by Skip Cohen

​I grew up with a handful of my Dad's grainy, underexposed, silent movies, which later were replaced with hundreds of Ektachrome slides. While I laugh about all his clicks of the shutter, family slide night was always a kick. Those slides and the movies captured memory-making moments that are priceless.

Technology never slows down, and today, all of you have the ability to become filmmakers. It's right there at your fingertips, and thanks to companies like Tamron, you've got optics that bring top-notch quality to the table. Well, it's Tamron Tuesday, and I grabbed two completely different videos from Tamron's YouTube channel. Both were captured with Tamron's new ultra-wide angle 17-50mm lens.

Charley Voorhis is no stranger to SCU; I've featured a number of his videos. If you're at a convention where he's teaching/speaking, make it a point to introduce yourself. I don't know @AUXOUT, the artist featured in the second video, but I like the way he toured Seoul and the mix of still images with the new lens.

They're both relatively short but don't just watch them for the content, but the style and technique of each artist. Then, think about your style and what skills you need to raise the bar on the quality of your own video work. From a personal marketing video to video holiday cards for your clients to ongoing components in the services you offer - you need to understand the art of storytelling as a filmmaker.

For those of you headed to IUSA, WPPI, or dozens of regional, state, and local conferences next year, take a few classes that relate to filmmaking. Everyone has the technology, but not necessarily the skillset. You need to grow this aspect of the craft just like you did with still-imaging. 

Remember, growth only happens outside your comfort zone!

by Skip Cohen

Since Tamron Recipes started, the analogy between great chefs and photographers has never slowed down on being appropriate. And, just like fine chefs have specialties in different cuisines, so do artists. Today, we're headed in a different direction from many of our past guests.

Chef Mike Moats joins us for this month, and he's sharing one of my favorite cuisines - macro/closeup. With each image he captures and shares, Mike's passion for the craft takes us beyond just an interesting photograph - he's all about fine art, storytelling, and sharing a look at a part of the world most of us walk by.
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The name of his company/website, Tiny Landscapes, says it all. Put a camera in his hands and his favorite Tamron lens, and he'll take you on a journey into a world you missed...because you didn't look close enough!
 
I first "met" Mike many years ago through Tamron's Image Master program. He's no stranger to sharing his work here at SCU. But even more impressive than his images is his love for the craft and education.

In today's short podcast, Mike talks about his favorite Tamron lenses, the Tamron 18-400 mm with his Nikon and the 18-300mm with his Fuji X-T30. While many artists might not think about this focal length for closeup work, Mike explains how Tamron's technology has given him the best tool for the images he loves most to capture.

From online support to his live workshops throughout the year, Mike never slows down on helping photographers raise the bar on the quality of their work. His Macro Photo Club may be one of the best educational investments with a minimal one-time cost to join for a lifetime membership and access to over 270 helpful videos. Click on any of Mike's three images featured in this month's post to visit his website. And make sure you check out his galleries.

by Skip Cohen

As I've written so many times before, each Tamron Recipe not only introduces another artist, but the analogy between great chefs and photographers keeps coming through, loud and clear. And like great chefs, their passion for the craft is unstoppable.

Chef Kip Jackson joins us this month. I met Kip for the first time on a phone call a few weeks ago. He's one of those people you talk to and immediately feel like you've known him for years. His love for imaging couldn't be more intense as he talked about each image and then his growth into filmmaking. 

Based out of Syracuse, NY, his specialty is storytelling with his images. In fact, that point is so well made with the first image in today's post.

When he sent it to me, I really was concerned. I didn't like the exposure and the feeling like the subject was too dark. Just before the podcast I asked him about it - the client was a musician and wanted to be in the shadows. And when Kip tells the story about the image on the short podcast, it makes so much sense.

​Taking his love for the craft, one step further, check out his tagline here on the right. "Start Somewhere" so fits his outlook on imaging, creativity and goal to keep growing as an artist. Kip walks the talk!

