Nina Ruiz
In Motion Staff Writer
The Southeast Museum of Photography at the Hosseini Center hosted “The Art of Nature Photography,” presented by Joe and Mary Jean Campanellie, an April event that attracted photographers of all ages looking to improve their skills.
Joe Campanellie began the lecture sharing a bit of his background as a part of the Professional Photographers of America organization, where he judges those who enter and submit their works to competitions.
The Campanellies then discussed previous works they have focused on prior to their landscape and avian photography. Primarily engrossed in the complexities of family portraits, children, high school seniors and weddings, the couple felt like it was time for a change.
Joe stressed the importance of never turning down a job that may not sound all that exciting because every experience has its benefits. But he also recommended separating some time for yourself.
“The more you put all your time and energy into one specific thing, the more you start to get tired of it,” Campanellie said.
Once he started capturing images of birds and nature, Campanellie knew that this decision was a life-changing turn of events. The decision positively affected not only his career, but his personal life as well. Accentuating the art that is in life, nature and animals gave him a sense of purpose and increased his passion for photography.
Campanellie offered tips to the audience, many of which took notes diligently while he spoke.
“Know your equipment,” Campanellie emphasized. “With nature, one second the scene is there, and the next second it’s not. You don’t have time to be trying to figure out how your equipment works in the moment.”
Other major tips included doing research on the locations and practicing every day. He also offered insight on how helpful it is to work in groups and the benefits of giving and receiving feedback from other photographers.
He briefly discussed the rules of photography, but referred to the rules as mere guidelines more so than laws. “Know the basic rules. Then know when to break them,” Campanellie said.
Mary Jean Campanellie explained her skills and passion for manipulating photography into other types of works. Using Corel Painter to paint, draw and alter her photographs in new and creative ways, Mrs. Campanellie expressed her love for how the essence of a raw photograph can turn into a product that is much greater.
“Simplicity is your friend in photography. We, as photographers, get so involved in our technology and equipment, that we forget to bask in the beauty of simplicity,” said Mrs. Campanellie about her process. “Don’t overthink. Ask yourself what you want your viewers to feel when they look at your work.”
Kayla Billingsley, a photography student from the University of Central Florida who attended the event, appreciated the married couple’s lecture, and felt as though they helped in more ways than just sharing tips.
“I felt like I was in a rut with my work recently, but it really spoke to me when Joe said to take every mistake as an opportunity to learn, adjust and move on,” Billingsley said.
The Campanellie’s ended the talk with a slideshow of their work and some recommendations of where to go to practice for learning photographers, which included local zoos and beaches.