Winter-2022

134 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 I n 1967, a group of photographers met at the Carmel Highlands home of Ansel Adams to discuss the formation of an organization with the stated aim of promoting photography as fine art.This was the begin- ning of The Friends of Photography and, in addition to Adams, members included Morley Baer and Brett Weston. The Friends’ Carmel gallery proved to be successful, but after Adams’ death in 1984, the group relocat- ed to San Francisco. The Sunset Center gallery where the members showed their work is now home to the Center For Photographic Art. Nearly 30 years after Adams founded the Friends, respected local pho- tographer Richard Garrod gathered six like-minded artists at his home, a meeting that marked the beginning of ImageMakers. A member for five years, Debra Achen says, “ImageMakers is a diverse group of professional and amateur photographers whose goal is to ensure that photography as an art form continues to thrive on the Monterey Peninsula.” The group currently has 65 active members, and a few on a waiting list. “It’s an invi- tational group. Someone sponsors you and you submit work and then it’s reviewed by a committee.” Garrod passed away in April 2022, but the group he founded lives on. ImageMakers members range from enthusiasts to professional photog- raphers, and every experience level in between. All find value in the monthly meetings, taking away creative ideas and technological tips. Jeanne Marino of Pacific Grove discovered her love of the medium relatively late in life. After retiring from many years as an account executive at the Monterey County Herald, she discovered a talent for image making. “Photography has become a prominent hobby of mine,” she says. “My work is mainly a collection of images from the traveling I’ve done to Nearly 30 years after Adams founded the Friends, respected local photographer Richard Garrod gathered six like-minded artists at his home, a meeting that marked the beginning of ImageMakers. Brian Taylor, “Stickeen Beckons Me”