Wayne Howard, photographed by
Margaret Howard
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Wayne Howard | FOCUS | April 2010
You may recognize some of his generous contributions to our site via the dTravel Haunted tours, but for the last 60 years Wayne Howard has followed his passion for photography. Even through mastering other careers and talents, you know Mr. Howard is truly an artist, because his photography is the 'job that's not really a job,' it is pure joy that needs to be shared.
dystopia Magazine: How long have you been a photographer?
I began my photographic experiences at nine years of age – with my mother’s folding Kodak. That’s a total of over 60 years as a “photographer”. During that time, I have worked in chemical darkrooms, supplied photos to various newspapers / news magazines plus held numerous photo shows / exhibits.
Did you go to school to study photography?
In today’s society, if you don’t have a degree, you’re toast. But many of the recognized greats of the art / photo world did NOT have a degree in photography. A classic case is Ansel Adams who studied piano.
So, what did I “study”? Originally, I was to be a classical pianist including audition and admission to the Cincinnati Conservatory of music. Deciding not to follow music, I received an Electrical Engineering degree from the Univ. of Florida. After retiring from aerospace, I was a Certified Financial Planner for 5 years.
We then set out on a multi-year trip of the USA in an RV – photographing as we went. Which brings me back to your question. I do not have a degree in Arts / Photography. However, I have years of hands-on experience and experimentation, research, seminars, and private classes.
You've said that the 'mystery of photography has always fascinated you,' what do you find most elusive about photography? What elements have you recently discovered that bring you closer to your quest?
In the beginning it was simply capturing what I saw. As I matured, I realized it was not enough to capture what I saw – what I wanted was to capture what I felt – and the feeling of the moment. I find – and this is confirmed by fellow photographers – that the emotion of the moment is influenced by feelings of the moment. That is: what was going on around you at the moment of the exposure – the smells – the sounds – the feelings. So the elusive aspect of photography to me – as an artistic expression – is to remove my feelings from the photo exposure and look at the image to see if it captures the feeling of moment. In other words, I want the viewer to experience / feel what I saw the moment the picture was made in the fullest sense, not in the “postcard-I-was-here” moment.
How would you describe your style? Is it influenced by a particular photographer?
It has to be Ansel Adams. As I gain experience / maturity in photography, I am reassured by an observation from someone who knew Adams personally. Paraphrasing his comment: Adams didn’t take great photos – his negatives were blah – but when he was in the darkroom, he knew how to make a photo come alive. I have taken liberties with this quote but that is what I gain from it. Of course, Adams knew and had more experience about photography than I’ll ever hope to know. But I find that if I do my best pushing the shutter on the camera (with a little thought ahead of time), I can do wonderful things on the computer, as he did in his darkroom, to make the photo that I “felt” at the time I took the picture.
Was there anyone, or a moment that inspired or influenced you to express yourself through photography?
During the last 60+ years, I have read every book Ansel Adams wrote, looked at his photos and others of his generation (i.e. Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, Alfred Stieglitz, etc.) plus others of “my” generation. So it is hard to pick a specific moment or person that inspired me. The engineering side of me always wanted to perform the moment of photography to the best of my ability. The artistic side of it occurred later. There have been many – and continue to be many – photographers / artists whose work I admire. These artists challenge and inspire me.
A contemporary photographer – a Canadian, Michael Reichmann – is a current source of ideas. Someone asked him recently if he was repeating / or copying a particular photo, that is a photo based on something Adams, Weston, or someone had taken earlier. His answer was classic: “My photo may be similar to what they did, but it is the first time I have taken this photo – and it is mine”.
What are the early influences that have blended into your unique style?
Adams - worked with a large (8x10) view-camera – and I work with a 35mm (for the most part) – his view of the world remains an inspiration. Where I differ is that I cannot hope to duplicate his craft or his viewpoint or recapture his world 25 years ago. My images are from my travels. There I seek to capture the grand vistas; but I keep an eye out for the odd, the funny, the unique subjects. If I can capture an image that makes me laugh – and makes the viewer laugh –then I have accomplished something.
