Donald Kerns

Nature Photographer

Focus on what's right in front of you! That's been the theme for my nature photography for almost 30 years. It's amazing what can be found by looking closely at what nature presents. Walk ten feet and you've got [at least] ten new subjects. Recently my wife scolded me for wasting more than 30 minutes standing in a ditch because "there is nothing to take a photo of in that ditch." When we returned home, I printed the subject I had been photographing (see Green Giant: #1 at right - the print is also available in Gallery #1). My wife told me she would never again question my choice of photography subjects!

I began photography while in high school by using my parents' 35mm camera and basement darkroom. My 35mm photographs of fresh water invertebrates through a microscope earned a Kodak award and a scholarship. (images #2 & #3)

Photography remained a too small but constant part of my life while my career took me from marine/fisheries biology and SCUBA instruction to Paramedic (image #4) to computer engineer and, most recently, non-profit association management.

When my 35mm SLR camera and equipment were damaged in a sudden Texas rain storm, it presented the perfect opportunity to move completely to digital and further combine my experience with photography and computer technology.

Digital photography is still based in traditional photography. Proper composition, exposure, and depth of field are best determined by the photographer through proper use of the camera and lens. The digital darkroom is much like the regular darkroom - you use the tools present to achieve the best print (but there are no smelly chemicals anymore!).

I use professional quality cameras and lenses (mostly from Canon®) and I focus mainly on nature photography, particularly landscapes and close-up (macro) photography of flowers and animals. (images #1 & #5) When my schedule permits, I also conduct photo tours in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico.

Also when time permits, I 'play' with Corel Painter® to create unique images based upon photography. (image #6)

M E M B E R North American Nature Photography Association

M E M B E R