Charles (Charlie-G)
Charlie G is in reality Charlie Ginsburgh (cginsburgh@gmail.com), a 60 plus time artist, living in the San Francisco Bay Area (clever disguise, heh ?). My profession was (as I am retired now) as a Research Biochemist, involved in the creation and support of Medical Diagnostic tests (the things Doctors and Labs use when they “run tests”). However, in my spare time I design and create Stained Glass panels. I have been working with stained glass for over 20 years (off and on), but the past several years have been my most productive.
Since normally I give away most of my works, I needed to generate a catalog to demonstrate my works to others, and this lead me into photography.
As an aside, this also lead me into the arena of “web site design” (how else might you display the stained glass pictures) so if you are interested you could go to charliesglass.com to see my first efforts at cataloging my stained glass creations.
Back to photography …
In trying to take good Stained Glass pictures I quickly learned four things; (1) taking pictures is easy; (2) taking good pictures is difficult (and more involved than I thought), (3) taking good pictures is really rewarding, and (4) if I really wanted to learn how to do this, a simple point-and-shoot camera was just not going to cut it. Once I shared these newly discovered "pearls of wisdom" with my sister living in Seattle (an amateur photo journalist herself) she immediately doubled-over in laughter, since she knew that the bug had bitten me, and that I had no idea as to what I was getting into.
Fast forward several years, and OK, my sister was correct (don’t you just hate that). I have gone through several digital and DSLR cameras, several sets of lenses, several classes, and have discovered the joys of the “digital darkroom”.
I find that I am attracted to “capturing the normal” in nature and especially in the macro world. I can be in a group of people overlooking a truly magnificent panoramic vista, and darn if I am not most-interested in the little weedy flower-thing nearly buried in the dust at my feet.
Oh-well, to each their own …
For those who care (and surprisingly some do) I currently use a Cannon EOS d7 Mark II and D60 DSLR camera, with either a Cannon EF 100 mm f/2.8 macro, Cannon EFS 17-55 mm f/2.8, or a Cannon EF 70-200 mm f/4L lens set with the typical filters (UV, ND, polarizing when I remember to actually use them). Why Cannon, you might ask? It was easy to start with the EOS T3, and I just stuck with Cannon, no other real reason at this point.
So what else makes Charlie tick ? In my spare time (predominantly during the winter months) I also am an Assistant High School Fencing Coach. Although I personally do not have any children, I enjoy working with these kids, their parents and with the other coaches in the sport. I might make enough money pay for my gas, so essentially it’s a volunteer position.
If you are trying to imagine just what this endeavor is like, picture this …
60 high school age kids (3 coaches), all high on hormones (the kids), with Swords in their hands, and I am yelling “Hit Someone !!!!”.
Scary heh ?
OK - Back to this site …
Here I have collected some of my better shots (who wants to see the numerous poor shots).
I hope you enjoy these as much as I have.
Best Regards - Charlie
