Jim Hagan

Country: USA

I grew up in Chicago and went to nearby Northwestern University where I received an MBA degree.  Most of my working career was in accounting and finance.  I join the PSA around 1965 but with the demands of my occupation and family I soon dropped out of PSA and took few photos during the next 30 years.

I retired in 1999 and joined several local camera clubs.  I was amazed at the changes in photography that had occurred in the last 30 years – digital imaging, automatic focusing, automatic exposure, automatic bracketing and higher ISO’s.  I felt like Rip Van Winkle who slept for 20 years and awoke to a new world.

By 2017 I had accumulated a large number of photos and after a forty year hiatus rejoined the PSA. I found that my membership in the PSA provides enjoyment, learning and expression.  I enjoy traveling and entering photos in the travel sections of exhibitions where I can share my travel images as well seeing images of others from around the world.  I also enjoy nature photography and its never ending learning process. And, for color and mono categories there is no limit to creativity.

I belong to three PSA study groups and enjoy viewing and discussing my photos as well as those of others in the groups.  Entering photos in exhibitions and belonging to study groups has been a wonderful pastime for a retiree.  I am now 81 and have received 5 stars in both Color and Travel and soon in mono.  Each 5 star award requires 288 acceptances with at least 96 different photos.