Tribute to My Teachers
Who Taught Me to See
Without these artistic photographers who’ve inspired me and taught me how to see I would not be the photographic artist, I aspired to be today. In a sense, they have given me permission to make images of nature the way I see it, in a softer, enchanting, and painterly way. Thank you.
Here they are, drumroll please:
Tony Sweet
Early on in my photography journey, I had the privilege of taking a flower photography class online with Tony Sweet. He was the first to teach me about selective focus and how to use softness in a photograph. I was hooked and wanted more insights, so I bought his books about making fine art photography. His work spoke loudly to the artist within me who wished for a way of expression.
When I first saw Tony’s painterly image of Magnolia Gardens live oaks and azaleas, I was blown away by its beauty and enchantment; I just had to go to this place, stand where he stood, and somehow make my version of the magic. I found my way to Magnolia Gardens three times. One of those times I attended Tony's workshop. Although I made several worthy images of the place, I never quite captured the magic the way he did.
Oak Lane by Diana Teeters
Kathleen Clemens
Kathleen Clemens' online flower photography class also taught me about selective focus and softness. I love her flower photography. Her softness and painterly expression are the way I see flowers too.
She introduced me to Lensbaby photography.
Beaming With Joy by Diana Teeters
Denise Ippolito
I was first introduced to the award-winning photographer, Denise Ippolito when I found her ebook “Bloomin Ideas,” which taught me so many new approaches to flower photography that show up in my work today. And her more recent ebook, “The Softer Side of Macro” has been a huge influence on my flower macro shots.
We formed a lasting friendship in 2014 at her Swan Island Dahlia Farm workshop. Pair her guidance and inspiration with a place where numerous varieties of beautiful dahlias grow in seemingly endless rows as far as the eye can see, and you have my heaven on earth.
The memory of this place inspired me so that I told myself while hopelessly ill with a chronic disease that I would one day return. In September 2019, I did just that. I was healthy and strong enough to make the trip to Portland on my own to attend the same workshop with Denise.
Dreaming of Dahlia by Diana Teeters