Profile of Dade Dudgeon, nature photographer
How it StartedAlthough Dade is a nature photographer, many of the fundamentals will apply to other aspects of photography, such as portraits & family photos, location and architectural shooting.Dade ventured into photography back in the mid 1970's as a weekend hobby while he was temporarily working in Edmonton and only turned professional in 2005. He has never received any formal training in photography. Self TaughtHis knowledge is based on studying photography books & magazines. As well as simply "getting out there" to shoot images, and then analyzing the results. Dade will tell you "an important part of this picture taking process is recording additional information about each image that you shoot in the notebook you carry with you at all times.Some people might argue that in today's world of digital photography all the information you need is available in the meta data connected with each image. To a certain extent this is true but this information does not tell you about the environmental aspects, your thoughts about how to take the picture etc. This kind of additional information is valuable, long after you have taken the shot. When you are look at the images, you review these notes and may even jot down things you should have done to make a better image "the next time". Business BackgroundDade started his business career as a computer programmer and after 5 years became an IT Manager and Director of IT for an international transportation company. After 21 years of working for the same company, he became a Business Systems Consultant where he worked on a 5 year project implementing a major ERP system for a large distribution and manufacturing company.Now he is an Internet Business Consultant for individuals who are thinking of starting an internet business or small companies who already have a website but would like some help because it may not be performing the way it should. To Learn more about his services... 35mm PhotographyHe began his career as a nature photographer with a basic 35mm Pentax camera that was upgraded within a year to a more sophisticated K2 model. Then a couple of years later he expanded into the Nikon line of F2s, F4s, F5 and is now using Nikon's D2x digital camera.The Nikon User CommunityIf you own a Nikon camera or are thinking of owning one and would like to communicate with many people who do. There is a great reference site, composed solely of Nikon camera owners.This website specializes in helping digital and film photographers improve their photographic skills. The Nikon User Group is a not for profit community and the basic membership fee is well worth the cost, considering the information you will now have access to.
To learn more about the Nikon User Community, click here (Opens New Window)
Medium Format PhotographyEarly in his career, he expanded into medium format photography with a Mamiya C330 camera that he used for many years. This has since been replaced with the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II, more affectionately known as "the big beast", and comes with several fixed length lenses & different backs to support 6x4.5, 6x6 & 6x7 slides.Image Processing and Picture FramingTo process the slides and negatives Dade uses a Microtek 1800f scanner & Adobe Photoshop CS4. Dade prints his own photographs using Epson 2220 & R2400 Photo printers. Then builds the frames up to size 16" by 20" and cuts the mats for the images. For more details on the photography equipment he carries and why they are important go to his Equipment & Why page.The majority of the images displayed in his image gallery are from in and around the Lac Brome (Knowlton) area of the Eastern Townships in Quebec. Finding Your "Niche"Every nature photographer should find their own "niche" in terms of what aspect of photography they enjoy shooting the most. This should become your "passion". Dade did not realize his "niche" until sometime early in 2006 while assembling the images for uploading to his website.He started this process by creating a portfolio for people to review and to get their opinions on what images should be displayed. One person said "you take pictures of things most people would simply walk on by without even glancing at it". As he assembled the images for the gallery, the more he realized that statement was so true. Thus becoming his "niche" as a nature photographer. Read more about How to find your niche. Dade's Image GalleryHere are a few of the galleries you will find in Natural Light Images:
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