Hi and welcome to James Fontaine Photography. You will find a variety of styles and categories to view. You will see my interests are varied and related most to the northern Minnesota area in which I live.
My photography career began in the U.S. Army when I first walked into a Special Services photo lab. I immediately fell in love and haven't looked back since. I am happiest when I have a camera in my hands.
The Minolta SRT 101 was my camera of choice for many years, never having a problem with them for forty years, until the mirror froze. I decided to give "digital" a try at that time and bought a Rebel 300D. Sad to say, the SRT now rests in the footlocker and taken out to run it thru its paces sans film.
Now the system is Canon, I am using the 30D, the Rebel handed-down to my son. 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. Both Canon lenses because OEM seems to work better in the 30D. UV filters cover the lens simply for protection from dings: $80 being lots less than $1000. I like a circular polarizer for sunny days for sky-cloud enhancement, especially over water. The 580EX flash and bracket are a good mate to the 30D; although I have used my 40 year old Strobonar but it lacks the auto-ETTL which I have grown to love.
Additional and necessary equipment includes an assortment of shoulder bags and a camera backpack. I also carry a small voice-activated tape recorder for interviews since the memory isn't always reliable, and the obligatory notebook and a flashlight, spare batteries, water, a hat if I'm not wearing one, and a small umbrella in the bag- sun and rain protection. Soon there will be a small digital video camera as well since I quite often run into news that would be better shot with both styles of camera for better sales potential. (Let's add another five pounds to an already heavy bag!) To get steady shots I use a Giottos tripod.
Not that I have a preference in cameras: one is as good as another. It's the person driving the machine that makes it work. 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 and in versatility.
About myself: I am semi-retired (meaning I am freelancing with my cameras, have no steady income and no one breathing down my neck to get something done). My son and I have built a small studio onto my home. Here I hope to be doing portraits and "other" work. I am an avid traveler, anticipating much in the future. The best job I ever had was shooting/ENG for an NBC affiliate, just loved it and it showed. Now I freelance for newspapers, do weddings and portraits (although I need more practice with studio lights- JTL600's).
Journalistically, I am passionate about social issues and try to do as much as I can about bringing them to the public's attention.
Photography is my passion. Other interests include canoeing/boating, camping, fishing and hunting and my second passion, bicycling, mountain and road/touring. I do a little snowmobiling in winter and some 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. (Remember: film isn't as fast as digital ) Also, I am uploading small file sizes which may not be suitable for printing.
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 viewing, God bless and enjoy. Jim