Gerry Woods
Hi, my name is Gerry, and I’m a returning club member. Like most of you, I’m a “photo enthusiast.” I’ve been interested in cameras since I was a child. Now, I’m a 71 y/o retired federal worker with too much time on my hands. I’ve recently taken several photo workshops from “Capital Photography Center” which I enjoyed very much.
I like all types of photography, but my favorite genres include: “Landscapes”, “Macro” and Portrait.” I’m interested in “Astrophotography.” However, living in D.C., I’ve only had an opportunity to try it once during a trip to West Virginia. I also enjoy my specialized camera equipment which I use for ”360 Photography” and “Aerial Photography.”
I’m a long-time Nikon camera user, and I made the switch to Nikon’s Z “mirrorless” cameras and lenses two years ago. I just purchased a new Nikon Z8 camera from the District Camera & Imaging Shop in Arlington.
I have a full complement of Nikkor Z lenses, including the “Nikon Trinity” lenses which includes a 14-24mm wide angle, 24-70mm mid-range and a 70-200 mm telephoto. I sprang for the Z 100-400mm telephoto, and I have a 2X teleconverter which can extend the camera range from 200-800mm (more or less). I have some “special effects” lenses that are a lot of fun. These include a “7 Artisans” Z 10mm Fisheye Lens and a “Lensbaby” Z Velvet 56mm Lens.
Oddly enough, my favorite lens is my ultracompact Nikkor Z 40mm f/2. It’s the least expensive and lightest of my camera lens. It’s fast, sharp and useful in many different photo situations. It’s a joy to use, and I take it with me everywhere.
I’m looking forward to expanding my photo skills here at the Silver Spring Camera Club.
Ilona Linnoila
I joined the Silver Spring Camera Club In 2018 after taking two classes of iPhone photography by Michael Koren who highly recommended the club. His style was very inspiring, way up there with Shakespeare’s Comedies, another class I took at Montgomery College.
I was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland where I also went to medical school and married a fellow medical student. After graduation, we moved to the United States and I started my forty years of service at the National Institutes of Health. I became a pathologist and physicians scientist studying lung cancer at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda. I am a widow with four children and three grandchildren.
As a photographer I am a generalist, AKA undecided. I am an author in 200 scientific publications with numerous photomicrographs that have functioned as a very useful stepping stone for a budding photographer. Using my camera without a microscope has been an ‘eye opening’ experience.
Maurice Belange
I’ve recently wrapped up a career in the immigration policy world—working as a writer and researcher for nonprofit advocacy organizations. It’s time to turn my attention to those many projects and interests that have been on the back burner for … decades.
One of those interests is photography. I’ve dabbled in photography since I was in high school. I enjoy taking pictures when I can do so on my own schedule, even if I never do anything with them; the act of taking pictures is relaxing. But I’ve never spent enough time with the camera to get good at it. Last year, through a mutual friend, I met Larry Gold who suggested I join the club. I became a member earlier this year.
My wife and I like to travel, and I was fortunate to be able to leave my employer a decade ago and consult with a number of nonprofits. As a researcher and writer, I could work from anywhere, and we were able to take extended trips, exchanging our home for the homes of kindred travelers in Europe. (I highly recommend this style of travel!)
Most of my photography is done during our travels, but I’ve also played the role of family photographer, documenting major events in my wife’s family. I also volunteer on the board of our local Friends of the Library group, and use the camera to document library events.
Now that we are back from our latest trip (to Paris and Sicily), I look forward to more consistently attending club events.