My name is Ken. I have been with Photofocus since May 2020, about 14% of the existence of Photofocus, beginning with an article entitled “Five tips all night photographers should know.” I am now proud to be on the Photofocus Editorial Board.
Learning by teaching
One of the best ways to learn is to teach. When you go through the process of determining how best to teach a subject, or describe something in an article, you are crystallizing your thoughts and viewpoints. As an author, I need to dig deep into the subject, whether it’s a review or teaching the best way to light paint, or illuminate a subject, during a long exposure night photo. Photofocus has given me this opportunity.
Kicking the tires
Another bonus of being a Photofocus author is the ability to test new photography gear and software. I am not really a “gear head,” and remain sparing in what I choose to review. However, being an author has nonetheless given me the opportunity to try out photography gloves, intervalometers, tripods, lights and even a standing desk.
On the software front, I have been able to report on Luminar, DxO Nik Software, Photoshop, Lightroom, Starry Landscape Stacker and more. I also felt happy to be able to look at it from the point of view of how these items might be useful to someone who does night photography or long exposure photography. As an evangelist for light painting and night photography, it’s what I do.
The “pre-biography”
I have a bio, yes I do. Before we get to that, however, I’ll also mention that I love playing and recording strange experimental and ambient music as Eleven Shadows. I’ve also written for EQ Magazine and other publications in the past, writing about recording music and reviewing recording software.
I am also an avid traveler. If I am not rattling down a dirt road in the Southwest, I often backpack throughout various countries. I have been to over twenty countries, including India, Iceland, Peru, Ghana, Ecuador, Brazil, Myanmar, Thailand, Hong Kong, Chile, Morocco, Spain, Germany, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, and more.
Now, on to my Photofocus biography
I am a night photographer. I drive long hours in a dusty car listening to weird music, stay out all night creating photos, get dirty, hang out with other creative sleep-deprived weirdos, see the stars drift across the sky, and always find the best taco stands while photographing forgotten abandoned locales and amazing nightscapes. Currently, I have three books published, with one more on the way. My images have appeared in National Geographic Books, Omni magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Westways magazine, and numerous other publications. I also teach night photography workshops, which include light painting, star trails, and much more.
Please check out www.kenleephotography.com to learn more about me and my work.
Thank you very much!
