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Photographer Spotlight: Bob Howen
As luck would have it, I managed to catch a very talented photographer on his way out the door in just enough time to interview him for this monthly feature known as the Photographer Spotlight. For those of you who are new to Photo Trek, this is a feature that I do around the middle of the month where I introduce another photographer. I have shown the spotlight on photographers from amateur to professional which photograph a very wide range of subjects. Without further delay, I would like to introduce to you Bob Howen whom I have just known about for a few days, but have been very impressed with, both as an artisan, and as a plain old nice person.
Schwanberger Landing Photograph Copyright © Bob Howen
As you can tell from the lead photograph, Bob enjoys photographing the landscape, but there is so much more to him than that. He is an Illinois native who attended Florida State University, in Tallahassee where he achieved a Business Management Degree. He also holds an MBA in Quantitative Analysis from the University of Rochester in New York. As if that is not impressive enough, Bob retired from the US Air Force as a Lt. Colonel, and has become the General Manager of Frost Enterprises. In this capacity he manages real estate, oil and gas ventures, and a list of other duties. Bob and his partner Joe Frost established Pro Video Productions in 1995 to produce travel videos for RV enthusiasts. Since beginning that venture, Bob has received five national "Telly Awards" and has produced videos for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. There have been other commercials done for non profit organizations as well. Oh yeah....and he has worn another hat that sports fans might recognize. Bob has been a member of the San Antonio Spurs Statistics Crew where he has worn the hat of Chief Statistician since 1976.
Just hearing all that Bob has been involved with over his life boggles my mind, and I just can't see where there is time for photography. However, photography and travel have been lifelong loves of Bob, and he has always managed to have time for both. His newest venture deals with both of those loves simultaneously, and that is Bob Howen Photography. Here he is able to combine two things that mean so much to him and that he is passionate about. So how did this love for photography get started?
As is the case with most photographers I've written about, Bob has always had an interest in photography. He tells me that he has been taking pictures since the early '60's, when he was using his first Yashica Camera. He recalls having fun with that camera, but never really getting serious about photography until 1980. This was the year that Bob retired from the USAF and along with his wife he started traveling for pleasure instead of work.
Riverwalk at Night Photography Copyright © Bob Howen
The true focus on photography, as well as video production came in the late '80's with the birth of his first Granddaughter. He purchased a video camera and started shooting some video and working on his basic editing skills. One thing led to another, and before long he was producing fund raising and promotional videos in San Antonio. This led to contacts which opened the doors for other productions. He did several travel and recreation videos for the Rails to Trails Conservancy in Washington, DC, as well as the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
As long as Bob and his wife Judy were focusing on producing videos, they decided that they might as well travel to do it. They purchased a motorhome and began to produce videos for those that enjoy the RV lifestyle (I'll probably see one of these eventually). In their motorhome they sure did travel...going to California, the Rockies, Alaska, and even Western Canada. In all of these destinations, Bob found it very difficult not to get excited about photography.
In all of his travels, Bob has decided that his favorite subjects to photograph are nature related...which is where he enjoys spending his time. More specifically, it is the mountains that capture his imagination, and his heart. If given the opportunity, that is where he would like to be. From a photographic standpoint, old missions are a favorite study for Bob (one can be found on the opening page of his gallery). There are five of them near his home in San Antonio, TX which he enjoys photographing. He has been to almost all 21 missions in California, as well as most of the others in New Mexico, and Arizona. It is the textures, patterns, and the way the light hits that can keep him engrossed for hours. Of course, the historical perspective and architecture of these structures make them an exciting subject all on their own.
Gold Digger Photograph Copyright © Bob Howen
As you look at Bob's photos, you will likely be thinking that he has been to all sorts of schools to learn his craft. In actuality though, his only formal training has been at the George Lepp Institute. While only there for a week, he brought back so much from George and attributes him with much of his own current skills. He left the institute with a "real passion for improving my photography and a much better understanding of how to make that happen."
One of the biggest single concepts that Bob learned while under George's tutelage was the concept of isolation. While George was very complimentary of Bob's current portfolio, it was this one thing that George wanted Bob to concentrate on when he was framing the picture. Bob learned how to make his images simple which made the subject really stand out. it took a while, but eventually during the week, Bob captured Gold Digger (above) and George said "Well, you finally got it."
Bob attributes the use of a tripod to being able to achieve this isolation. "It slows you down and helps you isolate your subject." That is the nice thing about a tripod, you can really focus on what is in the viewfinder and make very small adjustments as you need to.
In addition to George Lepp, Bob has also attended a couple of short workshops. One of these workshops took him to the Big Sur in California, and the other was to San Francisco. The latter was a workshop on HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography which is an area that digital excels over film, and can yield some incredible images.
Bob chooses to shoot with Nikon equipment these days. He started with a Cool Pix 990, and has seen time behind the D1X, D100, D2X, and D200. Currently he is using the brand new D300 along with a full bag of Nikon lenses. His favorites are the 18-200mm and his 12-24mm wide angle.
