Photographer Highlight: Evelyn Schmitt By Writer and Contributor Emily McGinn
Evelyn Schmitt has become a beloved local photographer, even having one of her photographs of the Manhattan Beach pier featured by the Manhattan Beach City Council in February. But she did not discover her love for photography until late in life, after she retired from teaching. In her post-retirement life, she began to look for new hobbies in the arts, starting with acting and painting. Then, using a basic point-and-shoot camera, she began to take pictures of the sunset at her house. This simple action inspired her to purchase a better camera and start taking photography classes.
Soon, Schmitt was enjoying her new hobby so much that she was taking trips and going on photography walks with her class. She began to take photos around southern California, from shots of people skateboarding at Venice Beach to pictures of birds in Costa Mesa.
“It’s really hard to pin down [what I like to photograph most] because I’m always trying for new things,” Schmitt says. “I’m always looking for something to try that I haven’t done before.”
Schmitt loves to share her photography on social media, and she enjoys the interaction that taking photos of people brings to her, as it presents her with the opportunity to meet different people.
“I like being in the classes and going with groups someplace to photograph because I’ve made a whole new group of friends that I didn’t have before,” Schmitt says. “So that is one of the things that’s good for me because it keeps me stimulated and wanting to do more.”
For Schmitt, learning photography was not always easy. She has struggled with learning the technical aspects of a camera, and she enjoys going out to take photos in groups so she can ask questions of fellow photographers when she encounters a technical obstacle for capturing a shot.
“The technical aspect of it is sometimes beyond me,” Schmitt says. “I am more of the creative, artistic type so if I don’t know how to do something, I’ll [ask someone].”
Schmitt finds inspiration for her own art in other people’s photographs, including the work of peers in her classes and that of photographers she sees online. She believes this influence can help her become a better photographer herself.
“I want to do different things and emulate some of what they did,” Schmitt says. “Usually when you try to emulate somebody, it doesn’t exactly work but what happens is you hit on something that works for you and then you start just going with that until it looks good.”
For Schmitt, photography has been a portal for her to explore new places. She enjoys traveling with her fellow photographers from class, and she has had the opportunity to take trips with them to Cuba, Kenya, Tanzania, Thailand and Cambodia. Soon, she will be heading up to Churchill, Canada to see the Northern Lights, which will present a new opportunity to practice her night photography.
“The [photography trips] make my life so much richer, especially at my age,” Schmitt says.
Contact information:
Evelyn Schmitt
310-600-9974 cell
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Fueled by passion and curiosity, Emily McGinn is a fervent journalist whose heart beats for truth and creativity. As a graduate of California Baptist University, Emily’s academic voyage is adorned with rich interests in environmental science, political science, and graphic design. Her portfolio is a mosaic of hard work and dedication, evidenced by a repertoire of content that stands as a testament to her journalistic commitment and academic pursuits.
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