October Featured Photographer: Steven Parker

Date Published: October 9, 2019

What is your name and where can people find your work?

Hi! My name is Steven Parker and you can find my work at:

My website:  ​www.stevenparker.com
Instagram: @stevenparkerphoto 
Facebook:  @stevenparkerphoto  ​

Describe your perfect staycation in Dutchess, or your idea of a fun weekend in the County.

For me, it would be a weekend with my family spent near the Hudson River.  We’d go sailing on my sailboat out of Chelsea Yacht Club in Wappingers Falls, NY and then enjoy a BBQ while watching the sunset.

What equipment do you use in your photography?

My workhorse camera is a Canon 70D.  It’s an all around great camera and with a really good auto focus. In terms of lenses I have a Canon 10mm-18mm wide angle lens which I use for landscapes and architecture, a Sigma 28mm-70mm which serves as my primary portrait lens, and a Canon 70mm-300mm which is great for sports and action.  I’m also an FAA certified and insured drone pilot and my primary drone is a DJI Mavic Pro.

What is your favorite place to photograph in Dutchess and why?

Now that’s a tough question because I think we live in a really beautiful part of the country.  My favorite is the sunset over the Hudson River which provides beautiful light with interesting subjects to include such as boats and bridges.  I’m also interested in the wide variety of architecture we have here all across Dutchess County.

Do you have somewhere on your list that you want to photograph in Dutchess, but haven’t gotten there yet?

Yes, I’d really like to photograph Innisfree garden at some point as well as the Culinary Institute of America.

Give us a few photography tips.

One tip I can suggest is to “Fill the frame” with the subject you are photographing so that it makes a clear statement about what is most important.  Filling the frame provides maximum impact about the subject you are trying to show and creates maximum interest.

Another tip for people who are looking to get better in photography is to photograph more with the camera you have already.  Many of the more recent camera phones are capable of taking good photographs.  Use your camera phone or camera you already have to take pictures more often and you will improve as a photographer.  Photograph new subjects in new ways and just have fun with it!