Art Feature: Nancy Shuler
I remember playing with my grandmother’s box camera. There was no film in it but my five-year-old self ran around happily taking photos of everything. I still run around happily taking photos of everything.
Some of my training in photography came from my older sister. She showed me the basics: the rule of two thirds, leaving your subject room to move the way he/she/it is facing, shooting with the sun over your left shoulder etc. All this took place during the time of film cameras where if you got one great shot on a 36-shot role, you counted yourself an expert. When digital cameras came into existence, I thought I had reached paradise. Take as many shots as you want and delete all but the very very best. Marvelous.
Most of the rest of my training in photography comes from my mentor, Robert Larison of Larison’s Photography in Valliant, Oklahoma. After winning various first places and best of shows in the contest Mr. Larson ran at Beavers Bend State Park and at the Watermelon Festival in Valiant, I found that he was willing to teach me all the tricks of the trade he had gained over his many years of experience as a photographer. His knowledge has greatly assisted me, especially in the processing of my photographs through Photoshop and other programs. He also made me aware of the Texas School for Photography where I have taken several weeklong courses.
My photographs have appeared in Photographer’s Forum, the Sigma Best of Photography books during the years: 2015 through 2018. I have won numerous First Places and Best of Shows along with a splatter of second and third places in various contest in Oklahoma and Texas. I have given solo exhibits at the two galleries which currently carry my work: Plaza Art Gallery, Paris Texas and The Creative Art Center, Bonhan, Texas.
By heart, I am a frustrated artist who cannot draw a straight line with the ruler, therefore, I enjoy turning my photographs into virtual paintings by adding various filters and techniques to my original shots. I have developed this method of “Photographic Art” over the many years in which I have been a photographer.
Each of my photographs undergo a unique and creative process to bring out its own specific beauty by emphasizing its distinctive composition and lighting. Each photo is printed on canvas to further increase its depth and intensity. Each canvas photo is sprayed with an acid-free acrylic coating to protect its surface and ensure its longevity.
My advice to nascent photographers: Learn the basics of photography and then play, experience, and find joy in your photographic endeavors.
I can be contacted at nshulerphd@gmail.com.
I hope you enjoy my photographic creations as much as I enjoy creating them.