Steve and I met in 1982, in my freshman year of high school. We quickly became the best of friends and spent many memorable times together those four years.
From 1982-86 Steve and I hung out a lot together. There were no cell phones, no Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. so we went to each other’s house and had conversations. One particular activity was going to the local mall and ‘cruising’ for girls. For Steve, it was the dark, tight Jordache jeans, readily available comb in the back pocket and Polo cologne. We walked to the mall and back, rarely spent much money unless it was on video games and never got into mischief.
We stayed at each other’s houses and attended the same functions (high-school football games and mixers). I can remember Steve had cable we didn’t so there were many nights when a well-placed knife in the side of the cable box would allow us access to the movie channels.
After high-school Steve and I went our separate ways and he even moved to Florida (where he currently resides). Eventually, over time we reconnected and found a similar love of photography. As you will see below I convinced him to switch to Fuji, and am currently trying to teach him what I know about the camera specifics and basics of taking shots. We don’t have very similar interests and shooting styles, but I am trying to assist as best I can.
Steve has a few social media accounts but does not post much on there. He offered up his Instagram account below. I am hoping to see more of his work on there in the future and advise you as always to check his account out.
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sbarnold105/
Which is your favorite lens? – I like to shoot with my 70-300mm Nikon FX Lens. I want to invest in a 55-140 Fuji XF 2.8 but have not done so at this time. The reason I like this lens is the range, my style shooting is typically close up and not wide-angle. I am finding comfort in the 18-55 Fuji XF lens, it is working well for me.
What is your favorite style of shooting? – I like to shoot action. Birds, animals, people, and amusement rides seem to be on the top of my list.
Among the gadgets that you own, is there something that you wish you hadn’t bought? – I have a bunch of gadgets I bought when I started photography. Among them are two drones, stabilizers, and various other items. The stabilizers are for phones and I find they do not come out of their case very often (not used in over 10 months). The drones I use to play use, but my neighborhood banned drones with cameras and it just became a hassle to find a place to fly.
How do you educate yourself to take better pictures? – Trial and Error, don’t we all. When I started using Nikon, I watched hundreds of YouTube Videos, researched online and just Trial and Error. When a friend suggested I give Fuji X-T2 a try, I was lucky he mentored me for the last six months. The mentoring hasn’t stopped, just slowed down, I understand the camera but my skill in composition and shooting is a work in progress.
Whose work has influenced you most? – I do not have anyone whose work influenced me. There are several people whose work I enjoy, most are unknown names found on Flickr, ViewBug, and Instagram. I find it difficult to tell a True Shot VS Post Shot Doctored. Many shots impressed me until I saw the workflow to make the shot in Photoshop.
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos? – How much fun it could be and how challenging. I am awaiting a Heart Transplant, so my options for activities are limited. My doctor suggested Photography and Bird Watching, Me a Bird Watcher? After a couple of trips out, I found comfort in capturing a moment. I also wish I had gotten into Stock Photography but I thought it was only an option for professionals and required skills I did not possess.
Until next time,
Tim
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