Behind the Lens

FEATURES FROM THE TRILOGY® AT VISTANCIA® PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB WITH VISTANCIA® MEMBER GARY ZOELLER

Art takes many forms from canvas paintings to Broadway plays, but one of today’s most accessible mediums can be found in the palms of our hands at nearly all times: photography. Smartphone cameras, which improve with each new model, give us easy access to quality equipment to encourage photography clubs at Trilogy® communities countrywide. This year features works from the Trilogy at Vistancia Photography Club.

‘MILKY WAY OVER WHITE POCKETS’ by John Vekich

“’Milky Way Over White Pockets’ depicts not only the Milky Way but the incredible sandstone sculpturing at Vermillion Cliff National Monument near Kanab, Utah. These sand sculptures have puzzled geologists for years. This unique photo was shot at f2.8, for 6 sec with a 16mm lens at 6400 ISO. The photo was awarded at the ACCC Spring Round Up.”

John Vekich and his wife, Carol, moved to Trilogy at Vistancia from Washington state. He has been on the club’s Board of Directors for a number of years, helping maintain the club’s website, keeping the computer up to date, and conducting one-on-one and small group special-interest sessions.

John is passionate about photography. “I try to capture a moment in time as I see light interacting with people and nature. I am conflicted between available light venues and the studio. My primary passion is working with the natural light that nature provides.”

John is a life-long learner and an excellent teacher. “(I’m) struggling to achieve artistic vision, whatever that might be. There are just so many subjects (to photograph), and so little time.”

About The Vistancia Photography Club

Still a driving force today, more than 14 years later, Vistancia’s Photography Club was founded by likeminded individuals focusing on the common goal of becoming better photographers.

“We continually ask our membership what they’d like to experience,” said Gary Zoeller, who has been the Photography Club’s President for more than four years. “Making things interesting, educational, and fun keeps our board of directors and educational committee quite challenged.”

Held nine months of the year, with loaded meeting agendas, the meetings often include guest speakers, educational tips, and features called “the story behind the photo.”

“We try very hard to present a subject or skill at a meeting, then our members practice those skills, with results posted on our website for all to experience,” Gary said.

Additionally, the group assigns summer projects to stay engaged, and members work is regularly on display in the Kiva Club, one of Vistancia’s two Clubhouses. Check out the next few pages to see a sample of images captured by Vistancia’s Photography Club members. Or scan the QR Code to visit their website.

‘BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS’ by Gary Zoeller

“Breakfast of Champions was inspired by a fellow club member, Mary Gill, during a conversation about creative ways to photograph food. The comic design of the photo won a second-place award for creativity at the Arizona Camera Club Council’s Spring 2022 Round Up.”

Gary Zoeller and his wife Sue moved to Trilogy from Colorado in 2016 after searching for the perfect retirement community for over two years. During his working years, Gary never thought he would have time to actually retire. Now that he is, he doesn’t know how he had time to work.

“I never had time for hobbies when I worked, but I always wanted to learn how to become a better photographer and shoot more than family candids. One of the first things I did after moving to Trilogy was join the Photography Club.”

Gary’s management and educational background helped set the stage for him, as he became the club’s education director and then the president for the last four years.

‘LAKE MANYARA’ by David J. Martinez

“David captured this photo visiting Lake Manyara National Park while he and his wife Debbie enjoyed a two-week safari across Kenya and Tanzania. A day didn’t pass without seeing whole populations of zebra, lion, elephant, exotic birds, as well as breathtaking scenery. This photo was awarded at the 2022 Arizona Camera Club Council’s Spring Round Up.”

David Martinez’s interest in photography began at a very early age when he received his first camera – a Kodak Bronie Hawkeye – at the age of 11. He has since upgraded his equipment significantly from a Canon AE1 in 1977, to Canon’s 5D and now to the Canon 5d MK2.

He and his wife Debbie have called Trilogy home since May of 2020. They have been fortunate to travel around the world several times, visiting six of the seven continents and checking off many national parks. “My passion is nature and landscape photography, and my travels have presented me with incredible opportunities to fuel that passion.”

‘RED ROSE IN FULL BLOOM’ by Claudia Thomson

“The photo, ‘Red Rose in Full Bloom,’ was entered in the 2018 statewide competition at the Arizona Camera Club Council’s 2018 Fall Round Up. It earned an Acceptance Award in the nature category.”

Claudia Thomson and her husband, Jim, moved from Chicago and retired in Trilogy at Vistancia in 2008. They both joined the Trilogy Photography Club in 2009. “My past work experience proved to be very useful, as I led the club, serving as president for three years. Now, I spend my time with the club working on perfecting my photographic skills as well as heading up the club’s Competition Committee.” Claudia has always enjoyed taking photos, but retirement and membership in the club has given her the opportunity to pursue her passion for landscape photography.

‘THE SHIPWRECK’ by Eugene Backmon

“’The Shipwreck’ is a photo of what is left of the Peter Iredale. The wreckage is located along the Oregon coast at Fort Stevens State Park. I managed to capture this image early in the day and was rewarded with an abandoned beach and favorable lighting.”

Gene Backmon relocated to Trilogy at Vistancia with his wife, Ida, in 2010 from North Carolina. Gene’s interest in photography has spanned more than 30 years, as he followed the trends from film to digital and now to drones and smart phone photography.

“Most recently I have focused on landscape photography. The Southwest has opened up an unlimited variety of new photo opportunities to explore. Every part of Arizona challenges me to capture the beautiful images.”

Gene has been a long-time Photography Club member, serving a number of years as Field Trip Coordinator and Vice President. He has led the club on many exciting shoots, including Bisbee, Route 66, Monument Valley, and Zion National Park just to name a few.

‘SERENITY’ by Duane Lakin

“Duane was standing on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy gazing down the Arno River when he spotted some rowers moving toward the bridge. After crossing to the other side of the bridge Duane was able to capture the rowers with the beautiful landscape in the background. The bridge itself was packed with tourists, but he was able to make the shot tourist free. This photo won an Honorable Mention at the 2022 Arizona Camera Club Council’s Spring Round Up.”

Duane Lakin has enjoyed photography since his days standing on the football sidelines with a full bag of flash bulbs, capturing photos of the game for his high school paper with his beloved Pentax camera. He and his wife of 53 years, Melanie, make for a great team. “I find that she is much better at identifying great composition than I am. I simply shoot where she tells me, and then I use Photoshop, cropping, and her advice to make it look the way I want it to look.”

Duane is relatively new to the Photography Club, but already serves on its Education Committee and has earned a number of interclub competitions as well as statewide Arizona Camera Club Council photo competitions. n