Recently David duChemin made a request of his followers on Twitter. He asked us to, “Point me to your favourite photographers, the undiscovered ones, the ones that just shine and no one knows.” As you might imagine there was a flood of recommendations. So many that I might be surprised if David was able to keep up.

I added my recommendations and noticed that several of those who tweeted their recommendations also blogged about their recommendations as well. My thought was, “What a wonderful idea.” Not that I have not written before about photographers who have inspired me here on this blog, but I have not written a condensed list of some of those who I look to for inspiration in a single post.

My desire to do so now is the result of this post to my Photo Log. It is so important to acknowledge those who have impacted me in my endeavor to create art through making photographs. David duChemin asked for those not so well known, but here I have chosen to include those that may be better known. To do otherwise, would render my general thankfulness for those who have inspired me null.

So, let us begin with a list of those who I know on a more personal level and then move to those who I do not know well, but have non-the-less impacted the way I make my photographs.

Allow me to start with one of those people that we sometimes have in our lives that have truly made a significant difference. His name is Dave Seeram. Dave has been one of my greatest cheerleaders and afforded me some opportunities that I have long sought. He is the Editor in Chief and Publisher of PhotograhyBB Online Magazine and runs its subsequent website.

Dave’s ability to share and teach the art of photography never ceases to amaze me. It seems to me his sole purpose in life is to bring the novice from “good at photography” to “professional at photography”. His writing on subjects within the realm of photography inspires many; me included.

The next is Paul Dennison. After years away from the photography, Paul rekindled my interest in pursuing the making of photographs. He is consistent in his desire and his fun loving way makes our shared interest in producing art very enjoyable.

I have the opportunity to visit with Paul daily and he has inspired me greatly by bouncing thoughts off of me about those things he is working on opening the door to creativity. He is a good friend, photo-pal, and hard worker making him one of my favorite photographers.

Dave Linscheid is another person who inspires me greatly. Dave’s way in photography inspires me in two ways. The first is in the way he presents his spiritual life through his photographic art. The photos he creates as an expression of his great faith in God truly encourages me to do the same.

The other way Dave’s work inspires me is in his very unique use of texture to illustrate his photographs. His artistic style in this area of photographic art has resulted in some of the most incredible images I have ever seen. His manner in approaching the final product which he creates is humble and matter of fact making him one of those people so worth emulating.

Gareth Glynn Ash is not just a photographer, but a writer and poet. In this I see Gareth as a kindred spirit. His ability to match thought with image has inspired me to write to enhance the images that I have created.

Sue Thompson is another one of those that has inspired me. She is so inventive in her photography. Her unique style in photographing subjects has forced me to investigate the ways in which she shoots and frames those items she focuses on.

Tina Lee has inspired me with her soft filtered and textured treatments making her photographic art some of the best. Again, a person of faith, her photos have made me think and rethink the way I approach the subject I shoot and then the way I treat the matter after the fact. She is detailed in her descriptions of why she is presenting the subject the way she is. She also includes how she did it making her photos tutorial in nature.

Royce Bair truly has an eye for landscapes as well as subjects that in and of themselves are inspirational. I do not know Royce very well, but his long history as a photographer and work in photography make him someone whose photos are very much worth a good long look. Royce does not know it yet, but I will be pursuing him as a mentor as I look to improve my abilities as a landscape photographer and book writing photopeuner. I hope he is not too surprised by this announcement.

These are just SOME of those who have truly inspired me to do greater things in making photographs. They are artists all and worthy of your time. I would encourage you to get to know each one better.

Allow me to list a few others at this point. I would, and may in the future, write more extensively about them, but time and space are constraining points at this moment. I would encourage you to get to know them as well. Let me briefly say that the person who inspired me to write this post is absolutely worth a mention and tops this list.

David duChemin

Scott Bourne

Rich Legg

Nicole Young

Harley Pebley

Bill McCarroll

Lee Jefferies

John Salisbury

Mike Sumsion

Samantha Nandez

David Terry

Tony Blei

Jeremy Hall

I have written about some and hope to write more about these wonderfully inspirational photo folks in future. They have each contributed to my growth in differing and unique ways. Most probably do not even know that they have effected me the way they have. I hope they know now. I thank each of them for being a part of my photographic life and look forward to being inspired by them in the future.

Until next time…