BRECKSVILLE Magazine - ScripType Publishing

Bicentennial 1811-2011
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
local Photography Club Covers bicentennial Events
by Anastasia Ealey
When the Brecksville Bicentennial
Committee needed photographers to
record the bicentennial celebrations, they
did not have far to
look. The Cleveland
Photographic Society,
which is centered
in Broadview
Heights, was able to
supply many local
photographers to
cover the events.
Bill Rittman, a
Brecksville resident
for the past 39 years
Bill Rittman
and a member of
CPS, was already
involved with the Bicentennial Projects
Committee when he heard it needed to
communicate with the CPS about attaining
photographers. He volunteered
to help and became the liaison between
the CPS and the committee, and now
he rallies members to photograph events
whenever needed.
Rittman said that he has been interested
in photography
since he was a
young man. “But I
didn’t really get serious
about it until
I retired,” he said.
“Since then, it’s
been my hobby. At
that time, I joined
CPS primarily to
learn more about
Arlan Heiser
photography, and
I took a course that
they offer on the
fundamentals of photography. It’s a great
organization, and the people are very
friendly and willing to share information
and ideas.”
So far, Rittman has covered the Christmas
parade, but he plans to cover more.
“I am planning to do other events, when
there is a need and when I am available,”
he said.
CPS began operating in 1887 and is
one of the oldest camera clubs in North
America, according to its website. Rather
than focus on one particular discipline
of photography, the Society educates
The Brecksville Magazine, July 2011
and encourages its members to explore
all subjects and types of the hobby. CPS
currently has over 300 members, meeting
almost every Friday night throughout
the year, and it offers several classes on
photography.
Arlan Heiser is another member of the
CPS who has become involved with the
bicentennial events since Rittman asked
for his assistance. Like Rittman, he said
that he also became interested in photography
at an early age. “This goes back
to high school for me, when I could get
out of class to go take pictures of the girls
chorus or a speaker or things like that,”
Heiser said. “My parents let me make a
darkroom down in their basement, since
this was back in the old days of film. I’ve
had the hobby on and off for years.”
Heiser said that when he retired he began
to view photography as a more serious
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hobby. “I became more serious about it
after I retired,” he said. “I got involved
with CPS about six years ago.”
So far, he has covered several bicentennial
events. “I’ve covered the Christmas
parade, the Bicentennial Ball and a history
presentation at the library,” he said. “I
have no idea if I’ll cover any more – it’s
up to Bill, he’s the chief.”
CPS member Ron Wilson also became
involved with bicentennial events at Rittman’s
request. Like the others, he said that
his interest in photography also started
early. “I’ve been interested in photography
most of my life,” he said. “My father did
some, which got me started on it.”
The events he has covered include the
Christmas parade, as well as the ceremony
and fireworks afterwards. “I will possibly
cover other events, depending on the
timing,” he said. ∞
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