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ON THE ROAD TO BECOMING A PHOTOGRAPHER

ON THE ROAD TO BECOMING A PHOTOGRAPHER

As a kid growing up, I took snapshots of people with my rudimentary camera, mainly kids at summer camp and friends at boarding school and college.  After graduation, I retired my camera and progressed to other avocations.  When not working long hours as a fundraiser at Stanford University, I swam laps daily in an Olympic-size pool and rode my bicycle with a passion.  I did a triathlon when I turned 50,  Art was what other people did.  I wanted to be called a jock because that’s what I was.

 

When I retired in 2002, my husband, Bruce Berger, and I began traveling frequently to remote countries on the brink of change.  That’s when things shifted drastically and something unique happened.  The best way to describe it is to say that I gave birth to my creative side.  I wanted to take pictures again.  It happened on a trip to Papua New Guinea in 2004 when I came in contact with indigenous people I’d only seen previously in National Geographic magazines.  They were exotic and unique.  That’s when my interest in photographing people resurfaced and deepened.  It was that early experience of photographing these exotic tribes that has guided my craft as a photographer for the last twenty years.  I’ve been photographing people ever since.

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA SING SING CELEBRATION 2004 (Photo by Pam Perkins)

 

In our early travel days my 12 megapixel point-and-shoot served me well.  Eventually, however, I came dissatisfied with the quality of my images.  When I discussed this with a photographer friend, he said I’d outgrown my camera.  So in 2013 I bought an entry level DSLR at Costco and took off on a trip to China, not knowing exactly what A-P-S-M on the camera dial meant.  Fortunately I knew enough to stay away from automatic.  With the help and encouragement of other photographers on that trip, I returned from China with a few good photographs and a little more knowledge about those mysterious letters.  But I didn’t know exactly what they meant, so I wanted to find out.

A HAPPY VILLAGER, DONG INDIGENOUS GROUP, SOUTHWEST CHINA  2013  (photo by Pam Perkins)

 

To learn the technical aspects of photography and help me improve, I did workshops, took classes, read articles, and watched Youtube videos.  Learning the nuts and bolts of my camera was important, but creative inspiration came from travel and spending time with people from different backgrounds and cultures.  I wanted to learn more about them and their lives.  I believe it is my ability to personally connect with people that enables me to photograph them in such a way as to reveal their humanity and share their story.

 

I tell my friends I have fallen down the photography rabbit hole because there is still so much to learn, with no end in sight.  While I love taking photographs, I also find joy in editing because it taps into another form of creativity, and for me it’s relaxing and fun.  I also enjoy visiting museums ad galleries where I can appreciate and learn from the work of other artists.  I belong to two camera clubs — the Friday Foto Fanatics and the Los Gatos Saratoga Camera Club–where I continually learn from excellent photographers and make new and interesting friends.

 

I now shoot with Sony full frame equipment and my favorite two lenses are the Sony GM 16-35 f2.8 and the Sony GM 24-70 f2.8, although prime lenses compete favorably.  I edit in Adobe Lightroom, and, when necessary, I use Photoshop to make minor edits.

 

Now that I’m in my 70s I no longer call myself a long distance cyclist and certainly can’t be called a jock.  That’s a designation for people younger than I.  Instead I want to be called a photographer because that’s what I am.

 

PAM IN 2020 (Photo by Bruce Berger)

 

 

 

 

 

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Pam Perkins

pamperk@pacbell.net
12 Comments
  • Phil Kidd

    August 20, 2022 at 3:18 pm Reply

    Very Nice Pam!

    • Pam Perkins

      August 20, 2022 at 6:18 pm Reply

      Thank you, Phil. You were an early teacher.

  • Rob Thomson

    August 20, 2022 at 5:00 pm Reply

    Hi Pam. Great story and photos. Have been noticing more of these Sony cameras in my travels and will look at seriously for next camera. I am waiting for the Iphone 14 first to see what capabilities it has for basic photos before making camera decisions. Ciao Rob

    • Pam Perkins

      August 20, 2022 at 6:15 pm Reply

      Thanks very much, Rob, I too am awaiting the release of the iPhone 14 because for me it will be a great little point and shoot. However, in my mind nothing compares with the capabilities of my Sony, but it does depend on what you want to do with your photographs.

      Where are you off to next?

  • Sharon Antonelli

    August 20, 2022 at 5:08 pm Reply

    Hi Pam,
    Your blog is such an inspiration! Photography is certainly a passion for you. I hope to see you one day soon. Sharon

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      January 5, 2023 at 12:52 pm Reply

      Sharon, I’m not sure if I ever responded to this nice note you wrote last summer. Thank you very much. I hope you are back to your same self. Pam

  • Susan Gutterman

    August 20, 2022 at 6:39 pm Reply

    Not only are you a wonderful technical photographer, but the way you connect with your subjects and tell their stories is magical, Pam!

    • Pam Perkins

      August 24, 2022 at 5:56 pm Reply

      Thanks, Susan. Compliments from you mean a lot.

  • Michael Devine

    August 20, 2022 at 7:35 pm Reply

    You have a way of putting your subjects a ease and let their world show through. Thanks for sharing

    • Pam Perkins

      August 24, 2022 at 5:56 pm Reply

      That’s always my objective. Many thanks, Michael. And Happy Anniversary!

  • Don Christie

    August 22, 2022 at 5:36 am Reply

    This former denizen of the Holden Hall basement darkroom and spirited Gould Camera Club member (and student of Gayle Foster) loves reading about the technical and artistic aspects of your journey of light. I always say that Mr. Thompson taught me to read and write (although he steadfastly denied it), and Mr. Foster taught me how to see. Best regards, Don

  • Pam Perkins

    August 24, 2022 at 5:57 pm Reply

    Thanks, Don. I love that you are able to tie things back to those wonderful days at Gould.

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