In the interview Kip explained one aspect of his name, Knowledge Is Power. As he talked about his growing skillset and learning everything he can about each aspect of still photography and video production, it became obvious that he never slows down on his education. He applies that same enthusiasm to teaching and sharing his work.

Kip is always sharing helpful content and needs to be on your radar. Click on any of his three images to link to his website. Check out his YouTube channel - it's jam-packed with great content. Follow him on Instagram too!

Early this year Kip did a review of Tamron's 35-150mm lens, one of his most favorite. If you watch the video below, you'll get a feel for his passion for the craft as well as his feelings about this remarkable lens.

Tamron never slows down on raising the bar on the quality of their products. Today they manufacture some of the very finest glass in imaging. Check out their newest rebate program for the Fall with a click on the banner below!

by Skip Cohen

Several times, I've written about my favorite thing about this industry. It's not about imaging directly, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. 

Chef Alex Cearns joins us this month. Alex and I first met through a Tamron Recipes feature in 2019. It was great to catch up to her for this new episode. She's an artist, author, educator, and friend to so many artists in this industry.

She's a leader in her niche and is the recipient of 350+ awards for her photography, business, and philanthropy, including an Order of Australia medal in 2019 for services to animal charities through photography. Based out of Perth, Australia, she's also a talented "chef" with a love for wildlife. And that analogy between great chefs and photographers couldn't be more appropriate with Alex.

Her favorite cuisine is, without question, critters. And on a recent trip to the Serengeti, she spent some time focusing on eyes. There's very little more powerful than an animal looking right down your lens barrel.

We've all heard that expression, "The eyes are the gateway to the soul." I went looking to who gets credit for the quote and found Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, the philosopher Cicero and even the bible, according to Google. In each image, from the killer eyelashes on the giraffe to the two cubs feeding, you can feel the spirit of the animals. And in the case of the two cubs, Alex wrote:

My aim when photographing animals is always to try to get an image of a subject people are familiar with, and to capture it in a fresh and unique way which hasn’t been seen before – or in a once in a lifetime way if I’m lucky! It’s not easy to do as I can only ever work with what’s happening in front of me, and then if something does kick off I have to be ready for it, which is where skills and fast camera and lens combinations come in.

They were amongst a group of 18 lions feeding and found their best meal time vantage point when they crawled into the middle of it and began to feed. I was photographing from our jeep, slightly elevated from my subjects, and was able to zoom in and fill the frame with the carcass. It’s a glimpse into the brutality of mother nature and there’s a juxtaposition in this image between the cute feeding cubs and their graphic meaty cocoon.

Alex needs to be on your radar. Click on any of her images featured in this post to link to her website, but don't stop there. Remember, she's also a sought after educator - after years of mentoring and coaching other photographers, she launched Black Cat Consulting and released her now sought after "Business Acceleration Program for Pet Photographers."  You'll also enjoy her Facebook and Instagram posts. She's always sharing great images and information.

​by Skip Cohen

Of all the projects I've been involved in throughout my career, Tamron Recipes has become one of the most fun. What's made it so much fun has been meeting great photographers, seeing some spectacular work, and getting to know each artist.

The analogy of comparing them to fine chefs, each with a unique cuisine, redefines each artist's creativity. And just like your favorite restaurant, their entrees are exceptional.

Chef Nick Irwin joins us this month. 
I met Nick for the first time on a phone call in 2021. I could feel his love for photography in everything we talked about. His passion for the craft is definitely in landscape and fine art.

On his website, he wrote:

As I embrace photography and choose to go to places that inspire me, I strive to take photos that make you part of my picture. I want the image to make you feel as if you are actually walking into that space with me. The goal of my art is to not only show my audience that I dream in reality but, more importantly, that they can too. 

