One of the great things about photography is the learning never stops. There are some really terrific photographers out there not only revealing all their secrets but also creating on-line communities for photographers to share their knowledge, ask questions, and inspire growth. One such photographer really stands out. He has cleared the path and set the bar for others to follow. His name is David Hobby and his site is Strobist. I had the good fortune of attending one of his seminars this weekend and can't wait to put some of what I learned into practice! His layed back, lighting ain't rocket science approach really struck a chord with me. His site's tag line, less gear, more brain, better light is a great mantra.

I became familiar with another phtoogapher, Don Giannatti thorugh the Strobist site. Don is a seasoned pro who is also a master at lighting. While I never communicated with him, I always appreciated the time he spent responding to questions and guiding those new to photography. There seems to be a trend where those that have been doing this for a while are giving back to the photo community. It's a great thing to see!

I was especially honored when Don posted an entry on his blog about me here. To be recognized by other photographers is no small thing, at least not to me. We are, without a doubt, the harshest critics. Following Don's entry about me, we exchanged some e-mails and I convinced him to come to the Tampa Bay area and teach a lighting workshop. He'll be here in May. I can't wait for the opportunity to again learn from someone who does great work and is also a great teacher.

My hat is off to David, Don, and all the other seasoned pros out there who are sharing their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the entire photographic community.

By the way.....the photo posted here has nothing to do with the content of this entry. I just happen to like the photo. That's Heidi, a very sweet Schnauzer who recently modeled for me for the upcoming Popular Dog's Schnauzer Issue.