The Cooperator staff carved out three days from our busy schedules in late summer to devote some time for planning and self-evaluation. We left the session with a solid plan for the upcoming year, and we discussed how we might enhance our skills as photographers and writers. It’s easy to get trapped in a rut.
One of my favorite parts of the exercise was talking about ways we could improve as photographers. I made some suggestions to the staff, though I must admit, after a 32-year career, I often find myself struggling to bring a fresh perspective, too.
We spent time looking at photographs from a diverse range of sources. We looked at photographers who specialized in fields such as advertising, fine art, and portraiture. We perused magazines, websites, and social media pages, as well. Some of the examples from outside our line of work and our industry offered the most potential to jolt our thinking and help us see things in a fresh way.
Among those sources, Instagram offers great potential — it has a nearly limitless supply of pictures by photographers of all skill levels and backgrounds. One of the pages we discussed was by my friend Steve Sutton, who served as State 4-H Leader until his retirement in January 2014. Like many of our Co-op folks, Steve couldn’t stay away from work very long and has since returned to serve Extension and the 4-H program in a variety of ways, most recently as assistant director of the State 4-H Foundation, Inc.
I felt Steve’s portfolio was a particularly appropriate one to consider as he has taken thousands of photos from near and far. He has traveled to 15 countries and shared many photos from his adventures. But he also includes pictures from around his home in Knoxville, his hometown of Newport, and other locations that our staff photographers found familiar.
What I enjoy about his work is his eye for detail and his sense of discovery. He takes sometimes mundane images, and often with a heavy dose of post processing, brings out vivid color, contrast, and patterns that make them stand out. You can tell he is having fun with his photography, and his playfulness shows through.
Steve used photography as a tool in his Extension role. But after he retired, he pursued the hobby with a passion, and he brings a unique perspective to his photos.
While Steve downplays the significance of his work, it’s apparent he has a talented photographer’s eye and one that many folks — whether professional or amateur — can learn from. See his work at https://www.instagram.com/nottuss/.