Photographer Spotlight: Alexander Mustard

This week's photographer spotlight highlights the work of Alexander Mustard.

Like Nicholas Samaras of last week, Alexander Mustard is an underwater photographer.

Mustard is one of two underwater photographers that Samaras mentioned by name as artists he admires.

So I decided to check out his work as well!

Alexander Mustard originally trained and worked as a marine biologist, but as of 2004, he works as a full time underwater photographer and author.

His work has been published in a number of magazines, website and books, and been featured in numerous galleries, and claims the title of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

 I really enjoy his images that are taken half above and half below the water. I think those are really unique and very cool!

To see more of Alexander Mustard's work, check out his website:

http://www.amustard.com/

Visiting Photographer Spotlight: Virginia Harold

Earlier this week, my digital photography class got the opportunity to listen to another local photographer. 

Her name was Virginia Harold.

Virginia Harold told us about her experiences in the photography business. She also shared some of her work with us, and expressed the importance of networking and its impact on success.

I found her to be an inspiration. We graduated from the same high school and both attended the same community college. Her stories showed me that I too could still find a way to do something that I'll love.

 

She does a lot of beautiful work and she photographs subjects that she find interesting. 

I think in the end, that's one of the keys to making good images.

 

To learn more or to check out more of Virgina Harold's work...

visit her website: http://virginiaharold.zenfolio.com/

or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-Harold-Photographer/121950651325726

Photographer Spotlight: Nicholas Samaras

This week's photographer spotlight focuses on the work of Nicholas Samaras.

  

Nicholas is an underwater photographer from Thessaloniki, Greece.

His underwater portfolio includes images of flora, fauna, fish portraits, divers, and even wrecks.

 

I love underwater photography because of the challenge it presents. 

It's different than shooting on land and I think Samaras is able to get some really great results.

He seems to have a great understanding of light and form.

To check out more of Nicholas Samaras's work, visit his website:

 http://www.underwater-photography.gr/#/photo-sets/

or his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas.Samaras.UWPhotography

Photographer Spotlight: James Marvin Phelps

This week's photographer spotlight features the work of James Marvin Phelps.

"Vigilant"

James Marvin Phelps is a published landscape and wildlife photographer. 

"Canyon Playground"                                                                                   "Plains Bison"

"Cabin View"                                                                                   "Sunset on the Wave"

His images have been published in a wide variety of magazines, featured on websites, and even sold in national park gift shops!

"Elephant Rock Morning Glow"                                                            "Transcendental"

Based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, Phelps shoots a lot of his work in the American Southwest.

"Photon Racing"

"Fire Wave Sunset"

His landscape shots are stunning!

"A Little Closer to Heaven"

For more work by James Marvin Phelps or to learn more about him, check out his website:

http://www.jamesmarvinphelps.com/

Photographer Spotlight: George Wheelhouse

This week's photographer spotlight highlights the work of George Wheelhouse.

"Medicine Lake - Again"

George Wheelhouse is a British photographer with several focuses. His subjects generally fall into three genres, which he identifies as fine art nature, wildlife, and landscapes.

"Bluebell Cathedral"                                                                       "Fawn in the Ferns"

Wheelhouse seems to do a lot of black and white and low key work. I find these to be some of the most interesting photographs. His use of shadows and contrast against black or dark backgrounds really aids in creating a dramatic effect.

"Highland Cattle Portrait - On Black"                                                       "Deer on Black"

"Pelican on Black"

"Bald Eagle - Black, White, and Yellow"

The black and whites below are amongst my favorites.
I love how Wheelhouse offsets the black and white rabbit by adding color to the eye.

"Havergate Hare"

"Too Close for Comfort"                                                                 "Muddy Wellies"

Wheelhouse does a little bit of macro photography every now and then.
Here are a few examples of his fine art macro work with flowers.

"Fushia on Black"                                                                "Garden Flower"

"Fushia Reflection"

I think Wheelhouse does beautiful work with color. The flower photo above is one example of his fine art work with color, but his wildlife photography also feature amazing color from natural light.

"Sunset Swan - Eye Contact"                                                               "Swan Lake (Portait)"

"Lambs - Dueling at Sundown"

"Silka Deer Sunrise"                                                                "Red Deer - Sunrise Among Ferns"

As we've seen in Wheelhouses photography, light, especially from the sun in the morning and evening, can do wonders on creating beautiful photographs.

For more work from George Wheelhouse, check out his website:

http://www.georgewheelhouse.com/

and his Flickr Photostream:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/old-man-george/