Ingredients
Camera: Sony a7R II

​I featured three of Nick's images using two different Tamron lenses, the Tamron 28-200mm and the 28-75mm. Great chefs have their preferred cookware, knives, and seasonings. They are passionate about the dishes they serve; Nick's favorite "cuisine" is based on his love for sharing his landscape work, especially when it's from his native state of Michigan.
 
Nick needs to be on your radar. Click on any of his three images in this month's Tamron Recipes. Usually, I'd suggest looking at his portfolio and galleries first, but you should start with "My Story," which is his about page. His story will further define his love for the craft as he shares one of my favorite quotes from any artist to date:

​Roman is a big fan of maximizing his gear, and he talks a lot about his love for both of these two telephotos. And living in south Florida, he's rarely limited by the weather - shooting all year long.

Roman needs to be on your radar. Click on either of his two bird images to connect to his website. Follow him on Facebook, and if you're looking for great workshops, check out the schedule for Roamin" with Roman Photo Tours.

Roman firmly believes in education and helping photographers raise the bar on their skill sets. The best way to do that is individually or in very small groups. Just click on the banner below for more information.

​Tamron's quality is setting the standard for some of the finest optics in photography, and they never slow down. They go beyond just great glass with non-stop support helping photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images. Check out their education schedule going on all year long around North America. 

by Skip Cohen

Technology never slows down, and if you look at the creative tools at your fingertips today versus just a few years ago, the line between still photographers and videographers is completely blurred. We're all shooting video because our phones and cameras put the technique at our fingertips. But just because it's there and easy, doesn't mean you shouldn't still do your best to capture and create each story.

Charley Voorhis is an award-winning filmmaker and Tamron Image Master. He's also a great guy and educator, teaching at various programs around the country. In fact, Charley and I finally met in person before one of his classes at ClickCon several years ago.

I pulled three of his video tips below; each one is 20 seconds or less. Charley and Tamron wasted no time making three great points, and I'm betting many of you will appreciate these refreshers to raise the bar on your skillset.

Whether it's your own family, for a client, or putting together a reel for marketing, your blog, or a special project, you might as well follow the US Army's tagline - "Be all you can be!"

by Skip Cohen

With Father's Day just around the corner, everyone always has the same challenge - what to get, Dad. Well, nothing beats camera gear for any pro or serious hobbyist. This year Tamron's put together an especially sweet program featuring significant savings on sixteen different lenses!

Click on any lens below to access the complete program. Then click on a specific lens to find great images and short videos.

As an example, the video below is one of my favorites from Ken Hubbard. While it features the 28-75mm Di III VXD G2 lens, pay attention to the way Tamron tells the story, and all in just two minutes. Think about how you'd tell the story of your business in a two-minute video.

​Tamron's manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging today, but don't take my word for it. Visit the Tamron dealer nearest you and check out their lenses for yourself. So, whether it's for Dad on Father's Day or an additional tool you need to expand your creativity and the quality of your images, Tamron's product line covers all the bases.
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​Happy Father's Day!

by Skip Cohen

Time definitely flies when you're having a good time, and that fun comes out with every Tamron Chef we work with. Their love for the craft never slows down, and their passion is infectious. 

With the official first day of summer coming up this month, Chef Jonny Hill has the perfect culinary expertise to enjoy. Many of you will be vacationing in the months ahead, and whatever part of the world you're headed to, there will be a camera in your hands.

Jonny's expertise is all about landscape photography. We're featuring three of his favorite ingredients from his "kitchen." Again like a fine chef with his favorite knives or other indispensable utensils, Jonny's are Tamron lenses, of which three are the 50-400mm, 35-150mm, and even a shorter zoom with 28-75mm.

Moving into the outdoor landscape world makes the Tamron Kitchen even bigger. Jonny's love for the outdoors and ability to capture stunning images creates one breathtaking "dish" after another.

When you visit his website, his "About" page says it all, starting with his description of himself as an outdoor enthusiast, tech nerd, father, and husband.

