A word with Richard Yarbrough And Family

Richard Yarbrough was the winner of our Animals Challenge last week with the amazing image below. Richard, a long time veteran photographer of all things wild has some amazing images on his personal Website http://bearlythere.zenfolio.com/ I encourage you to visit his site and take a look around.

I asked Richard to say a few things about himself as well as his photography and this shot in particular. Here is what he had to say...

             

"I am blessed to live in Montana ( for the third time now), surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and scenery that are beyond compare, making photography an almost too easy pastime and passion. I try to capture what I see, as it is, when it is, and how it is.........I'm seldom disappointed. You have to get out there and hang around a while, and take roads your mother would frown at. My photographic comfort zone includes layered clothing, coffee, and my youngest daughter along, whenever possible............Montana supplies the rest. From the film days, back in the 70s til now, I have loved sharing the wonders around me with family and friends and have been encouraged and inspired by many people to whom I owe thanks. No matter what gear I take with me, I seem to fall back on my trusty six year old Nikon D-50 and 70-300mm Tamron. The winning shot this week was taken with that camera at 1/500, f/5.3 and about 260mm zoom. I really enjoy the online company of folks who love to take pictures and share the knowledge and experiences of their own journeys. The best advice I have to give is to get out there often, stay out there for as long as you can and while you're waiting for that WOW shot....just keep taking pictures! Thanks and good luck to all of you."

Wow is right Richard, Thank you!

I am going to warn you the following is light on tech talk or the ins and outs of photography:
               After posting the challenge this week, or rather receiving a few questions about the challenge and also reading Richard's message above, I got to thinking about family. Our family and photography specifically. Lets be honest here, I think we have all used our kids as our "models" from time to time. But what about teaching them about the art? letting them tag along and learn about what you enjoy photographing? what about the rest of the family? I remember a brother and sister that used to fight ALL the time. Now they are working and learning together. This to me is so inspirational that I almost get choked up when I think about it.
              And Richard, who takes his daughter with him as much as possible, spending time together in a priceless atmosphere... This is what it "should" be about, experiencing life as a family. Sharing those moments and capturing them forever.  Desiree, Sierra, and I often go out together. In California, frequent trips into the Sierra Cascades were common for us. We try to teach her as much about the outdoors as possible and she has even gotten the photography bug taking her Playschool camera with us when we get a chance to go here in Florida.
 If you ever need a change of perspective, just hand a child a camera (preferably one that you wont mind breaking) and let them have fun. I encourage you all to expose your loved ones to the things you love the most, Not only as your impromptu model but from the other side of the lens

Photo by Desiree Aulabaugh

Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.
 ~Ambrose Bierce

No place is boring, if you've had a good night's sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film. ~Robert Adams

I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it. ~Author Unknown