Looks like I’ve been writing steady for Photofocus since 2018. That makes it about four or five years. Man, time sure flies when you are having fun! Here’s a link to my very first article written at the behest of then editor Kevin Ames.
Writing for Photofocus
Photofocus has helped me continue expanding my knowledge and photography skills. As an author I am forced to research and dig in depth about whatever subject about which I am writing. Having been an instructor most of my photographic life, Photofocus has extended my reach to sharing. Can’t tell you how excited I get when I see or hear about the ‘light bulb moment’ fellow photographers get after being exposed to ideas.
Testing one, two, three
A bonus of being a Photofocus author is the testing and reporting of new industry gear. I never was too much of a ‘tech-head’ in the past. But working with new releases, and reporting upon them has kept me closer to the forefront of new ways to create images. Whether that is with lighting, lenses, software or support gear I try to find how to push the envelope with new processes and techniques and share them with readers.
Bio
Here’s my bio to get an idea of what I am about professionally.
Bob Coates
M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr.,CPP, EA-ASP
Coates started his official pro career in March of 1995 after picking up and putting down a camera for the previous Thirteen years. Based in the Caribbean for his first three years of business Bob concentrated on commercial photography. He was dragged kicking and screaming into the wedding side of the business and then embraced weddings. Upon his move to Sedona, Arizona to get out of the path of hurricanes, weddings were expanded and mixed with some commercial work. Coming full circle Bob is back to concentrating on commercial projects, chasing wildlife, teaching and creating an art décor line of images as a ‘Lens Based Artist’ combining photographic images with digital artistry.
Articles for magazines and books authored by Bob are part of how he gives back to the photographic community. In addition, Bob has presented programs from Hawaii to the Caribbean including National platforms at Imaging USA and other venues. Judging local and International print competitions is another way Bob has shares his expertise in the industry.
A Panasonic Lumix Ambassador until April of 2019, Bob now works with Olympus Micro 4/3rds cameras and lenses. Coates has found that the light weight gear has made capturing wildlife images more attainable with a longer reach and lighter weight. The computational Captures that now allow for things such as Starry Sky Autofocus, in-camera ND filters, Live Capture and more make the format even more useful.
Bob has always believed in helping his local community using his photographic skills. Among fundraising projects a couple notable ones were a calendar based on the movie Calendar Girls that raised money and garnered lots of community awareness and National press for the Sedona Arts Center. He also photographed, designed, printed and sold a calendar titled ‘Flowers for Food’ for the Sedona Community Center raising over $15,000.
The Gallery of Modern Masters at the Hillside Sedona Center represents Coates’ artwork. Bob currently lives and works from his residential studio in Sedona, AZ with his best friend and wife, Holly.
Professional involvement
- Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Member 1997 – present
- PPA Certified 1998 – present
- Arizona Professional Photographers Association (AZPPA) Member 1999 – present
- Phoenix PPA Member 1999 – 2004
- AZPPA Board Member 2001 – 2012 Web Master 2007 – 2012
- AZPPA President 2004/2005 and 2010/2011
- PPA Craftsman Degree 2002
- PPA Master Photographer Degree 2006
- PPA Artist Degree 2015
- PPA Imaging Excellence Award 2015 Imaging Excellence Bar 2018
- PPA Councilor 2009 – 2020
- PPA Approved National Judge 2010 – present
- Buddy M. Stewart Humanitarian Award (PPA) 2011
- Member ASP 2002-present
- American Society of Photographers (ASP) Educational Associate Degree 2018
- NILMDTS photographer 2006 – 2013
- Panasonic Lumix Ambassador 2013 – 2019
- PPA Imaging USA speaker twice
- Served on PPA Nominating Committee
- Served on PPA Juror Review Committee
- PPA Bylaws Rules and Ethics – Committee Chair 2021 – Present
- Photofocus author – 2018 present
- Founded Virgin Islands Professional Photographers group
- Sedona Arts Center Calendar Project 2004-2005 ‘Expose yourself to the Arts’ Raised money and awareness for SAC
- Delivering Meals on Wheels 2008 – present
- Sedona Community Center Calendar project 2009 – 2010 ‘Flowers for Food’
- Yavaipai County – Unsung Hero Award 2010
- NILMDTS Board Member – 2011 – 2013
- Keep Sedona Beautiful Litter lifter – 2021- present – Mile Marker 300-301 on Hwy 179
What’s up now?
After laying low during the ‘Time of Covid’ and speaking online through ZOOMs, I’m not only doing that, but I’m now back out hitting the streets as a live speaker. I’m currently teaching Milky Way and Night Sky photography classes and workshops, Photoshop how-to and more. Check out my Seminars page to see what’s available if you would like to have me come speak to your group or photo association.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob