A Special Section Focusing on Senior Lifestyles
MATURELifestyles December 2014
Positive Outlook
Fridley photographer finds picture possibilities everywhere BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jean McDonough didn’t have a camera until she was 22 years old, but she’s been making up for it ever since. She joined a women’s color photo club in 1996, and then plunged into the hobby in a big way in 1998. “I knew I liked photography and I always carried a camera around, but it’s gotten bigger than that,” she said. The Mounds View resident now owns three Canon camera bodies and “some big lenses,” has taken photography classes, and is a member of four camera clubs. “You learn by doing,” McDonough said. “I learn a lot by listening to the judges talk and critique images,” she said. Prior to retiring in 2000, McDonough taught business and social studies for 40 years, first in Braham, then in St. Peter, Minn., and at Rochester (Minn.) Junior High, and finally for 32 years in the Roseville Area Schools. Now she’s an inveterate traveler, having visited 135 countries, always with her camera in tow. “I’ve taken 23 trips with a lady from California who puts together good photo trips,” McDonough said. “I just got back from Peru, Argentina and Brazil in June.” Many photo opportunities are available locally, McDonough said. “I went to the Minneapolis Holidazzle parade two or three times and just loved going down there. I’ve also taken photos at the balloon festival in Hudson, at the Arboretum and in Two Harbors. There are some real good spots to take photos in Minnesota.” She went to a photography school in Missoula, Montana, to learn Photoshopping and scanning. “I take any class that’s close,” she said. McDonough used to take only slides,
that line of work. But she does actively recruit people for her camera clubs, and suggests that people who are interested in photography should Google “camera clubs” and find one close to where they live.
“You can go and visit a club,” she said, adding that although most of the clubs have members ranging from young to old, many members and attendees are retirees who have more time to pursue PHOTOS - TO PAGE 4
Jean McDonough of Fridley never goes anywhere without a camera. (Submitted photo) and has a room full of slides, she said. “I used to take them to a photo shop and ask for prints to give to people,” she said. “Now I’ve changed to digital and Photoshopping.” In October, McDonough was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the Photographic Society of America (PSA) presented her with a plaque designating her an associate, “for long-time activity in four camera clubs in the MinneapolisSt. Paul area, including as leader in three clubs; for her serious participation in exhibiting in her clubs; for her positive influence on photography in her area with her enthusiasm as well as her hard work.” McDonough said she photographed a wedding just once, “to help out a A squirrel Jean McDonough captured hanging on by the tip of his paw is one of her favorite friend,” but isn’t interested in pursuing photos. (Submitted photo)