I love the great outdoors and spend as much time as I possibly can roaming the American Southwest in my Jeep. I try to bring my small family along as much as possible, but often I travel solo or with some of my close photographer friends. ​

Calling himself an outdoor enthusiast is a colossal understatement. Jonny's passion comes out in virtually everything he does, including the tagline from his website above. For example, in his email with the specs on all the images we're sharing in this episode, he wrote: I had to push my Yosemite back to tomorrow, but I'm very excited; a flooded valley floor will be fantastic.

I've been to Yosemite several times, and this time of year is awe-inspiring, but I've never been there when the valley floor was flooded. However, I have been there in Spring when the roar of Bridal Veil Falls is deafening, only to return in August and have it just a trickle!

And just to give us one more dash of flavor with his favorite cuisine, Johnny sent me the shot on the right captured with the 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2, ​his Sony A7 IV, shot at 29mm, 1/800 @ f2.8 ISO 320. He talked about this image, as well as the other two in our short podcast.

Jonny needs to be on your radar. Click on either of the top two images to link to his website. Then, follow him on Instagram. And put his YouTube channel on your list. It came out of the restrictions of the pandemic, and while it's relatively new, "Jonny Roams" is going to grow and expand his ability to inspire us even more. He never slows down on sharing great photographs - again, it's a testimony to his love for the craft...and Tamron!

Tamron is manufacturing some of the finest optics in imaging, but they don't stop there. Between their products and their focus on education - everything they do is about helping artists raise the bar on the quality of their images. So check out your local Tamron dealer, along with their newest instant savings program going on right now.

by Skip Cohen

​It's Tamron Tuesday, and I had fun grabbing three one-minute videos from the Tamron YouTube channel. While some of you will feel the tips are more targeted to the serious hobbyist, I love how they're done. They're short, to the point, with no fluff - just a solid "how to" piece to help photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images. 

But now watch them and consider another application. Pay attention to the way Tamron tells each story. It's the perfect style of storyboard for you to develop short tips of your own for your readers/followers. Why? Because you're working to be recognized as the photography expert in your community. 

You do dozens of things without thinking as a professional photographer - from composition to exposure, to storytelling, to posing, and so on. Help your clients become better photographers regardless of what they use to capture their memories.

Tamron manufactures some of the finest optics in imaging. They never slow down on their goal to make you a better artist. There are hundreds of great videos being shared on their YouTube channel. And, if you haven't checked out Tamron lenses at your local dealer, just click on the link below and take advantage of their Mother's Day promotion going on through May 28!

by Skip Cohen

​When we first started this series, comparing photographers to chefs seemed like a fun way to present the work of some of the most respected artists in the industry. With each new chef, the analogy gets more on point.

Rick Friedman joins us in the Tamron Kitchen this month, and he's no stranger to so many of you. He's an artist, photojournalist, and educator with an ongoing presence at many events nationwide. And as a leading "chef," he is one of the most diverse in our industry, with a skill set that covers "cuisines" like photojournalism, portraiture, wildlife, and light painting, to name a few.  
 
I had a hard time deciding which images to feature this month when I saw the full-page spread from The Boston Guardian, covering the Boston Marathon a couple of weeks ago. All the images were captured with only two Tamron lenses, the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD.   

Rick needs to be on your radar. From individual workshops around the country to demonstrations on the trade show floor at a convention or, just following him on Facebook, he's always sharing great images and content that makes you appreciate his skill set. Click on any image in today's post to link to Rick's website.​

While the cuisine for this month is photojournalism, I wanted to share a few more of Rick's images when his "cooking" style changes to portrait and light painting. Both photographs were captured with Tamron lenses. 

by Skip Cohen

Kenna Klosterman joins us this month in the Tamron Kitchen. She's our first "chef" with a specialty cuisine of travel photography. We're going to drill down more on the comparison to fine dining expanding to the art of storytelling. 

