Oops this was meant for the "Tell us about yourself section!" I would never had made it so long and self absorbed! I guess I'll just leave what I wrote here. Just skip it if it bores you to death! You might find the bit about my crazy dad a little interesting though.
Greetings from Las Vegas and Portland Oregon!
My name is Mark Metternich and I am in Vegas to market and in Portland Oregon as a native who loves my state if you have not guessed already (avatar). I currently bounce back and forth. I'm more often in Vegas, but soon hoping that will change.
I'm currently at photography full time. I occasionally fall back on a part time job, if needed (last time being a school bus driver). I do three things fairly balanced: sell limited edition fine art landscape prints, teach hourly private photography/Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw lessons, and do occasional 1-7 day private or small group workshops mainly in the NW or SW.
I am 42 years young, been shooting seriously for only about 5 years (but played around with the 35mm camera since I was about 9 years old). I am married to an incredibly supportive wife of 17 years who quite often begs me to go hiking and camping! So much for their not being miracles! We do not have kids but might try once we get more in place with our careers.
My dad has to be credited for programming my brain for the wilderness. He is a world class alpine mountaineer who has been climbing ferociously since he was in his 20's and now at 72 is as strong as when he was in top shape in either his 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's or 60's. As I write this he just got back from soloing Mt Shasta (14,161 ft) in California and was on the way to the gym to work out! He pretty much took me all over the place and throughout my adolescence took me up many mountains in Oregon, often with his convincing (I'm thankful now). He also instilled in me a deep respect for the camera as he would only take his 35mm out when something extra special in nature happened.
I moved to Vegas (of all places!) two years ago (2007) to do a gallery on the "strip." The recession hit just as we had invested everything we owned. We took some very hard hits. Today things are moving forward steadily with targeting high end art galleries, with the goal of having our own, then multiple.
I love this forum! Over the years I had been referred to it many times by fellow PNW photographers (some friends, some folks I know online, and some I met in the field) but somehow would not cough up the money to join. Now that I have joined I realize I should have years ago. What a great group of photographers! What awesome work for inspiration. What great friends to make.
My goal is perpetual forward motion in this work 'till I croak, fall off a mountain, or get hit too hard by those sneaker waves. More importantly this work is a spiritual refuge for me. The camera, in many ways, is just an excuse to experience the awesome wonder of the beauty I get to see firsthand, more often. I can not think of anything funner to do as a career.
I look forward to interacting with great folks here. Hats off, and a big toast to NaturePhotographers.net and nature photographers!
Welcome Mark, I actually met you, your wife, and father in September of 2007, the night you took the "Alpine Glory" image at Picture Lake by Mt. Shuksan. Great work on your site, keep up the good work and the positive attitude.
David M. Cobb
Posted by Ned Fenimore on July 24, 2009 at 12:57 PM
I'm a fan of your work, Mark - have enjoyed seeing what I have so far.. welcome!
Ooops I meant to post this on the "Tell us about yourself" thread!!! I tied deleting it to no avail. Ok, well, HELLO EVERYONE!!!
Thanks everyone. Glad to be part of the group. Amazed at all the amazing talent here!!!
Hi David!
I remember you. Did you stay for the whole show? I got some killers (yet to be processed) from that shoot! Anyways, I very much look forward to seeing your work here. I just replied to your "Stark Reality" post. A winner! You do great work.
Hi Ned! I did not know you were here! Great to see you here. Can't wait to see more of your work too.
Discussion
12 repliesGreetings from Las Vegas and Portland Oregon!
My name is Mark Metternich and I am in Vegas to market and in Portland Oregon as a native who loves my state if you have not guessed already (avatar). I currently bounce back and forth. I'm more often in Vegas, but soon hoping that will change.
I'm currently at photography full time. I occasionally fall back on a part time job, if needed (last time being a school bus driver). I do three things fairly balanced: sell limited edition fine art landscape prints, teach hourly private photography/Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw lessons, and do occasional 1-7 day private or small group workshops mainly in the NW or SW.
I am 42 years young, been shooting seriously for only about 5 years (but played around with the 35mm camera since I was about 9 years old). I am married to an incredibly supportive wife of 17 years who quite often begs me to go hiking and camping! So much for their not being miracles!
My dad has to be credited for programming my brain for the wilderness. He is a world class alpine mountaineer who has been climbing ferociously since he was in his 20's and now at 72 is as strong as when he was in top shape in either his 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's or 60's. As I write this he just got back from soloing Mt Shasta (14,161 ft) in California and was on the way to the gym to work out!
I moved to Vegas (of all places!) two years ago (2007) to do a gallery on the "strip." The recession hit just as we had invested everything we owned. We took some very hard hits. Today things are moving forward steadily with targeting high end art galleries, with the goal of having our own, then multiple.
I love this forum!
My goal is perpetual forward motion in this work 'till I croak, fall off a mountain, or get hit too hard by those sneaker waves. More importantly this work is a spiritual refuge for me. The camera, in many ways, is just an excuse to experience the awesome wonder of the beauty I get to see firsthand, more often. I can not think of anything funner to do as a career.
I look forward to interacting with great folks here. Hats off, and a big toast to NaturePhotographers.net and nature photographers!
David M. Cobb
Thanks everyone. Glad to be part of the group. Amazed at all the amazing talent here!!!
Hi David!
I remember you. Did you stay for the whole show? I got some killers (yet to be processed) from that shoot! Anyways, I very much look forward to seeing your work here. I just replied to your "Stark Reality" post. A winner! You do great work.
Hi Ned!
Hi Alex.
Mark
David
Mark
Mark
Mark