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Tips from the Pros
Tony L. Corbell
Professional Photographer, Nikon Professional
"If you could share any wisdom to those who are enjoying photography and want to improve their skills, what would that be?"
The first few years of a photographic career truly need to be spent "playing the scales", to steal a venacular from the music world. The basics of light and shadow and mechanics of our equipment will never change. Tools change and technology improves things. But the basics are still as important today as they have ever been. Proper camera technique, exposure (yes, using an actual light meter), rules of composition, all still have a highly regarded place in our profession and always will.
In addition, I cannot express enough the importance of workshops, seminars or other educational opportunities. For many years there was not very much in the way of photographic education, but today there is something going on in almost every city in the nation each week. Opportunities to learn should never be overlooked.
"What is the most valuable advice that you had received and found most useful in your career?"
Keep the passion. Do not let it leave you. Find ways to continually maintain a fascination with the craft of photography. There are times when a bad shoot or experience might turn you off for a while, but get motivated again. I changed from a traditional portrait guy, to a commercial shooter, then to weddings, then back to commercial. It was always fresh and I tried to find ways to stay fired up.
Tony Corbell http://www.corbellproductions.com/
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In the past twenty-five years since beginning his photography career Tony has photographed three U.S. presidents, 185 World Leaders, 65 Nigerian Heads of State, about 550 brides and grooms, a couple of Astronauts and lots of famous and not so famous faces. In his travels he has photographed lions in Africa , sunflower fields in Tuscany , Mayan ruins and street vendors in Mexico and Volleyball players at the Olympics. Along the way Tony has spoken at over 300 seminars and workshops nationally and in Italy, Germany, Canada, England, Ireland, the Philippines, New Zealand and more. He is the recipient of the highest honor from the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International with their Lifetime Achievement Award and achieved the status of Photographic Craftsman from the Professional Photographers of America. In May 2005 Tony was awarded Photographer of the Year by the International Photographic Council, a non-governmental department of the United Nations, at a ceremony at the U.N. In 2006 Tony was invited to be a part of the Camera Craftsmen of America, a group of the top 40 photographers in thr world.
Tony has been linked to photographic lighting and education since his collaboration with Dean Collins in the mid to late 1980’s, which lead to his teaching at Brooks Institute of Photography and the production of over 20 “How-To” videos and DVD ’s. His Basic Studio Lighting book from AmPhoto has been popular worldwide and is the basis for numerous photographic college lighting courses across the U.S. Tony has written articles in every major photographic magazine in the U.S. Japan and China.
Today, Tony is the Senior Manager of Product Education and Planning for Nik Software Inc., located in San Diego, California.
The Digital Image Cafe community thanks Mr. Corbell for sharing his insight and experience with us. |
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