Jack Elder Industries

My photography is well known in the region, both as photojournalism for my home town weekly and as fine art to my friends and in galleries. Years of journalism and photo/camera shop experience have made me a true generalist with very broad technical expertise.

I have had many students over the years. I believe that the basics are actually very simple and best dealt with first – what exposure is, visual consequences of camera controls, composition and basic seeing and above all, take the picture and always remember that the subject of every photograph is light. It's critical to quickly de-mystify the technical and get students shooting with excitement and confidence. Pictures teach.

Each student brings their own visual concepts and desires, needing to be realized and expressed. Equipment needn't be a stumbling block. The camera and what it does is simple enough to become fluent early on, leading to gratifying imagery.

My darkroom experience started in the seventh grade. Photography has been my companion ever since. My teaching today will not include darkroom, unless demand indicates otherwise and we can find one to use. I will make sure that each student fully understands their particular camera(s); my camera shop experience and previous teaching is great qualification for this.

Formal listing of qualifications and experience available on request.

I guess ultimately it's all about the image. I do fine art printing on the side with equipment I own; this sometimes makes it easier to pre-visulaize. The head space that leads to pressing the shutter button is often very special. I love to make pictures.