HAPPY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY!

Adam Dall, Senior Visualization and Multimedia Designer

When did you first start photography? What sparked your interest?

I started shooting when I was a teenager. My mom bought me a small 35mm film-based Olympus camera, which I still have. My interest was piqued from a young age. When my aunt would visit our house for the holidays, she always had a super advanced Minolta camera, and I would ask her if I could give it a try. She rarely allowed it.
 

What camera are you currently using?

Canon 7D Mark II and my Samsung S9.
 

What’s your favorite type of picture to take?

These days, I’m mostly taking pics of my kids and my dogs. I’m a big fan of macro shots, but since they are rare opportunities, my favorite photos to shoot are probably forced-perspective praying mantis shots, making them look gigantic!

Do you have any photography tips or tricks for someone who primarily takes photos on their smartphone?

I like to use a camera app that has both focus and exposure adjustments readily available and easy to manipulate. The native camera app on my phone does a pretty decent job, but my favorite third party app is currently Firstlight from the makers of the Filmic Pro video app.
 

What is something you wish you knew when you first started photography? 

Well, things have changed a lot with the digital revolution taking the camera world by storm, but good light makes for good photos. Pay attention to the light. Learn the interrelationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

 

 

Chris Gross, Manager, Information Technology

When did you first start photography? What sparked your interest? 
I really got serious around 2005 when my son was born. I wanted to capture every moment of him, and it just ballooned from there. I learned by reading the manuals, finding tons of information on the internet, and trying to recreate different shots that I liked. Finally practice, practice, practice. 

 

What camera are you currently using?

Currently, I’m shooting with the Nikon D850 DSLR and the Nikon Z7 Mirrorless bodies.
 

What is something you wish you knew when you first started photography? 

When buying your first camera, go and hold them, see how they feel in your hands. Ergonomics are so important. If a camera doesn’t feel good in your hands, then shooting with it will not be enjoyable. It’s very important to understand the three basic elements of photography and their relation – shutter speed, aperture, ISO. Getting a firm grasp on them will open creative doors for you that Automatic mode has barred shut – dare to be different! Most cameras have the same capabilities, it’s all about how well you use them. You can get the same amazing shot with a $500 camera as you can with a $5,000 camera. 

 

 

What’s your favorite type of picture to take?

While I do go through different stages of what types of photos I’m favoring – aviation, landscape, portraits, macro - aviation photos will always have a special place in my heart.

 

Do you have any photography tips or tricks for someone who primarily takes photos on their smartphone?

Don’t be afraid to try creative editing with some apps. PSX is a great and easy to use editor for phones. Remember, the camera has a limited dynamic range compared to the human eye, so sometimes some adjustments are needed to more accurately reflect what you saw.

 

Gerry Hammel, CPESC, Senior Environmental Scientist

When did you first start photography? What sparked your interest?
In my freshman year of college at SUNY Cobleskill, we had a Wildlife Techniques course with a Wildlife Photography component. That certainly piqued my interest and started me down the road of self-taught photography. Photo documenting environmental compliance fieldwork for over 20 years has taught me quite a bit too.
 

What camera are you currently using? 

Canon EOS Rebel T5i and iPhone X.
 

What’s your favorite type of picture to take? 
Landscapes, animals, water, and construction sites.

 

Do you have any photography tips or tricks for someone who primarily takes photos on their smartphone? 
Explore all the editing options on your phone. There are also some useful free apps out there that are pretty impressive. I use an app called Zapya to wirelessly transfer photos I take on my iPhone to my Surface for editing and report prep.
 

What is something you wish you knew when you first started photography?
Don’t be scared to take too many shots and explore your camera settings. Challenge yourself and don’t live on AutoFocus mode!

 

 

Sam Styers, PE, ENV SP, Senior Manager,
Transportation Engineering

When did you first start photography? What sparked your interest?
I primarily started after getting married and traveling with my wife. Before then, I couldn’t afford to “process” too many reels of 35mm. I have mainly learned from simple trial and error, and I’ll occasionally read a magazine or article. 
 

What camera are you currently using? 

Either my iPhone 7 Plus or the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 we bought before our England/Scotland trip last summer (boy, did that thing come in handy). 
 

What’s your favorite type of picture to take? 
My daughters laughing. Outdoor landscapes and anything West Virginia University (take that, John Petulla!) are a close second.  

 

 

Do you have any photography tips or tricks for someone who primarily takes photos on their smartphone? 
For me, my start point on any camera shot is the frame. What am I looking at? What do I want to see in the photograph?  Although I consider myself just a step above novice as far as overall photography skills go, I think I do a very good job at framing the shot.    
 

What is something you wish you knew when you first started photography?
Lighting, shutter speed, and other detailed skills that I still have lots to learn about.

 

 

Jessica Wiggins, Graphic Designer III

When did you first start photography? What sparked your interest?
I took a course in college as part of the graphic design path. I’ve always been interested and wanted to be good at it.

 

What camera are you currently using?
iPhone, mostly in portrait mode.

What’s your favorite type of picture to take?
Candid people/animals/moments, nature, landscapes, portrait of my children, family, interior design, and food. As much as I love vibrant color and natural light, I adore a good black and white photo.

 

 

Do you have any photography tips or tricks for someone who primarily takes photos on their smartphone?
I love using my iPhone, and the portrait mode is a game changer. I try to keep it simple – lighting is probably most important. I love natural, bright light, or the light around sunset. I prefer close-ups with simple backgrounds because too much visual chaos can ruin the shot, in my opinion.

What is something you wish you knew when you first started photography?
Keep it simple and look for the magic in subjects up close, don’t take photos with low light, angles are important, and take multiple photos to get that right shot.