Rob Dyer: Wildlife and landscape photographer.
Rob Dyer: Wildlife and landscape photographer.
"Racconti • Tales", Photo Buddies!
I met Rob at a wine tasting at Arizona Wine Collective in January of 2022. My friend, Alex Miller, and I co-chaired the American Wine Society, Tucson Foothills chapter for several years. She arranged the tasting as the AWS Executive Director was in town. Rob is from Edmonton, Alberta. Several members knew Rob as he […]
June 13, 2026
Greg Nelson, Friend & Photographer.
Greg Nelson, Friend & Photographer.
"Racconti • Tales", Photo Buddies!
Greg and I have been friends since 1982! Greg Nelson • Low light, high speed color film. A handball court in a neighborhood park in San Diego. Greg and I have been friends since 1982! Greg, John Hughes, Kennon Jones*, Roy Bottger, and I shared a house at the south end of Date Avenue in […]
June 12, 2026
Pear • Pair • Pare
Pear • Pair • Pare
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
I get odd ideas… Words are tricky! English is an odd language; synonyms, antonyms, homophones, swear words… Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of the strangest things, like Pears, for example. One day, several years ago, this happened, and I went to the store and selected the best-looking pears I […]
June 11, 2026
Rick Best • Photo Conservator
Rick Best • Photo Conservator
"Racconti • Tales", Photo Buddies!
I have been friends with Rick since 1985! Rick and my ex went to High School together in San Diego. Rick and I hit it off right away; we both loved music and amazing puns! I was fortunate that I got to keep Rick as my friend after the divorce! Rick and I have been […]
June 10, 2026
Barry Weibel • Landscape & Nature Photographer
Barry Weibel • Landscape & Nature Photographer
"Racconti • Tales", Photo Buddies!
I met Barry at Wilson Jr. High in San Diego Barry doesn’t smile for photographs. Probably like most photographers, he prefers the other side of the camera! I know I do… We were in Boy Scouts together as well. In Junior High (back when that was a thing), I was trying to decide which shop […]
June 10, 2026
Irving Olson
Irving Olson
"Racconti • Tales", Photo Buddies!
Irving Olson, Apple Computer, Olson Electronics & Bernie Apple… How’s that for an intro?! I met Irving when I worked at Apple in Tucson. I am not sure of the exact year. I started at Apple in 2003, worked briefly part-time and then full-time just doing sales. I’ve used Apple products since 1991. After moving […]
June 9, 2026
Cropping & Composition
Cropping & Composition
"Racconti • Tales", Techniques
The “Ideal” is to compose in the viewfinder. I mentioned in another post about the workshop class I took on composition. Even though 4X5 Field and View cameras have fallen out of use for the average photographer, the hidden benefit to using them is that focusing and composing directly on the focusing screen and seeing […]
June 2, 2026
The Back Story…
The Back Story…
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
I figured someone would ask! In recent years, when I sell a photo, I have added a sheet to the back, telling the story of how and why I made the image. I want people to know “The Back Story” of what caught my eye, where I was when I took the photo, maybe even […]
June 2, 2026
An earlier backyard!
An earlier backyard!
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
On finding truth through the limits of an old camera
June 2, 2026
Photo Mosaics
Photo Mosaics
"Racconti • Tales", Techniques
I do not recall where I learned this technique. The process is complicated and takes planning. I used a 100mm lens on my Olympus OM-1 [an old manual 35mm film camera]. I still have the camera and several lenses! I started by marking my tripod’s panning base with marks starting dead center, then two to […]
June 1, 2026
Same subjects, different artists…
Same subjects, different artists…
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
A celebration of ordinary moments that quietly ask to be seen
May 31, 2026
The original “Not my Backyard” Photo!
The original “Not my Backyard” Photo!
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
On finding truth through the limits of an old camera
May 31, 2026
Antelope Canyon…(Not just like every other photographer)
Antelope Canyon…(Not just like every other photographer)
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
Yes, you have photos too! I lived in Page, AZ, for about seven years. Oddly, not the most productive time in my life for photography. I did go into Antelope Canyon several times. This was before a Native Guide was required. The coolest visit was when I got to go in at night. The image […]
May 27, 2026
Polaroid Image Transfers
Polaroid Image Transfers
"Racconti • Tales", Techniques
Sadly, Polaroid Image Transfers are a thing of the past. Ancient, in 2026, Polaroid Image Transfers were a great creative tool. What is missing today, despite Polaroid reentering the photography world, are their 669 and 4X5 pull and peel film packs. For anyone born after 1990 (I’m guessing), all Polaroid films had a pod of […]
May 26, 2026
Multi-Frame Composition
Multi-Frame Composition
"Racconti • Tales", Techniques, The Back Story
In a previous post, I talked about two images where I used an entire roll of film to make one image. That inspired me to do more images in a similar but much less difficult way. I may have another photo to add to these two shots. I found a bunch of B&W prints when […]
May 26, 2026
Alternative Processes
Alternative Processes
"Racconti • Tales", Techniques
A celebration of ordinary moments that quietly ask to be seen
May 17, 2026
My first published image!
My first published image!
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
It was a holiday weekend (President’s Day) in the early 70s. It had been raining, and this tree fell on this poor Lincoln Continental. I grabbed my camera and took a few photos. My dad recommended calling the paper to see if they would be interested in the photos. Dad ended up taking me downtown […]
May 14, 2026
I still shoot Black & White…
I still shoot Black & White…
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
Shooting film again!
September 25, 2025
Awards
Awards
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
I have a few, some truly deserved. The first award I won was Runner-up in KSON’s Dirty Picture Contest. KSON was (and may still be) a Country station in San Diego. The title sounds much better than reality. The contest was to take photos of trash or pollution around town. I’ll have to see if […]
June 5, 2026
Steve, why the name?
Steve, why the name?
"Racconti • Tales", The Back Story
Two stories to tell here… I was working as a photographer very early. I shot my first wedding when I was 18 and did a good job. I majored in photography in college, but had to work as well. Mom wasn’t supportive; she always complained about the expenses related to photography classes, film, paper, chemicals, […]
May 31, 2026