Pearson compares famous female photographers

The lecture, titled 'Women of Vision: Ideas Without End', displayed a series of photographs by each artist. Pearson pointed out the similarities in theme, such as family and shape, and took note of where the artists differed, as with Leibovitz’s less regulated approach to photography.

Pearson’s idea for this particular presentation came about, “because of personal interest in both Cunningham’s work and then I wanted to put her in the light of a more contemporary photographer as well.”

“I thought there were some parallels between her work and her approach and Annie Leibovitz,” said Pearson.

Pearson, a retired professor of iconography, has been an Imogen Cunningham fan for quite some time. Why does she admire Cunningham so much? “Well, because of her long life as a photographer and because she was constantly finding new things, new ways and approaches and kept busy for all her life,” said Pearson.

Perhaps borrowing a page out of Cunningham’s plan to always stay active with her craft, Pearson joined the Montreal Camera Club three years ago to stimulate her to take more photos, “which it did,” said Pearson.

This will be the club’s 114th year in existence, and it is not for want of membership. More than 50 people showed up to watch and interact with Pearson as she sought to have more of a dialogue with audience members, rather than just lecture them.

There were even more name tags of members who couldn’t make it that night, posted on a board at the side of the gym at Westmount Park Church, where the group meets each Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Montreal Camera Club’s President, Barbara Deans, said anyone interested in joining is always welcome. “We like people to come to a meeting and see what it’s all about before they join,” said Deans.

The club engages in a wide range of shutterbug-related activities throughout their September to May year. This year, there will be other presentations by photographers, studio workshops, a nature shoot at Parc Safari, and their ongoing competitions.

For more information on the club, you can click on their website at www.montrealcameraclub.com