Ray Pfortner | Instructor, Fall
About this Artist
Ray has worked in photography for over 3 decades - as an educator, stock photography agent, book editor, consultant and photographer - in New York, California and Washington State.
He teaches for colleges throughout the NW, including the University of Washington, Bellevue and Seattle Central. He is also an instructor for artist leagues, art centers, libraries and not-for-profits from botanical gardens to historical associations.
His students range from middle schoolers to retirees. Ray’s focus is improving camera skills but especially image design, photo styling and the business of art for all art mediums. A primary objective always is sharing art to make a change, especially to the environment and our impact on it, through increased awareness and inspiration.
Ray is a Fellow of the North American Nature Photography Association. His photography is represented by Getty Images. He is a graduate of Yale and the Duke School of the Environment.
About this Work
What is “Bulb” - other than what all these photographs have in common? It is a name from the early days of film, when squeezing a rubber bulb attached to a tube fired the shutter. What does the “B” setting do? It keeps the shutter open for as long as the shutter button is depressed. And it can make for magic.
We do not photograph lighting or fireworks. We let them paint themselves on our sensors, leaving the shutter open long enough to record one or a few bolts or bursts.
What else do all of these photographs have in common? Planning. Patience. Perseverance. Power.
I chased the lightning all over Orcas Island for hours before finally getting a few keepers. For the Vancouver, BC fireworks (lower right), we chose Stanley Park for its unobstructed view and much smaller crowds.
The other fireworks images were made on my Vashon Island home. The upper right image is meant to be universal; it makes for good stock and resale potential. The lower left image was planned to give a sense of the unique setting. It is what I scheme about between July 4th shows every year: where to go for the most “Vashon” foreground?
When is comes to your photography, never take your neighborhood for granted. Photo ops abound. And never let your photographs languish. Get them out there. Never stop using them to make a difference, to exercise the Power of photography.
