How do you
pronounce your last name?
My ancestors were French and arrived in the Southern US after being told to "git" out of Nova Scotia many years ago. Some pronounce Saucier as "so-sure," this is how they say it in Saucier, MS. In some parts of the country people say, "so-shay." I like and use the French pronunciation, "saw-see-AY." I have heard it pronounced every way you can think of, from Saucy to Saucer. If it sounds close, I will answer. In French, "Saucier" is a sauce chef or in other words a gravy cook and we all know how good gravy is.
My ancestors were French and arrived in the Southern US after being told to "git" out of Nova Scotia many years ago. Some pronounce Saucier as "so-sure," this is how they say it in Saucier, MS. In some parts of the country people say, "so-shay." I like and use the French pronunciation, "saw-see-AY." I have heard it pronounced every way you can think of, from Saucy to Saucer. If it sounds close, I will answer. In French, "Saucier" is a sauce chef or in other words a gravy cook and we all know how good gravy is.
How long have
you been a photography teacher?
I started teaching photography in 1982. One of my first students commented that I shouldn't quit my day job. I have gotten better since then. In fact, in the late 80's I co-taught with two of my mentors at the Tremont Institute in the Smokies. I taught nature photography for six years at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia where I developed many of the ideas about teaching photography which I use today. Today, I feel blessed to have two amazing photographers as teaching partners, Nancy Rotenberg, Natural Tapestries, and Don McGowan, EarthSong Photography. They also share my love of nature photography and teaching.
I started teaching photography in 1982. One of my first students commented that I shouldn't quit my day job. I have gotten better since then. In fact, in the late 80's I co-taught with two of my mentors at the Tremont Institute in the Smokies. I taught nature photography for six years at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia where I developed many of the ideas about teaching photography which I use today. Today, I feel blessed to have two amazing photographers as teaching partners, Nancy Rotenberg, Natural Tapestries, and Don McGowan, EarthSong Photography. They also share my love of nature photography and teaching.
Who were your
photographic mentors?
I try to learn from everyone I meet, students as well as accomplished photographers but my earliest teachers were John Shaw, Larry West and John Netherton. I learned my minimalist style from Shaw and West, and I feel that I have refined it over the years by developing my own unique photographic skills and techniques. John Netherton taught me how to create an image with color as the subject which enabled me to see the importance of color in my photographs. Who knew?
I try to learn from everyone I meet, students as well as accomplished photographers but my earliest teachers were John Shaw, Larry West and John Netherton. I learned my minimalist style from Shaw and West, and I feel that I have refined it over the years by developing my own unique photographic skills and techniques. John Netherton taught me how to create an image with color as the subject which enabled me to see the importance of color in my photographs. Who knew?
What is your
philosophy of teaching photography?
I believe the secret of photography is that it is a language. It is a visual language and just like any verbal language, there is grammar, prose and poetry in photography.
Also, I feel there are three reasons why we photograph. We photograph to record things such as trees, ferns, sunsets or birthday parties. We photograph to express our unique vision of the world because we are individuals and we all see the world differently. When we are in the present moment or "zone/flow", as photographers we can connect with the subject, and the subject can then express itself through our images. As I have grown as a photographer and teacher, I believe that "Recording", "Expressing" and "Connecting" photography are really stages in the growth or journey of a photographer. When I teach these concepts to my students I see instant improvements in their work, which shows me that they "get it", in spite of my deep southern accent.
I believe the secret of photography is that it is a language. It is a visual language and just like any verbal language, there is grammar, prose and poetry in photography.
Also, I feel there are three reasons why we photograph. We photograph to record things such as trees, ferns, sunsets or birthday parties. We photograph to express our unique vision of the world because we are individuals and we all see the world differently. When we are in the present moment or "zone/flow", as photographers we can connect with the subject, and the subject can then express itself through our images. As I have grown as a photographer and teacher, I believe that "Recording", "Expressing" and "Connecting" photography are really stages in the growth or journey of a photographer. When I teach these concepts to my students I see instant improvements in their work, which shows me that they "get it", in spite of my deep southern accent.
What
equipment do you use?
I am always saying to myself, if I just had that new Nikon lens, I would be a better photographer. Well, let me tell you I have tried that many times and it is not true but a new lens will satisfy your lust for a day or two. The only thing which will make you a better photographer is practice. I shoot Nikon cameras and lenses only because when I started many years ago my older brother used Nikon. I figured I could always borrow a lens or two when he was not looking. I have found that Nikon takes pictures just as good as all the others but it is a little more user friendly. In this digital age, your computer gear sometimes gets more use than your camera. I have used PC computers since before they had hard drives in them. In fact, I have even been building my own PC desktops and laptops the past ten years. I have just recently switched over to the Mac, I find that the Mac works just as good as all the others but it is a little more user friendly. So, there you have it.
I am always saying to myself, if I just had that new Nikon lens, I would be a better photographer. Well, let me tell you I have tried that many times and it is not true but a new lens will satisfy your lust for a day or two. The only thing which will make you a better photographer is practice. I shoot Nikon cameras and lenses only because when I started many years ago my older brother used Nikon. I figured I could always borrow a lens or two when he was not looking. I have found that Nikon takes pictures just as good as all the others but it is a little more user friendly. In this digital age, your computer gear sometimes gets more use than your camera. I have used PC computers since before they had hard drives in them. In fact, I have even been building my own PC desktops and laptops the past ten years. I have just recently switched over to the Mac, I find that the Mac works just as good as all the others but it is a little more user friendly. So, there you have it.
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