So many people think travel photography is about beautiful postcard images that enhance the memory of your last vacation or a possible future destination. But with Kenna's background in cultural anthropology, she's all about capturing the culture in her travels. She's the ultimate storyteller. Her images are through the eyes of a street photographer and artist. Her photographs tell the story of a culture in a day-in-the-life of the people she's surrounded by, going beyond just great images.

Shooting with the Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens, I wanted to share more than just one or two images in this episode. Kenna was in Cuba for the top and bottom photos and Bali for the middle. But the common denominator in all three is the slice of life, the culture, and the people she captured.

Kenna's a travel and documentary photographer, global and retreat leader, podcaster, educator, and international MC. She's also co-founder of Peace in Travel. But there's one other important hat she wears - she's a mindfulness guide, which is a key ingredient to the success of everything she does, including each retreat into exploring different cultures.

​Kenna needs to be on your radar. She's one of the most diverse artists in our industry. Click on any of Kenna's three images in this post to visit her website. You should also follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. And check out her CreativeLive podcast" We Are Photographers as 120+ artists and members of our industry share the scene from behind the lens and their lives. ​

In the short podcast, Kenna mentioned taking the Tamron 28-75 G2 lens for a test drive, sponsored by Tamron Japan. I can't think of a better way to get to know a fine chef from the Tamron Kitchen, than to watch her "cook." I love these videos because they pack so much information into just a couple of minutes!

Along with making sure Kenna is on your radar - don't forget Tamron. They're manufacturing some of the finest optics in imaging, and their new Spring Sale just launched. Plus, they never slow down on helping artists raise the bar on the quality of their work. Education is a major focus at Tamron - check out all the programs they have scheduled, throughout North America.

by Skip Cohen

This is a very short post, but with an important link.

With Spring seasonality for portraiture, weddings and events, also comes some great opportunities for photographers to pick up additional gear at significant savings. Tamron just announced their March Mega Sale with sixteen different lenses on this new program. 

I had fun going through the galleries of six lenses for representative examples of different focal lengths. They're captured by some of the most respected artists in the industry, but don't take my word for it. Click on the collage above or the banner below and check the galleries out yourself. Then click on the map to the right and wander into your local Tamron dealer!

Tamron never slows down on their goal to manufacture some of the finest glass in imaging, and now they've got a sale to match!

Being able to do what I love and take that passion to help clients is an incredible feeling.
Kyle Garay

by Skip Cohen

​With each new artist in the Tamron Kitchen, the comparison to fine dining and your favorite cuisines gets a little stronger. "Chef" Kyle Garay joins us on Tamron Recipes this month. Again, like a great chef, he uses different ingredients to create each image.

The question asked of each Tamron Chef is, "Can you send us a couple of your most favorite images to share and talk about?" Both images were captured with the Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens. And like so many artists, it's hard to define Kyle's favorite specialty. But there is an underlying theme to every click of the shutter, which he explained on his About page;

At the end of 2020, I decided to take the leap and go full-time with photography. I had quit my career of almost 10 years to pursue my dream of making a living being a professional photographer. By no means was it an easy decision. I would stay up all night thinking what a stupid idea it was, but nonetheless, I kept pushing. I now work full-time as a professional product/brand photographer. I work with a multitude of companies to help them showcase their products through the art of visual storytelling. Being able to do what I love and take that passion to help clients is an incredible feeling.

There were two different clients involved in these images. The top photo of the group celebrating what might have been a touchdown was captured for a hotel chain. They wanted a lifestyle image related to the rooms they offer groups like this. The client for the other photo was Kyle himself. I love that Kyle was just out with his camera shooting for his own pleasure, something many artists often forget about.​
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One of the fun aspects of this industry is following the careers of relatively new artists. Kyle launched his business into photography just three years ago, but I'll match his passion and love for the craft with any seasoned veteran. Click on either of his two images in today's post and put him on your radar. Follow him on Instagram too. It's going to be fun to watch his career continue to grow.

