When national award-winning photographer Dr. Harry Moulis took his first photography class in high school, he learned two things: Any camera can take a good picture and take lots of pictures.

Last Friday 60 people gathered at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center to hear photography tips from Dr. Moulis, who practices gastroenterology and internal medicine in Ormond Beach and Port Orange. Last summer, one of Dr. Moulis’s photos, that of a yellow-crowned night heron he spotted near his home on the Tomoka River, was selected from among 8,000 entries to be featured in the 2012 Audubon Society Calendar.

During Friday’s presentation, Dr. Moulis used his own collection of wildlife photos – mostly birds, but also flowers and scenery – to illustrate various principles of what makes a good photo. His photos were taken all across North America, from Mexico to Oregon, from New England to San Diego. But the majority of his photos were taken while kayaking down the Tomoka River – right in his own backyard.

Some of Dr. Moulis’s lessons included:
• Using an aperture priority
• Making the eye of your subject sharp
• Utilizing depth of field to emphasize the subject of the photo
• Incorporating creative options for lighting, framing and perspectives

Emphasizing the importance of a clear background, Dr. Moulis told his audience, “You can’t always plan every part of your photo, but if you can, try planning the background.”

The photography class with Dr. Moulis was a part of Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s Art in Therapy program, a monthly series for community members to learn such skills as watercolor, portrait drawing, collage and various types of crafts. Led by the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, this free program is designed to promote emotional health through the expression of imagination, while providing a venue to make new friends with similar interests.

The next Art in Therapy session will be Monday, February 13 at 10 a.m. and will feature personal trading cards made for you or a loved one – just in time for Valentine’s Day. March and April topics include Greco-Roman glass painting and the Asian-inspired technique of Gyotaku, or fish-print making.

Class dates and times vary to accommodate all schedules. Space is limited, and registration is required. For information or to register for an upcoming class, call Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center at 386-231-2229.