Bordered by breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Reno-Tahoe area is best known for its 300+ days of sunshine, urban bliss, and influx of creative types.

Noble Studios holds numerous client meetings and professional gatherings at its 8,000+ sq. ft. office in the heart of downtown Reno. We saw this as an opportunity to showcase the talents of local artists throughout our office and help them gain high exposure of their artwork.

Our first featured artist is Barrett Donovan of Reno, Nevada. We recently sat down with Barrett to learn more about him and how he developed his passion for photography.

So Barrett, when did you become interested in photography?

After I earned my master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, my wife and I took a trip around the world. While traveling I took snapshots in some amazing places and started to think about how I could capture the moments better. From there, my interest in photography took hold and has been unshakeable ever since. 

When did you buy your first professional camera? What was it?

I bought my first SLR camera 15 years ago. I was surprised I wasn’t instantly capturing significantly better images. I eventually realized high quality photographs don’t just happen by accident.  The simplicity of an image often belies the hard work and dedication that went into it. This craft begs the question ‘what is special’ in a scene.

What do you hope to accomplish with your photography?

My goal is to make images that pull the viewer into a scene by finding a subject, composition, lighting and way of processing that all work together. I am not interested in simply documenting what I see but rather capturing images that inspire and create a connection. It’s equally important to me that a photograph is truthful, not manipulated, and represents the scene in which it was created. 

What’s type of camera do you shoot with?

Canon 5d Mark II 21 megapixel camera with professional ‘L’ series lenses

I recently transitioned from a medium format film camera to a high resolution (21m) full frame digital camera.  The driving force behind my decision to make the switch was the increased image quality of the latest digital cameras. I can now print larger and with more clarity and control than ever before.

What’s your greatest challenge with photography?

For me the biggest challenge is the human eye can perceive a broader range of contrast and depth than a camera.  Meaning the light and dark portions of a scene are perceptible to us but they’re often not when photographed.

Do you sell your work, do you have an online gallery and how can you be reached?

You can view my portfolio on Flickr. I offer a variety of print, mat and framing options. Email me at barrettdonovanphotography@gmail.com  and I would be happy to provide you with a price sheet.

Thanks for sharing your passion with us, Barrett! If you would like to be our next featured artist, we invite you to download and complete an entry form. Please read the instructions carefully as we reserve the right to reject any application.

Thank you for interest. We look forward to showcasing the talents of more local artists.