 Images copyright Alex Cearns. All rights reserved.  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.   INGREDIENTS Lens: 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Camera: Sony A1 Location: Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa
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.   Tamron's reputation for quality never slows down. They'resetting the standard for some of the finest optics in photography, and recently won two 2023 EISA awards for their 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD and 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD. But that's only part of the Tamron story. They continue to set the standard for support to the imaging community as well. Check out their education schedule going on all year long around North America.
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 All images copyright Nick Irwin. All rights reserved.  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
 From the Nick Irwin Images 2024 Michigan Calendar. It will be sold at all Michigan Meijer locations and on Nick's website. 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: I dream in reality! Nick Irwin There's less than a week left to take advantage of Tamron's Summer Savings program. Two of Nick's favorite lenses, the ones featured here, are currently part of this special program. Just click on either banner below for more information. Tamron never slows down on manufacturing, and continuing to set the standard for some of the finest glass in imaging. But that's only part of their story. They go beyond great optics 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.
  Images copyright Roman Kurzywczak. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen With each new "chef" featured in this series, the analogy between great photographers and fine chefs becomes more relevant. Joining us in the Tamron Kitchen this month is "Chef Roman," whose favorite cuisine brings two different Tamron telephotos to this month's recipes. Roman Kurywszak joins us in the kitchen. He's an artist, educator, and author, and living just an hour south of me, he is about to become a lunch buddy! From night skies to birds to other critters and flowers, there's really nothing Roman can't photograph. The fun of this episode is in his use of two of Tamron's best-known telephotos expanding into close-up photography. He wrote in his About section: I have traveled across the country, giving countless lectures as well as hands-on workshops for a variety of festivals and photo organizations. This allows me to share my passion for photography as others have shared with me. One of the first things I picked up on during our phone conversation was Roman's passion for the craft. He sets the standard for loving photography, and that desire to share, you pick up immediately. You'll also pick up on his in-depth understanding of his favorite cuisines, right now, birds and flowers. INGREDIENTS Camera: Sony a6600
 Click to view in the SCU Lightbox 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.  Outstanding savings is just a click away for more information.  Images copyright Jonny Hill. All rights reserved.   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.
"Think less, create more!"  Click to view in the SCU Lightbox 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 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.  And while you're following what Rick is up to, start tracking Tamron. Today they manufacture some of the finest optics in imaging. But just as impressive is their focus on education and the never-ending effort they put into helping artists raise the bar on the quality of their images. Education is a significant focus at Tamron - check out all the programs they have scheduled throughout North America.   Images copyright Kenna Klosterman. All rights reserved. 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.   INGREDIENTS
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.   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. 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.    Click to view in the SCU Lightbox 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!  Headed to IUSA?  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!
 Images copyright Cecil Holmes. All rights reserved. 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! 
Images copyright Tony Shepherd. All rights reserved. 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. All around us is extraordinary beauty hidden in the plain sight of ordinary things. Pixbyshep is a gallery that celebrates the dignity and beauty of the mundane in black & white (sometimes with a splash of color). 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!    Image copyright Justin Haugen. All rights reserved.  by Skip Cohen The comparison between great chefs and artists in imaging continues this month with Justin Haugen in the Tamron Kitchen. And, just like following a favorite recipe, this month we're including an outstanding behind-the-scenes shot showing Justin's setup. Every chef has a unique technique for the way they combine the key ingredients. With Justin, it's not just about capturing a stunning image but his understanding of lighting that goes into the creative process. Based out of Tucson, his primary focus is most often on engagement and wedding photography. But taking everything he's learned over the years, he's applying it to another specialty, commercial portraiture. As an educator and a well-respected photographer, he shared a lot of terrific detail about why he lit this image the way he did in the short podcast above. A big part of the fun of this series for me personally, is getting to know the "chefs" we feature in each post. I've only had a couple of phone calls with Justin, plus the recording, but there's a quote from David Levithan that says it all. With some people, the minute you start talking it feels like you've known them for years. It only means you were meant to meet sooner...  Justin is an artist, educator, and podcaster with Rob Hall on High ISO. He regularly teaches at Shutterfest and will be at WPPI 2023. He should be on your radar. His website is just a click away, follow his Facebook page, and check out @photowarlock on Instagram.