​Along with Kyle, Tamron's passion for quality is also unstoppable. They're manufacturing some of the finest optics in imaging today. And they never slow down on educational support for the industry. Check out their published event schedule for the year so far. It's just a click away.

Don't miss the significant savings on these last days of their Winter Savings program; just click the banner below.

by Skip Cohen

Ian Plant is in the Tamron Kitchen this month. He's an incredibly talented chef with expertise in multiple cuisines, especially landscape and wildlife. Just like fine chefs who have favorite dishes they like to cook, Ian's recipes are in various specialties. I wanted to feature two of his landscape images for this month's Tamron Recipes. Shot with the same lens, the two images have a completely different feel.

But Ian, like a fine chef, is also sharing his love for mixing up the seasonings - in this case, composition and exposure. I saw the top photograph first and loved it. Then, scrolling through his images, the one below appeared. I can picture either printed as large as a wall could handle in a home or office. 

The only thing more impressive than Ian's images is his love for the craft. He's a photographer, artist, writer, podcaster,  and educator. ​
 
From his About page: Known for his inspiring images and single-minded dedication to creating the perfect photo, Ian has reached hundreds of thousands of people around the world in his mission to inspire and educate others in the art of photography. Ian is a frequent contributor to many leading photo magazines, the author of numerous books and instructional videos, founder of Photo Masters, and co-founder of Photo Wonders.

But what I love the most was his Artist's Statement that followed: I can't draw, paint, or carry a tune, but I can press a button with my finger. Of course, if you want to make inspiring photographs, there's a lot that needs to happen before that button is pressed. These days, too many photographers rely on the crutch of digital manipulation to bring magic to their images. Personally, I'm more interested in capturing the true magic of the moment, not concocting it on the computer. For me, photography is as much about the experience as it is about the final product.  

Ian needs to be on your radar and you'll find him in a few different places. First, check out his website with a click on either images in today's post. Then, if you're looking to raise the bar on the quality of your images check out his live workshops. And online, you'll find terrific articles and ideas at his Photo Masters website.

Tamron manufactures some of the finest optics in imaging, and they never slow down. Visit your Tamron dealer and take advantage of some great offers going on right now with their Winter Savings program. Just click on the banner below for more information.

by Skip Cohen

​It's a new year, and Tamron USA has really stepped up their game when it comes to education!

Whether you're into landscape and wildlife or not, here's a new series just announced that's guaranteed to have value and help you raise the bar on the quality of your photography. Two of my favorite Tamron Image Masters, David Akoubian and Lisa Langell, are hitting the road together with the dynamic duo of Ken Hubbard and Andre Costantini. 

The North American Photo Tour 2023 kicks off in Denver on March 21 and is an all-day event.

All four artists have been regularly featured photographers here on the SCU blog. David Akoubian was featured in the Tamron Recipe series and Lisa just a few months earlier.  Ken and Andre shared a video series together for many years - with each episode shared in this blog. Their passion for the craft is unmatched, as are David and Lisa's. That's the common denominator with everybody I've worked with over the years, from Tamron - a love for the craft!

Check out all of Tamron's support for the photographic community throughout the year with a click on the banner below. They've put together some remarkable programs, each designed to help you become a better artist. 

Regardless of what gear you shoot with - Tamron should be on your radar.

​If you're headed to Nashville this month for IUSA, make it a point to swing by Tamron, booth 823. Taylor Brumfield will be doing demos at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 23. There are some outstanding savings (up to $100) on lenses available at the show. And Tamron's raffling off a 28-75 mm G2 lens!

by Skip Cohen

Just for the fun of it, I decided to Google, "What is a chef?"

Google's answer: A chef is an individual who is trained to understand flavors, cooking techniques, create recipes from scratch with fresh ingredients, and have a high level of responsibility within a kitchen."

