Camera club growing & learning

The Flushing Camera Club (FCC) has become a place for a diverse group of photographs to gather, learn more about photography and perfect their talents.
FCC was formed in the 1970s and now has about 60 members. Although it is open to people from all over, most members are from Queens or Long Island.
Committee member Michael Sender, a resident of Rego Park who joined FCC about four years ago, said that there are no specific requirements to become a member. They take people of all levels of experience who have an interest in photography.
Among the activities that FCC has are workshops, competitions, field trips and exhibitions.
“I’d like to see them [members] get as much out of it as each individual person wants,” said FCC president and Howard Beach resident Helen Repstad.
Barbara Shea, also a committee member of the club, said that the main purpose of the organization is for them to learn.
“We’re trying to help them, to encourage them to become better photographers,” Shea said.
Cambria Heights resident Sylvia Hodge first came to FCC for a summer class and said that she has been “hooked” ever since. She said that she has learned how to focus more on what she’s doing and that her photography has grown a great deal.
A member since 1976, Ettore Trauzzi of Whitestone has done some work professionally. He said that in joining the club he has learned a lot while also trying to share his knowledge with others.
Harry Szczepanski of Floral Park joined the club just six months ago, wanting to learn how to take better pictures. He said that he has already noticed a difference in his photography. Flushing resident Joe Caruso is also in his first year of being an FCC member and joined because of the opportunity to learn more.
A resident of Brooklyn, Ann Grodman began attending meetings with FCC when digital photography came around and her own club was not teaching much about it. Uris McKay, who lives in Laurelton, came to the club because of the good reputation it had and because she felt she would be able to learn a lot.
Members Joe Crupi and Tom Mrwik of Bellerose, Bob Green of Brooklyn, Stanley Strauss of Douglaston, Dennis Golin of Fresh Meadows, and Martin Fleischer of Flushing all said that one of the best parts of being part of FCC is the friends that they have made.
“It’s like a little brotherhood,” Mrwik said. “They’re always willing to help you. It’s been very beneficial.”
The members of the Flushing Camera Club will have a photo exhibition in the Courier-Mittman Gallery from June to August, with an opening reception on June 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery is located at 38-15 Bell Boulevard, second floor, in Bayside.
For more information on the Flushing Camera Club, visit www.flushingcameraclub.org.