Photo group honors the beauty of nature
By Paula Brewer
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A Facebook photography site that began here in The County has morphed into an entity with members from all over the country and beyond — dedicated to sharing visions of beauty from fields and forests to the tiniest of gardens, and everything in between.
Photo courtesy
Michael A. Gudreau, Presque Isle
Puddle
Photo courtesy
Paul Cyr, Presque Isle
Prestile Stream
Photo courtesy
David Shaw, Easton
Conant Road, Presque Isle
Photo courtesy
Lovena West, Mars Hill
Geese on the move
Photo courtesy
Val Vadis, Westfield
Buckley Hill
Photo courtesy
Laura McGowan Chase, Mapleton
Mabel
Photo courtesy
Shawna Good-Maynard, Easton
Trestle, Aroostook River
Lovena West reported she began the site a few years ago, after a mini-stroke affected her peripheral vision. When her sight returned, the beauty of things was stunning.
“My vision was different,” she said. “I noticed things I never saw before. Things I used to see as humdrum or ugly had become interesting and beautiful. Color became so vibrant.”
Although West had taken a lot of pictures before, her experience started her on a mission. “This really kicked it into high gear, and I started capturing everything that caught my eye.”
And so, Just Looking Around was born.
The premise is simple: Photographers of all levels of experience (or no experience at all) can join the site and share their own scenic images. The atmosphere is enthusiastic and respectful; photos posted are to be in good taste and non-controversial — only observations of the world, up close or far away, from each person’s perspective.
West explained, “It’s a site where people can share their photos of what catches their eye, or what they would like to share about their neck of the woods. We do not post pictures of people on the site, just things we see.”
At the top of the site’s page, West informs participants of “two simple rules to keep things running smoothly (smile emoticon): 1) No pictures of people, please. It’s not about people. 2) Only post your own photos … or ones you have permission from the person who took the photo to post.”
According to West, the site’s membership has now grown to more than 3,400 members, not only from Maine but from all over the country and as far away as Australia.
Because there was a lot of interest in doing a “meet and greet” event among members, a planning committee group was formed to pull everything together for a potluck picnic. The event was held this summer at the Neil E. Michaud Campground in Presque Isle, which was offered to the group by owners Barbara and Bob Kinney.
“We had a wonderful turnout, and also had four members of the group fly here from Florida,” West said. “They had never met anyone from the site, and had never been to northern Maine. So these two couples came, and there were also three ladies that came from downstate.”
All in all, about 75 attended, including members and their families. WAGM-TV chief meteorologist Ted Shapiro, who uses many of Just Looking Around’s photos in his weathercasts, was the guest speaker.
“He is also a member of the site. He thanked everyone for their pictures, and sharing what the area has to offer if one only takes the time to look,” added West. “He also spoke about weather, and things to look for in case of quick weather conditions changes — clouds and such. We had door prizes, and a good time was had by all.”
So much so, in fact, that plans are already underway to have another gathering next year.
For more information, check out Just Looking Around on Facebook.
