Who Am I ?
My name is Mike Tripp,
I’m a photographer.
I’m a freelance reporter based in Staunton — owner of my own business.
For me, it’s about the moment and the story told by the image captured.
I see it as the art of visual storytelling.
There are pretty pictures and then there are those images that are not just pretty, but also tell a very real story.
Have worked as a photojournalist in the Shenandoah Valley for right about 30 years.
Started as a freelance photographer with the News Gazette in Lexington, first staff position was with the News Leader back in the early ’90s. Later worked as a photographer with the Daily News-Record in Harrisonburg before moving back to the News Leader where I was Chief of photography and Multimedia for more than 15 years.
In 2019, struck out on my own and started my own business, Mike Tripp Media LLC, which specializes in the art of storytelling through images and multimedia.
F8 explorer
Launched my personal blog sometime later, “F8 Explorer,” as I wanted a place I could post not only more recent images, but also personal projects and even photos from my adventures … and iPhone pics as well!
F8 refers to the most middle of the road aperture settings on your camera lens with explorer meaning … exploration of life and self through the camera lens + a bit of adventuring.
“F8 and Be There” as my original photography boss once told me. … You pull up on the scene of a spot news assignment no knowing what to expect, quickly grab some pics so you have something in hand, then evaluation with a step back and cover it methodically and to the best of your ability knowing you’ve got something already.
It went with the mindset that you arrive not knowing if it would end in five seconds or five hours, so playing it safe to make sure you had those shots no matter what.
It’s always good to be prepared as you never know what life’s adventure is going to throw at you.
EXTRA BITS
Known to be a huge fan of Star Trek and science fiction, and I’m something of a history nut.
Also a father, husband, photographer, hunter of stories, Klingon warrior and Viking explorer.
My Klingon / Viking name is “ᚺᚨᚢᚲ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚹᛟᛚᚠᛊᛖᛁᛖ” … aka. “Hauq the Wolfseye” — meaning “one with an adventurous spirit” with a keen eye that sees what others might miss.
Also happen to be an avid lover of adventuring and all things natural world.
What Makes Me Tick?
lightING PREFERENCE
Prefer natural lighting and go that route like 80 to 90% of the time. Does not mean I don’t or can’t use artificial lighting. Can balance a scene’s lighting with strobes and such with the best.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Anyone can take a photograph, but a true photographer is an artist who produces so much more. The camera and lens are to those like me as paints and brush are to a painter.
CANON OR NIKON?
Nikon. … First camera was Nikon. Then the newspapers I worked for were Nikon all the way. Don’t really believe there is a huge difference between the two brands, but Nikon is what I know.
TECHNOLOGY
When I first started photographing, it was simply film. Yet, I’ve lived to see those cameras transition over the decades to now pure digital mirrorless pro cameras. Love the new technologies!
the vision
First mentor told me … “It’s not the Presidents and the other important people you will love photographing the most. It’ll be community and the everyday.”
Choice of lens
Lot of photographers go short lens, yet 9 times out of 10, I personally go with the 70-200mm zoom. Allows me to photograph from a distance, not disturbing the flow of the moment.
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