(l-r) Tracy Lehr and Lou Cunningham, Superintendent of Photography for the Ventura County Fair.

Ojai, CA - The Ojai Photography Club welcomes Lou Cunningham to its June 19 meeting at 7:00 PM, in Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 Santa Ana Street, Ojai, CA.

Cunningham became Superintendent of the Ventura County Fair Photography Department in 2011. At the Ojai meeting, he will share a behind-the-scenes look at setting up the massive photography display at the fair. He will also discuss volunteer opportunities, submission tips, deadlines, and judging criteria. For those considering submission to the fair, he will provide examples of easy ways to present one’s work.

Cunningham shared his thoughts on the role of photography in his life, and his evolving attitude toward the art:

I started taking pictures with my grandma’s old Kodak in Wisconsin when I was 9 years old. I remember using the old rolls of film. I remember mowing lawns to raise the money to buy the film, but sometimes could never afford to get it developed. I’m sure that somewhere somebody probably has discovered some of my old pictures. Over the years, like most people, I’ve taken thousands of pictures.

I believe that taking photos not only preserves the history of my being, but also the history of this country. What I look for in my award winning photos (at least, I believe they are) is secondarily the subject matter and the background but primarily the focal point which is the total composition. I feel that the greatest photo doesn’t have to be your best but only needs to grab the eye and the imagination of the viewer. After all, remember that our minds are like a camera and that we all can visualize someone, something or someplace that we’ve been or seen that has touched our lives.

The Ojai Photography Club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. Visitors are always welcome, but only members may submit images for critique. For more information, please visit www.ojaiphotoclub.com.