The Beautiful Photography of Gene Shabinaw
Little did I know as a teenager snapping endless photos with a small Kodak that a lifelong passion for photography was developing!
My journey was one of self-teaching. Classroom settings were not really for me so I had no formal photography training. Instead, I learned by observing and reading. I read all I could get my hands on regarding photography, and studied photographers I admired. Ansel Adams’s black and white photos come to mind. How did the photographer apply what I had read about, as far as, rules of composition, use of lighting and subjects?
This journey in development continued this way for a number of years. At the time it was film photography which was expensive and failed to provide immediate feedback. Each roll was 36 shots and a week wait for developing to see the results. Some are good, but each a learning experience and constant improvement.
Another passion developed later in my late 20’s, scuba diving! This passion quickly developed and progressed into teaching this sport. The combination of diving and photography only seemed natural.
Then the age of digital cameras came about and it was a real game changer. No longer limited to 36 shots, but no limit based on size of a memory card. Feedback was instantaneous offering opportunities to correct settings and retake a photo. Development was quick with endless photo opportunities everywhere you looked.
I have a camera with me everywhere I go.Whether a sunrise walk on a rocky shore on Isle of Skye, Castles of Scotland, or simply at home!
The one area I am never without a camera is underwater!
So many times we look out at a beautiful sunset watching the waves roll in pushing large kelp beds back and forth. Occasionally seeing playful Sea Lions jumping through waves.
All the while is oblivious to the COLOR and BEAUTY beneath!
Life in a kelp bed is is amazing, schools of juvenile fish hiding from predators, Jellyfish float freely, schools of fish pass thru like a ribbon on the wind and sunrays break through it’s flowing canopy. Rocky Structures hide and protect octopuses while small colorful snails slide over a reef. Purple Hydro Corals and beautiful sea fans stand tall swaying in the currents. Not to mention the mystique of a sunken ship on the ocean floor off San Diego.
Bio:
My journey in photography has been exciting, challenging, gratifying and educational! Beginning in my early teens with my first film camera and quickly progressed into a passion. I never enrolled in any formal photography classes. However, I did read and study everything I could get my hands on, asked questions and studied the work of photographers I admired. This approach to my development in photography continues to this day with daily emails on the subject matter, following work of others and practice!
Flowers and Hummingbirds present an excellent source for near daily practice. Experimenting with exposure and various rules in photography such as Composition, Rule of Thirds, Rule of odds and others. Then breaking those rules to see the results. Practice with exposure, creating blur and black backgrounds. Focus on near and far subjects, shadows and natural lighting as well as macro with pistils deep in a flower.
Another passion of mine is Scuba Diving which presented more photo opportunities. This quickly evolved into my main subject matter. Underwater photography presented a whole new set of challenges. My approach was the same, read, ask questions and study the work of others. Starting with my first underwater film camera, a Nikonos III and progressing to the Canon 5DMKIV I use today. The digital age brought many improvements and excitement to photography.
email: gshabinaw5@gmail.com
website: Gene Shabinaw Photography
