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By
RICK WOOD Ron
Southworth, of Camano Island, has indulged his love for photography
as a hobby for more than three decades. However, it was just a few
years ago that he decided to enter the professional photography arena. “I
love the thrill and the adventure,” said Southworth. “I
love going for pictures that are not easily attained.” Southworth
credits encouragement from family and friends for giving him the extra
push to throw his hat in the ring as a professional landscape and
portrait photographer. “They gave me the belief that my stuff
could pass muster,” he said. Southworth took photography classes in college and learned the technical skills needed to take and process photographs from film. Over time, he has witnessed the photography change from film cameras needing developing to digital images that can be viewed instantly. “With
digital, you get immediate feedback,” he said. “You know
whether or not you got the shot you wanted.” Editing programs
and instant printing have taken the art of photography to a new level,
said Southworth. “The thrill is to take a landscape, and by
use of light, create an artwork,” said Southworth. Taking photography
beyond the hobby stage comes with unique challenges. “I feel
that a good landscape photograph is more than just a picture of a
place I have visited,” he said. “It involves two important
parts — the art and the craft.” Sometimes,
getting the right shot also means getting a little wet. A trip to
Punchbowl Falls, in the Columbia River Gorge, nearly resulted in Southworth
taking an unscheduled swim with his camera. “I had to be extremely
careful walking out into the creek,” Southworth recalled. “I
nearly slipped on the smooth rocks that lined the bottom.” In
one image, Southworth captures a fleeting moment when an errant ray
of sunshine illuminated the falls and made the water seem like liquid
sunshine crashing on the rocks below. “Landscape photography
is like that,” he said. “It’s the patience and perseverance
to stay on a subject until you catch that perfect moment.” Although
he has a list of American places he would like to photograph, Southworth
said that he doesn’t need to board a plane to shoot some of
his favorite subjects. “It’s nice to be able to live within
a day’s trip of beautiful places,” said Southworth. “Puget
Sound, the Cascades, Mount Rainier — they’re all easily
accessible.” Southworth
said he would like to continue his passion for photography for the
rest of his life. “My motivation in doing this is about love
and passion — and sharing it with other people,” he said. To
view Ron Southworth’s photography, visit www.ronsouthworth.
com or call him at 387-0555. |