The Marion Art Center’s newest exhibit, which opened on Friday, features five area photographers who each have their own style.

Marion native Donna Lee Tufts, who has been an interior designer for more than 30 years, took up photography as a hobby three years ago.

“In 2013 I was given a kayak, and as I was out in my kayak I took my little camera and just started taking pictures. I was surprising myself,” said Tufts. “I couldn't believe who took those pictures. That is when I really started getting serious about photography.”

Unlike Tufts, Bryan McSweeny began taking photographs in his early college days and even learned how to develop film while stationed in Germany during his time in the Army.

“I started in college as a hobby and then I was stationed in Germany for four years. I learned a lot of stuff there, like darkroom techniques. Then I traveled around Europe and shot a lot of stuff there. Now, I have my own darkroom here in Marion,” McSweeny said, a Marion resident.

He worked with film photography until the late ‘90s when he made the permanent switch to digital photography.

Previously an orthodontist, McSweeny now travels all over New England taking photos of landscapes, architecture and other things that interest him.

“I wanted to travel more and do some other stuff, but then it occurred to me that the coast of New England is competitive with any region in the world. It’s easy to get in the car and drive around and take pictures,” he said.

Germany isn’t too far behind him though. While abroad, McSweeny purchased a Leica M3 rangefinder and now works almost exclusively with Leica products. Tufts, however, uses a humble and inexpensive Canon SureShot.

“I don’t edit my photos. I may crop them, but I don’t do anything else. I don’t even know how to use Photoshop,” she laughed. “I think through my years of interior design, I have an eye for composition. I take things as I find them. I do not arrange them, I don’t touch them. I don’t pose anything.”

“All of my photos have been taken locally,” Tufts said. “I enjoy sharing them. I love that they bring smiles to people’s faces.”

The exhibition also includes Kent McCormack of Mattapoisett and Laurie Bullard. It is open through May 28. A few pieces are also on display at the Marion General Store. All photos are up for auction.