My name is Ed Hughes, I live in Fresno, California. I’ve been in Fresno for about 20 years and find it a great central location for photography, It’s about an hour to the gates of Yosemite and about two hours from Monterey Bay.

I spend my days as an Oracle/Sql Sr. DBA, and my evenings and weekends as a Husband/Father/Photographer. I try to involve my family as much as possible in my photography.

I have no formal training in photography, just lots and lots of books, both photography and art books have helped me develop my view of Photography.

I think I started when I was about 13 and picked up my first 35mm SLR. I remember in high school I had a teacher accuse me to taking a picture of some else’s photograph and passing it off as my own. I convinced her it was my own work when I showed her the rest of the negatives, made me mad at first then took it as a huge compliment later when I found out she was comparing my work to a fairly well know photographer.

Canon 1DS MKIII, 24-105, 100-400, 17-40,85 1.8, 400 5.6

Tripod setup is a Gitzo GT3540LS with a RRS BH-55

The 16-35 2.8 II will be the next addition to the bag, and possibly a 24 TSE.

I love the time I spend in the Eastern Sierras and Death Valley for the almost surreal quality and the extremes in the landscape, I could easily spend a lifetime photographing just what I have here in California.

As far as wildlife, Black Bears and Coyotes are hands down favorites of mine.

Galen Rowell for his use of light and color, Ansel Adams for high contrast simplicity and David Muench for his use of foreground elements in his landscapes which is now emulated by darn near everyone.

I’ve been with SmugMug since January, 2004. There are quite a few things I like about SmugMug, the top of the list is that I know my photographs are safe, if for some reason I happen to lose my originals.

SmugMug gives me an easy outlet to share my passion and view of the world with others.

Don’t overly worry about having the best/most expensive gear, nuy what you can afford. Ten take what you have and get out there and shoot, find your own vision.