In our Featured Photographer series, we highlight the work of our former and current students!
Your Name: Chet Holt
Type of Camera: Nikon D7000
What do you love to photograph the most? I like capturing moments that you might not remember otherwise but reflect back on when you see the pictures and think how you could ever forget them.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? Like most things in life, good photography takes practice. Once you get one type of style or method down, branch out and try something new. Kevin teaches us to always be adding tools to your photography-skill toolbox.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: Keep at it and read photography related websites and magazines. Find photographers you like and follow them on Instagram.
In our Featured Photographer series, we highlight the work of our former and current students!
Your Name: Kathy Thalman
Type of Camera: Nikon D7000 and D500
What do you love to photograph the most? I search all forms of photographic opportunities to create “Art” Looking through the lens gives me an opportunity to express a feeling or moment in an Art form. The unusual, or normally unnoticed things in life, catch my eye and it is fun to transform those moments in processing. There is wonder in all things.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? I started from scratch just a few years ago, late in life, so there have been many instructions and workshops. (many of those with Kevin) I have learned to be an individual, do what I can with the knowledge I have and continue to expand. Not to be afraid to try.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: Do not get discouraged nor intimidated by all the “pros” who share their advice. Listen, ask questions and then find your comfort zone.
What do you love to photograph the most? All forms of wildlife, including birds. We have been to Botswana three times in recent years, as well as Alaska and Costa Rica. I also enjoy landscape photography, having lived in Arizona for several years.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? Light!!! Learn to shoot early and late in the day, and get in the best positions to optimize the light.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: I was fortunate in Arizona to be part of a great photography group that met monthly to critique images of specific subjects, and also did frequent group phot shoots. The experience gained from others was invaluable. So my advice is to join with others who share your love of photography.
In our Featured Photographer series, we highlight the work of our former and current students!
Your Name: Nancy Wessels
Type of Camera: Olympus OM‑D E‑M1
What do you love to photograph the most? I have been a photographer for over 20 years. I recently traded in my heavy Canon camera for an Olympus OM‑D E‑M1. I love the image quality that I get shooting with this camera and it’s not a burden to carry when traveling or walking for long periods of time. My favorite things to photograph are landscape and wildlife. I like taking some architectural images as well.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: My advice to anyone wanting to grow in their photography skills is to just keep shooting. Take pictures as often as possible and keep practicing. Whatever you like to take photographs of, step outside your comfort zone and practice on a new genre. I’ve been trying to do that myself and practice taking more pictures of people.
As usual, it was difficult to choose just one image. I am proud of this image mainly because I fret so much about whether or not my settings are correct on my camera, I often miss photo ops. I took my daughter to San Francisco in the spring and took her sailing for the first time. We were lucky enough to see a whale while we were on the water and I was able to capture it. It was very cold, windy and foggy once we got outside the bay and near the Marin Headlands. The colors in the image are very muted because of the weather that day. I have been to San Francisco many times and have been on whale watching trips as well but this was the first time that I was able to witness one of these beautiful creatures in person.
In our Featured Photographer series, we highlight the work of our former and current students!
Your Name: Amy Tomlinson Gayle
Type of Camera: Canon EOS 1-D X Mark II. Also love tinkering with iPhone pics… not ashamed to admit!
What do you love to photograph the most? People/animals that I love. I think love somehow comes through the lens.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? That taking photographs is a downright spiritual practice. It’s living in the moment. There is no way you can’t be fully immersed in the moment while taking a good photo. Slow down. Breathe. Snap.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: If you ever have a chance to take photos on film and develop them in a darkroom, DO IT! My high school in Indiana had a photography program and a dark room (AMAZING, I know…). And it taught me two things, as a teen photographer: (1) Delayed pleasure. Taking photos and having to wait a week to see what was on my roll. (2) Having one chance to get a photo right. Without being able to tweak it post-processing, via Lightroom or Instagram. I never forgot those things. I still have an instinct to make sure to get the photo right in just one take.
In our Featured Photographer series, we highlight the work of our former and current students!
Your Name: Shanekia Cole
Type of Camera: Nikon D5300
What do you love to photograph the most? People and nature.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? Understanding the settings of my camera and how they work together
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: Out of 100 shots you may get 10 that are what you were aiming for but you may get one that blows your mind that you didn’t know you could capture! Take advantage of opportunities to learn from people with different styles because there a lot of great ‘tricks’ out there. Definitely practice with different types of lighting (including natural) to see what you may like the most.
In our Featured Photographer series, we highlight the work of our former and current students!
Your Name: Bill Alvarez
Type of Camera: Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-3
What do you love to photograph the most? Landscapes and Industrial Devices \ Machines
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? Learn the ISO limits of your camera and don’t be afraid to bump up your ISO to increase shutter speed (A slightly noisy picture in focus is better than a noiseless blurry picture.) and invest in good lenses.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: Experiment and learn to use all the tools at your disposal in you photographer’s tool box. With practice and experience it will become more natural to envision and execute on your photographic ideas.
Type of Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i AND – Galaxy S8
What do you love to photograph the most? Flowers, skies, pets, family – NATURE #1
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? ISO…light is everything! I think 100 ISO is my favorite!!! OUTSIDE
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: Take a beginning course for a refresh of what’s current and go out and take a lot of pictures – take your camera everywhere and change the settings for fun.
What do you love to photograph the most? Anything related to my travels – building, landscape, and especially people. I love experiencing cultures and capturing stories through the eye of the lens.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? Taking time to observe the world around me and thinking through how to convey those feelings in my photography
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Change up your normal settings, photograph something that isn’t your normal “style”. And don’t forget to live in the world – not just photograph it!
Kevin Gourley Photography Workshops, Austin, TX – Austin Photography Classes
