Caedes
Upload Images
Welcome guest
Log In or Register
User Stats
- 2 total users online
- 43 users active today
- 259161 total members
- +show users online
Artist Spotlight # 59
Submitted by mimi 04/25/11 2:58 AM GMT
Our Spring artist to be spotlighted is someone with a wealth of knowledge about photography and who is not afraid to gently critique any image on the site: snapshooter (known as Doug to many of us). He has provided a fascinating biography.
Stop by his gallery. Doug has a penchant for shooting unique angles. Leave some congratulatory words for him! Doug's interview:
This morning's PM was totally unexpected, and for one who is probably considered verbose in attempting to explain the reasoning behind a constructive critique, you can probably imagine how the instructions to provide a SHORT biography, presented an almost impossible dilemma. Just look at the length of that sentence.
For those that don’t know me, my name is Doug (snapshooter) Bays, and I was born in South/Central Canada, in the middle of the Great Depression, some seventy-seven years ago. Consequently, it was seventeen years before I graduated from highschool, joined the R.C.A.F.to continue my studies, and purchased my first camera, a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. Out of a three year hitch in the Air Force, I spent the second year in England, and the third in Germany, where I discovered the capabilities of quality cameras and lenses. Home again, I continued the photographic studies I had started in Germany, and within a year was working part time, (evenings and weekends) for a local studio, in addition to full time employment.
A year later, I entered two images in a National photo contest, and won 2nd and 31st prizes, the 2nd prize being a Leica 111f camera. The following year I entered the U.S. Camera magazine’s International contest and won 2nd and 27th prizes. The prizes didn't seem quite as significant, as the contest had been open to both amateur and professionals, and there had been in excess of 80,000 entries from 53 countries. For me, that was the real prize. That 2nd prize was an Esther Williams (in ground) swimming pool.
The publicity turned out to be very beneficial, as the following year I was offered a job as news film cinematographer with the local TV station. It made no sense to me at the time as I had never shot any movie film, nor was I particularly interested in movies. As it turned out, the chief photographer was a former newspaper photographer who had gone through WW11 with the Canadian Army, shooting motion picture film. All he said was, “not to worry” the only difference is that your subjects could be moving.
Two days of assignments with him and I was on my own. I retired in the last year of the last century, and it took me three years to get up the nerve to buy a computer, and another two to overcome the total intimidation. I really bought it because my move to the lake cottage caused me to be without full darkroom facilities for the first time in fifty five years.
I came across Caedes through a link on the Kim Komando site, where I was getting some of my tips on how to use a computer (without crashing). I hadn't yet started looking for such sites, didn't really know what the web was, nor did I know how restrictive a dial-up connection could be.
I learned very quickly that everyone else had internet speeds at least fifty times faster than Dial-up, with even the slowest broadband, and Cable/DSL/Satellite/Wireless were not available to me due to the topography surrounding my cottage/home. Hopefully we’ll be getting fibre/optic cable within two years.
I use mostly Canon cameras and lenses, but do have a Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Macro and a small pocket Panasonic with a Leica lens. As for my favourite image, it’s not one of mine. It’s a portrait of Winston Churchill by Yousuf Karsh. I won’t tell you the story that goes with it, but it will undoubtedly be with the image if you Google it. “KARSH Faces Of Our Time”
Thank you all, who provided me with this privilege and honor.It is very much appreciated.
Comments
Post a Comment - Subscribe to this discussion
Your work has always been fascinating to me, especially the fractals etc!...I love our 'chats' via email, and hope we continue to do so!
All the very best for this accolade my friend
"It was one of the most famous portraits ever made. Some say it is the most reproduced image in history. It was on the cover of LIFE magazine when WWII ended. The photo was taken by one of the most famous portrait photographers, Yousef Karsh - known as Karsh of Ottawa - on 30 December, 1941, after Churchill gave a speech to Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa. [On the 60th anniversary of that famous speech, Canada honored Karsh and Churchill with a commemorative stamp featuring above photo.]
Karsh was hired by the Canadian government to do this portrait and knew he would have very little time to make the picture. He began by researching Churchill, taking notes on all of the prime minister's habits, quirks, attitudes and tendencies. When he finally got Churchill seated in the chair, with lights blazing, Churchill snapped "You have two minutes. And that's it, two minutes." The truth was that Churchill was angry that he had not been told he was to be photographed; he lit a fresh cigar and puffed mischievously.
Karsh asked Churchill to remove the cigar in his mouth, but Churchill refused. Karsh walked up to Churchill supposedly to get a light level and casually pulled the signature cigar from the lips of Churchill and walked back toward his camera. As he walked he clicked his camera remote, capturing the 'determined' look on Churchill's face, which was in fact a reflection of his indignancy. Karsh recounted: "I stepped toward him and without premeditation, but ever so respectfully, I said, 'Forgive me, Sir' and plucked the cigar out of his mouth. By the time I got back to my camera, he looked so belligerent he could have devoured me. It was at that instant I took the photograph. The silence was deafening. Then Mr Churchill, smiling benignly, said, 'You may take another one.' He walked toward me, shook my hand and said, 'You can even make a roaring lion stand still to be photographed.'"
The next photo Karsh took, where Churchill was smiling, was less memorable."
One of my favourites from your galleries, had this one bookmarked for some time now:
"The Law.....and The Penalty"
Congratulations, Doug.
Enjoy your time in the limelight and here's to you gracing us with many more images and but of course, words as well.
:o)
You are most deserving of this honour, not only for your images but also because of your generosity and willingness to share your wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Your gallery is a treasure trove - I particularly enjoy your b/w works which I think show your talents exceptionally well.
A pleasure to read your bio - enjoy the spotlight my friend :)
Your recent post "Those Were The Days," hits home to me as well.
Congratulations on your honor.
A well deserved honour for a great photographer.
Kathy
Sherree
Hello Mr. D
I enjoyed your interesting Bio and I took the time to look at your wide array of different captures in your gallery.
You are a very versatile photographer and you are well deserved of this Honor. Hope you enjoy your 15 minutes of Fame .
E J
Dorothy Michaels
