This site, and the PetaPixel Photography Podcast, were created by me, Mike “Sharky” James. After a long career in photojournalism for newspapers and the publishing business, I decided that my passion was in helping others improve their photography.
Thus, Lens Shark was born.
My goal is to make this site and the podcast an invaluable resource for you as you seek to improve your photographic skills. I want you to benefit from my decades of experience.
Photojournalists are uniquely positioned to teach as we’ve been in just about every lighting/shooting situation imaginable. We’re the Swiss Army knife of photographers.
In addition to the newspapers I’ve been a staff photojournalist for, I’ve been published in Reader’s Digest (the second biggest magazine in the U.S., albeit physically small), TIME for Kids and many others. I’ve been blessed in that I’ve been able to make money with a camera since I was in high school.
In 2013, I moved to Utah (no, I’m not Mormon…since I know many will ask), married a wonderful woman and have five great kids. I officially retired from full-time photojournalism with that move, but was a contract shooter for the big daily in Utah. I’ve since moved to Boise, Idaho and in addition to the podcast, I shoot for corporate clients, select portrait projects and keep my sports photography skills sharp producing content for my friend’s site (Small Town Sports Network aka STSN).
Enjoy the site and podcast.
It’s hard to believe that this photo of me with TLC was taken more than 20 years ago now. I remember it like it was yesterday. Back then I was shooting for a client of mine and photos from this LifeBeat AIDS charity concert held at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix were seen around the world in newspapers and magazines.
Check out this piece done by a popular site which focuses on mirrorless cameras. They featured myself and nine other sports/action photographers who use mirrorless bodies in their work.
10 Amazing Sports Photographers Who Use Mirrorless Cameras on the Job
I want to thank you on the update for the nikon 7200. I don’t think it was worth the hupla.
Will be tuning in more often– have a great year everyone.
Thanks so much Glenn. I appreciate it.
It may be a stupid question, but what does the “f8 250 time to shoot” phrase mean. Thanks love the podcast.
Hi Michael. First, thanks so much for the kind words. I’m happy you enjoy the podcast.
It’s not a a stupid question at all. It’s just my sign off phrase. A nod to radio guys from decades ago. Quite a few others with podcasts, YouTube channels, etc. do it. Some as a nod old radio guys, some as part of their branding.
When I say “Well, it’s f/8 and 250th of a second outside…time to shoot.” it’s just my twist on it. As a photojournalist we have a saying “f/8 and be there.” We’ll often set our cameras to f/8 in aperture priority mode and be reasonably confident that we’ll have everything we need in focus. It’s mostly a throwback to pre-digital days when you couldn’t chimp and see your exposure, or on mirrorless…see it live.
Specifically, when I say what I do, it’s the way I see light. At a given ISO, I can tell you what the settings are. In bright sunlight, f/8 and 1/250 of a second will give you a good exposure. I don’t often shoot at f/8 though. So that part is a nod to my photojournalism background.
Thanks again for the kind words. It’s appreciated!
Thanks. Now i know. Keep up the good work!
Thank you. We have lots of great things coming up!