After 15 years in the field of book publishing, I quit my job in late 1996 to pursue photography, a long-time hobby. For the next two years I took classes, workshops, and seminars with working professional photographers, and am still an avid photographic workshopaholic. Initially, I concentrated on learning basic skills and techniques, which turned out to be the easy part of the process. What has been more elusive is developing creative vision, that unique approach that distinguishes one photographer from another. I’ve discovered that the “vision thing” is a continuing journey, not a destination, and it’s what makes photography so much fun. Nature photography wasn’t a conscious choice; it simply evolved from my deep interest and enjoyment of the natural world. My images are primarily of outdoor scenes in natural light, under changing conditions of weather and season. Most of my photography is local, in and around the Washington, DC area.

My work is sold primarily through local and regional fine art and fine craft shows, public exhibits, and retail outlets such as the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, the Audubon Naturalist Society, and Strathmore Hall.

I offer private lessons, am available as a speaker for camera clubs and other groups, and teach two nature photography courses for the Institute of Lifelong Learning at Montgomery College.

I use Canon cameras and lenses. My film camera is a Canon A2e, and my favorite film is Fujichrome Velvia (ISO 100). In October 2005, I got my first digital camera, a Canon 20D, and began the massive learning curve that the switch to digital demands. With the 20D, I shoot RAW files, which are processed using the Canon Utility software and tweaked for color and sharpness using Photoshop CS2 software. The images you see here on the website have been created using both film and digital equipment.

I think a word of explanation is need for the Monet series of flower images that you see here. Although they look like they’ve been Photoshopped, they haven’t (other than the standard editing for dust motes and minor color corrections). These images are created by using an off camera filter…actually a sheet of textured Plexiglas…that has been placed in front of the subject, not on the lens. I’ve been told by people that they can get a similar look by using one or more Photoshop filters, but these images weren’t made that way.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments or questions about anything related to these images or photography in general.

I live in Montgomery County, MD with my husband, multiple cats, and a very tolerant Sheltie.

[Click here for a list of Marsha's current camera equipment]