Kevin Hulse
Kevin first joined the Simsbury Camera Club in 1998, back in the days of slide and print competitions. Young children at home limited his available time for club activities, so he went on hiatus after only a year. He rejoined the club in January 2022, after the kids grew up and moved out and shortly before his retirement. “I wanted to join an active community of people who shared a common hobby.” Since then Kevin has actively pursued his photography, and given freely of his time and expertise to the club and its members.
Kevin’s passion for photography began early, inspired by his father who frequently documented family events with his camera. “I was always captivated by the ability of a photograph to capture a moment in time,” he recalls. He learned to use a Minolta twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera while still in elementary school, and he even has a photo from a third-grade field trip where he’s proudly wearing the TLR around his neck. “I looked like the nerdiest kid in the class,” he jokes. His father later built a home darkroom, where Kevin spent countless hours developing his skills (and film). In high school, he transitioned to using the school’s more advanced darkroom while taking photography classes. His first 35mm camera was a Yashica FR1, which was eventually replaced with a Nikon F2A – a gift that sparked a lasting loyalty to the Nikon brand that continues today.
Today Kevin shoots mainly with a Nikon mirrorless digital camera, and still continues to use the Nikon F2A and TLR cameras. He currently sends his film out for processing, but plans to have his home darkroom up and operational soon. He uses DXO Labs, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for post processing of his digital images, plus several other supporting software tools.
Kevin’s career was in Software Engineering and Information Security, which often took him to Europe for work. He would frequently extend these trips by a day or two to explore and pursue his passion for photography. He was especially drawn to capturing street scenes in Paris and Italy. Since retiring, one of his most memorable photography experiences was a night photography workshop on Cape Cod, where ideal atmospheric conditions and an exceptional guide made it truly unforgettable.
The biggest changes he’s observed in the club are the transition to digital photography and the use of post processing tools, all of which happened prior to his rejoining SCC in 2022. Kevin especially values the feedback from the monthly competitions, which can suggest improvements that he had not considered. That feedback and the Library Lecture speaker series offer opportunities for him to learn from other photographers and improve his own photography.
Beyond photography, Kevin enjoys woodworking and tackling home improvement projects. According to his wife, there’s always some construction happening around the house or a project underway in his workshop. One of his more unique interests is clock repair and maintenance, which began when he was in college. Kevin and his wife became members of the First Church of Christ in Farmington in 1991, where he initially helped with various mechanical and technical tasks. About six years later, he accepted the ongoing responsibility of maintaining the church’s Tower clock, which dates back to 1864 (160 years old!). Located in the church’s North Tower about 40 feet off the ground, access requires navigating tight spaces. The clock’s mechanisms span four feet across and stand three feet high, with its three faces positioned another 25 feet above. Kevin’s responsibilities include adjusting the time, oiling the mechanisms, and performing general upkeep—often in conditions that are either uncomfortably hot or cold.
Kevin also enjoys sailing his Catalina Sailboat on Long Island Sound and Gardiners Bay, a passion he has pursued for over 25 years.
Kevin has been an active and enthusiastic participant in the club’s competitions, field trips, workshops, and library lectures. In 2023 he took on the role of Webmaster, applying his technical skills to improve website security and streamline navigation and functionality of the SCC site. In addition, he is set to become the club’s President starting in the fall of 2025.
Per Kevin: “The talent of the members of this club is exceptional, and there are learning opportunities for all skill levels. The tools and techniques of photography are constantly changing, and participation in the club has exposed me to new ways of working that I would not have otherwise considered or known about.”