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Hello from Whidbey Island, WA, USA! I’m a fine-art photographer and long-time fan of Scott Kelby. I became a fine-art photographer because it allows me to follow my interests and passions down pretty much any rabbit hole. I’m particularly passionate about alternative and historical processes and combining those processes into modern workflows. In addition to being a photographer, I am a core faculty member at the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle. I teach all sorts of classes on black and white film, Photoshop and Lightroom, Visual Literacy, and alternative and historical processes.

When Brad reached out to me about guest blogging, I spent several days thinking about what to write. At first I thought about sharing some great Photoshop techniques for editing or printing, but then I thought about how this is Scott’s blog and what could I possibly share that’s new? Scott has literally written tons of books about Photoshop, Lightroom, and Photography. Then I thought about walking through one of my shoots and post-processing processes. But again, those thoughts of self doubt crept in. So now I sit staring at a blank screen unable to shut off the voice inside my head telling me that I don’t have anything unique and important to say.

I have a love/hate/more hate relationship with that voice of self doubt. Truth be told, I find it to be a demon. And while there is some comfort in my belief that everyone has that demon-within voice, that knowledge alone doesn’t help me deal with it. Sure, at times it keeps me safe: sometimes making sure I don’t do something dumb, crazy, or too far outside the lines. In some cases, that voice is really valuable. It keeps me from jumping from a second-floor deck into the pool after a few margaritas (mostly not a true story). But for the creative soul, risk and outside the lines are what life is all about. (more…)

There’s something about an image that captures a moment at its peak. Whether it’s the perfect expression, an event never to be repeated, or in my case, a gallon of milk thrown through the air, a photographer’s job is to capture that perfect moment. I recently shot a billboard campaign for a milk company in which I was tasked with creating four images that captured important moments in a person’s life.

Each image featured milk splashes, which are an incredible challenge to capture. While I primarily use Westcott gear, when capturing action I turn to my Broncolor Scoro pack with two strip boxes on each side of the subject fairly close in. The Scoro pack allows me to shoot with a T1 flash duration of 8,000/sec., which I have found is the sweet spot for capturing perfectly sharp splashes.