Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Wiggins.
Hi Tom, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My interest in photography started as an adolescent in the late 1950’s with my first camera, a Kodak Brownie. Growing up in the New York City area my father’s and Uncle’s interests in photography were always present.
In the 1970s, I had a B&W darkroom in my home. I used a 35mm SLR and a 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 twin lens film cameras until the 90’s when my interest waned as my career and family occupied most of my time. In 2000, with the coming of digital photography, my interest in photography was reborn.
My portfolio includes flowers, landscapes, architecture, and travel. Over the past 20 years, travel to Europe and around the U.S. have provided many photographic opportunities. Sharp, clear, colorful images showing the world as it is with all its natural beauty is my goal.
I’m essentially a self-taught photographer but have taken several photography courses over the years.
After over 45 years of working in various engineering and management positions in both industry and the Federal Government, I’m now retired allowing more time to devote to my passion: photography. In 2014, I began teaching an Introduction to Digital Photography class through Art Exposure – Baltimore, and in addition private lessons on my own through Tom Wiggins Photography.
Exhibits and Publications
Howard County Conservancy:
“Art of Stewardship – Nature through the Artist’s Eyes Exhibition” 2016
“Art and the Art of Stewardship” 2012 and 2013
Howard County Arts 2015
Howard Community College Student Exhibition Spring 2013
Publications:
SOBO Voice August-Sept 2015 Meet the Artist-Tom Wiggins
SOBO Voice April-May 2016 Cover
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I’m essentially a nonprofessional, self-trained photographer, finding students has been the biggest challenge. In the first three years of offering training, I got my students through ART Exposure – Baltimore, and then expanded my reach to using social media, YELP, Google, and referrals.
During COVID-19, I needed to add the following restrictions for the safety of my students and myself: Currently, all classes are held during daylight hours at an outdoor location while practicing social distancing. The wearing of masks will be required for students who have not been fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is required.
Hopefully, as more individuals are vaccinated, I will be able to move my classes back inside.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tom Wiggins Photography?
My business is all about teaching camera skills. I recognized that many formal courses fail to teach the student a full understanding of how the controls affect a photo taken. I’ve also found that some students struggle with learning their camera’s controls using online video classes. The goal of my classes is to give the student a personal hands-on learning experience at their pace. This way they gain the knowledge of how adjustments to camera controls affect the photograph, allowing them to take the best possible photo, therefore, minimizing the amount of post-processing required. I offer two courses either as private or semi-private (2-persons).
Introduction To Digital Photography
These lessons provide a hands-on opportunity to learn how to use your camera in a more effective manner to create better photos. At the end of the lessons, you should no longer need to take photographs using automatic settings.
Scheduling is open-ended once we get started, as I want the student to have time to practice the concepts discussed after each lesson. There will be photo homework assignments for the student to complete and submit by email.
Once we have reviewed the basic camera controls, the student can direct what additional topics they would like to cover. This allows you to customize the lessons to your specific needs if you so desire.
The class covers the basics of digital photography. Topics include camera controls, speed, aperture, ISO and shooting modes, depth of field, correct exposure, photographic composition, and lighting.
This course is offered in three or four meetings for a total of 4 1/2 hours.
Advanced Digital Photography
This class is for a student who has completed at least 2 two-hour sessions of an introductory digital photography course. Students are to be proficient in making the following adjustments on their camera: shooting mode, metering mode, speed, aperture, ISO, control of depth of field, and exposure correction.
The focus here is on fieldwork to allow the student to apply what was learned in previous sessions to the type of photography they wish to pursue. Fieldwork will be customized to the interests of the student (i.e., photographing children, landscapes, HDR, panorama, sports, animals, etc.).
The course is two meetings of 1 1/2 hours for a total of 3 hours of instruction
Once a student has completed one of my classes, I provide long-term email support. At any time, a student can send a photo and I will provide a critique including suggestions as to what camera settings they should have used to improve the photo.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
While my father and Uncle were into photography, we also lived next door to a freelance and former Life Magazine photographer. He often had my family pose for B&W photos when he was evaluating new equipment. I remember visiting his darkroom and seeing how he exposed photographic paper and then developed the images. It was magical!! I was hooked on photography!!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://wordpress.com/page/tomwigginsphotography.wordpress.com/199
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_wiggins_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tom.wiggins.photography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tom-wiggins-photography-columbia-2