Adams worked almost solely in black and white. When I worked in the chemical darkroom, I found black and white was the easiest for me (not easy, just easier than color). It came as a surprise that working with a computer / digital images, color was a slam-dunk, and black and white was more challenging.
So even though the black and white works of Adams and Weston influenced my view of world, today’s technology pushes me towards the color view. I have discovered that most viewers have a “purist” belief in black and white, when they buy it is almost always the color shot. Color grabs you.
But it is important to recognize that there are two (at least) views of the digital photographic world: those that want to recreate what they saw (including the feelings / emotions of the moment) and those that want to create an artificial view of what they saw – using Photoshop ant the assorted tools / techniques.
What do you believe produces a great photograph?
That’s easy – a great photograph grabs the viewer and makes him/her want to stop and look at it in detail. A photograph that exaggerates aspects of the object – be it color / contrast / scale or anything that could be considered beyond “normal” – soon grows old. At least I have found it so. Possibly the single feature of a “great” photograph is one never tires of seeing it – in fact, living with it day after day, week after month, etc. Years later, the great photograph continues to capture one’s attention – one’s desire to study it in detail.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Deciding which photos are worth publishing / exhibiting. With the advent of digital photography, it is easy to accumulate thousands of photos. As an example, I currently have over 15,000 photos on my hard disk drives. When one includes the various editing trials, the number grows almost exponentially.
What’s tough is that every photo is my “child”. People are surprised when I can tell them exactly where every photo was taken, the circumstances around the photo, why I took it, and how I felt at the moment; often years later – deciding to permanently delete a particular photo, is difficult because those photos I had dismissed can suddenly take on new life by applying a new technique.
Even deciding to choose a particular photo, one has to assess the size of the print, aspect ratio, presentation (color or Black and white), subject emphasis, potential customers, gallery show place, etc. it is almost enough to render one immobile.
What is your favorite subject of photography?
Nature – as I find it – is far and away the most interesting and rewarding. People are interesting but unless you’re doing portrait or wedding work, photos of people are not “sellable”. Plus it is much more difficult to work with a person at a photo shoot that it is a mountain range! Architecture is a unique field subject primarily to commercial photo jobs – plus generally requires specialized equipment.
The first photographer that comes to your mind and why?
Adams. As a landscape photographer with great skills in capturing the feeling of the moment and implementing with his craft in the darkroom, no one comes close. This of course is based on my love of landscape photography. There are photographers that capture people (for example) with much more flair than Adams could ever.
Do you have any favorite photos you have taken recently?
As my skills progress – and this is an on-going process as the computer software world evolves – my view of “favorite photos” changes. Not because of the subject or my technique at the moment of photo capture, but because of how I can interpret them given the new tools (and my skills) available.
There are of course a number of favorites – not necessarily recent – that I come back to. Most are hanging in our house (thanks to my wife’s talent at interior decorating – and a willingness to hang my work in lieu of more “classical” art).
Frequently, my “favorite” photo(s) are ones taken recently with from a new perspective and even a new subject. For example, we were in St. Petersburg, FL for a photo show. While walking around in the early morning (in my wife’s early stomping grounds), I took some shots of a bridge and another of a window. Doesn’t sound exciting – but the early morning light gave these a whole new feeling. On a trip to South Florida last year, I shot a restaurant advertising sign. Again, doesn’t sound too exciting. But recently I found a new technique – isolating the sign and blurring the background with a specialized plug-in. These “new” photos are my current favorites (and my wife’s). Copies of these are shown below – recognizing that a print is much more impressive than the computer screen.
 A “straight” shot of the bridge to Snell Isle, FL. in the early morning
light.
A shot of the same bridge to Snell Isle, FL but “Monet’d” with digital
tools.
