I'm Dave Strong
Hi!
50 years ago I picked up my first 35mm camera--a Nikon Model F. It was a gift from my great uncle and aunt, Homer and Cecille, who had retired to Dunsmuir, California. I was 17 years old. What a remarkable gift! I remember the substantial weight of the camera and the rich leather smell of the carrying case. It came with three lenses: 35 mm, 50 mm, and 135 mm. I didn't know it at the time but I had in my hands the perfect tools for learning photography.
Photography literally means "drawing with light". That's good because I struggle to draw anything of note with a paint brush! I've tried. They say you don't take a picture, you create a photograph. I see this creative process as a two-pronged challenge. First, the photographer needs to employ an artist's sensibilities in assembling a pleasing and balanced composition. Second, the photographer has to think like a technician by fully understanding the capabilities and limitations of a complex instrument. Brain science would say that these two task use completely opposite sides of the brain. Probably true, but that is the wonderful challenge of photography! Fifty years and counting I am still working to master the art of photography.
For most of my life, photography was a hobby--a reason to travel and spend hours immersed in beautiful landscapes. It wasn't until about 20 years ago that I got serious about photography. I began taking workshops and classes. There are a wealth of resources and expert guidance available to you. I highly recommend the hands-on courses offered by outfits like Santa Fe Workshops. Their courses are taught by photographers with world-renowned credentials. To formalize my photography education, in 2017, I completed the Certificate in Photography through UCLA Extension. The rigors of the UCLA program gave me a greater depth and breadth of understanding of the art and science of photography.
This website serves as a progress report of sorts on my photographic journeys. I hope my photographs and discussions will inspire you to delve further into the world of photography. I welcome any questions or comments (see Contact Me section).
Goodbye for now. Have fun creating your own photographic masterpieces.