Welcome to James Fontaine Photography. You will find a variety of styles and categories to view, related most to northern Minnesota. My goals are photo-journalism and documentary with an aside for studio work. Shooting sports like basketball, baseball, football, hockey, curling, kayak racing, and bicycling- all athletic competition- are a challenge I really enjoy.
My photography career began in the U.S. Army. Now, I am happiest with a camera in my hands.
The Minolta SRT 101 was my camera of choice for many years. I decided to give "digital" a try and bought a Rebel 300D. The SRT now rests in a footlocker.
I currently use a Canon 30D, the Rebel relegated to back-up status. My lens assortment is simple: an 18-85 IS/USM zoom (IS because the body tends to shake a bit these days); and a 70-300 IS/USM zoom. Canon lenses because OEM seems to work better in the 30D. UV filters cover the lens for protection from dings. I like a circular polarizer for sunny days or sky-cloud enhancement, especially over water. The 580EX flash and bracket are a good mate to the 30D; I have used my 40 year old Strobonar but it lacks the auto-ETTL.
Additional equipment includes an assortment of shoulder bags and backpack, small voice-activated tape recorder, the obligatory notebook, flashlight, spare batteries, water, a hat if I'm not wearing one, and small umbrella for sun and rain protection. Soon there will be a small digital video camera. A Giottos tripod hangs on the pack and a laptop resides inside.
I have no preference in cameras: one is as good as another. That being said, I have to admit the SLRs are better than Point and Shoot in components and lenses, especially when speed and adaptability are important.
About myself: I am semi-retired (meaning I freelance with my cameras, have no steady income and no one breathing down my neck to get something done). My son and I built a small studio onto my home for portraits and "other" work. The job I loved most was shooting/ENG for an NBC affiliate. Now I freelance for newspapers, do weddings and portraits (although I need more practice with studio lights- JTL600's) and work on documentary video and web projects.
Journalistically, I am passionate about social issues and documentaries related to this area.
Other interests include canoeing/boating, camping, fishing and hunting and my second passion, bicycling, mountain and road/touring. I do a little ice fishing to help long winters pass more quickly.
Viewers of my old site will recognize some of the pictures, especially the fire shots, but I am attempting to make this all new material, so please bear with me as it develops.
If you'd like to order a print or just contact me, I can be reached at fontainebrt@aol.com via Email and sometimes IM.
Again, thanks for stopping by. Enjoy and God bless. Jim