I enjoyed working in the Rapid City, SD region of the US. I wish I could spend a summer there; touring not only the Badlands, but the Black Hills, and the prairie. But many of my successful photos are in the Canadian Rockies. One could spend many seasons in the Rockies and never duplicate a shot.
How many events do you average per year?
I am not into street fairs. I know too many artists that do every street fair in the state and are frazzled by year’s end. That, combined with the weather elements, makes it unattractive. My goal is to locate a fixed-site gallery with sufficient visitors to give my photos appropriate visibility. With the Internet, I hope to reach a more wide-spread audience.
What type of cameras do you shoot with?
This continues to be a frequent question at shows. I take perverse pleasure in informing the questioner that one of the photos in the show was taken with a cell phone camera (since I didn’t have a “real” camera with me). So far, no one has been able to pick it out.
But in general, most photos today are with Canon SLR’s. I have used 4x5 view cameras, twin-lens’ reflex, 6x9 SLRs, and point-and-shoots. I find that the camera used is not what makes the picture – it’s what is – or was – in front of the camera as seen by the person looking through the viewfinder.
What is your favorite camera at this time, or the camera you use most often today?
At the moment, I am using a Canon EOS 5D with a 24-105mm lens and a Canon G-9 point and shoot. The repertoire is flexible and open to change as new tools come.
What is your favorite photography accessory? What does it add to the vision of your photography?
Although you were probably thinking about photo equipment hardware with that question, the most important accessory to my photography is my computer – running Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. While I try to take the best photo (camera settings, lens, focus, angle / position , available light of day, and cropping), many things that make a great photo even better occur in the computer. A lot of though goes into the final image.
When it comes to making prints, I continued to be frustrated - the engineer in me - trying to get what I saw on the computer screen to match what came out of the printer. Finally a wise photographer called me to task, saying, “You’ll never get it right unless you calibrate your monitor and printer.” I had dragged my feet on doing this (even though I thought he was probably right) because of the seemingly high cost of the calibration equipment. By the time I bit the bullet, the prices had come down enough that I could “justify” purchase. Boy was I wrong; wrong that I waited so long to do this. Once everything was calibrated, I knew that what I saw on the screen was what was going to come out of the printer.
(As a footnote to this – to reinforce how important this aspect is – several weeks ago, I tried taking a shortcut to save time. I told the computer to print some photos using the “standard” settings for the printer model and the printer paper (as suggested by the printer manufacturer). After trying for several prints and throwing them disgustedly in the trash, I realized the shortcut was wasting my time and money. So I went back to my calibration standards, took the time to do it right, and all was right with the world. ‘Nuff said!)
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
That question is almost impossible to answer because every subject dictates its own requirements. Lens selection is only one of many variables involved and this is why the zoom lens has become so popular. I leave the Canon 24-105mm zoom on the camera all the time because of its versatility, – from the reasonably wide angle to a modest telephoto. When I need a little more “reach” than the 105mm gives, I can crop in the computer giving a decent approximation of a 200mm lens.
In the earlier days of photography, I carried a wide assortment of lens. My wife can attest to this since she often carried the camera bag with the lens and other accessories. But I was reluctant to change lens as often as I or should have - worrying about dust and contamination. A multi-purpose zoom lens solves all of these difficulties. And other than unique properties of a given lens (such as larger aperture, a longer or wider view, and generally sharper qualities), there generally is no need for multiple, separate fixed lenses. Having said all this, it explains why you see many professional photographers carrying multiple cameras with different lenses. It avoids the hassle of changing lenses (plus provides a back-up in case of failure.)
What is your favorite computer/editing accessory, other than your computer?
