Jim Smart
My interest in photography spans 50 years.
I developed an interest in photography some 50 years ago when I took a high school course and made a pinhole camera, shot with a Speed Graflex, and took surfing photographs in Hermosa Beach with a 35mm Pentax. Since then I have traveled throughout the western United States and used Leicas, Hasselblads (film and digital), a Mamiya 7 medium format film camera and used many of the Canon cameras made since the 1970’s.
Some images here were taken in the Mojave National Preserve where I recently was an artist in residence. I have had about half a dozen shows in Santa Ana and Hollywood, at the 29 Palms City Hall, in the main hall of the Joshua Tree Inn, and in a private gallery in the city.
I have studied under one of the premier photography teachers, Bob Killen, and highly recommend him for serious students of the art and Photoshop. He is a certified Adobe expert in the use of many of their programs. He teaches in Hollywood and Santa Ana. bobkillen.com
Academic activities
I teach university courses in Communication Studies and English, including basic and college-level English courses, journalism and journalistic photography, online journalism, writing for the media and PR, public speaking, interpersonal communications, rhetoric, the reporting of public affairs and investigative journalism. I currently serve as the adviser to the CSUSB university student newspaper, teaching editors journalistic procedures, photography, editing, and headline writing.
I also conduct seminars for public relations officials and foreign public information/press officials, provide counsel for executives and public officials regarding public relations issues and challenges. I have managed a media relation’s staff and department and worked for nearly 20 years as the head of media relations for the LACMTA and one of its predecessor agencies, managing a staff of professionals during construction of the first phases of the modern Los Angeles rail system. As part of a team, we raised $3 billion for the Los Angeles project.
Background
I also have worked as a daily newspaper reporter, a deputy Los Angeles County probation officer and I have written articles on photography published by Cerisepress.com. In addition, I teach basic photographic workshops, focusing on skills of proper exposure, elimination of camera shake, composition, focal length, and the maximization of proper shutter speed to achieve quality images. I have instructed small groups on location in lens selection and basic composition and provided instruction in CS6 Photoshop workflow. I work as a fine art and portrait photographer, operating independent business. I own and use medium format, and 35-mm digital cameras.
Fill out the contact form if you would like to reach me, schedule a training session, or purchase an image, or the rights to one.