Cambridge Photography - Walt Kendall

Based out of his Cambridge Photography studio in Greeley, Colorado, Walt currently is concentrating on three areas photographically: Capturing the essence of ordinary places as a fine art photographer, creating classic photographic portraits, and working with established and prospective models to enhance their careers.

For 25 years he has been working to capture the essence of ordinary places in his photos. It’s not easy to categorize this genre of images. Most of his images come as a result of his extensive travels, yet he isn’t exactly a travel photographer. “I’m not trying to capture a post card type of image,” says Walt. “I’m successful when I capture an image that people will remember, and would miss if they could never see again. I want my images to conjure up strong memories of a place or compelling dreams.” During his extensive travels he always keeps a sharp eye for alluring photographic subjects that convey the essence of place in a way that goes straight to the heart

Walt started his professional photographic career as a wedding photographer. “Being a wedding photographer is a great training ground,” Walt says. “You have to be able to see images as they happen and then have to have the technical and artistic competence to capture them.” He learned to work quickly, with a minimum of equipment, to capture professional quality images in a rapidly changing environment.

His wedding experience also serves him well in his work with established and aspiring models, primarily in the field of glamour photography. He doesn’t have to bring six people and loads of equipment on a shoot, keeping the cost down and the energy level up. “We are able to have fun, which is what working with models should be all about."

After many years with film, Walt has moved almost exclusively to digital capture. He cites several advantages over film. First, you no longer have to worry about film being X-rayed over and over when traveling. Second, professional digital cameras actually exceed the abilities of 35mm film when it comes to large format prints. Finally, archival ink-jet professional prints greatly exceed traditional silver prints in terms of longevity. “Most of the professional photographers that I know have made the transition to digital capture wholly or at least for a portion of their work,” Walt said recently.

“Early experimentation in the digital realm gave digital a black eye. They didn’t seem to be interested in traditional fine art photographic images, but rather with gross distortions of photographs,” he said. “Today, serious photographers aren’t doing much, if anything, with a digital image that they didn’t do with film or in the dark room.” It is his belief that serious photographers who utilize digital media are no different from those using film.

Walt also loves to share his experience and hard won knowledge with other serious photographers. “Working with photographers on a Tag Along photo trip is terrific,” Walt says. He is very excited about the travel photography trips because he enjoys helping photographers to attain a new level in their work, where they see in new and exciting ways. He really likes the growth that takes place as a result of the individual instruction and the photographic assignments during the trips.