The biggest challenge for photographers has always been winnowing out the best or most effective photo from all the shots taken. With advent of digital photography, this has become an even more burdensome task. It is so too easy to push the shutter release over and over in hopes of capturing the “right” shot. At the end of the day, one ends up with hundreds, if not thousands, of images that must be reviewed to find the “right” shot(s). In the old days with film, one made contact sheets. The challenge then became assessing the shots while examining a 1 x 1 ½ inch stamp size print with a eyepiece (along with 29 others on however many contact.
Today it is easier to simply click to quickly preview the batch. That still does not relieve the photographer of choosing the “right” shots. One of my current favorite photographer / writer (Michael Reichmann – The Luminous-Landscape.com) has written about his photo expeditions – to Africa, to Antarctica, Iceland and to Death Valley. In a 10-day trip he will return home with over 2,000 images. He then must look at every one and decide which ones to keep; a daunting task. Out of these 2,000 images, he feels fortunate if 5 or 6 are “keepers”.
Since I began shooting digital in 2001 – I have amassed over 19,369 photos. (The computer gives me the totals!) And that doesn’t count the many shots that were thrown out for obvious technical flaws!
What is your most used Photoshop tool, plug-in, action set, or do you use them at all?
My goal in photography is to capture and present the highest degree of realism possible given the limitations of the medium. Thus there are many aspects of Photoshop that I never use because they are aimed at the “creative” aspects of making something out of a photo that doesn’t exist.
As part of the my on-going quest for knowledge, I attend as many Photoshop seminars as possible, read as many books on the subject as possible, and constant surf the web reading other folks thoughts and ideas on photo processing. After almost nine years of computer photo processing, I feel I have narrowed down the useful tools and rather than look for new ones, I continue to refine and polish those I have already identified.
So back to your question. What is the most useful? Although not technically a part of Photoshop, Adobe launched a new program adjunct to Photoshop called Lightroom. Lightroom has become my standard processing tool of choice. In addition to creating a fantastic database of all photos including keywording, photo grading (by creating a personal grading scale?), metadata searches / key sorts, it also provides 90% of the editing tools that I need . Some of these tools are present in Photoshop, but are more difficult to access and use.
Photoshop History Brush, Curves, and Layers are useful - but I have found it is easy to over-edit, rendering the image an “artificial” look. In fact, I will often go back to an old favorite and erase all the processing and start over using the tools and knowledge I now have (that I didn’t have initially). Another reason for revisiting the “old” photos, is Adobe continues to bring out new versions of Photoshop. Just this morning (April 13, 2010), I reviewed the newest tools in Photoshop CS5. I’m inspired to go back to my old photos and start over with the new tools! Will it never end?
Recent digital innovations that intrigue me are:
- Helicon Focus where one shoots a series of photos of one subject, focusing the camera on different distances. The program then combines these multiple shots giving the effect of almost infinite depth-of-field. But when it works, it is the next best thing to a giant view camera, tripod, and a small aperture lens.
- Enlarging the photo beyond the “norm”. If you’re going for a really big print – 20 x 30 and larger, there are a second-party software developers such as Genuine Fractals and Alien Skin that do a better job than Photoshop alone.
- Alien Skin Software has two plug-ins called BOKEH and Snap Art #2. I am still trying these out, but so far I am impressed with the things I can do to emphasize the quality and yes, marketability of my prints. (I have to admit that Snap Art #2 violates one of my rules of presenting the highest quality image possible since this plug-in really modifies the picture. But some of their effects are quite pleasing in an artsy-fartsy way. The jury is still out for me on this one.)
How important is Photoshop (post processing) in your final images?
Until the introduction of Lightroom, Photoshop was the single most important tool for digital photography. And because many of the Lightroom tools are derived from Photoshop, I would say Photoshop continues to be the most important factor for producing a great photo print. I have tried various plug-ins and second-party software tools, but most are expensive and actually redundant to what’s already available in Photoshop. Some actually are destructive in the processing and are best avoided.
Are you a Mac or PC lover?
