January 2008 Featured Member

Jerry Ting's portfolio is filled with any number of interesting images of subjects from people to cities to nature. There is no doubting Jerry's skills with a camera, but it is his bird photography that particularly stands out. Successful bird photographers have to juggle uncooperative weather, long periods of waiting, heavy and expensive equipment, and a subject who can up and decide to leave at any moment. Jerry does a wonderful job of capturing the wildness and beauty of his avian subjects, while still being mindful of light, form, and background composition.

“The main reason that I am so deeply into nature photography is because there is nothing more beautiful, genuine and original in my eyes. For me photography is the most appropriate way to honestly record the moment, express my feelings towards nature and share it with the audience.

Of all the numerous subjects in nature photography, I think birds are the most fascinating. I started bird photography in 2004 and have been addicted to it ever since. It always fascinates me when I see a tern dive vertically into the water and capture a fish, an egret gracefully flying low over the still water to return to its nest, a hawk grab its prey and perch on a branch to enjoy the meal, a song sparrow standing tall on a shrub and calling for a mate…etc. I can always find something different and interesting when I am in the field taking bird pictures.” -Jerry Ting


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Image by photo.net member Jerry Ting

December 2007 Featured Member: Art Meripol

Art Meripol is a photographer living in the US southeast. He has been a working professional for over 30 years now. His images have appeared in many newspapers and national magazines. He is the Senior Travel Photographer for Southern Living Magazine, which he describes as his "dream job". I'm sure that many of us would feel the same way.

While all of his photography is impressive and reflects his high level of skill and knowledge, it was Art's excellent concert photography that is the reason he was chosen to be this month's "featured member". Perhaps because the same sort of artistic mind that enjoys photography is also drawn to music, concert photography is something that many photographers try to do at one time or another. A concert photographer has many challenges to overcome; difficult lighting, limited locations, indifferent subjects to name just a few. Art deals with these issues and still manages to create images that reflect the soul and style of the musicians he is photographing.

"Access is everything. Having access by working for a newspaper made it much easier for me. There are so many small publications in towns that focus on culture today. I would first approach them to see if they would let you use their name for access in return for some photos for publication. Also, to get started, try approaching local music clubs and offer free copies of whatever you shoot in return for access. As skills inprove, your 'name' in the scene will too. Never come across less than professional. It's ok to be a fan but don't act like one. Nobody is a bigger music fan than me but when working, only work." - Art

Read More: December 2007 Featured Member


Image by photo.net member Art Meripol

November 2007 Featured Member: Michael Ging

Michael Ging is a photographer living in the US southwest. He has spent the past 35 years as a photographer for the Arizona Republic newspaper. In this time he has covered virtually every photographic subject possible. Though he may have just met his subject moments before, and only have a few minutes to work, his images still show a wonderful respect and compassion. He has the people skills that virtually every talented documentary photographer must have. Those skills shine through in the access that his subjects give him and the images that he is able to create. Anyone who wishes to be able to create moving and powerful documentary images would be well served to pay attention to Michael's comments regarding how he interacts with his subjects.

"I think if you wish to be a successful photographer of people, you have to like being around people. As a 6'6" blonde haired, blue eyed photographer living in the Philippines I was not able to hide who I was in a crowd or in a village without being noticed by everyone. I decided that I would use this to my advantage although sometimes I felt like Gulliver in Lilliput when entering a Barrio or village. The Filipino people were very friendly at the time to Americans, calling me "Joe" after GI joe. The fact that they would fight over whose house you would visit when you went to a village; this taught me not to fear people you don't know. I also believe that personal integrity is the most important thing we own and if I promised a person a Print, I always delivered one." -Michael

Read More: November 2007 Featured Member


Image by photo.net member Michael Ging

October 2007 Featured Member: Wilson Tsoi

Wilson Tsoi, is a photographer living in the US northwest. Like the rest of us up here in the damp corner of the country, he braves the rain to get out and make images. Unlike the rest of us, he has an excellent eye and an uncanny knack for capturing a decisive moment in his sports images. The excitement and action of Wilson's sports photography is what first caught my eye. But he has also done wonderful travel and scenic photography across the world. He has been published in a various magazines and newspapers and placed highly in a number of photography contests.

"It's very difficult for me to pinpoint a single thing that I enjoy most about photographing sports. One that I can think of right away is the challenge in capturing decisive moments, particularly in team sports. I'm also quite fascinated by the human form in action. When a receiver and a cornerback go after a ball in the end zone, when a midfielder and a defender fight for a header, when a shortstop turns two, when a power forward rises for a dunk, to me, there is much beauty in the human form while these sports are being played. And to forever freeze that very moment in 1/1000 second, in focus, with the right depth-of-field, and compositionally pleasing, somehow it's a very rewarding feeling to me." -Wilson

Read More: October 2007 Featured Member


Image by photo.net member Wilson Tsoi