About Your Instructor

Digital Art

I have been learning and using Photoshop for, I honestly forget how many years, and in that time have been fortunate enough to receive a few accolades in competitions for my work. In saying that I’ve also been able to ride a bicycle since I was five, yet haven’t competed in any Olympic events. I am however very passionate about what I do, and in passing on that knowledge so that others can achieve their potential. My love for photography and creative image editing has been with me since I first merged two images in the darkroom, Photoshop now has made that process easier and not just as time-consuming.

I teach Photography and Advanced Image Editing at a local college and have done so for more than 15 years. I also run a YouTube channel where I show techniques in both photography and image editing as well as review gear, plug-ins, and accessories for both; I enjoy making this content very much. I’m also very fortunate to be a senior staff writer for Fstoppers. I don’t profess to know everything about Photoshop or its techniques but I am creatively passionate enough to continue to learn and teach what I do know, as sharing knowledge ultimately helps us all.

My compositing work is deeply inspired by the enchanting worlds of sci-fi and fantasy films, and the breathtaking artwork of visionaries like Chris Achilleos, Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Tim White, and the fantastic movie posters of Drew Struzan. Their vivid, otherworldly scenes and striking, heroic figures captivate my imagination and fuel my creative process. Achilleos' intricate details, Frazetta's and Struzan’s powerful compositions, Vallejo and Bell's dynamic use of color and form, and White's ethereal landscapes all influence my approach to editing images. In my work, I strive to infuse each composite with the same sense of wonder and adventure, transporting viewers to fantastical realms just beyond the reach of reality.

Although I love all genres of photography my main interest and passion lie in landscapes with the dramatic interplay of light and shadow across the rolling hills, mist-covered lochs, and rugged coastlines. The cathartic escape into the solitude of nature is something that I crave. In my opinion, hours spent in nature is one of the best remedies anyone can have. Along the way, you will meet many like-minded people, and that simply makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Human interaction with the landscape in the form of architecture and construction is another form of photography that I enjoy. There is a unique beauty in how human creativity and ingenuity integrate with the natural world. I love to explore photographically how these structures, both old and new, harmonize with their surroundings, highlighting the contrast and coalescence of human-made and natural elements. This fusion of architecture and nature not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides a deeper understanding of how we shape and are shaped by the landscapes we inhabit.