I have had both. I started my computer life in 1979 with an Apple II. Between my previous careers in the aerospace industry and financial planning, I have used almost every personal computer marketed. There used to be an industry truism: don’t pick a computer based on the reviews or hardware sex-appeal; decide what you want to accomplish, find the software, and then choose the hardware to run that software. That was an unshakable truth for many years. Today the MAC’s can run PC software pretty well so it is no longer the deciding point it once was.
MAC’s are expensive – dollar for dollar more than a PC given comparable capabilities. When I was in the aerospace biz, it was mandated that we use PC’s. When in the financial biz, the software I needed was only available in PC’s. So it was a no brainer.
In 2004, I purchased a MAC laptop to carry on our travels (to Italy, Alaska, etc) because it was light and small. It gave me the capability to transfer my digital files to the MAC hard disk, review the photos on a large(r) screen. But it did not have the capability to do serious photo editing.
When I realized I was really, really serious about photo editing, I did a lot of soul-searching and research on the pros and cons of MAC’s vs PC’s. Everything I read said that for a specific application – such as Photoshop (which was my application of choice) – there wasn’t any difference.
So I stuck with a PC and upgraded to a faster processor, better monitor and printer. Still cheaper than a MAC. And I am happy with my choice.
What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?
Back in the days of film, a favorite camera was the 6x9 Mamiya RB67. It was big and heavy. But one composed the picture by looking down onto a screen that was, by today’s standards, huge – roughly 3 ½ inches square. It was easy to compose the shot And I could imagine what the final image. Plus the larger negative size made for better quality enlargements (in my chemical darkroom),
I miss that viewing / composition tool. If I won the lottery, I would try to find a medium format digital camera with that type of viewing / composition system. There are digital backs made for cameras like the RB67, but they typically run in the$25,000 range (and up) and that’s just for the back. The camera and lenses would be much, much more. So I wait for the winning numbers!
What’s the best part of being a photographer?
Seeing and experiencing the beauty / awe of nature and the amusing sights around us – and capturing it to share with others.
How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?
When we traveling around in an RV, it was easy to be motivated every day by the new and fascinating sights we saw. Back home, it is harder to generate the juices. I still find that going out and walking around with a camera without expectations, is when I generally have the best luck.
Trying out new equipment and/or new Photoshop tools on old photos is always motivating. In fact, looking at an old photo that didn’t quite work out as I intended inspires me to go back and reshoot and correct what I meant to capture the first time out.
What has been your most memorable assignment and why?
I was the photographer for the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival for four years. Shots included performances and event artists. These were published in Jacksonville Magazine, The Islander, Rivers’ Edge Magazine, Folio, Jacksonville Times-Union, Southern Living, and as festival poster, programs, and publicity photos. It was intense! I sometimes try to make up assignments to give a focus (another pun intended). But in general, since I work for no one but myself which explains why I am such a task master.
Where would be your dream destination session?
The Canadian Rockies - I could spend months there and never exhaust the opportunities.
The area around Rapid City, South Dakota, is fascinating, perhaps because it was so different from any other place I’ve been. The prairie, the Badlands, the Black Hills, and the small towns and rural surroundings scream to be photographed over and over; particularly during different times of the day and year.
This last aspect – different time of the day and year – is the greatest challenge to photograph while traveling. You just don’t spend enough time in one place to explore all the possibilities. Which is why I wish I could return to several places and spend the summer / (spring / fall). And in case you’re wondering, I’ll take a pass on winter – I’m a fair-weather photographer!
Who or what currently inspires you in your personal life and work?
My companion and constant critic / supporter: Margaret, #1 wife
A website and/or blog you visit often?
Michael Reichmann - I visit The Luminous-Landscape every day. He and guest authors cover everything from equipment to tools to philosophy. I find something useful almost every visit.
A photographer who inspires you?
Adams continues to be my model of great photographers – at least when photographing the outdoors. Other photographers do great jobs in nature, but I think they too, are secretly trying to emulate Adams.
