There is no lack of photographers in Hernando County. They range from hobbyists to professionals with everything in between. However there is one particular group that is starting to take the spotlight.
The Hernando County Photographers group was formed with a “be different” mind set. Most photography groups have their formats, standards and guidelines. “I wanted a group where you can expand your vision, to step out of the box and discover new perspectives,” explained the group’s founder, Alice Mary Herden. Herden works as a freelance photographer and creative designer.
She motivates photographers to step outside their boundaries and learn how to utilize photos in different creative means. Every other month there is a main challenge that members of the group can participate in. The group currently had their second ‘Visionary Challenge,’ designing a Horror Movie Poster.
The Horror Movie Poster created by the photographers was to include a Title, Sub title as well as credits. This particular challenge has the photographer reintroduce themselves to Photoshop by working with layers, text, filters and other plugins. “Taking photos of flowers, landscapes or what have you is beautiful for wall art and galleries, but your camera has other purposes as well and that involves the creative process to design anything from postcards to even movies,” Herden said.
“I wanted to get this challenge face to face with the public instead of just posting the designs online,” Herden explained. To do so, the group decided to display their posters during the Wild n’ Wicked Nights event at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park with the blessing of Robyn Anderson, Assistant Park Manager. Festival goers voted on the best Horror Movie Poster.
In addition to the posters on display, the group set up a photo booth where you could actually have your photo inserted into a premade Horror Movie Poster.
“This is our first time here and we are impressed so far,” Lisa Sewell said. She and her daughter Brooke, drove from Brooksville to explore Wild n’ Wicked Nights on Friday night. “We got to make our own creepy picture, now we can say we were in an almost movie,” she laughed.
HCP has formed a Pro Member group for those that would like more community involvement. The group is ironing out plans for a mentoring program as well as teaching sessions. “It’s nice for us to venture out to the public and this is something to build on,” Joe DiCristofalo said. DiCristofalo is a professional sports photographer. “I believe that we could mentor high school students and aspiring photographers and possibly raise enough money through our efforts to help a young photographer to go further with their education within the photography occupation,” DiCristofalo said.
“There are no limits in what you see through the lens and importantly no limits in your creativity,” stated Herden. To get involved in the Hernando County Photographers group, visit their blog at https://hcphotographers.wordpress.com/ or check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HernandoCountyPhotographers/