Artist of the Month: Cameron Siguenza

Jordan Oram's picture

This month's Photographer of the Month is Cameron Siguenza. Originally from British Columbia, he now calls Santa Cruz, California, home, and his time in both places has combined to nurture a photographer of burgeoning skill and vision. With dedicated focus, a commitment to learning and shooting, and a joy for sharing that journey with others, Cameron's images and words catch my eye and give me much to ponder. It is my pleasure this month to share with you the words and work of Cameron Siguenza.

 

How did you get interested in photography?

My father is a fantastic wildlife photographer who enjoyed being out with nature and waiting days, if necessary, for a Great Grey Owl to land on a tree branch.  He tried to explain F stops, shutter speed, and ISO to me, but it was confusing. I took snapshots with point and shoot film cameras, but could only afford a small amount of film each year until I was much older. About 3 years ago, I moved from Vancouver, BC, Canada to the San Francisco Bay area. I didn't know anyone, but loved the coastline and the amazingly diverse scenery around California. As a newcomer to the state, photography allows me to explore where I live, and make some sense of it. About 2 years ago, I first borrowed a Panasonic GF1 micro 4/3rds camera for a few months. Then, I bought a Canon 5D Mark ii in December 2011 which I sold last December, and replaced with a Canon 5D Mark iii. If I have a few good lenses for landscape, people, and wildlife, I could use any camera system really. I chose a Canon because I had a few friends with lenses that I could borrow at first, which allowed me to figure out what I wanted to do with a camera without spending a lot of money up front.

 

As the Crow Flies

As the Crow Flies

 

The Darkened Arch, Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, Calfornia

The Darkened Arch, Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, Calfornia

 

The Dreaming Tree, Marin County, California

The Dreaming Tree, Marin County, California

 

How long have you been a photographer?

 

While I have always used a camera when traveling, I wasn't very serious about it until recently, so I have been a photographer for about 2 years now. It's been a fun experience: learning by reading many books, blog articles, watching YouTube videos, and especially going on photowalks which introduced me to a lot of interesting people from all walks of life who provide endless inspiration. When a group of people with cameras meet up, it is wonderful to see what everyone does from the same scene or area that day. Now when I travel, I try to meet up with photographers in each area that I have met, via social media, and go out and take some photos with them.

 

Dividing Light

Dividing Light

 

Infrared photo of Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA

Infrared photo of Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA

 

Reaching Avalon

Reaching Avalon

 

What is your favorite place to photograph? Or subject?

My favorite subject to photograph is landscapes, primarily seascapes since I live near the coast. That said, I also love being out in the desert, and have a fondness for photographing lonely trees, too. Road trips and travel are a fun way to take a variety of photos and stretch from my comfort zone. There is something about paying attention to weather cycles, tide charts, wave heights, weather conditions, what time the sun rises and sets, and where it actually rises and sets, wildlife behavior, and amongst other local conditions. To do so is both immensely satisfying and fun! However, when I travel, I sometimes struggle as I do not know the area well enough for landscape work, so I try to focus on people and travel photography. I love black and white and color photography equally. I have an infrared camera, a Canon T3i, that I had converted from color over to infrared last year. Infrared is wonderful to experiment with, and I primarily use it for B+W and monochrome work. I have a nearly two year old son who has helped me a lot at becoming better at people photography.

 

Crack

 

Four Mile Beach

 

Partition
 

 

 

How can photographers help change/impact the world, while they are traveling?

We live in a very visual age where photographs and images carry tremendous value and weight. Compelling images can spread around the world instantly via social media and help raise awareness of issues. With many traditional cultures being threatened by modernity, it is vital that these changes be documented and shared with people, both to raise awareness and help visually preserve what is now lost. With so much habitat and wildlife being threatened, documenting the changes in the natural world is very important. Photographs can change minds, help raise money from increased awareness, and document rather sudden changes. I think that by being aware, we can make a difference.

 

A Place in the Stars

A Place in the Stars

 

Dream World

Dream World

 

Are there rules in other countries people need to be aware of about who or what you can or cannot shoot?

I am not sure about rules, but I try to be respectful and kind to people, and to be sure they want their photos taken before doing so. I also think carrying a lot of expensive and obvious camera gear around can sometimes lead to trouble. When I travel abroad, I like to carry a small camera with a 35 or 50mm lens, something fast that works well in low light. A telephoto lens can also be useful to bring along. A small, highly portable gorilla pod / Joby focus tripod with a simple remote wired camera trigger can also work very well for major travelling if you plan on doing landscapes or low light photography. Doing landscape photography can require tripods, various lenses, and filters and a bit more gear of course. I prefer to keep it simple when I travel, so I can focus on the experiences rather than lugging around 40 pounds of gear, hence maximizing my photo time. By being present, and seeing what is around me - rather than peering through a viewfinder perpetually - I find I can take better photos and have more fun. Years ago I once spent so much time taking photos on a trip, that I do not remember much about the trip, so I try to keep things simple these days.

 

Morning

Morning

 

Starfield Channel

Starfield Channel

 

The Beaches Reaches

The Beaches Reaches

 

Any photography tips you want to share?

 

About 18 months ago, I bought a $20 photography book that changed my life with photography. I recommend it over and over to people. The book was written, and photographed, by Bryan Peterson and is called Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera. It is a wonderful book for understanding Shutter Speed, F Stop, and ISO, as well as other important things like composition and point of view. I also recommend finding Jay and Varina Patel on social media, and following them and reading their blog sites. They are wonderful photographers, educators who share a lot of information; I also bought all of their PDF ebooks, which helped me a lot too. I recommend photographer Colby Brown, and his foundation The Giving Lens which provides photo workshops for humanitarian causes, something I plan to do soon. I also recommend the B+W fine art photographer, Joel Tjintdelaar. He has an excellent web site at bwvision.com. His online training and workshops are amazingly helpful for black and white photography. Gordon Laing runs a wonderful camera review site called CameraLabs.com, which always helps me research what to buy, and when to save my money.

 

Split Infinity, Pescadero, California

Split Infinity, Pescadero, California

 

The Field

 

Cracking the light, near Año Nuevo State Park, California

Cracking the light, near Año Nuevo State Park, California

 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

Sometimes I meet photographers that are seemingly very cranky, in that maybe they have a fixed way of taking photos, or years of experience, and seemingly view other photographers with suspicion and veiled hostility. They are often full of criticisms, yet rarely share things online themselves.  These people will tell you a lot about what you are doing wrong. Ignore them :) While photo criticism helps me grow, I am careful about who should mentor me, since I want the criticism to improve my work. Be open to new things, try a bit of everything if you are not sure what you want to photograph. If you are starting out, consider a mirrorless camera, they are inexpensive and are very capable. Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Fuji all make wonderful mirrorless camera systems. It is your camera and your journey. Enjoy!

 

Find Cameron online:

 

http://www.cameronsiguenza.com

https://plus.google.com/+CameronSiguenza

http://instagram.com/cameronsiguenza

 

 

 

Jordan Oram is the Photography Editor for Wandering Educators.

He has a passion for encouraging and empowering others to realize the combinations of their unique passions and strengths. In April of 2012, with $250 to his name, he travelled more than 10,000 km, over 8 months, across Canada and back, to encourage people to rock out their awesomeness. Find him at www.maplemusketeer.com

 

All photos courtesy and copyright Cameron Siguenza

 

 

 

Photographer of the Month: Cameron Siguenza. With dedicated focus, a commit to learning and shooting, and a joy for sharing that journey with others, Cameron's images and words catch my eye and give me much to ponder.

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