Tamron needs to be on your radar too. They're manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging, but just as impressive is their dedication to helping artists raise the bar on their skillset. From workshops and educational programs to terrific rebates and promotions, they never slow down. There are now four FREE eNewsletters to choose from, or subscribe to all of them. Click on the banner below for your free subscriptions.  Click on the banner below and check out Tamron's current Fall Savings program!   Image copyright David Akoubian. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen Before starting this series, I really hadn't thought much about comparing great chefs with great artists. But here we are several years later, and with each new Tamron Recipes, the analogy fits. Every chef has a cooking style - a way they blend the ingredients with just the right seasoning and presentation that keeps bringing us back for more. Artists are the same, and we caught up to one of my favorite Tamron Chefs this month, David Akoubian. He's based in Georgia, but his heart is wherever he's shooting. And while his passion is definitely wildlife and landscapes, I'm not sure there's anything David can't photograph. What I love most about so many of David's images is the way they tell a story - they're not just beautiful pictures. I found an interesting quote that captures so much of what David is all about: Storytelling is about connecting to other people and helping people to see what you see. Michael Margolis
David didn't just step into the scene, click the shutter and move on. Just like a fine chef, David had a goal in how he wanted to capture the image above and the story he wanted to share. When I approached the scene I was attracted to the area below the falls, but to me it wasn't strong enough to stand out on its own. As I studied the scene I liked how I could almost use the fallen tree as a leading line to the falls. I knew I would need to either move way back to use a regular or slightly wide angle lens, or I could use an ultra-wide angle lens and stand close to the log. The added bonus would be with the ultra-wide angle lens it would give a feeling of decompression making the log look larger than the falls and much further away than it really was. That would lead my viewer's sight from foreground to background.
And check out everything going on at Tamron too. In addition to manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging, their support for the photographic community is the very best. From workshops and educational programs to terrific rebates and promotions, and their FREE newsletter, they're always watching your back when you need support. Their website is just a click away on the banner below.   Copyright Nader Abushhab. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen With each new Tamron Recipe, I become increasingly aware of how much great photographers are like our favorite chefs. Every chef has a specialty, and the twist they put on each dish served becomes their signature. Artists are no different, and Nader Abushhab joins us in the "Tamron Kitchen" this month. Based in Phoenix, Nader's a full-time photographer. Over the last decade, while there probably isn't anything he can't shoot, his passion is clearly in portraiture and fashion. And just like great chefs with diverse backgrounds, Nader started his career in animation and multimedia design. Throw in working with designers and models from around the world; then combine the experiences with ad agencies all over the country, and you've got the perfect mix to appreciate his style today. There's a great quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson I've always enjoyed. Put together all the things Nader's done in his career in imaging and combine them with his passion for the craft: it fits so well. "I am a part of all that I have met."
