This is the beginning of a new series that I hope goes well. The series is a tribute to some of the photographers that inspire me. Their impact is felt when I have a camera in hand or when I am simply walking around, but perhaps most importantly change the way that I look at life and the world around me. They inspire me to be a better photographer as well as a better person.

The pictures are dependent on coming up with an idea as well as the opportunity (and ability) to capture that idea. Essentially that means that there is no relationship between the order of photographers and their importance to me. Some of my favorite photographers and whom have the largest impact on me may wait for some time before they are represented here.

With that said, I wanted kenny barker to begin this series. He is the first photographer to favorite a photo of mine, to comment on a photo of mine, to add me as a contact, and the only photographer to add me as a friend. I have had a wonderful experience on Flickr thus far and he set the tone for that.

The photostream for kenny barker can be seen here: kenny barker

His images capture the spiritual connection that we share with this world. They are contemplative, moving and awe-inspiring. His images are simply beautiful and always give me pause.

Thank you, kenny barker, for inspiring me! I always look forward to your images.

I hope he doesn't mind (let me know if you do kenny) but a sampling of his images are in the comments below (really difficult to choose from his collection):

Tags:   Inspired by kenny barker lockport lock joliet I&M canal long exposure photo_7799201516>kenny

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This ongoing series is a tribute to some of the photographers that inspire me. Their impact is felt when I have a camera in hand or when I am simply walking around, but perhaps most importantly change the way that I look at life and the world around me. They inspire me to be a better photographer as well as a better person.

The tribute pictures are dependent on coming up with an idea as well as the opportunity (and ability) to capture that idea. Essentially that means that there is no relationship between the order of photographers and their importance to me. Some of my favorite photographers and whom have the largest impact on me may wait for some time before they are represented here.

With that said, I would like to introduce seddeg ~ as the next photographer in this series. Her photostream can be seen here: seddeg ~

Her images are magical and illuminate the world around us in a very special way. Seddeg has an astonishing range of styles and concepts, producing images that are tied together by her stunning technical skill and her artistic brilliance. Her images are simply awe-inspiring and always give me pause.

Thank you, Susan, for inspiring me! I always look forward to your images even though I never know when they will arrive or what they will be - but I know them when I see them.

A sampling of her images are in the comments below (really difficult to choose from her collection)(and thank you for your help Susan!):

Special note for you dear reader: on Seddeg's images below, you need to click on the title of the image and not the image itself to be taken to her photostream.

Special note #2 for you dear reader: I have an established format for this series that I follow, but I am going to break that format on this tribute to include outtakes. I learned outtakes from seddeg and am including three outtakes in the comments section below. Her images will follow that as the first three images are part of the tribute. I am also including twice the normal amount of selections to highlight her range.

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This ongoing series is a tribute to some of the photographers that inspire me. Their impact is felt when I have a camera in hand or when I am simply walking around, but perhaps most importantly change the way that I look at life and the world around me. They inspire me to be a better photographer as well as a better person.

I would like to introduce ac4photos as the next photographer in this series. His photostream can be seen here: ac4photos

His images capture wildlife with a unique perspective that is both majestic and stunning. Alan is a principled man with an artistic sensitivity and he displays a delightfully cheesy sense of humor. His images are simply amazing and always give me pause.

Thank you, Alan, for inspiring me! I always look forward to your images.

A sampling of his images are in the comments below (really difficult to choose from his collection) and thank you for your help Alan!

Tags:   Inspired by ac4photos gull bird flight capture from above Chicago River

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This ongoing series is a tribute to some of the photographers that inspire me. Their impact is felt when I have a camera in hand or when I am simply walking around, but perhaps most importantly change the way that I look at life and the world around me. They inspire me to be a better photographer as well as a better person.

I would like to introduce Sunshine-D as the next photographer in this series. Her photostream can be seen here: Sunshine-D

Her images capture the world around us with a stunning perspective that is both beautiful and poetic. Debbie recently completed a 365 project with extraoridinary poise and artistry. During the trying times of this project, she leaned upon the muse and love of her life – her adorable and beautiful daughter. Her love and emotion – towards her life and the people in it – could not just be read and seen, but could be felt. Which is amazingly powerful and difficult to accomplish in our medium.

However, it is her love of sunshine and the happiness that it brings her, along with the sadness of its absence, that originally drew me to her and captivated my attention. Debbie is originally from South Africa and is currently living in the sunlight challenged Great Britan. She chases the elusive light as if her existence depended on it and cherishes each moment that she has with it. Her images are simply wonderful and always give me pause.

Thank you, Debbie, for inspiring me! I always look forward to your images.

A side note to you, dear reader: I was strolling around the North Pond one day and was lost in thought about Debbie’s sunshine. I came across the flowers in this tribute photo and thought to myself that it would be lovely to keep one of these shots off to the side and post it for Debbie when she is in the middle of winter and desperate for sunshine. By the time I had meandered to the other side of the pond, the main idea for this ‘inspired by’ project had taken shape – so this image actually doubles as the inspiration for this set as well.

Below is a sampling of her work:

Tags:   Inspired by Sunshine-D Debbie Bokeh Yellow Flowers Sunlight

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This ongoing series is a tribute to some of the photographers that inspire me. Their impact is felt when I have a camera in hand or when I am simply walking around, but perhaps most importantly change the way that I look at life and the world around me. They inspire me to be a better photographer as well as a better person.

I would like to introduce brendan o as the next photographer in this series. His photostream can be seen here: brendan o and his iphone stream can be seen here: Insta Me

Brendan is an artist that captures life with a powerful and unique perspective that evokes emotion and a spiritual connection within ourselves. His images are engaging and require us to draw from our own lives to participate in and complete these works of art. His explorations of relationships, of both people and space, are incredibly insightful and enlightening. His images are simply amazing and always give me pause.

Brendan is kind and thoughtful and provides many with meaningful support and interaction. His own groups Superosity, The Superness of Superosityand Blue will save the world are compiled of images that he has discovered. His groups are based on the support of photographers and artists and is focused on their work.

Thank you, Brendan, for inspiring me! I always look forward to your images.

A sampling of his images are in the comments below (really difficult to choose from his collection) and thank you for your help Brendan!

Tags:   Inspired by Brendan O Blur Light Focus Door Boy

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