Veterans Park Recreation Center now features a free class on lighting and its use in photography. Kevin Boller, a long-time Lehigh resident is the instructor of the course. Boller, who is a well-known product and portrait photographer, is now sharing his own experience to teach other artists the fine aspects of lighting, composition and other nuances in the field of photography.
Boller’s next class called Collaborative will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The class is just one of series held on the third Saturday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Each class is part of the Veteran Park Recreation Center’s free Photography Plus Club, a class for photographers who are looking to take their skills to the next level. During each class, participants can meet and mingle with experienced photographers and practice new lighting, staging, and subject in practice sessions. The class is for intermediate to advanced skilled photographers, ages 16 and older.
According to Boller, the class/club is meant to be a source of inspiration where professionals can come together to collaborate.
“I am hoping the group becomes a place for those who are seeking to expand their level of photography by learning and a place we can call each other and say, I got this crazy idea, who wants to help bring it to life,” he continued.
Boller, who has specialized in photography for many years, explained that he caught the photography bug as a young boy from his uncle.
“My Uncle Bobby was a professional photographer years ago. He shot primarily race cars out on the West Coast. He worked for USAC and Open Wheel Magazine. My earliest memories of getting hooked into photography was watching and helping my uncle as he stood on the infield of a small dirt track in Calistoga, California. With the Sun Pak Day-lighter flash, whose battery fit in a backpack on his back, was bright enough to completely light the end of a half mile race track and froze the motion of the race cars. That’s when I was hooked,” Boller said.
Boller was 12 that summer, and after seeing his uncle work, he knew what he wanted to do.
“After that, I got an early film camera, and never stopped,” Boller said.
Boller is best known for his portraits but will, quite literally, shoot anything.
“I have shot flowers, automotive, product photography, and wildlife. My passion is people. I love working with people, although that might be one of the hardest subjects to capture. All photography is about seeing and a bit of psychology, whether self-reflective or trying to bring out the best moment of the subject. I think Ansel Adams has a great quote about getting the shot, ‘There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.'” Boller said.
In the end, Boller hopes the club will provide an atmosphere for photographers to learn and share their ideas.
“I think nothing is impossible if given the chance and education. If we can create the space and teach a little something to someone who then runs with it and changes lives, well that would be cool,” Boller said.
Veterans Park Recreation Center is at 55 Homestead Road South, in Lehigh. For more information, call 239-369-1521 or visit https://www.leegov.com/parks/centers/veterans.
For more information on Kevin Boller Photography, visit kevinboller.com or his Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/kevinbollerphotography/
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