Tracks Photography Copyright © Bob Howen
You can view Bob's photographs online at www.bobhowenphotography.com. This is more of a portfolio than a sales site. It is there for your viewing pleasure, but if you would like to purchase something from him, I am sure a quick email would get you started on that track. If you are ever in San Antonio, he has a permanent exhibition of 72 images on display at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. This can be found on the San Antonio Riverwalk. The images that will be found there are primarily 30x40 giclee prints on canvas. Bob is also represented by Art Incorporated and they have samples of his images in their gallery.
While Bob still finds it a little hard to believe that he is a "professional photographer), he has been very fortunate to have found his niche. Most of his sales consist of San Antonio images which are being purchased by San Antonio law firms, accounting firms, and large corporations. The popular sizes are 30x40, up to 40x60 canvas prints.
As a photographer, Bob belongs to two different groups of photographers. He is a member of the National Association of Nature Photographers (NANPA). Closer to home, his is a member of the Texas Photographic Society. It is here that he is able to share ideas with like minded photographers and improve on his own talents.
When it comes to photographic influences, Bob is quick to pull out George Lepp's name, which you will recall has been a pretty big part in Bob's photographic development. He also attributes Dewitt Jones for giving him an "understanding and appreciation for the emotional and psychological factors that make photography such a challenging and satisfying pursuit."
Influences don't always have to come from far away. Often, some of the best influences come from close by. D. Clarke Evans is a professional photographer for the San Antonio Spurs and has been very helpful with technical advice as well as with encouragement in Bob's endeavors. Another source of advice and inspiration is Randy Gay who actually does the printing for Bob. Randy fills the role of a sounding board for Bob, providing feedback, both positive and negative on his pictures. Bob really trusts Randy (who is also a photographer), and counts on him to give him an honest assessment of how Bob is doing behind the camera.
Bob has simple goals for his photography. His short term objective is for his craft to take him to the mountains. There aren't really that many long term goals that he has thought about. He has never been much of one for setting goals, or for planning. He is either "blessed or cursed with a 24 second attention span" which is the joke around the house. Bob just finds something that he is interested in doing and dives right in not knowing where it might lead.
While he has very few "goals", Bob does recognize accomplishments when they roll along. To date, one of his proudest moments has been the opportunity to participate in the 2007 FOTOSEPTIEMBRE Exhibition Program. His exhibition was entitled The Beauty of America and consisted of 17 large canvas prints of scenes from all across America. They were displayed in the USAA and Tesoro Petroleum offices in San Antonio, as well as at Art Incorporated.
Bob would like to share a bit of advice with my readers. This advice is a bit different than what we have heard of in the past because it actually deals with equipment...more specifically, his take on the film vs digital debate. He had been in Western Canada for two months and had about 15 rolls of 36 exp film from the trip. On his way home, they stopped in Seattle and decided to have the film developed at a "pro lab". The results were far from pro. When he went to pick up the film, he was told that their chemicals were not balanced correctly and they had destroyed all 15 rolls of film. He made the decision at that point, to go strictly to video where he could control the outcome. He was done with still photography...
However, it was less than a year later that Nikon came out with the Cool Pix 990 which he thought he would give a try. After a single season he was hooked. Digital photography changed his whole outlook on photography and finally made it something that he could control from beginning to end. It was more economical, and provided so many more learning tools than film...and most importantly, he would never have to hear about unbalanced chemicals ruining all of his hard work. He adds "Anyone with a desire and a digital camera and some photo editing software can learn and develop the skills necessary to become an accomplished photographer."
Something else that Bob would like to share is something that he learned early in his photographic career. While shooting video of the USAF Thunderbirds he happened to be near a National Geographic photographer shooting stills. During a break, Bob asked for some tips. There was only one tip shared that day...and it was a good one..."shoot a lot of frames and don't be afraid to throw away the bad ones." Back in 1985 this was really only an option if you shot for National Geographic with the cost of processing. However, with digital, we all have the opportunity...the trick is learning to throw away the bad ones.
I think that we cal all be thankful that Bob didn't decide to throw photography away like a "bad picture" after calling it quits with film. The (still photography) art world would have lost a wonderful talent and a very nice person. It has been a pleasure getting to know Bob Howen. I would like to invite you to go to www.bobhowenphotography.com and check out his work. You will not be disappointed at all.
Thank you again Bob for letting me write this article about you and to introduce you to another audience. It has bee a pleasure!
Written by Greg A. Kiser
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Bob Howan's Sandpiper is stunning as is his wonderful relfecting mountains in water photograph. Top notch...Deb ;-)
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Thanks for anoother excellent spotlight Greg! Bob's photos are absolutely wonderful. I'm heading over to check out the links now!
Martha :-) -
I am so glad Bob Howen stepped forward for the Spotlight... He is amazing and his pictures are breathtaking... And I will be so enjoying all his pictures of the missions, I can't believe he has seen them all and his Texas pictures, I grew up there and miss it so... I've been to the Alamo and the Riverwalk.... and even with digital I have a problem throwing out the bad ones, lol.....
Thanks for the great find!!!
Linda :) -
The photos are breathtaking - I love Gold Digger. I am off to see his gallery, thanks for sharing him.
Lisa
7/27/08 10:13 PM
gina