Member Spotlight
This is a new feature for the CAPS photo club so members get to know each other better, and also to make them aware of what the photo club has to offer.
Please meet Larry Hildebrandt
Larry is the past-president of CAPS. His main interests are portraiture and landscape photography. When Larry has a few moments he can be found reading technical books on photography, and computers. Who knows why, but he has read his camera manuals a minimum of three times. Larry assists his daughter (Christi) whenever she has a portrait shoot. He taught the Beginners Photography and the Photoshop Elements Course at CAPS. Familiar with several image enhancing programs ranging from CS6 to Corel Photopaint he loves to tweak the image on his computer. When he is not working or involved with CAPS, Larry loves to spend time with his wife, three children and nine grandchildren.
We asked Larry the following questions and these are his answers.
Q: What is your favourite kind of photography, and what is it that interests you so much?
A: My favourite type of photography is "portrait photography". I love to be able to locate or to create great light that complements the subject. I find it very rewarding to pass a great portrait to a client or friend, a photo that is complimentary to their facial features but more importantly one that reflects who they are and one that reflects their mood at the time.
Q: What kind of equipment do use now, and what did you start with?
A: I currently have 4 cameras.
1-My main camera is a Nikon D800 with a 28-300mm zoom lens. I love Nikons TTL remote flash system and currently own seven (7) Nikon flashes to compliment my Nikon System. I consider myself an expert in the use of Nikon's off camera TTL flash system. Most of the time when shooting portraits outdoors I use a bank of four flashes, triggered remotely to light the subjects in the portrait. Four of these flashes on one stand easily reproduces light equal in power to most medium to large studio lights. I usually get more than 500 photos out of one set of batteries with this system. I also own a couple of other lenses allowing me to photograph at zoom levels anywhere from 12 to 750mm.
2-My secondary camera is a Nikon D7100 with an 18-200mm lens. This is a great little crop sensor camera that performs nearly as well as the D800 at one third of the price.
3-My third camera is a Compact Samsung Point and shoot (I only use this if I don't want to carry a larger camera with me) If money finds its way into my wallet I would like to replace this camera with a compact camera that allows me to shoot in Camera Raw.
4-Sony 3D video camera. This camera is capable of producing great quality 3D HD video. Learning how to properly photograph and edit video in 3D is definitely on my list of things to do.
Q: What is the one piece of advice that you would give to other budding photographers?
A: Join a photography club then go for coffee with the photographers that you meet at the club. Ask questions of these photographers, they are always willing to share their knowledge. If there is an opportunity to go and shoot with a small group of club members ...... DO IT. The things that you can learn at these outings is invaluable.
Q: What is the best piece of gear in your camera bag?
A: Nikon remote TTL flash system.
Q: What are your 3 favourite non-photo hobbies?
A: The most important hobby in my life is family. Spending time with my wife, 3 children and 9 grandchildren is one of the most rewarding things I do with my time.
My latest hobby is traveling in our motor home discovering the many wonderful places in Canada and the USA. We will be doing this every opportunity that we can over the next several years.
Music. When I was younger I used to travel throughout Western Canada with a southern gospel music group. My duties included driving the bus, setting up and running the sound system and playing bass guitar. I may just pick the bass up again, playing in various campground jam sessions throughout the US and Canada.
Q: Could you describe the best photograph you ever made and how you made it?
A: Every time I look back at my photos, I realize that I could have done something to improve on that image. I always feel that if I apply some of my current photographic knowledge I could bring the image up a level. I therefore feel that my best work will be taken during my next photo session.
Please visit Larry's Gallery on this website by clicking here.