Photography
My other major hobby, besides genealogy, is photography.
I have been taking pictures since childhood but really became interested in photography in 1991, when I received my first SLR camera. Since then, except for a short hiatus of a couple of years, I have always had a camera close-at-hand.
In 2005, after being away from photography for two or three years (I had tired of watching my kids grow up through a viewfinder), I picked up a camera again. I quickly rediscovered both the joy of and my love for photography, and have been a fairly active shutterbug ever since. I rarely go too far without at least one of my cameras close at-hand.
Until May 2006, when I acquired a Canon Digital Rebel XT, I shot only film. My work to that time, therefore, is 35mm, both print and slides, and both colour and black-and-white. I have access to a dedicated film scanner which I use to digitize the negatives and slides. However, since then, the bulk of my photographs are in digital format.
I have yet to find a specific style or niche: I enjoy experimenting with various genres. However, I prefer live-action photography, especially hockey. I also enjoy shooting concerts and dance. In effect, I like to capture a moment, not create one. Thus, I tend to shun posed or staged shots. I also prefer natural or ambient light.
My trade is mostly self-taught. My experience has been gained through trial-and-error, experimentation, self-study, and by observing and questioning the works of other photographers.
I have worked in both the traditional "wet" darkroom as well as the modern "digital" darkroom.
I do very little post-processing of my images. Although, I shoot exclusively in RAW, and will make minor adjustments where necessary, I will not do anything in the digital darkroom that can't easily be done in the traditional darkroom. It's not because I'm a purist: I simply believe that the image should work directly from the camera. One shouldn't let their Photoshop skills make up for their lack of photographic skills.
I offer my photographic services on a professional basis. Further information can be found on my website at www.macdonald-photography.com
Samples of my work may also be seen on my Flickr photostream.
Exhibits, etc
2008 Juried Exhibition, Moncton Gallery
2007 Juried Exhibition, Moncton Gallery
One of my photos has been used as the central image for a brochure published by the Town of Sackville (NB).
Equipment
Camera Bodies:
- Canon EOS 40D Digital-SLR
- Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (350D) Digital-SLR
- Canon EOS Rebel T2 35mm SLR
- Nikon FE 35mm SLR
Lenses:
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM Mk I
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Mk II
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
- Canon Extender EF 2x Mk II
- Sigma 10-20mm F/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
- Nikkor 24mm f/2.8
- Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
- Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 (macro lens)
- Nikkor 100mm f/2.8
- Nikkor 135mm f/2.8
- Nikkor 200mm f/4
- Auto Teleplus 2x teleconverter for Nikkor lenses
Other:
- Nikon Coolscan V ED dedicated film scanner
- Canon 430EX Speedlite
- Minolta IV F handheld lightmeter with 5-degree spotmeter attachment
- Tripod, monopod, an assortment of filters, and other accessories
Of course, I am always looking to expand and improve on the above.
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