Jeff Schreier

BEHIND THE LENS

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I have a Ph.D. in chemistry and chemistry has been my living, but my lifelong hobbies have always involved outdoor activities.  Through photography I have found that I can bring home images of the wonderful places I’ve seen.  It is difficult to capture these locations as grand or glorious as I remember them.  I like the challenge of getting “the shot” so I don’t have to say, “You had to be there.”
Unlike studio shots, the light for outdoor shots cannot be controlled.  I use only natural light, meaning the light provided by the scene whether it is God or manmade.  Early morning light is great for outdoor photography so I am often up before the sun breaks the horizon.  My shots taken after the rise of the sun are usually HDR’s.
High dynamic range (HDR) photography is a process that layers several shots of the same scene with different exposures in order to display all areas of the photo properly.  This process produces photographs with even looking light and improved colors.  Depending on the processing, HDR’s can look very realistic or surreal.  
I am mostly self-taught, but I have gained a lot of knowledge and skill from my fellow photographers.  I always jump at the chance to participate in a group shooting with photographers of any skill level.