Member Bios
Karen Sharpe
I am a retired physician and in 2018 my partner and I sold everything and have been traveling full-time ever since. Although I’ve always had a camera, I didn’t really get into photography as a serious hobby until I started this traveling phase of my life. We started with North America in a camper and spent most of our time in national parks and hiking so I started with landscape photography. From there, I naturally moved to wildlife and more recently I’ve become a bit addicted to birding. Some of those pictures have been shared in the Nature Photography group. Only in the last year did I start shooting in RAW and usually on manual.
I’ve come to realize that although I take reasonably good pictures they don’t always capture the essence of these amazing locations I visit largely because my cityscapes and ability to capture the human element is somewhat lacking. I’m hoping that through this group I will get a better idea of what to shoot outside of nature.
Gloria Grandolini
I recently moved to Miami Beach from Washington D.C. I will also spend part of the year in the pacific coast of Mexico. I am originally from Rome but have lived in the US since graduate school. I retired 2 years ago from the World Bank Group after 27 years working on development. Photography has been my passion for many years and finally I now have the time to improve my skills and develop a portfolio.
When I photograph, I feel free to view the world and the people around me beyond set boundaries, with new eyes. After being guided by rules and frameworks for so many years... I am now diving into a new chapter of spontaneity and searching. I am drawn by the explosion of colors of sunsets, by the ocean - from the regularity of tides to the forces of nature, and by the human body immersed in or blending into nature. I am also fascinated by macrophotography - as it allows me to discover the unseen in everyday life. I also love geometric forms. I am just beginning my photographic journey and look forward to learning from PSA colleagues.
I am using a Canon EOS 80D and a variety of lenses.
Group Administrator
Richard Distlerath
While in grade school, I made pinhole camera and have been hooked ever since. After graduating from Michigan, I purchased a used Canon F1. I began shooting in black and white and soon set up a darkroom. I finished my MBA from the University of Cincinnati and work consumed much of my time for years.
About 2000 the digital world lured me in and I subsequently tried a variety of cameras and processing programs. My Chemical Engineering background lends itself to a process orientation. I have essentially learned photography by trial and error.
My work enabled me to travel much of the United States and parts of the world. My photography was a means to share my experiences with family and friends.
My wife Linda and I both enjoy exploration through travel. We have both physically been on all seven continents. We have sailed both Antarctica and the Arctic. We are open to new adventures any place in the world and especially enjoy the safari life.
I am open to learning about any aspect of photography. With the camera, I look for good light and try to find pleasing compositions. I am an avid Lightroom Classic user with plug ins like DXO and Topaz.
I look forward to learning about you and your photography while participating in our travel photography study group.
Rizwan Choudhry
My full name is Muhammad Rizwan Choudhry and I go by my middle name Rizwan. I live in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. I am originally from Pakistan, moved to Canada in 2001.
I am an engineer by profession. I travel and take photos on my free time. My love affair with photography began early, as I tinkered with my dad's film camera. In 2003, I took the plunge into the digital world with my first Sony point-and-shoot camera. But it was in 2012 that I truly embraced the art when I acquired my first DSLR, a Nikon D7000. Learning to shoot in Manual mode opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities. Over the years, I've captured countless family moments and documented my travels. But it was last year, when I upgraded to a full-frame Nikon Camera, that my passion for photography truly ignited. I have taken some courses in Landscape and Wildlife photography that really helped me excel.
Recently, I discovered the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and eagerly joined as a member. I'm excited to learn from fellow photographers, share my experiences, and contribute to this vibrant community.
You can see my work on: YouTube and Instagram and Facebook
Donna Beasley
I love to travel and take pictures everywhere I visit. I generally shoot travel photos, nature, and street photography. I'm currently learning to improve my MACRO photography skills. When reviewing photos from my most recent trips to Mexico and to Dubai, I noticed how ordinary my photographs look. Very traditional stuff. I decided to improve my skills and started taking classes.
I use a Sony a6000 mirrorless camera. I also started shooting more in my hometown of Chicago year-round, with my fellow enthusiasts in a couple of local meetup groups.
In 2022, I joined the Washington Park Camera Club (WPCC). Celebrating 50 years in 2024, WPCC is the oldest black photographers camera club in the USA. The club is also a long-time member of both the Chicago Area Camera Club Association (CACA) and the Photographic Society of America. Through the WPCC I started competing in competitions both within the club and with (CACA). Since joining the club, I've learned from mentors who are wonderful photographers, practice the craft consistently, and compete regularly. The result is my skills have improved considerably. And my love for photography continues to grow.
Robert Pantazes
Bio Coming Soon . . .
Lillian Roberts, APSA, GMPSA/B
Lillian Roberts, APSA, GMPSA, has been an active nature and wildlife photographer since the late 1990s. She joined PSA in 2001 but only recently became more active first in competition and now as 2nd ND Division Chair. In taking on the study group administration, she hopes to both improve her own understanding of the division but also give back to an organization that supports and facilitates photographers at every level.