This weeks/months/Bi-Month (still not sure how often going to do this yet) is our section Photographer @Thomas

As I mentioned previously I am going to do this kind of interview style and lets see how it goes. I am going to ask the first questions then it is Open for anyone to ask any questions (whether it be a follow up to my own or something completely seperate) this is your choice. As always lets keep comments and critiques Professional and Helpful!

Thank you, Rick



Thomas, can you tell us what got you into photography and when?

What is your favorite genre to shoot?

What is one genre you would like to shoot in but have not yet?

What genre have you shot, but would like to learn more about?

In your opinion what is your greats accomplishment as a photographer? This could be anything like: a particular photo you took, an obstacle you have had to overcome, a particularly difficult genre you have now excelled in or if you have been published before.

When was the first photo you took that made you feel accomplished and/or you felt it was good. Please show us that photo and explain what it was about the image that made you feel that way?

What is your favorite (and/or one of your favorite) photos you have ever taken? I know it will be hard to narrow down! Please show us that photo and explain why you love it so much.

What was the most (and/or one of the most) difficult photo you have taken? Please show us that photo and explain what make it complex/difficult along with any settings you used.

What was one photo that really like BUT you still look at and say something like "It was good...but if I only did XYZ it would have been even better". Please show that photo and explain what is "XYZ" that could have made it even better.

 

I somewhat fell into it about 25-30 years ago. I remember getting a point and shoot camera for Christmas one year that had a repeating flash function that'd create multiple flash exposures in a single frame. I made my wife stand there with a roll of wrapping paper swinging this thing around. None turned out.

Wildlife. It gets me out of the house and if you're patient, they can be very entertaining. My second is dogs.

I don't thing there is anything I'd like to shoot that I haven't. If I had to pick I'd say Northern Lights.

This one is easy; people. Specifically, OCF. The whole light placement thing fascinates me to no end.

I snagged the cover and insert photos of a Purina periodical a couple years ago. It was interesting working with the art director. A first for me. I also have photos for sale at the National Eagle Center gift shop. I had high hopes for that but it's somewhat fizzling out unfortunately.

I'd never be able to find it, it was some time ago. I do know this - it was a Bald Eagle and I distinctly remember as I sat down to edit "There's a card full of good shots here. I'm getting it".

Either of these two because I was COMPLETELY out of my comfort zone. With each and every shot I'd stop, assess what I thought worked and what didn't. My biggest takeaway was this; moving a softbox SIX INCHES has a dramatic effect of the photo. You don't just throw up a light and start shooting. (At least I don't) These are two of my favorites because I WORKED to get them. I remember telling her "How would you feel about dressing up in a bird costume? These'd be a lot better."





1/200 @ f 2.5, 45mm. Yes, she has two different color eyes.




1/200 @ f 2.8, 70mm.




As for birds? This was/is a favorite of mine.

 

Jim, thank you for the contribution but this thread is specifically designed as a Photographer Spotlight. This would be a good opportunity to ask the Photographer in the Spotlight questions about His work.

Thank you for your understanding, Rick

 

Oops…sorry about that. 👍

 

No Worries it is all good my man!

 

This would be a good time for those of you interested to ask Thomas some questions....

 

Lemme get this - She's 42 years old. The bird's age is unknown. Definitely over five.

 

One of the best eagle pics I have ever seen.

What did you say to get him to stick his feathers up like that?

That's not normal is it?

I guess it's a male.

How do you tell the difference?

What are the settings for that pic?

Bright sunlight or overcast?

What's an average amount of time that you plan on sitting when you take bird pics? An hour or 2?

Portrait pics are something I would like to try. But no way would I ask anybody to pose since I'm such a Noob hack.

How did you start doing portraits?

Did you buy the lighting equipment first and practice on inanimate objects before asking someone to pose?

 

Thanks much. PrintCenterUSA used this in their promotional material a couple years ago.

Male. And the only reason I know this is his mate was tending to chicks in the nest. As for how you can tell the difference? It's virtually impossible. Females are typically 1/3 larger than Males but unless you see them side by side or are absolutely sure by watching behavior,(think laying eggs) you're guessing.

I'll be honest I don't know the settings as the RAW files sits on an external drive. I do know this was with my 800mm 5.6L and I typically shoot that lens at 1/1000 @ f / 7.1 for sitting birds. The light was almost perfect. Filtered sunlight.

Two hours minimum. Often more. I can't wait in line at the store for more than 5 minutes without getting antsy but I can wait for a bird for hours.

I did. And I started with one Paul C. Buff AB800 and a shoot through umbrella. One light, one modifier. Everyone is using radio triggers these days but I started out using a sync cord. I can't tell you how much I hate sync cords. It was winter so I was working in a small space, my house. Light was spilling all OVER the place and it drove me nuts. My wife at the time absolutely HATED having her picture taken so she wasn't much help. I ended up purchasing a few styrofoam heads - the kind you see holding wigs. - and using those. I also took a few million shots of my dogs.

I took pictures of EVERYTHING. Model cars, my guitars, the fence in my back yard to see how light was spreading, you name it.





​​​​​​​








​​​​​​​

 

Thomas -- Great stuff! What is OCF?

 

OCF = Off-Camera Flash. In other words a flash not mounted to the hot shoe of a camera. This would include the built in flash on most all point and shoot cameras.

 

Fellow Forum Members...you have an accomplished Photographer in the Spotlight here, ask him some questions about topics/styles/genres/techniques you would like to learn more about

 

I've been curious about your forum avatar. Significance? Did you shoot it?

 

Another follow up question: What was the best and/or worst piece of equipment you ever bought?

 

This is easy - the Canon 7D MK II. I HATED that camera with the fire of a thousand suns.

 

Stunning images!