About Me
My interest in photography as an active leisure-time pursuit began with a fascinating vacation trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2010. Prior to that my photos consisted of snapshots of my daughter and other family members. Back then I had little time, as I was super busy working full-time as a software engineer in the Aerospace industry of Silicon Valley. The Galapagos trip was eye-opening both in terms of the incredible flora and fauna on display, as well as the exposure to a community of nature photography enthusiasts. It was enlightening to hang out with this group and learn about the amazing wildlife of the Galapagos, and trade our favorite shots of blue-footed boobies and grinning iguanas.
Shortly thereafter I reduced my work hours, thus providing more time for photo field trips and pursuit of both artistic and “gearhead” knowledge of photography. In 2018, I retired from the rat race and relocated to beautiful Reno, Nevada. I love the access to the stunning Sierra Nevadas and Lake Tahoe as well as the stark vistas of the Great Basin.
My family supports my passion. My mother, Kay Duffy, is a well-known local watercolor artist in Saratoga, California (visit KayDuffyWatercolors.com to view her work). She has been ever supportive of my photography endeavors, including introducing me to her extensive network of artists.
In 2016, Mom and I visited Yosemite for a long mother-daughter weekend. We took the Ansel Adams walking tour – she with sketchbook, and I with camera. I fell in love with Yosemite all over again! This led to a joint mother-daughter art show at the Aegis Gallery in Saratoga during March 2017. We had a well-attended and successful opening reception!
For 3 years, I was an active member of the Milpitas Camera Club, and served as its President in 2017. In 2019, I joined the Reno Photo Club. I have also become active in the Lahontan Audubon Society and the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. Birding hikes and other events provide excellent photographic opportunities.
I shoot with a Canon 7D Mark ii and a Canon 5D Mark iii., and my favorite lenses are the Canon 70-300mm telephoto and the Tamron 24-70 mm wide angle. I enjoy both landscape and wildlife photography, and in 2020 began experimenting with astrophotography.
