What can I say about SG that hasn't already been said? I remember well when he first made me a contact. He sent me some very nice Flickr mail explaining why...and the rest was history. I've gotten to know what a wonderful photographer he is, and what a great sense of humor he has. Ironically, while I used to li… Read more

What can I say about SG that hasn't already been said? I remember well when he first made me a contact. He sent me some very nice Flickr mail explaining why...and the rest was history. I've gotten to know what a wonderful photographer he is, and what a great sense of humor he has. Ironically, while I used to live in the Bay area (he and his wife would make trips into SF, but somehow we never connected), it wasn't until I moved out of state that we finally met up. And during the October Yosemite Flickrwalk, Kevin and his wife introduced me to some more fabulous photographers. So, thank you, Kevin, for connecting with me...not to mention making me very very jealous with your multiple killer shots from Yosemite.

I am afraid that if I start writing about Kevin (a.k.a. Sonora Guy) I will quickly use up my monthly word limit on Flickr. And if you are wondering what this monthly limit is, don't. There is no such thing. I totally made it up. I am simply trying to say that it is not possible to fit Kevin in one paragraph. I can see … Read more

I am afraid that if I start writing about Kevin (a.k.a. Sonora Guy) I will quickly use up my monthly word limit on Flickr. And if you are wondering what this monthly limit is, don't. There is no such thing. I totally made it up. I am simply trying to say that it is not possible to fit Kevin in one paragraph. I can see that a few people before me tried here and failed big time. Sooooo, let's see...I remember laughing at Kevin's comments on other people's streams before I actually saw his pictures. And from my experience, people with a great sense of humor are usually great at pretty much everything. So I thought I better check his stream and, sure enough, it didn't disappoint! His pictures of Sonora with its Celtic fairs and Zombie parades made me want to live there. This is until I saw his pictures of Yosemite, with magnificent rocks and spectacular waterfalls, which made me want to live there instead. Good thing he is not into taking pictures of the moon because moving to the moon is definitely not an option! He has an eye for composition (it is always just right) and an ability to surprise with every upload. I also have to say that I thought I wasn't a huge fan of black & white until I saw what Kevin can do with these two colors (or non-colors). His b&w images are amazing...even though computer screen doesn't do them justice. You should see these printed! He is also a lot of fun to shoot with...yes, I was lucky enough to meet him in person! He and his wife, who also is an amazing photographer, not just know the area well, but feel really passionate about showing you the best spots which you would never found on your own. Oh, and did I mention that his comments are a blast? I am looking forward to these as much as to his uploads. If you haven't checked his stream from the first to the last page yet, go for it! I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I do.

This testimonial has been a long time in the writing. I have thought about it a lot ... I have written it in my head countless times ... and then rewritten it some more. Each rewrite has failed me personally, in conveying exactly how I feel. I must admit that the editing has been extensive! Writing just isn't my forte!… Read more

This testimonial has been a long time in the writing. I have thought about it a lot ... I have written it in my head countless times ... and then rewritten it some more. Each rewrite has failed me personally, in conveying exactly how I feel. I must admit that the editing has been extensive! Writing just isn't my forte! I know Kevin is an amazing photographer. I have been following him for quite some time; but as many of you already know; he is also a wonderful writer. Photography, in my book; speaks for itself. But when accompanied by the written word ... it takes on a life that transcends. I so wanted to post this before I actually met him but I always felt that my words failed me ... that they were inadequate ... and didn't convey the power that this wonderful photographer has evoked in me. His commentary on my Photostream is something I came to look forward to. My family always asked me after I have posted an image: "What did Sonora Guy say?" Because, seriously; what he had to say always made my day!! Now that I have personally met Kevin, I feel confident in posting my testimonial. Seeing his photography on Flickr rocks, I mean seriously ROCKS. But meeting this guy in person just bowled me over. To see him in action, to hear his voice; and to see his devotion and camaraderie with his fabulous wife (which is another Testimonial in the works); well ... the perfect words escape me! He recently organized a Flickrwalk, bringing together a group of photographers from California. I think I am the only out-of-state photographer that participated. He did a stellar job of making the arrangements and I am so honored that I was invited! I came the farthest to be here and do not regret one second of it!! It wasn't easy to make such a trip happen ... and now that I am reflecting on the trip; the thought that I would've missed meeting Kevin, Rochelle and this fabulous group of photographers from California chills me! Given the chance, I would do it again ... and a stay in Curry Village doesn't even begin to sway me!! All I've spoken of may seem so superficial; I have yet to write the essence of this testimonial. I am thinking that the bottom line is this: Kevin has the vision, the passion and the humor that make for a successful photographer. But in all honesty; it goes way beyond this. I've seen so many wonderful images and photographers on Flickr. It's just that Kevin's photography makes it real ...and personal. Witnessing these traits in his Photostream is powerful ... but shooting next to him; well ... I just don't have the words to say how much that means to me. Thank you Kevin for being my friend and for sharing your wonderful photography!

