Inspirational People
I have learned an awful lot from the following experts.
If you have the time and the curiosity then drop over to their websites, watch some of their videos or read some of their books, articles and blogs … and then go practice what they teach. It will make you better than you are now.
Zack Arias
Pro Photographer, Teacher, Trainer
A professional photographer, presenter and teacher. Zack created and edits DedPxl with his wife Megan, a photographic training resource providing thoughtful ideas and creative challenges on making images. Zack has presented training workshops on Lynda and provides photo challenges and critiques on his site and YouTube. Zack has a no-nonsense straightforward and engaging style and uses a range of cameras from medium format through to his more recent enjoyment of FujiFilm CSC. I have learnt a lot about portrait, street and commercial photography and the use of flash from Zack.
Mike Browne
Pro Photographer, Teacher, Trainer
A professional photographer, teacher and trainer. Mike has created and presented more than 200 free photography tutorial videos on his site and YouTube, as well as producing the 7 Building Blocks of Photography training course (which I have taken and it is excellent) and leading workshops in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Mike has an approachable, engaging, humorous and no-nonsense style which makes learning from him easy. I have particularly learnt to think about the qualities of light and composition from Mike.
Steve Caplin
Photoshop Expert, Author, Artist, Designer
A professional illustrator, writer, presenter and teacher. Steve has written more than a dozen books including How to Cheat in Photoshop, Art & Design in Photoshop, 100% Photoshop and 3D Photoshop, all of which I have devoured and learnt a huge amount from. Steve is a regular presenter on RetouchPro and host of the How to Cheat in Photoshop forum in which he provides invaluable help on all aspects of Photoshop and runs his weekly Friday Challenge to help users hone their skills. Steve has taught me so much about the art of compositing and digital manipulation and his challenges have taught me to work to a deadline.
Glyn Dewis
Pro Photographer, Photoshop Guru, Teacher, Trainer
Glyn provides a wide range of free photography and Photoshop training tutorials which can be found on his website and YouTube channel. Glyn has also made appearances on Scott Kelby’s training sites and is a teacher at Photoshop World. Glyn has taught me through his many training videos about taking and preparing photographs for photoshop, compositing and retouching. Glyn has written the very accessible and informative The Photoshop Workbook
Ted Forbes
Photography Historian, Teacher, Presenter
Ted created and presents The Art of Photography channel on YouTube with its compelling mixture of photography history, biographies of great photographers past and present, photographic and developing tips & techniques, and information about cameras old and new. Ted has a passion for his subject which is infectious. Ted has has introduced me to or expanded my knowledge of the work and lives of Robert Doisneau, Nick Brandt, Vivian Maier, Sebastiao Salgado, Harold Feinstein, Robert Capa, Fan Ho, Dorothea Lange, Dan Winters and other wonderful photographers from whom I have drawn inspiration.
David Hobby
Pro Photographer, Flash Lighting Guru, Teacher, Trainer
What David doesn’t know about flash lighting probably isn’t worth knowing. He is a master at the positioning and control of multi-speedlight setups to create stunning imagery from ordinary surroundings. David created and manages Strobist a wonderfully detailed resource providing basic to pro level tips, techniques and problem solving for lighting singles, groups, buildings, action etc.
David has also presented a wonderful series of tutorials on Lynda called the Travelling Photographer which teach how to get the best out of the fundamentals of travel and the cities of Hong Kong, Paris, Dubai, London and New York. More importantly the series describe a balanced attitude to photography, fun, travel and preparation which is both inspiring and educational in equal measures.
Gavin Hoey
Pro Photographer, Photoshop Expert, Teacher, Trainer
A professional photographer, teacher and trainer. Gavin has made hundreds of free photography and Photoshop tutorial videos for his own YouTube channel and for AdoramaTV. Gavin is also well known on the photographic club circuit as a presenter of high quality and entertaining interactive workshops. Gavin has really friendly and approachable style and provides confidence that his tips and techniques are achievable by others. A key feature in Gavin’s tutorials is his ability to show his problem solving of a photographic situation and then editing his best picture immediately afterwards in Photoshop.
Bert Monroy
Hyper-realist Artist, Photoshop Expert, Author, Teacher
A professional hyper-realistic digital artist and author of Photorealistic Techniques and Photoshop Studio. Bert uses his mastery of Photoshop and Illustrator to create incredibly detailed photo-realistic digital paintings such as “Damen”, “Times Square” and “Lunch at Tiburon” and to teach how it is done through his site and his teaching engagements for Scott Kelby online, at Photoshop World and elsewhere. His PixelPerfect training series is an invaluable training resource. Bert has taught me that in order to recreate something from scratch in an image that you really have to look at it first to understand the interplay of form, light and shadow.
Aaron Nace
Photoshop Expert, Founder of Phlearn, Teacher, Trainer
A professional image compositor, photoshop expert, photographer, presenter and teacher. Aaron founded Phlearn, a resource which provides a huge amount of both free and in-depth paid for tutorials in photography and Photoshop. Aaron has presented a number of training workshops on Creative Live, has a joyful attitude to teaching and is a master of photomanipulation and recolouring. I have particularly mastered the pen tool, creative use of the humble paintbrush and the complexities of using curves with Aaron’s guidance..
Brooke Shaden
Pro Photographer, Fine Artist, Teacher, Trainer
A professional fine art photographer, compositor, photoshop creative, presenter and teacher. Brooke creates dark fantasy compositions using apparently simple photographic techniques which are both surreal and compelling in their art and storytelling. Brooke, who has presented training workshops on Creative Live, creates a joyful and relaxed mood when she is teaching. Brooke’s Promoting Passion series on YouTube provides insight into her photo shoots behind the scenes, her retouching and compositing techniques and her inspirational attitude to her work and the people she meets. I have learned from Brooke how to try and think creatively and to consider what visual elements to photograph in order to composite images effectively.