Ryan Charles
Photography
WORK ​PROCESS
I have learned alot about photography from watching and working with long time professionals. Something about these guys that has always amazed me is how they can walk into any situation, assess the environment quickly, and decide on a plan of action almost immedetly in their head. They know the lighting ratios they want to use, apeture, shutter speed and iso almost instantly based on all the information they gathered once they arrived on scene. Still, they pull out light meter to sample the lighting and take test shot. Why? good habits I suppose.
it's equally amazing to watch them work with people. A natural looking pose is as much a science as it is an art. Someting as simple as the placement of fingers and hands can make or break or portrait. Carving or softening peoples features with light, finding the most flattering angles, picking the right light modifiers, and doing it all without breaking a sweat or losing the flow of a good conversation with their subject.
While I have made strides working with these gentlemen, nothing can replace the authenticity of a man that has taken the last 30 years to fine tune his craft. So what to I offer them? A fresh perspective from a young craftsman. ( which usually translates into carrying a lot of bags)
Most importantly, what do I offer you? I offer you a clean slate, a cache of ideas for your next set of images. Together we can be bold, we can be daring, but we can also be simple, and we can be elegant. We can do anything we want.
About Ryan
I was born in the outskirts of the Motor City, in the midst of the industrial exodus of Detroit. My dad worked in the automotive industry and my mom took on a full time position raising three kids, the youngest of which, is me. I struggled through school, like most kids, my mind tended to wander off to all the places my teachers would talk about. I guess I lost interest in school as teachers lost interest in my questions of just about everything, to be fair, I get it now. Still, some how, I graduated.
I joined the U.S. Army in 2003 as an Armor Crewmen on a M1A2 Main Battle Tank. I enlisted for a total of four years, two of which were spent overseas during operations OEF/OIF. While stationed with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas I met a lovely southern girl named Jessica. To read about me, you have to know about Jessica.
Jessica is the kind of girl that woke up early to starch and iron a soldier's uniform while he was out running with the platoon. She's the kind of girl that cooked him breakfast when he got back, and then straightened up the place a little before her heading off to morning classes at a local college. She's the kind of girl that a guy can trust his life with, even when he's a world away. ( I mean this literally) Jessica was the rock I needed to get through my last deployment. She might have ended every conversation we had with a sad, teary eyed good bye, but she never gave up waiting for my phone call. Jess is the kind of girl that sent other soldeirs a care package after I would tell her about them never getting one. Bottom line, if you find someone like I found, you damn well better never let go.
I purposed to her on mid-tour leave, and on December 1st, 2006 we got married.
After the Army and I went our seperate ways, I decided to use my G.I. Bill. Since I risked my life for an education, I thought I should apply myself more accordingly this time. Jessica and I started going to college together and as I began my core studies, Jessica had a few classes up on me and began taking some electives. It was Jessica that decided to take a introductory photography course. She needed a DSLR for the class and decided on the Sony A100. Consequently the A100 was also Sony's first venture into the world of DSLR's, so it was fitting since it was our first attempt at a DSLR also. Sharing a camera became less practical and soon I bought an A300. Later, she jumped ship for Nikon, and I stuck with my Sony cameras.
I have since obtained a Bachalor of Science in Communication Technology from Eastern Michigan University. I work for and study under an extremely talented photographer. Mark Bak too served in the Army, and has been kind enough to share with me what he has learned in his 30 plus years as a photographer. He has employed me to assist in the daily operations of a full service photo studio and as a staff photographer.