But there's more to a recognized chef than just their cooking. That's a big piece of what I enjoyed getting to know Nader. It only took one phone conversation to feel like I've been hanging out with him for years. Being a successful photographer isn't just about knowing when to click the shutter, but about relationship building and how you work with people. You've got to be personable, upbeat, and make them feel like they're your only client. When I asked him why this was one of his favorite portraits, his answer said it all: "From an experience perspective, this image showcases working quickly with a subject in a short amount of time to get them comfortable, perceive their angles, and execute a portrait that feels iconic. A lot of real world scenarios will call for that in photography." When you look through Nader's galleries, that's a lot of what you see. Natural expressions of people who are having a good time working with him. He needs to be on your radar, and his website is just a click away, as well as his Instagram page. Along with Nader, put Tamron on your radar. They're manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging. Plus, their focus on education and never-ending support for photographers is legendary. Just click on the banner below to visit their website as well as their new promotional offers.   Image copyright Lisa Langell. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen When we started this series, I hadn't really thought about how appropriate it was to compare photographers to chefs. Like your favorite restaurants and cuisines, your passion as a "foodie" is based on the flavors and style of cooking each restaurant represents. It's always driven by the chef. Photography is no different; we fall in love with an artist's work, style, and subject manner. But, just like dining out, the consistency of quality becomes important too. And like great chefs, they have their favorite tools to work with. This month's Tamron Recipes piece was a particular kick because we caught up with Tamron Image Master Lisa Langell while she was still in Alaska. Adding to the fun, it was just days after she captured the image above. Based out of Arizona, she's been teaching Alaska workshops for many years. There's a quote on her website which truly defines her level of passion for the craft. "Great photography shouldn't just document what you saw...or even how you experienced it. It should capture how you want your audience to experience that moment!" --Lisa Langell
I've followed Lisa's work for a lot of years. In fact, she was a guest on one of the very early episodes in the Tamron Recipes series almost three years ago. Lisa needs to be on your radar, starting with a visit to her website. And stay tune to her workshop schedule - she's got some exciting news coming up in the very near future about her Magic of Alaska photography tours. There's a common denominator with every Tamron "Chef," their love for the gear they're using, especially Tamron lenses. As I've written so many times before, they're manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging today. If you haven't visited your local Tamron Dealer, it's definitely time! Just click on the banner below for more information.   Click on image to view in the SCU lightbox! Image copyright Lewis Kemper. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen Great photographers are like terrific chefs. They have a favorite cuisine or, with Lewis Kemper, a specialty. They have a restaurant they're associated with, with Lewis, it's the outdoors. And they have their favorite tools of the craft; with Lewis, one key set of tools is thanks to Tamron. We're excited to welcome Lewis Kemper back to the Tamron Recipes series, featuring favorite images from some of the very best artists in imaging. He's a photographer, author, and educator who redefines passion for the outdoors and wildlife. Based out of Sacramento, his love for the outdoors and telling the story of North America has become his signature. He has been to 47 states, from Alaska to Florida. And his international travel has taken him to over ten countries, including China, Tibet, India, and Iceland, to name a few. Having followed Lewis' work for many years, while his images are stunning, it's his passion for the craft I appreciate the most. His love for the wildlife and landscape has been a constant quest for the ultimate image for over 40+ years. He simply doesn't slow down!
Lewis Kemper should be on your radar. Check out his website and definitely visit his galleries. And if you've got an interest in terrific hands-on workshops, take a look at three trips he's got coming up later this year to Alaska, Kenya, and Death Valley. Just before recording the short backstory that went with today's post, Lewis and I talked about Tamron lenses. They're manufacturing some of the finest optics in the world. On June 6, they launched a limited-time Father's Day promotion, making this an ideal time to visit your Tamron dealer. Just click on the banner below.   Images copyright Jonny Hill. All rights reserved. You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off of you! Maya Angelou by Skip Cohen While we're all tired of talking about the pandemic and last year's challenges, there are some unique things to come out of the crisis. For example, within the photographic specialties, landscape photography was always accessible while still maintaining social distancing and health restrictions. And now, as we start to get back to normalcy, more photographers are traveling again, and capturing images outdoors and the landscape is more popular than ever. Chef Jonny Hill, when he launched his career in imaging, simply loved the outdoors. While there's probably nothing he can't photograph, hiking, camping, and being an explorer, right after his wife and newborn son, are at the very top of his list of passions. Living in Utah, which he describes as a "gateway to the west" in the podcast, has given him a never-ending canvas to capture his artistic visions, especially the night sky. Check out Jonny's website, Instagram pages, and YouTube channel, and you'll immediately meet an artist who walks the talk with every click of the shutter. Jonny was also very specific over why he chose the 35-150 lens for his first image shared in last week's post. I made a statement many years ago about loving photography, "You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it!" Well, Jonny's heart is completely in it, and he's committed to not only raising the bar on his own skills but helping other photographers improve theirs. He needs to be on your radar, and if you've got an interest in becoming a better landscape artist, keep your eye on his website for announcements of workshops next year. And make it a point to follow Tamron's programs, because they set the standard for commitment to helping photographers raise the bar on the skillset. They're making some of the finest optics in imaging with the quality needed to help raise the bar on your images. Click on the banner below for their special savings program going on through July 4, 2021.   Click on any image below to visit Chef Jonny's website.   