The last workshop or seminar you attended and why?
A Jon Coyne seminar in E. Topsham, Vermont (try and find it in your Atlas!) on fine art black and white printing. The instructor was Larry Danque. It was a 5-day class / 8-hours a day. That’s a 40 hour class. When it was over I had over 40 new ideas / techniques I could use. And no, it wasn’t actually limited to black and white although the prints I made that week were all black & white (two of them are hanging in our living room right now.
Do you offer workshops?
I do not. I have done some private tutoring and am thinking about teaching at a local community college but haven’t made time to do that yet.
What's one way you market your business?
In addition to my web-site – www.aMUSEingJourneys.com – my marketing has been limited to local shows (in Fernandina Beach, St. Petersburg , and Largo – Florida) and hanging art in three different local galleries.
If not a photographer you would have been?
I have been – electrical engineer for 35 years; a Certified Financial Planner for 5 years.
As I’ve said, my initially career orientation was to become a classical concert pianist.
Photographer? Well, I am that now.
Do you make time for personal photographic work? If so, what do you enjoy photographing and do you have a few images you can share with us?
All of my photography is personal. I just like sharing with friends – and everyone who likes my photography is my friend (laughs)
A quick visit to my web-site will give you a quick view of my work. Unfortunately, I am lax in not having updated it regularly. A thing-to-do for me!
If you could be invisible for one day with your camera…
There are several factories, plants, and ship-yards in the Jacksonville area I’d like to spend time photographing. But several are high-security areas and all are dangerous to be wondering around in. So I’d really have to be invisible!
Is there anybody, living or dead you would love to capture on film and why?
No, because I have never been a good “people” photographer. Yes, I’ve had a couple of lucky shots that are memorable, but I’d never want to make a living doing portraits (or weddings – been there ; done that; don’t have to do it again!)
What advice do you have for photographers just starting out?
Shoot daily; shoot often (digital photography has taken the expense out of shooting a lot); and finally – for every shot, take 5 shots: the first one, then one step forward, another one step back, another one step left, and finally, one step right. (I wish I’d heard this advice earlier in life. But it was another tid-bit picked up in Vermont – in 2008 – by the instructor Larry Danque (now in Orlando, FL) So often when I look at a photo, I wish I’d moved up / back / or sideways just a little.
Then look at your photos. Be critical. Look at great photos – and ask, What’s different between theirs and mine? Throw out what doesn’t work . Edit yourself.
Photography is constantly evolving. What do you think will be the biggest difference between photography now and in 5 years time?
Software such as Photoshop will continue to evolve and get better with more capabilities. Equipment (cameras et.al.) will get cheaper and better (Moore’s Law at work). But the basics in what makes a great photo – won’t change a bit.
What talent would you most like to have?
The ability to make people comfortable when a camera is pointed at them. There are some great people photographers in the world. They all share the ability to work with strangers and capture the inner essence.
Something you’re still learning?
I learn something new every day; every time I open Photoshop / Lightroom; every time I pick up a camera and push the shutter – it’s a new, learning experience for me.
Your favorite film (movie) of all time?
I don’t really have a favorite of all time. My taste changes as I go through life. Things I thought were great ten years ago, aren’t interesting to me today. I do have a number of movies I watch over and over – when we traveled, we carried about 30 DVD’s which we watched when there was no TV (which was most of the time). But there is no single one I want to take that deserted island.
Three things that describe you.
I have an open mind.
I like to be fair to everyone in all dealings / relationships.
I enjoy seeing the humor and beauty in the world around me.
Our readers can find out more about you...
My web-site is www.WayneHowardPhotography.com.
But unfortunately (or fortunately), your readers won’t learn much about me from my web-site. It exists solely as a vehicle to show my photos – and even then it barely scratches the surface. If there are questions or even just comments, they can contact me at waynebh1@comcast.net.
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