Jarrett June
Jarrett June is 25 years old and grew up in Stony Point, NY. He graduated from North Rockland high school and joined the US Army in 2014 wher he served as an Infantryman on two combat tours in Afghanistan. He currently work as a Carpenter, but he has a passion for photography. He loves to take his camera everywhere he goes as he loves to photograph nature. Whether it be the various National parks across the country (Sequoia and Yosemite are his favorites) or taking shots in the mountains of southeast Asia, he is always ready to shoot great pictures.
What is your hobby?
I really enjoy photography, specifically landscape photography. I love seeing the different landscapes. They all have different angles to help pull the photo together. There are so many landscapes that with different weather they all look so different in many ways. It is so pleasing to see how everything can change in just a few short months.
How did you get started with this hobby?
I have always been a huge history buff. I see a photo as a snapshot of the past. It is a way to preserve and tell a story in the future. I like to shoot landscape photography. Nature is a beautiful thing, and to be able to capture it is an incredible feat. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel and to see the world, to be able to record it and share those photos and stories, it allows you to share with others, so they to could live that adventure. Throughout Vietnam, I loved taking pictures of the mountains and river valleys in Vietnam’s central highlands. That two-month adventure across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, I carried my camera everywhere, it was a trip of a lifetime, and I tried to capture every minute of it. I took photos of the countryside, the local people, the architecture. You name it. I then I shot pictures of it. My primary mode of transportation across Vietnam was a motorbike. I had a Go-Pro camera mounted on my helmet, and I recorded as much as I could throughout that trip. Upon returning from my South East Asia backpacking adventure, I had thousands of photos and days’ worth of video footage on that motorcycle. In Cambodia, I had the fantastic opportunity to photograph the ancient temple of Angkor Wat outside the city of Siem Reap during the sunrise. Thailand was a tropical paradise, given that, most of my photos of Thailand were off the islands, the beaches, and some of my scuba diving adventures. Nowadays, most of my shots still consist of landscapes from various national and state parks around the country. Lately, I have been working on my urban photography skills by taking pictures of architecture and graffiti or street art in New York City.
Tell us what you love about your hobby.
I love that photography can be anything you want it to be. You can take photographs of anything you genuinely enjoy and want to be able to share with others. It’s something that you get what you put in. If you want a part-time hobby, this could be it. If you wish for a full-on career, it could be that and everything in between.
What types of things/equipment have you spent money on for your hobby?
I have become a big fan of Canon, so I may come off as being a bit brand bias, but it works for me. My first DSLR was a Canon Rebel T7I. Great camera, it’s what I learned with. The lens I use the most is my Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM, a great all-around lens. My wide angle lens is a Tamron 10-24mm f 3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD. Another must-have would have to be a tripod. If you are going to be doing a lot of traveling, I would recommend a lightweight and compact tripod that is easily packable. As you progress with your skills and figure out what your photography niche is, you can buy all sorts of gadgets, filters, and accessories, but for starting out, all you need to get is a camera, a lens, and a tripod, well maybe some memory cards would help.
What are some of your favorite places to shop for your hobby?
A great provider of camera and photography gear is Adorama. https://www.adorama.com I have made many purchases through their online store. They also have a brick-and-mortar store located at 42 West 18th Street in Manhattan. Another great provider of photography gear and, in reality, all things electronics is B and H. https://www.bhphotovideo.com They are located at 420 9th Ave in Manhattan. When I lived in Colorado, my go-to spot was Mike’s Camera. https://mikescamera.com I have personally bought lenses, filters, and my favorite tripod from Mike’s Camera. They were also my go-to for all my printing needs. They are located at 5420 North Academy Blvd in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
How much money have you invested into this? How much would a beginner have to invest to get started?
You can get started in photography with something everyone already has, that’s right, a cell phone! It doesn’t take much to get started. As you progress, you can slowly begin to buy equipment. I bought my first DSLR Canon Rebel T7I as a kit for about 800 dollars, and The kit came with all the basics needed to get me started. It gave me the tools to practice new skills and make adjustments for all different types of shots. My current Go-Pro is a Go-Pro Hero 7 Black, and when it first came out, it retailed for 400 dollars. My newest purchase is a Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II, which is a compact digital camera that I got to use as an everyday carry. It cost just over 500 dollars. These are the cameras and price ranges that work for me, but there is a camera for every different style and every different budget. You just need to find what works for you.
Are there any good books for beginners?
Understanding Exposure- By: Bryan Peterson
The Complete Guide to Digital Photography- By: Michael Freeman
Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs- By Henry Carroll
Are there any online videos you recommend to help beginners?
PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS in 10 MINUTES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7z7BAZdt2M
Master Your Camera in 20 minutes
6 Simple Camera Hacks To Get You Off AUTO Mode Forever
How has your hobby changed your life?
Photography allows me to capture visuals I see as essential or beautiful; It enables me to share those instances with others. Even if others will never see most of the photos or videos I take. It gives my solo travels a purpose along with the opportunity to share my photos with others. My photography takes me all over the world as a solo traveler which helps me meet other photographers and learn new things from other photographers as well.
What advice do you have for others starting out with this hobby?
My only advice to beginners would be to find your niche and practice making manual adjustments on your camera. Just get out there and shoot take pictures of anything and everything. Keep playing around with the angels of the light. Also, try playing with the shadows in the foreground and the background.