Marcie Reif joins us in the Tamron Kitchen this month and clearly meets the definition above. Only instead of "flavors" and "techniques," she understands composition and exposure, focal lengths, depth of field, and every photograph is from "scratch with fresh ingredients." And as we've seen with each Tamron Chef, the "kitchen" is whenever and wherever they've got a camera in their hands!

It wasn't easy picking the images to feature in this month's episode; Marcie has a lot to choose from. While she's best know for her family portraiture, shooting sports has become one of her favorite hobbies, especially when it's her son.

I wanted to lead off with the black and white photograph above but also share the shot on the right. It adds to demonstrating the versatility of the 70-300mm lens.

​Marcie's all about family photography, but like every artist with a primary specialty, she loves the spinoffs that come along with other activities. But there's a common denominator in all of her work, which comes out loud and clear in her "About" section.

My goal is to deliver you a unique set of images that are artistic, natural, and warm by mixing childhood images with connections to love...I always try to deliver my clients images of their family "being" a family. This may mean singing, dancing, playing together, or maybe just some ginormous hugs! I LOVE to capture kids being themselves because best moments come when you set them up, sit back, and wait. 

You'll find more of Marcie's work with a visit to her website. Just click on her images in this post and check out her galleries. She's got a never-ending passion for family and children's photography.

It's a new year, and Tamron has some outstanding savings, which just kicked off yesterday. Tamron never slows down on their quality, and today manufactures some of the finest glass in photography. Equally impressive is their focus on education - Check out their scheduled programs - all designed to help you raise the bar on your skill set!

Happy New Year!

If you're headed to Nashville this month for IUSA, make it a point to swing by Tamron, booth 823. Taylor Brumfield will be doing demos at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 23. There are some outstanding savings (up to $100) on lenses available at the show.  And, Tamron's raffling off a 28-75 mm G2 lens!

by Skip Cohen

​Think about your favorite restaurant - the atmosphere, the food, and most importantly, the staff, especially the chef. My wife and I have one of our favorites where we've gotten to know the chef. His cooking is remarkable, but his style and personality are part of what keeps bringing us back. Tamron Recipes isn't just about the images but the personalities of the "chefs" who create and capture them. The analogy between chefs and artists works all the time. Each one is different in the way they capture/create images (or cuisine) that, in turn, capture us!

Cecil Holmes is in the Tamron Kitchen, and he's the perfect guest chef to bring the 2022 series to a close. It's not just his images that have appeal, but spend a little time with him, even just a phone call, and you'll meet an artist with an unmatched passion for the craft. Nothing complicated - just a great guy in love with his family and friends first and his camera second!

I wanted to share a statement in his bio that describes his love for the craft, far better than I can:

Rather than list a "resume" of every accomplishment I have had or received, I would prefer you to look at my art to determine my qualifications. I do put a lot of work and pride into it, after all. I am up really early on some days, out really late some nights, and some days I do not sleep at all when I am in search of a photograph. I also spend quite a bit of time behind the keyboard in an effort to further perfect my art. I can only hope you see this dedication and pride in each of my photographs. If you truly need a list of accomplishments, feel free to reach out to me via email and I'll gladly send one over.

Cecil is all about sharing what he captures - and I find myself living vicariously through his travels. So whether it's wildlife in Alaska or hanging out in the Grand Tetons, there's always something to make me smile. We shared two of Cecil's images this month for two primary reasons. First, they're at opposite ends of the range of focal lengths, starting with Tamron's 50-400mm and then moving to a shorter zoom. Second, landscape and wildlife photography have become two of the most popular genres over the last few years. 

Coming out of the pandemic, more of us are staying within the US and traveling to all those bucket list parks we've had visions of for many years. And then comes Cecil, right on target for places so many of us want to visit!

Cecil loves hitting the parks in the West. After dozens of phone calls and even a few guest appearances on the SCU blog, I finally got to meet him LIVE at IUSA several years ago. What a kick to meet both Cecil and one of his sons on the convention floor. 

