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Photographer Spotlight: Vicki DeVico
Here we are yet again, the middle of another month here at Photo Trek, and you know what that means...a new Photographer Spotlight. It is this monthly feature where I introduce you to another photographer that can be found on the internet. I have talked about amateurs, professionals, and just about everything in between. It is my pleasure to introduce one of AOL's leading photographers, Vicki DeVico who is very active with the AOL Community Photo Challenge.
Black-Crowned Night Heron Photo Copyright © Vicki DeVico
Vicki had the opportunity to grow up in the rural areas of Monmouth County, NJ, before much of the population increase in the area. She recalls the woodlands around her home as being largely uncharted, still with a sense of discovery about them. This was long before the marked hiking trails that came with the people over the past few decades. Her time in these woods gave her an appreciation and respect for the wonders of nature.
Nature has not always been the main subject for Vicki's lens, in fact, she started out in much the same manner as many photographers out there. She used her camera to document and record the events of her life. She was always the kid with the camera while still in grade school who took pictures of both family and school outings. This was purely for recording purposes, not for artistic value. This was not to say that Vicki didn't have an artistic side...she just chose to channel it in other ways. As a young Mother, she would paint pictures for her children, as well as creating holiday decor using craft materials, in addition to the photographs that she took.
While still using her point and shoot camera, she traveled to Las Vegas. While this would be a wonderful vacation to pretty much everyone, it held a little bit more of ameaning to Vicki. It was on this trip that her photographic side began to blossom. She tried to capture the beauty of what she observed there...especially on a trip to the Valley of Fire State Park. Unfortunately, the beauty of what she saw did not translate to the photographs that she brought back home afterwards. She was actually very disappointed in the final results.
It was 2005, when her photographic journey "kicked into high gear". She bit the bullet and purchased her first SLR camera...a Canon Rebel XT. From this point on, things changed. After a lifetime of taking snapshots, Vicki has returned to her roots and with camera in hand, she is exploring once again. Her favorite places to photograph remain the back roads and parks of her native Monmouth County. However, she is not restricted to just that area. She states that her camera accompanies her on all of her travels, and there is just no limit to the subject matter she wants to capture with her camera.
Spiral Photo Copyright © Vicki DeVico
Vicki is largely self taught in her craft, having only attended some Photoshop workshops, and a few classes in photography. Unlike most photographers, Vicki actually knew Photoshop before she knew about the "skill" of photography. In fact, she was in Las Vegas for a Photoshop World Conference (the first of 5 she attended) back in 2005. After purchasing her Rebel XT, Vicki signed up for a one-hour individual class at one of the local camera stores. She was introduced to the camera, and given some very valuable information in regards to shooting in manual mode, the use of aperture, shutter speed, and how to achieve certain effects in her photographs. Despite her spinning head from all the information, Vicki worked on shooting totally in manual mode. It was difficult and took a while for things to "click", butthey finally did, and she has been snapping the shutter ever since.
Building off of the initial class, Vicki signed up for a digital photography course at Brookdale Community College. It was here Vicki picked up a few more tid bits of information, such as controlling depth of field, and how colors affect the image. She was pleasantly surprised to learn that much of what was being taught, she had already exposed herself to in her own self directed education. Of course, she will always continue to learn and improve as she picks up more and more information.
Currently, Vicki spends a lot of time exploring blogs and websites, and working with tutorials. In the interview she said something that I have thought for a long time...helping others with photography is one of the most educational things that can be done. By helping other photographers, she has become better able to understand how to improve her own photography.
Fishing Nets Photo Copyright © Vicki DeVico
Vicki's favorite subject to photograph remains nature related, but she really enjoys shooting anything that presents itself. After picking up her first SLR camera, she was seeing "photographs" everywhere. She adds that while a good landscape is nice, she seems to feel more excited when she can zoom right in on something, or even a piece of something. She is so passionate about getting up close and personal that she has developed a mantra of sorts..."fill the frame". It is this very mantra that has led to some of her favorite photographs.
Vicki is lucky to be located close by to so many great places to photograph. She is an hour from New York City and Philadelphia, and she shoots around the New Jersey shore regularly. Also close, is the Delaware River which is full of photographic opportunities. There are many nature preserves, as well as County and State Parks. She mentions Sandy Hook which is part of the National Park System and happens to be home to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. As ifall of this wasn't enough, there are many arboretums as well.
Vicki has been influenced by Michael Kenna who's photographs moved her the first time she saw them. While he uses "film and cameras [she's] never even touched the likes of, his work is inspiring." It is the straight simplicity of his work that draws her in...speaks to her as a matter of fact. The first time she saw one of Kenna's books she told the professor that she wanted to shoot this kind of photograph. While she says she may never achieve that level in her own photography, she uses that benchmark as a personal goal, and strives to achieve it.
She also mentions Clyde Butcher as another photographic influence. She loves his work, and would love to be able to attend one of his workshops. In addition to Butcher's workshops, there are several others out West and a few in Maine that she would like to attend. She is always up for new experiences.
Swift River Bridge Photo Copyright © Vicki DeVico
As photographers, we all have our own personal hurdles to overcome. One of Vicki's hardest lessons to learn was that she had to show her work. She has had a website for some time now, and has done some photo sharing through AOL and other other online sites. Her photographs can be viewed at Visions by Vicki, as well as her photo journal by the same name. She has also begun entering her photography in local juried art shows by the Belmar Arts Council. She has been accepted at all three that she has entered. In her last show, which is still running, she found herself winning an award for Best In Category.
In addition, her images have been found hanging on the walls of various Brookdale shows, Monmouth Camera Club shows, and have also been on exhibit in the Twisted Tree Cafe' in Asbury Park, NJ.
With all of this growth as a photographer, Vicki remains grounded and would like to share a very important lesson that she has learned. Quite simply, her advice is to "have fun". Photography is her therapy, exercise, and her sanity. Above all else, her time with and behind the camera is FUN.
Written by Greg A. Kiser
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What a wonderful Article about my good friend and Mentor Vicki!. She got me started in my passion for digital photography with full technical support along with many hours of teaching me photoshop skills. A wonderful friend, we have gone on many camera shoots together, enjoyed many photo seminars and classses together and I enjoy her pleasant company. Her knowlege in Photoshop is never ending. A wonderful FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER. THANKS for everything Vicki!! GERI
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Such a good article Greg. And Vicki is a excellent photographer. Enjoyed her very much.
Myke -
Hi Greg, sorry I'm so late getting here for this month's spotlight. I love Vicki's work, great choice and she's a wonderful person besides a great photographer! Excellent spotlight article as always Greg. Martha :-)
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Inspiration from both you and Vicki is enough to keep mine going. Both of you are so down to earth and having fun is the feeling you give me which makes me want to keep going too.
Congrats to Vicki and a big thank you to you Sir!
Nancy
7/27/08 10:22 PM
gina