Rob Macklin

bio

 

I was born in Pomona, CA.   When I was five years old my parents moved to northern California and settled in a small gold country town called Auburn. I have an older sister and a younger brother.  We grew up in a rural area so my love for the outdoors started at a young age. 

 

In my twenties I began traveling and became obsessed with fly fishing and kayaking rivers.  My travels took me to Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and British Colombia.  Fly fishing was the prime objective, but I always carried my camera along to document the journey.   I got a Canon EOS 650 SLR film camera in 1987.   My photography became much more serious around 2006 when my niece talked me into shooting her wedding.  I was terrified that I wouldn't do a good job so

I began researching cameras, lenses and proper technique.  I purchased a Canon 30D digital SLR camera and a couple L series pro lenses.  I spent 6 months practicing for the wedding.  I can see now how God used this event as a turning point in my photographic journey.  I soaked up information like a sponge!  During that time I learned how to use all the manual settings on my camera.  I found that my brain is just wired perfectly for photography.  Aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, depth of field...all these things just made sense to me.  So as I gained information I found that I could arrive at a given location, observe how the light was falling over the landscape, and quickly make the proper adjustments to my camera to capture the image I wanted.  I'd go back to the same location over and over in the attempt to capture a better image than the last.  Even now I never quite feel content with even my best photographs. 

 

After shooting that one wedding for my niece I learned that I was not a wedding photographer!  I'm not cut out for the stress.  I've found that I'm made for the wild places far away from the fast pace of civilization.  My heart soars when I see the sun rise or set over a mountain lake, or when the light is dancing across the ocean waves.  To be in a spectacular location at that special moment when the light is soft and golden.   This is my passion.  I am willing to hike or snowshoe for miles if need be.  I don't see this as a chore.  It's just something that I've loved to do all my life.  When I'm in the mountains or walking along the beach I truly feel alive.

 

I've upgraded my camera equipment several times over the years.  I'm currently using the Nikon D810 DSLR with Zeiss, Voigtlander, and Nikon prime lenses.  The extra megapixels along with very sharp lenses give me very high image quality which is critical for producing very large prints.  My goal is to print a large vivid image so that when you stand in front of it you will feel as though you are looking through a window right into another world.   A large print helps to recreate the feeling of actually being there.  

 

My goal is not just to capture the beauty of creation, but to give glory and credit to the Creator. I have a strong faith in God and I believe that He helps me.  I always ask God to guide my steps that I might find myself in the midst of some spectacular moment and be ready and able to capture it in a way that does His work justice.

 

I'm currently based in Norhern California.  I have a 22 year old son and a 27 year old daughter.   The bulk of my photography over the past few years has been done in Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Glacier Park Montana, and Oregon.  I also spend a lot of time up and down the California coast.

 

My work is on display in South Lake Tahoe at the Black Pearl Gallery which is in the Heavenly Village Shopping Center. 

 

I'm currently selling "metal prints".  The image is printed on a transfer sheet and then heated and infused onto an aluminum panel.  You can contact me for more information.    Email:   robmacklin777@gmail.com