Sonora Guy is Flickr, to me. He burst into my photostream and turned Flickr into a giant photography club, introducing me to practically everyone I know in Flickrland. How did this happen? I'm not even sure. I think I found him due to my love of the Eastern High Sierras, or maybe he spotted one of my beginner-style Sie… Read more

Sonora Guy is Flickr, to me. He burst into my photostream and turned Flickr into a giant photography club, introducing me to practically everyone I know in Flickrland. How did this happen? I'm not even sure. I think I found him due to my love of the Eastern High Sierras, or maybe he spotted one of my beginner-style Sierras shots and left an encouraging comment. However it started, he became a "family friend" in no time. Meeting him and shooting with him in person is even more fun than hangin' with him in cyberspace. Sonora Guy has an intimate knowledge of the Sierras, especially the area surrounding Yosemite, and his love for it jumps off the page with one stunning photograph after another. As a craftsman with the camera he can't be beat. He simply NAILS his photos - composition, focus, lighting; he is the digital color version of b&w film master Ansel Adams - AND Sonora Guy's b&w work is as good as anything I've ever seen of Ansel's. But he's more than "just a photographer." He's an historian of the beautiful areas he photographs, a helpful and encouraging mentor to his Flickr contacts, and a humorist too, sprinkling Flickr with some of the funniest - and most fun - comments you'll ever read. He's not "just" a landscape photographer either. His people shots are among the best, revealing character and leaving us to imagine the "rest of the story" from the expressions and body language. Another thing I've noticed about Sonora Guy is that unlike many of us (me, anyway) he doesn't pepper his photostream with anything and everything to see what'll "work." He posts when he has a photo that says exactly what he wants, meaning every picture is perfection and speaks to all of us, in one way or another - for its scenic beauty, technique, and even humor. Is there a one word summary for why this man is my Flickr Find of the decade? It would be a challenge to settle on just one!

At a time when I was trying to eliminate contacts because of various reasons (certain contacts never commented, not enough time for existing contacts, etc.) I suddenly noticed a new person leaving humorous, thoughtful, and well-written comments on my photo stream. I immediately thought; “GREAT! Just what I need, anot… Read more

At a time when I was trying to eliminate contacts because of various reasons (certain contacts never commented, not enough time for existing contacts, etc.) I suddenly noticed a new person leaving humorous, thoughtful, and well-written comments on my photo stream. I immediately thought; “GREAT! Just what I need, another contact!” I ignored him at first thinking he would just go away, but he didn’t. He just kept leaving these nice words of encouragement on all of my pictures and he actually sounded like he knew what he was talking about, too. So, I decided to check out his stream. The first thing I noticed was how well composed all of his pictures were. Every scene was technically sound. All of the bokeh dots were well defined, the colors were rich and natural, the angles were creative, and each picture had an entertaining story included. It angered me that his work was this good because I really hate it when people take better pictures than me. I almost blocked him for this, too. I thought; “how dare he take these amazing pixel scenes! Who does he think he is shooting those unique angles and comps with superior colors and amazing focus? Him with his creative story thingies, I’ll bet he thinks he’s real cool lording over the rest of us beginners and amateurs.” But then I realized; “HEY! Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I could learn a lot from his ideas and use them myself. I, too, could become a skilled photographer like S.G. I won’t block him, I’ll make him a contact so I can learn his ways, boowah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.” So, everyday I make the long trek to S.G.’s photo stream to see what he’s been up to. I read about all of his adventures and micro-examine every photo. You should, too, if you would like to improve your photography skills (or be entertained). Hopefully he hasn’t figured out my evil plan as I still have a lot to learn. =)

Sonora Guy is a great storyteller. In his shots he talks with the subject and to the subject. He always tries to find the inner voice of everything sourrounds him: nature, city, people, animals. He plays with pure light, both color and b/w. You can hear the sound of a fall or touch the stunning details and bright col… Read more

Sonora Guy is a great storyteller. In his shots he talks with the subject and to the subject. He always tries to find the inner voice of everything sourrounds him: nature, city, people, animals. He plays with pure light, both color and b/w. You can hear the sound of a fall or touch the stunning details and bright colours of a flower. SG is also very humoristic and he’s used to capture the funny side of the situation. You can enjoy his descriptions too. He likes to explore new ways of shooting, to improve his work and personal research. He always faces the challenge of finding the interesting aspect of everything he watches. His photoghaphy reaches a meeting point between what is emotional and what is mental. He is always involved on what is going on your photostrem, leaving brilliant, interesting and constructive words. Stopping on his phostream is the best way to start my day. ( With a cup of coffee too).