     Image copyright Jonny Hill. All rights reserved.  Missed any of the previous episodes of Tamron Recipes? They're all just a click away. by Skip Cohen Time really does fly when you're having a good time. The fun of the Tamron Recipes series never slows down with each new "Chef" sharing something different every month. This is our thirtieth episode, and as I've written before, my cohost, Chamira Young and I underestimated the diversity of work we would be sharing and the insight shared by each chef. And the more artists we work with, the more the analogy of comparing them to fine "Chefs" is appropriate. Their love for the craft never slows down, and their passion is infectious. Landscape artist Chef Jonny Hill joins us this month, combining his love for the outdoors with his ability to capture one image after another that is breathtaking. Jonny's work was featured in the Tamron Newsletter not too long ago with one image after another that drew me into wanting to see more of his work. Like all Tamron chefs, each new episode starts with a phone call and a conversation about the project. Jonny and I initially played a few rounds of email tag, but what a kick to finally talk with him and be introduced to his enthusiasm! Over a year ago, I decided to go off in search of a quote that described each new chef. Well, after I hung up the phone with that first phone call, it wasn't hard to find one that seems appropriate for Jonny. Ever talk to somebody on the phone who you knew was smiling through the entire conversation? You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off of you! Maya Angelou About Chef Jonny: If a picture's worth a thousand words, then Jonny's writing volumes with every photograph he shares. He's a British photographer living in Utah. While his main passion is creating landscape photographs, he never slows down on what he offers his clients, including video, product work, weddings, and events. But most of all, he loves the great outdoors and is an avid hiker, camper, and explorer. About the Image: My original plan the morning of this photograph was to wake around 2am to photograph the Milkyway. However, it was completely clouded over. I went back to bed a little bit defeated as the clouds looked like they were going to stay throughout sunrise. Despite that I still woke before light and hiked out to this spot to go ahead with my sunrise plans. It was still cloudy and gray as I sat on this ridge overlooking these incredible monoliths. As I started to lose hope, all of a sudden, these patches of pink and red started to appear as somewhere high up there, light was breaking through, creating these beautiful colours. It only lasted a few minutes but made it all worth it. I hope you'll take the time to check out more of Jonny's work on his Instagram page, along with his website and growing YouTube channel. He's always sharing great content!
 Jonny shoots with a variety of Tamron lenses, but the 35-150mm is one of his favorites. Click on the thumbnail to the right for more information, and join us on his podcast next week. Through the pandemic and now, coming out of the challenges, I'm not sure there's ever been a time when more photographers have an interest in landscape work. If you're going to take the time to capture and create beautiful images, then you need the very best tools! Tamron never slows down in their programs to help artists raise the bar on the quality of their images. Check out their listing of local events, all within the appropriate safety and physical distancing guidelines. Life is slowly getting back to normal, and with normalcy in imaging comes creativity. None of us will forget the restrictions of the last year, but now it's time to get back out and keep growing your skills as an artist. With Father's Day right around the corner, you've only got a few days left to take advantage of Tamron's new savings for the holiday. Don't miss out on some of the finest optics in photography today! Just click on the banner below for more information.   Chef Jonny's NEW podcast is just a click away!  Images copyright Taylor Brumfield. All rights reserved. If you love your work, you'll be out there every day trying to do it the best you possibly can, and pretty soon everybody around will catch the passion from you - like a fever. Sam Walton by Skip Cohen One of the unique things about the last year with the pandemic is that we all went through it. We all learned to "hunker down," an expression I never used before 2020. We were all dealing with a level of controlled isolation and social distancing, and a lot of us learned to "pivot." There's another word that was only in my vocabulary when talking about basketball. Chef Taylor Brumfield, while hunkered down, needed to expand her skillset and pivot into product photographer, which included a touch of animation to many of her images. But here's a fun part of Taylor's backstory - she learned to pivot long before the pandemic. She expanded her teaching skills with her retouching classes just after becoming a new Mom and needing to be home with her daughter. And her husband is in the Navy, and she's had to pivot each time they've moved over the years because of relocation. As a Tamron Image Master, Chef Taylor is shooting with a variety of Tamron lenses. We featured some of her images with the SP24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens in last week's post. Tamron's SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro lens is another favorite, and we've included it in today's gallery. Just click on the banners below for more information about these remarkable pieces of glass! Check out her website, galleries, and retouching schedule with a click on any of her images in this post. And if you're headed to IUSA in January, I'm sure Taylor will be involved at what promises to be an outstanding convention. The pandemic didn't slow Taylor down from capturing and creating beautiful images, and Tamron never slowed down either. They're making some of the finest optics in imaging with the quality needed to help raise the bar on your images. Click on the banner below for their special savings program going on through July 4, 2021. Things are easing up, and slowly, we're getting back to normal. So, it's time to get back out there and start rebuilding your business and make it even stronger than it was before the pandemic.   
