Meet the kids in f0t0klub! Andrew Avalone, Pearse Pinch and Shayna MacDonald (from left to right) are the original three members of the group and they have been together since the beginning. Tom Rogalsky, Leah Hetzel, and Andrea Szegedy-Maszak are new this year. Taylor Bartolotta and Mike Prince graduated Middletown H.S. and Connor Lucey graduated Xavier. All three are now in college, Florida, UCONN and UVM respectively and post their images regularly.

We meet every weekend, one week for a photo session and the next for an image critique.

I started f0t0klub for a few reasons. First and foremost, I love working with kids and after doing the math, I realize this is my 30th year of volunteering. So, it's no secret that I love to give my time from everything from coaching soccer to scouting. Although, I can't say enough about working with teens who share my passion for photography. It's very rewarding creatively and they keep me young or atleast young at heart.

Don't get me wrong, I love the scouts and I have a special place in my heart for scouting. Photography on the other hand, is something I have been doing for a very long time and I can't seem to get enough of it.

Back in the '80's and '90's, I taught photography at Mercy High School in an after school program. I loved every minute of it and I still keep in touch with some of the girls on facebook. Actually, many are married with children of their own. When I started at Mercy, I was 26 and single. Eventually, I married and had a son. Andrew, now 17, who is a member of f0t0klub. He came to class with me often and the girls would take turns walking him through the halls to keep him busy.

Photography was more complicated then, ahh, the smell of chemicals, the rolls and rolls of film , processing, printing, there were so many steps to take before you saw results. I really miss the Polaroid transfers and the exhibits at the end of every school year. We covered every available inch of bulletin board with images, mounted and matted for presentation. Matt cutting on the floors of Mercy, those were the days!

Well, fast forward a few decades and enter the world of computers and digital photography. A DSLR allows you to correct exposure, composition and lighting within seconds after pressing the shutter. And best of all, you can delete images immediately. Megapixel, image stabalization, who cares... it's instant gratification! You can buy a pack of paper from just about at any drugstore, supermarket or of fice supply store and print beautiful images at home.

f0t0klub has come a long way in just the past few months. We are now on facebook. Last year, I was responsible for sending out most of the notifications.

Today, we have 22 members and a fan page. We have an established group of models and Pearse, our administrator of the site is now responsible for sending individual invitations to models before each photo session. Yah, we've come a long way and I am loving it! Pearse sent out a list of rules, well actually, he said he hated to use the word rules, so he referred to them as guidelines. I like that!

Our favorite place to photograph is abandoned buildings, definitely an urban look! Leah would much prefer a park or the woods. The train bridge is another popular spot. We took two trips, one to Hartford and the other to New Haven. Our next venture is a train ride to New York City.

Last year, we set a few goals for f0t0klub, none of which have been accomplished to date. An exhibit is on the top of our list and we have tried to secure gallery space at MAC650 Gallery. Secondly, we would like to create a book of images and last, but not least, give back to the community. One idea was to photograph mothers and their children in the WIC program at no cost.

The photographers post their images on facebook and critique online by posting a comment. Eventually, they make prints for their portfolio which will create a smooth transition into the exhibit process. The weekend following a photo session is spent critiquing images. Shayna's Dad, Dan came to a critique session last year and was so impressed with the dynamics of the group. He commented on how well everyone gets along and how they manage to critique and not offend each other. I am still impressed! There is no question about it, this is all about photography... no question about it! I also get a kick out of watching them improve, there is nothing like it!

So how do you join? Only current members can nominate you for a position in f0t0klub based on your current portfolio, then there is a vote! Also, I am constantly looking for new talent when I visit the high schools in the county.

Tom Rogalsky photographs Jake Gawlak and Martha Henzy. Pearse Pinch works the light reflector.

Alfred Stieglitz : Wherever there is light, one can photograph.

After a consultation with the members of f0t0klub, I will start a weekly gallery of images produced by these fine young shooters. You will become witness to young creative talent at its best!