FAQ’s

Q: What kind of camera equipment do you use?

A: Currently I have a Nikon N-80 35mm camera, considered to be an advanced amateur camera. In the past, I have used a Nikon 6006 and N-70. My favorite lens is a AF Nikkor 28-105mm f-3.5 macro that is both sharp and versatile. I use a 18-35mm f-3.5 wide-angle lens. I also use a 80-400mm vibration-reduction Nikon zoom telephoto for some of the wildlife photos. I often use a polarizing filter to cut glare, which at some angles deepens colors similar to wearing Polaroid sunglasses. At times I use a split-and-graduated neutral density filter to help even-out the contrast between the sky and ground. I use a sturdy tripod whenever possible to maximize image sharpness.

Q: Do you shoot with a digital camera?

A: I recently purchased a Nikon D50 6.1 megapixel digital SLR camera than uses the same lenses as my film cameras. I will also still shoot slides with my N-80, but as I grow accustomed with the D50 and hopefully find the quality of images similar to the slides, I will probably convert entirely to digital. That doesn't eliminate the 50,000 slides I have on file!

Q: What kind of film do you use?

A: Mostly I use Fujichrome Velvia Color Slide Film. Although ‘slow’ at ASA/ISO 100, Velvia is very fine-grained and produces rich, saturated colors. Before 1992 I used Kodak Kodachrome 25 or 64 slide film.

Q: How do you get such vivid colors in your photos?

A: It’s a combination of several factors:

First, I am attracted to bright, natural colors, often taking photos during the “golden hour” - the hour or so of rich colors before sunset and after sunrise.

Second, as Discussed above, I use Velvia slide film that captures the intense colors found in nature. The most important factor to remember in photography is that the camera and film don’t 'see' the world the way our eyes do! Recognizing how and when colors, contrast, shutter speeds and lens optics effect the final image is the key to making good photographs.

Third, to produce my prints I scan the slides at high resolution and import them into Adobe Photoshop on my computer. This gives me control over aspects such as color balance, saturation, contrast and exposure. I try to get the image to look as much like the original slide and the actual scene that I experienced as possible. I do NOT use any 'tricks', such as combining two photos or adding objects.

Fourth, the new digital photo printing technology has revolutionized photo reproduction. I look back at ‘traditional’ Cibachrome prints I made 18 years ago and, by comparison, the Cibachrome print colors are dull and flat. The fact is, people are not used to seeing true colors in photographs because until recently, print technology has not been able to portray them! Virtually every photograph printed in newspapers and magazines today have been scanned and digitally printed. Modern pigment-ink digital printers can produce archival prints that look, feel and last as long as traditional darkroom photographic reproductions.

Lastly, how the image appears on your computer screen depends on your browser and monitor settings, something I have no control over!

Q: How long have you been taking pictures?

A: Over 30 years! I got my first 35mm camera (a Minolta SRT101) while in high school. While most of the photos I sell have been taken in the last 5 to 10 years, I do have a number of older slides!

Q: How to you get to travel so much?

A: It's no accident! I have been selling Fine Art Photos for only 3 years, before then I traveled and photographed solely for my own personal pleasure - and at my own expense! I try to travel for at least two months a year plus a few shorter trips.

To travel one must have three essential things: Time, Money and the Physical Ability to engage in the activities. Typically, a person starts out with the time but little money (as a student, usually) then gets a career and family and has money but little time! Retirees can have both time and money but may not have the physical ability to travel like they want to.

The key to travel is to find (or create) a lifestyle that earns more money than needed to survive but at the same time have the time/freedom to enjoy that disposable income. Too often the very occupation that pays well also enslaves us - leaving us very little time to travel!

Our American consumer lifestyle can easily raise our overhead expenses (mortgage, car payments, student loans, credit cards, children and pets) such that we must spend the whole year just keeping up with our bills! I have an aversion to debt and try to keep my overhead low. I have never owned a new car and chose to only have one child and no pets. My nursing career allows me to take time off when I want and I can, since I don't have an office or staff to maintain.

Lastly, many Americans have phobias about traveling independently in strange countries and will only travel on overpriced package tours. Independent travel (made easy with the internet) typically costs 1/4 of the cost of a similar package trip and provides a far more flexible and intense experience than being herded along in a group. Learning to 'do it yourself' saves money and gets you closer to the people and cultures you came to see. At 1/4 of the cost of package tours, you can travel a lot longer too! There are guidebooks specifically written for independent travellers - Lonely Planet, Footprint, Rick Steves and the Blue Guides are my favorites. Good maps are important too, Nelles and Freytag & Berndt are good. Check out www.omnimap.com for the best maps.