Images copyright Taylor Brumfield. All rights reserved. 
Both images above captured with Tamron's SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro lens  
    Images copyright Taylor Brumfield. All rights reserved.
 Missed any of the previous episodes of Tamron Recipes? They're all just a click away. by Skip Cohen When Chamira and I started the Tamron Recipes project, we completely underestimated the diversity of the "Chefs" who would be sharing their journeys with us. The analogy of comparing artists to chefs becomes more and more appropriate with each post and podcast. And just like great chefs, there's always a common denominator in their focus - their love for the craft. For May and episode twenty-nine in the series, we're moving to an entirely new cuisine with Chef Taylor Brumfield. Based out of Virginia and a Tamron Image Master, she's a photographer, retoucher, and educator. Passionate about growing her skill set and business, she started her journey in portraiture, fashion, and beauty, but as you'll hear her discuss in the upcoming podcast, the pandemic made it necessary to pivot into product photography and animation. Contact with every Tamron chef always starts with a phone call and a conversation about the project. Talking with Taylor, it was so easy to find a great quote that matches her dedication and love for the craft. If you love your work, you'll be out there every day trying to do it the best you possibly can, and pretty soon everybody around will catch the passion from you - like a fever. Sam Walton I'll admit it's a quote that coming out of a pandemic might seem inappropriate, but after that first conversation with Taylor, her love for the craft, Tamron, and the industry was contagious. She believes in education, expanding her skillset, and helping other photographers to do the same. About the Lead Image: I had already been experimenting somewhat with adding active elements to my photography in order to elevate and broaden my client offerings. But those initial experiments were mostly stop motion where the actual product or aspects of the product were in motion or engaging with the environment. I decided to start playing with the idea of “portals” where I open up pockets of the scene or of the product and introduce a second scene that strengthens the visual concept of the scene but isn’t necessarily something that would or could happen organically without digital manipulation. I think it brings a fantastical element to the scenes and engages the viewers imagination in a way that leaves them wanting to see more and really stretches the possibilities of what I am able to do with my personal work as well as my client work. We hope you'll take the time to visit Taylor's website, and if you've got an interest in expanding your skills to retouching, check out her classes.
 While Taylor has a number of favorite Tamron lenses, for all three images in today's post she used the SP24-70mm F2.8 Di VC G2 lens. Click on the thumbnail to the right for more information, and join us on her podcast next week when she'll talk about the importance of diversity in your skill set and knowing when to pivot. Tamron never slows down in their programs to help artists raise the bar on the quality of their images. Check out their listing of local events, all within the appropriate safety and physical distancing guidelines. While I'm looking forward to the day when I don't feel the need to mention anything about the pandemic, some of you are still missing the point. Business is slowly coming back and creating some incredible opportunities for photographers to demonstrate leadership in creativity and marketing. Hunkering down has always been about your health, NOT about growing as an artist and expanding your skillset. Growth only happens outside your comfort zone. Now it the time for you to increase activity in social media and spend time with your camera in your hands every day, capturing images for your most important client...YOU! There are eight different lenses featured in Tamron's new rebate program - going on now through July 4. Click on the banner below for more information.   Chef Taylor's new podcast is just a click away!
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