About
After over 30 years in a variety of photographic roles, mentoring and teaching others newly passionate about photography is a joy and privilege. I'm well versed in the digital camera world including deep knowledge of the Nikon CLS system and off-camera flash. I'm also especially interested in those exploring shooting black and white or color film including film developing and darkroom printing.
Passing on knowledge and building relationships with like-minded individuals, watching them grow and develop their own photographic style, then delighting when their abilities surpass the teachers.
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Carrie T.
Kitty M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Initially I like to listen, to understand the core of where the student is trying to go. There are so many different aspects to photography that understanding their goals will help determine the best way to approach. Many students (including myself) learn best with a hands on approach, rather than simply listening and trying to memorize verbal instruction. Unless you understand the principles of why you're doing something - instruction can become merely abstract memorization. Instead, helping others understand the reasoning behind action is far more beneficial, and helps then creatively apply what's being learned to other situations.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
After my education in Art, Fine Art, Graphic Art, Journalism and Photography, 30+ years of experience across a wide variety of photographic endeavors including studio, portraiture, sports, architecture, travel, landscape/scenic and more. I've also taught beginning and advanced Photoshop classes at a college in Santa Fe. I'm using my camera nearly every day, and using photography-related software just as much.
I author several blogs relating to photography. One is called bluehourjournal.com, concentrating on words and images, and traveling with the camera. The address is bluehourjournal.com.
The second is called the Nikon F6 Project (www.nikonf6.net), a web site dedicated to Nikon's final 35mm film camera the F6. Established in 2009, this web site is by far my most popular and is responsible for connecting me with other photographers around the world.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I don't have standard pricing systems for lessons yet. This is a new endeavor for me and am figuring it out as I go: What makes the most sense and where the cost vs. benefit is for those seeking instruction. The goal is to pass along knowledge and help others reach new plateaus of creativity at a price point that allows them to do so.
How did you get started teaching?
Though I've spent most of my life and career learning, I've held one actual paying job as "teacher." Regardless, I've been teaching most of my life in some capacity.
What types of students have you worked with?
Teaching photography-related topics, I've worked primarily with young to middle-age adults. I've also worked with children in other teaching capacities outside of photography.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I've made several trips to Haiti with teams from our church. My role has been to document these trips, bringing back an experience to share with the majority of those who could never make such a trip. You can see the photographs at this link: https://www.johnbcrane.com/haiti
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Of course the teacher needs to understand what they're talking about. So if you're interested in landscape photography and all you see are senior portraits in their work samples, you might wonder if that transfer of knowledge is applicable to your specific goals.
The ability to communicate well, and personally connect with others allows a deeper level of knowledge transfer. Basic human skills; be nice. Patience, kindness and the understanding that things take time, repetition and that sometimes progress is fast, and sometimes it takes a little more effort.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
You don't know what you don't know. So sometimes it's difficult to formulate a specific question about something. Other times not. As an example, If you're trying to learn how to use wireless flash set up, it helps to specifically state that. If you're interested in a broader understanding of different lighting techniques, that's a great thing to mention. If you're interested in principles and fundamentals of landscape photography, say so. That should help you connect with the right person with the right knowledge to get you going.