Capturing the world around us

Jean and Gordon Perry have been married for 28 years but have been taking photographs together since their early years of dating.

The Saylorsburg residents have honed their skills behind the camera over three decades.

When the pair began Jean had several art and photography classes under her belt, earning a degree in art and education while Gordon had never set foot in an art class. Instead, he used his pictures as educational materials for his biology classes. Gordon had retired over three years ago after 48 years of teaching biology.

"That's when Jean said offer something at NCCC. I went there and gave some ideas for classes in industrial history. I'm interested in the history, especially the industrial side. I like to focus on industry, the things that aren't going to be around for much longer," Gordon says.

It was through the Palmerton Camera Club that the couple met Jeannie Carl, a naturalist at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center.

From that mutual love of photography the couple, along with the rest of the camera club, was invited by Carl to the center to photograph the rescued birds of prey.

According to Jean, Carl took the club to the wooden boardwalk and gingerly took each bird out of its habitat for the group to take once-in-a-lifetime photos of the wildlife.

"It was great fun. They brought the birds out and we were able to take these great pictures. It was a very nice opportunity for us," Jean says.

"We wouldn't be able to get that close to the birds out in the wild," Gordon says.

Carl was so impressed with the work of the couple that a wall at the center has been displaying snapshots of owl feathers, butterflies, mushrooms and hand-drawn botanicals since the summertime.

"Gordon taught a class on different things found in the woods and I did the drawings," said his wife, Jean, of her pencil sketches.

The couple had both taught at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey before retiring and moving to teach and lecture at Northampton Community College.

"A lot of what we do now are for classes or shows," says Jean. "I am working on a botany lecture. Gordon takes photos and I work on the program."

Jean has taught several art workshops throughout the summer at the environmental education center.

"The animals and birds are fantastic. Why not give people the opportunity to draw and have fun while showing off their skills," said Jean.

"The kids especially loved it, but I had a nice following of adults too," she says.

According to Gordon, he used to have a more clinical approach to taking photos before shooting with his wife.

"We've been going out and taking photographs together for ..." Gordon began.

"Thirty years," Jean says, completing his sentence.

"Right. They've gotten more creative. Sometimes we'd take a picture of the same thing and mine would be exactly precise, and I'd look at Jean's and think, 'Mine are so boring.'"

According to Jean a lot of subjects for photographs are found in their own backyard.

"You never know what you will find out there," she says.

"Once we get out there we'd forget about everything else," says Gordon.

"That's how we came up with the exhibits. We just think, 'What do we do with all this stuff,'" says Jean.

She says a lot of her photographs serve as an inspiration for her own paintings or for class subjects.

"I do a lot of impressionist classes, so I set the photos out for people to choose from."

The Perrys each have advice for the novice photographer.

Jean's main point is to choose a subject you love.

"Also hold the camera still. Make sure the object is still. I balance the camera on my nose."

She also says to focus on more of the scene than you think you need.

"You can always crop."

Gordon agrees and says to take pictures of "something interesting and make sure the camera is still. I'll prop up against at tree if I don't have a tripod, especially when using a long focus lens."

He also says to double-check the lens.

"Make sure it's clean and there are no smudges."

Both say to just go ahead and take the picture.

"Don't be afraid, just take the shot," says Jean.

"When I started I was still in film and now I just snap away," Gordon says.

Carl says she is eager to display other artists' works.

"It's wonderful. Maybe it will inspire other artists. It's nice to see what other people see through the camera lens,"

Interested artists are welcome to call the environmental education center at 570 645 8597.