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About Me
I have been photographing nature since I was about 4 years old. My first camera
was the Mick-A-Matic, shaped like Mickey Mouse's head. As I always say, it is not the camera that makes
the photo, it is you, the photographer. But I got some great images of my diapers, my
pacifier...just about everything back then. As I also say, the camera you have with
you is THE best camera, better than any pro-model left at home.
My 2nd camera was a Konica, 35 mm film camera. I can remember my Dad taking us
boys to various places to shoot, like the zoo. We all had our cameras in tow
and would come home eager to get the film developed.
My next serious camera was the Olympus OM-10. I used this thru college and medical
school to document engineering projects and eventually cool physical findings
on patients I care for (all with permission, of course).
I also carried this camera on Air Care (the helicopter rescue service in Cincinnati, Ohio)
when I flew with them as a physician during my residency. When there was no rescueing to do, I shot the
helicopter, the crew, and many of the places we went on our missions. Firemen in action,
EMS crews, police...it was great to document the amazing work these people do. When it was
time for my part in the rescue however, the camera was put away until later.
My first digital camera was the Olympus C-50. It was amazing to have instant access
to my pictures, and I took several thousand images, including my first trip to
China with this camera. But the shutter release time was slow, and the camera
took about 5 seconds to warm up and bring the lens out before it was ready to shoot.
So I looked for something better.
During my first China trip, my brother Jon had with him his Canon Rebel XT. I can remember
taking my first shots with it while sitting at a German restaurant (of all places)
in the middle of Shanghai. I was AMAZED at the speed and image quality. I was hooked.
I purchased a Canon Rebel XSI upon returning, and have been shooting Canon's
impressive lineup ever since.
My first L series lens was the venerable 70-200/2.8 IS, a lens I still recommend.
I took this picture with it the first couple weeks I owned it, and have always
been happy with this lens. I'd say if I could own only one lens, this would
probably be the one.
I shot the 800 with the Rebel for about a year. Everyone called me crazy to be running such a mis-matched system. But hey! It worked! I was waiting for the next step to present itself. During my 2nd China trip, I shot and then purchased my brothers 50D pro-sumer body. This was a step up from the Rebel with superior image quality. After shooting in San Diego with Steve Cirone, my destiny was set regarding my next camera body, and I immediately ordered the Canon 1D Mark 4, my current mainstay body. At 10 frames per second and with amazing image quality, there is a lot to love about this camera. Combined with the 800 f5.6 lens, this is an unbeatable combination for bird photography, particularly atop the study carbon-fiber Gitzo Tripod with the Wimberly Version II gimble-style head. Here is Steve Cirone in action teaching in San Diego
Feel free to look thru my extensive gallery, and get in touch! I'd love to hear from you! --Tim
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