fairly easy for most of us to conjure up a picture perfect image in our
minds that we KNOW we could find. And, we have all seen those equally
picture perfect days after a storm that leave a frosty, icy path
everywhere. But what about those dull, flat, gray days of winter when
many of us wish we could spend some time in a warmer climate?
Professional Photographer Bruce Dart of Mansfield will present
"Winter Photography" at the March 24 meeting of the Susquehanna Valley
Shutterbugs, talking about ways to "kick it up a notch" when the
weather is less than cooperative. The monthly meetings are held
beginning at 7 p.m. at the Taber Museum on Fourth Street in
Williamsport.
"My task is to share some helpful information about the challenge
of photographing in the off season," Dart said, "and motivate the
members to go out and create great images."
"On a cold winter day, " Dart continued, "we might THINK about
going out to photograph, but the reality is that only the serious and
dedicated photographers will actually grab the camera and go. Most of
us would probably wait for a 'better day."
Dart has operated a successful portrait studio in Mansfield for
the past 30 years. He has also taught photography classes through the
Center For Lifelong Learning at Mansfield University off and on for
nearly the same amount of time. Additionally, he earned his Craftsman
Degree from the Professional Photographers of America by teaching other
professionals throughout New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
"I photograph people for a living, " Dart told the camera club
recently, "but I do this for fun!"
Bruce explained that over the years, landscape and nature
photography was somewhat of an interest but something he had not
pursued. "It is largely the Grand Canyon Photography Club that I have
to thank for motivating ME to actually do some of this style of
photography."
Through the program, Bruce hopes to offer some things to look for
at this time of year and some tips to head folks in the right
direction. "The beautiful, sweeping landscape," he said, "may not
always be possible on every outing. Sometimes you have to look for
other types of images. It is a challenge but you can almost always
create a great image under most conditions if you look for the right
things.
"Some of the things are obvious," he concluded. "I hope to share
some of those examples, as well as some of the not so obvious."
Studio owner and photographer
Bruce Dart began the full time
operation of his business in October 1979 and he hasn't looked back
since. At one time he was a member of six professional photography
organizations -- each offering seminars with some of the
nation's
foremost photographers. He studied for 11 years at the Triangle
Institute of Professional Photography in Pittsburgh, completing as much
as 50 hours of instruction during the comprehensive week-long classes
with top instructors.
Dart has been a Certified Professional Photographer
(CPP) from the
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) since 1986. every five
years, each CPP is required to complete additional education and
qualify with photos in print competition. Bruce has re-certified four
times. Over the years he has served on the Board of Directors
of the
Northeast Pennsylvania Professional Photographers Association (NPPPA)
and the Northcentral Pennsylvania Photographers. Dart has served a term
as President of both organizations.
Continuing to win ribbons and awards at the NPPPA
competitions,
Dart was selected by the Northeast Pennsylvania Professional
Photographers Association as its Photographer of the Year for 1995-1996
and again in 2004-2005. Dart earned the award by having the
highest
cumulative point score of all prints entered in the NPPPA's print
competitions during that year.
Dart has been in demand as an instructor for other
professional
photography organizations throughout Pennsylvania, New York and New
Jersey. His speaking engagements earned another honor from PPA, that of
Photographic Craftsman. He has also been a photo instructor through
MU's Center for Lifelong Learning.
A native of Mansfield, Dart hasn't always been a
photographer,
however. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mansfield
State
College (now university). Following a four-year tour of duty with the
United States Navy where he was trained as a journalist, Dart worked as
a news reporter and photographer for the Norwich, Connecticut Bulletin.
Later he worked as a photographer for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
From 1973 to 1979, Dart worked as Assistant
Director of Public
Relations at Mansfield
State College, leaving to open his own business just before it became a
university.
Taking a very active role in his community during the past 30
years,
Dart has served on the board of numerous organizations, including the
Tioga Committee for Easter Seals, United Way, Main Street's
Discover
the Charm Committee, and 16 years on Borough Council. While on Borough
Council, Dart also served a term as President of the Tioga County
Association of Boroughs. . In 2005, Bruce and his dad doug were honored
by the chamber as Citizens of the Year for work on the Mansfield
Veterans Memorial Park. More recently, he just completed a two year
term as President of the Greater Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
