Honoring Cornwall’s Timeless Talent: The Senior Shutterbugs of Hudson Valley

Written by Mary Jane Pitt

Richard Rabinowitz, a Newburgh denizen, once operated a “large corporate office” within the publishing industry; nowadays, his self-described enterprise focuses on connecting individuals. He aims to achieve this through various methods, predominantly channeling his passion for photography.

Then comes Phylis Murphy from the Cornwall Recreation Office. Their paths had crossed in a previous professional capacity, but it was during Rabinowitz’s recent visit to a local healthcare professional that Murphy’s current role was brought up.

Let’s rewind. Rabinowitz established the Digital Photo Academy back in 2006, a venture aimed at assisting photographers in enhancing their craft. After nearly two decades, a division of that global initiative emerged – Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs.

Now, fast forward to that doctor’s appointment. It was recommended there that he organize a photography-themed event for seniors at Cornwall’s Munger Cottage, a bustling venue. Murphy and Recreation Director Laura Kirby are consistently on the lookout for fresh activities, and Rabinowitz formulated a plan.

Everything came to fruition over the past few months.

A six-part series of mobile photography workshops was initiated, “empowering seniors to convert their photos into remarkable artworks,” Rabinowitz stated last week. And it was fantastic! With the course concluded, the six seniors who took part will showcase their work in an exhibition – from January 18 to February 3 at the esteemed Gallery 40 in Poughkeepsie.

While Rabinowitz did not conduct the class himself, Mary Ann Glass was the instructor. Yet, he articulated the idea:

“Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs is a program created to recognize the worth of senior individuals through the medium of photography; it originated years ago on Facebook. The community has since grown to over 5,000 engaged followers across the nation. In November 2024, the initiative rolled out its inaugural live workshop series for seniors eager to tap into their creativity and learn how to handle the often-intimidating technological aspects of cellphones.

Glass concurs: “The affordable applications we utilize are straightforward to master with a little direction. An average individual, regardless of age, can transform ordinary photos into extraordinary ones.”

The workshop series comprised six mobile photography classes at Munger Cottage – for this initial cycle, participants were not charged any fees. Across six 90-minute sessions — split between lectures and outdoor photography — the seniors acquired techniques to capture high-resolution images using solely their mobile devices, without the necessity of high-tech cameras or computers. Participants delved into concepts like composition, lighting, perspective, and image enhancement after capturing.

“This initial session acted as a trial, aiming to enhance the program prior to its nationwide launch as a paid initiative,” Rabinowitz noted. He expressed gratitude to Murphy for collaborating with him to bring this to fruition.

Murphy was glad to assist. “Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm and creativity flourish, combined with the sense of relevance in a tech-driven world, adds a special element, marking these workshops as a significant achievement.”

What were the participants’ reflections? Among the class participants were: Marlene Pfaffenbach, Gail Berger, Larry Berger, Levi Robinson, Jeff Leben, and Carmen L. Aponte.

Workshop participant Levi Robinson Jr. remarked, “These workshops not only facilitated my exploration of photography but also enabled me to engage in light exercise while sharpening my skills. It’s been an enriching journey.”

Larry and Gail Berger, a married couple, shared their impressions: “The workshops provided an excellent opportunity to enrich our leisure time and connect with new friends,” Larry stated. Gail added, “We appreciate the opportunity to bond with others while enjoying quality time together.”

Marlene Pfaffenbach shared how the workshops strengthened her bond with her husband Fred through photography: “My husband Fred participated in the workshop since he has been a gifted photographer for many years, and following the Munger Cell Phone Workshop, I am now delighted to create artistic photographs with my cell phone. This way, we can enjoy time together while celebrating our photography passion.”

This brings joy to Rabinowitz.

“Art, in general, can forge a connection to the surroundings,” he remarked during a recent visit to Murphy at Munger Cottage. “The participants dipped their toes into the creative pool and revealed their artistic sides. They truly felt much more self-assured about using this tool, which had always been within their reach.”

He also takes pride in how the course offered the participants new opportunities for physical activity and socializing. As he matures, he has come to recognize the significance of both.

Upon the conclusion of the workshops, each participant received a striking high-quality metal print of one of their photos, generously contributed by FinerWorks, a printing service located in San Antonio. This thoughtful gesture allows the seniors to immortalize their artistic achievements in a durable format that can be displayed at home.

“We’re excited to be part of this initiative that fosters the creative expression of senior citizens and provides them

“with a method to exhibit their creations,” expresses Melissa Hernandez at FinerWorks.

Upon receiving his print, Jeff Leben remarked: “The UPS delivery driver rang my doorbell and handed me the stunning FinerWorks image from our Munger Cottage Cell Phone Workshop Series. I’m eagerly looking forward to attending the gallery display where it will be presented. The program was a delightful adventure in reconnecting with my artistic self. Who would have thought that such activity could be so pleasurable, or that strolling could lead to capturing amazing photographs with nothing but a cell phone? The teachings allowed me to tap into new aspects of my imagination.”

It’s those artworks that will be featured at Gallery 40.

“This initiative wouldn’t have been achievable without the commitment of Mary Ann, the support from FinerWorks, the Munger Cottage crew, the participants, and Gallery 40,” stated Rabinowitz. “This preliminary workshop series acted as a useful trial, enabling us to iron out any issues and assure the program is primed for a national rollout. We take pride in illustrating that age is no impediment to creativity. The showcase at Gallery 40 will offer a special chance to honor the artistic accomplishments of senior photographers. Don’t let the opportunity pass to view these uplifting works in person.”

The exhibit is accessible to the public. The gallery is situated at 40 Cannon St, Poughkeepsie, and will take place from January 18 to February 3. It is open to all visitors.

Will the course occur again at Munger? Rabinowitz is hopeful. If you’re interested, “stay connected with Phylis,” he mentioned.

To gain inspiration from photographs taken by seniors nationwide, check out the Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook page.