Lenny Wells' Photographic BiographyIn the beginning. I was born in New Orleans July 2, 1956 but I was raised in Metairie. At the age of 15, I saw a house fire and ran to get my mothers instamatic. I photographed all the excitement of the firemen in action. The seed was planted. But I was very disappointed with the photographs. I remembered it bigger and more exciting. I realized that I needed better equipment. I bought my first 35mm at age 16. The darkroom soon followed. My first darkroom was the family bathroom (the only one). I had to wait until everyone went to bed then I would stay up all night developing photographs. I became interested in photographing live performances. I didn't use a flash. I wanted all of the color of the live performance. This resulted in some very interesting images. Some of the concerts I have photographed include Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Robert Palmer, Bob Seger, Fleetwood Mac, Gino Vannelli, Foreigner, Peter Gabriel and Genesis, Gary Wright, The Sex Pistols, Alice Cooper, Johnny Winters, Suzy Quatro, Elvis and too many more to name. I have taken about 40 wedding and even a school prom but it's nature and wildlife that is my true passion. Artistic educationI am self taught in photography, darkroom, Adobe Photoshop, web design and computers. When I realized I was an artistAfter taken 20 years off to raise a family, I started to pursue my dream. I began to realize that people appreciated my work in 2003. Things I want visitors to knowI love nature photography. I feel that nature's beauty is a gift from God. But today's lifestyle is so fast paced and full of stress that this beauty is not always apparent to people. I feel it is the passion of the nature photographer to seek out these hidden treasures and record them in such a way as to evoke the desired emotional response from the viewer. My areas of interestMy main interest are in photography and computers. I would possibly be interested in teaching classes in Adobe Photoshop or in Basic Photography. My favorite medium and whyI like to work in digital photography because of immediate gratification. I feel that photography is like target practice. The more you shoot, the better you get. Doing this with film gets expensive. But I believe that through practicing with digital you can become a better film photographer. I started in digital in 2002 with a Sony 707 (5 megapixel) but now I work with a Canon 10D (6.3 megapixel) and I Canon Elan 7E. For prints I use a Canon S600. The S600 is not a photo printer but it doesn't know that! I use Epson or Ilford glossy photo paper for inkjet printers. I have tried HP and others but I find they are not crisp enough for me. Adobe Photoshop (the digital darkroom) WOW!! What a valuable tool. I use photoshop almost everyday. You are only limited by your imagination. Being self taught, I still don't know how to use all of this program. I learn on an as needed basis. How my photography has evolved.During my early years I had a drive for the photojournalistic approach. I shot fast and I shot a lot. But during my 20 years away from photography stress began it take it's toll. Life is stressful and it manifest itself physically. My unique way of looking at the world began to fade. I had the technical knowledge but not the drive. I would drive along and see cars and houses but I didn't see details. I was loosing my photographic vision. But in 2002 all that began to change. My three sons were grown, a four year project at work was over and I needed a stress break! I joined a health club for $45/month but my interest didn't last (unfortunately the payments did). I needed to get exercise and relieve stress but where?? The Bluebonnet Swamp and Nature Center that's where!! At $20/year it can't be beat. I had a strong interest in computers, so I treated myself to a Sony 707 digital camera. And I started to walk. I carried my camera (on a tripod) and walked at the Bluebonnet Swamp 3-4 times per week. As I walked my stress level began to came down. The more I walked the more photographs I took. The more photographs I took the more detail I could see. Then without warning it happened!! I realized that as I was driving I not only saw cars but also the people in them. I not only saw houses but I saw shingles on the roof. The discovery of this made me realize that for the better part of 20 years I had been blinded by stress!! Now as I walk I think about an episode of "Delta Hands" I saw on PBS. On that show I remember a nature photographer saying "It purges the pollution of civilization from your mind". What a profound statement!! I wish I knew his name. What I am trying to say with my photographs?As for what I am trying to say with my photographs, I believe I am saying that this is a beautiful world we live in, take the blinders off now and then. Take a stress break and enjoy this gift from God. Tips to help other artists in their growth both artistically and personally.Advice for fellow artist of photographers? Seek your passion. I used to do weddings and proms to earn money and I guess you have to do what you have to do. But don't get blinded by the stress of everyday life. Until you find the part of the art that "trips your trigger" you won't be happy or successful. What I look for in other artists and their work.I really don't look for anything in other artist work except imagination. I try not to judge others work because I don't know the passion that drives it. But I have seen art work that just blows me away and I think mission accomplished! Emotional response achieved! Services I provide, contact info, and where I exhibit.Creative photographic imaging.
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