Meet FLDW Client Robert Ash

Robert Ash got started in photography serendipitously. As a young man in Kansas City, Missouri, Robert purchased a Minolta XG7. Early experiments led him into fashion photography, and he began working with a fashion designer and his wife as a partner. In 1979 they all moved west.

Upon arriving in San Francisco, Robert shot portraits, landscapes, and fashion. Meanwhile he completed school at UC Berkeley (computer science) and Stanford (MBA). Even now as the product manager for a major software company, he’s able to continue his passion for photography.

By 2003 Robert had gone digital. A Mamiya RZ67 Pro II film camera only saw one roll of film before being retired, eclipsed by a series of prosumer digital cameras. Currently Robert’s shooting with a Nikon D300.

“The main thing I like about digital is not having to mess with chemicals anymore,” says Robert. “ Also having more direct feedback through the LCD screens, and a much richer range of photographic manipulation that you can do on your own.”

A year ago Robert began taking courses at Future Light. The skills he learned with FLDW helped Robert achieve new levels in his photography career.

“FLDW’s courses, taught by the top industry experts, gave me a broad, deep foundation. I learned techniques and tricks-of-the-trade in days that would have taken months or years to learn on my own,” says Robert. “More importantly, FLDW taught me what makes the tools tick under the covers, and a systematic approach that makes it easier now for me to learn new techniques from any source.”

He’s since joined NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) and maintains an active portfolio on PBase.com.  He’s expanding into wedding photography and selling his prints, which you can see at the Bank of Alameda lobby among other collections.

Robert Ash was recently included in leading photographer David Saffir’s directory of top photographers, designers and consultants. Fine-art digital print master Jack Duganne commented that Robert “has a penchant for panorama and the moment which is very striking”.

Robert told FLDW after a recent HDR class, “Your class opened my eyes to how truly worthwhile HDR photography is as its own discipline and saved me untold time trying to figure out the specifics of what relevant controls do and how best to use them”.

You may view Robert’s portfolio online at: www.pbase.com/robertash.
One in an ongoing series about the spectrum of FLDW clients.