8x10 Toyo M field camera, during June’s photo seminar, which all of the attendees said they thoroughly enjoyed.

KATHRYN HIRSCHFELD/STAFF, Journal Record
Wells Fargo donates $1,000 to arts council
Wells Fargo Bank in Hamilton donated $1,000 to the Northwest Alabama Arts Council (NWAAC) on Tuesday, Oct. 26. Shown are (from left) Wells Fargo Winfield store manager Karen Inman, Wells Fargo district manager Lori Powers, NWAAC president Tyna Pyburn and Wells Fargo Hamilton store manager Beth Dodd. Powers noted that during Wells Fargo’s recent “Days of Giving” campaign, the company donated approximately $170,000 to organizations like the arts council. After its recent conversion, Wells Fargo now has 170 stores, with more than 4,000 employees in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Hamilton, Ala. – The Northwest Alabama Arts Council and the Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce teamed together to bring their members an opportunity to bolster their skills on Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19, in a Photography Improvement Seminar. 

 Under the direction of John Dersham, a thirty-year employee of Kodak, and current director of the DeKalb County (Alabama) Tourist Association, twenty members of the two organizations met for a 1-1/2 hour classroom session on June 18 at the EconoLodge Inn & Suites in Hamilton.  In the classroom-type setting, Dersham gave a presentation which covered many technical aspects of becoming a better photographer, followed by a question-and-answer session from the attendees.

 On June 19, the group was seen, cameras in hand, shooting thousands of photographs throughout the downtown Hamilton area and at the old county courthouse at Pikeville.  Due to the excessive heat, there were fewer attendees for the Saturday morning portion of the seminar, but the twelve who braved the heat were given the opportunity to improve their skills, shooting under the direct tutelage of Dersham.

 Dersham commented that once the group got out on the streets that the focus of the class shifted from basic usage to composition.  He further stated that he was very pleased with the caliber of students in the group and enjoyed watching the group’s progression throughout the day.  Many group members commented on the feelings of positive energy and creativeness shared with their fellow photographers.

 A viewing party has been scheduled as part of the upcoming arts council meeting on Monday, July 12, which will be held at the EconoLodge Inn & Suites conference room in Hamilton.  Seminar participants are being asked to select their top photos taken during the class.  Based upon the success and response to this seminar, the possibility of hosting a second seminar, possibly in the fall, is under discussion.

Photography seminar participants (left to right):  Rachel Craig, Slade Gilmer, Zach Wiginton,
Kyle Compton, Heath Jackson, Tony Williams, Ed Minter, Scott Slatton, instructor John
Dersham, Marla Minter, and John Boyett.  Not shown is Kathryn Hirschfeld,
who took this photograph.