The Ziibiwing Center Photography Club began about a year ago with a mission to bring together local photographers. Co-founders Charles Butzin and Esther Mays-Helms wanted to share their passion with other dedicated photographers in the area and open up discussion about photography style and technique.
Today, the club’s work is displayed in the Ziibiwing Center’s Changing Exhibit, “Indigital: Reflections of a Tribal Community.” Members’ photographs are featured on the walls, in digital format, and printed on fun games and puzzles. On June 25, the club released additional digital artwork into the changing exhibit. Butzin and Mays-Helms were on hand to discuss their artisitc inspiration and artwork.
“We wanted to show Native people today,” said Butzin, “Our culture is always changing.”
The club’s co-founders each gave presentations on photography technique and how it has affected American Indian culture in the past and present.
Mays-Helms discussed how American Indian culture has evolved with photography. From Western photographers in the early 1800s who used Indians mostly as subjects to modern-day American Indian artists like Zig Jackson and Theresa Harlan who push the boundaries of what can be done in photography.
“In the past, silence and secrecy often meant survival of the race and culture,” said Mays-Helms, “but if you look at the petroglyphs, we’ve been doing images for a long time.”
Butzin, who is a professional photographer, talked more about utilizing the features of the camera. Changing shutter speed and aperture settings are two ways he is able to produce unique photos that capture shadow, light, and emotion.
“You just have to challenge yourself to look for these things,” said Butzin, “Don’t take the pictures everyone else is taking.”
The Ziibiwing Center Photography Club currently has twelve active members and a handful of others who attend periodically. The club meets at the Ziibiwing Center on the second Monday of each month from 6pm – 7:30pm.
For more information about the changing exhibit visit: www.sagchip.org/ziibiwing