Buy Gary Syrba a coffee

I have been interested in photography since the age of 10 when I would carry my dad's camera around the house, looking through the viewfinder, seeing my own little world. My parents bought me a small camera at that time and let me shoot the occasional roll of film. I'm sure those photos were horrible!

Once I turned 18 the passion really took off into a full time hobby. It eventually turned into a mix of hobby and professional work that continues to this day. Currently, I am retired from my regular job, which gives me much more time to be involved with photography. I have lot of experience that is both self taught, and by asking questions to other photographers I know.

I started photography by shooting 35mm and 120 film (of course - digital was not a thing until I was around 40). In the mid 1990's I went heavily into digital, and forgot about film. However since my retirement from my full time job two years ago, I dove heavily into film again, and love it! (Yes, I still mostly shoot digital)

While I do shoot landscapes (mostly) I am heavily involved with infrared photography (think... light spectrum that the human eye cannot see). The challenge of infrared is what excites me. However my favorite type of photography is nighttime, such as the night skies (Milky Way, Northern Lights, or just the stars). I also love nighttime street photography. While I do sell some of these prints from time to time, this is still the hobby stuff, or as I call it... "my zen".

Professionally I have shot many events and city scenes for the local Visitor's & Convention Bureau (seeing your photos on a billboard is always cool!). There are local businesses that have used my photos for their websites, or for the artwork that is hanging in their buildings. I have contributed freelance for a few Michigan magazines over the years as well. I have also been involved professionally with sports photography. I shoot local marathons and triathlons. My favorite place to shoot is behind the finish line. Watching the athletes cross the line, and seeing the look of accomplishment (buried in sweat and tears) is awe inspiring. The athletes appreciate the photographers catching this instant in time of their accomplishment, which is rewarding to me.

I love sharing what I know about photography, and teaching others what I have learned over the years. Most of what I know I learned the hard way, so I like making it easier for those new to photography. The biggest draw is people asking how to shoot infrared, or night skies. I have never charged anyone for teaching them anything about photography (even though with some of the people I have taught it has taken months - while others just want a few tips here and there). However, I have never shied away from letting them buy me the occasional cup of coffee to say thanks. Yes, I'm a coffee addict... no, I do not want to seek treatment in rehab, but thanks for asking. :)

Oh... be sure to check out my free PDF downloads on tips for editing Northern Lights photos, and a second one on editing Infrared photos, in the "Shop" section here! Yes, it says Shop, but these are both FREE!

And speaking of FREE... if you go over to my Gallery here on Buy Me a Coffee you will see a handful of some of my favorite images which you can download for free. These are half size images, but still can be printed up to 16" x 20". If you want large prints of these (or many other images), you can go to my photography web site. Look under "Posts" here on this website for the link. The large prints are available for purchase.