One more thing about Cecil - it's his love for his family, and it comes out loud and clear on his about page:

I live in Huntsville, AL with my family that consists of my wife and 4 boys. They are all awesome. I have heard people smarter than I say you take on the personalities of people you spend a lot of time with. So either I made them awesome, or they made me.

Cecil needs to be on your radar. Click on either of his images in today's post, to link to his website. If you're hitting IUSA in January, swing by the Tamron booth (#823) and they should know where he is too!

It's holiday time and Tamron has some outstanding savings going on right now - including the 28-75mm G2 lens Cecil talks about in the short podcast and used in the landscape image above. Tamron is manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging today - but they don't stop there. Check out their scheduled programs - all designed to help you raise the bar on your skill set!

Happy Holidays!

​by Skip Cohen

Like some of your favorite restaurants, the cuisine often changes along with the chef. And just like deciding whether you're going out for Italian, French, Mexican, or American, the comparison from photographers to fine chefs is always on point. In the Tamron Kitchen this month, we're mixing it up a lot and going to a "cuisine" we haven't visited in the new series - abstract fine art. 

Tony Shepherd joins us in the "kitchen" with a well-defined foundation for "turning the mundane" into something special. And just like those favorite dishes by a great chef, each presentation is unique in what's being captured. ​

Tony's another guest "chef" who left me feeling like I've been hanging out with him for years. In this short podcast, with some of his Instagram images going over 20,000 hits, he talks about the key ingredient - reaching out to every visitor. He's built his own community of followers just like a great chef.

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the chef comes around to the table at some point in the evening and asks how your meal was? It doesn't seem to happen as often these days, but from past experience, it always made us want to return to that restaurant again. That's the way I find myself visiting his Instagram page. Tony is all about building relationships.

Based out of Nashville, you'll find Tony out and about, just about everywhere, on regular photo walks. He's like a treasure hunter for the mundane, and I especially enjoy his choice to capture so much of it in black & white. 
​
​There's a quote in business that applies so much to Tony's approach to building his brand...​

"The customer doesn't care how much you know, 
until they know how much you care!
Damon Richards

Tony's an artist with a passion for not only the capture of his images, but showing his appreciation to each follower. He's built a community around his love for simplicity. That quote above doesn't just apply to his philosophy with his followers, but I'm betting everyone he comes in contact with. From my first phone call with him through recording his short podcast - there's a wonderful feeling of a growing friendship. 

Tony needs to be on your radar. Follow his website and his Instagram page. At a time in all our lives complicated by so many forces outside our control - Tony's trips to discover what seems so ordinary is a breath of fresh air and one that simply made me smile.

Tamron needs to be on your radar, too. They never slow down on manufacturing some of the finest performing glass/optics in photography, and the Tamron team is just as impressive. Obviously, they want to sell lenses, but their first focus is always on how to help you raise the bar on your skill set. And, if you're headed to Nashville in January for IUSA, wander over to Booth 823 and check out their complete product line while getting to know one of the finest tech teams in imaging! ​

by Skip Cohen

​It's Tamron Tuesday, and there's so much you can learn from these short videos Tamron regularly shares. And they're all on Tamron's YouTube channel.

The video below is from their archives, with professional photographer Maxim Guselnikov putting the 70-180mm F/2.8 DI III VXD, model A056, to the test. He's shooting Sony full-frame mirrorless.

Remember, I'm sharing screen grabs from a video. So, imagine how sharp the original images must be.

​In addition to simply watching another artist work, each still image in the video includes the exposure triad and focal length. Maxim's shooting in the studio, outdoors, in the theater, and truly putting this lens through a great little test drive.

Tamron's manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging today. But don't take my word for it - visit your local Tamron dealer yourself!

And check out their ongoing workshops and programs taking place all around the country.