Richard Bernabe is one of the pros on our team here at Muench Workshops. Read on to find out more, and check out his pro page to see which workshops he’s leading.
How did you get into photography?
I didn’t get into photography. Photography got into me. Essentially, it is an extension of my personal loves: nature, wildlife, travel.
Where are you from, and where are you now?
I’m “from” many different places, but I live in South Carolina, USA. Where am I now? Sitting in a bar in London.
What made you want to work for Muench Workshops?
I wanted to inspire people.
What camera system do you use and why?
Canon. I don’t have a good reason. I switched from Nikon to Canon in 2006, which seemed strategic.
What is your favorite aspect of teaching photography?
Seeing the photographic results of my students – and their smiles.
Do you specialize in any photography technique or style? If yes, what is it?
Emotionally engaging images of this beautiful world in which we live.
What is your favorite Muench Workshop destination? Why?
Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia. I love wildlife.
What is something valuable you’ve learned through photography that you might not have otherwise learned?
The nature of light: everything from quantum electrodynamics to Rembrandt.
How do you define success as a photographer?
I want to make the viewers of my images feel as if they’ve participated in my real-life experiences.
Do you have a favorite book? If so, what is it and why?
The Longest Silence by Thomas McGuane. It’s a book of essays about fly fishing.
What are your favorite photography resources, i.e. podcasts, YouTube channels, blogs, etc.?
I’ve created a list (a curated feed) on X of several photographic resources and news. I scan that feed quickly every day.
What’s one place you have not visited yet but want to?
The South Pole.
What is something interesting about you that we might not already know?!
I write songs and play the guitar. I don’t dance.
What’s your most thrilling photography moment?
Throwing a set of 35mm Fuji Velvia transparencies on a light table for the first time. The photos were terrible, but that experience, almost 30 years ago, has still stayed with me.
What’s your favorite image by another photographer?
Mike Nichols’ 1991 photograph of a chimpanzee playing with Jane Goodall’s hair.
Who has influenced your work?
Just about every photographer with whom I’ve come in contact.
Were there any “ah ha” moments for you while learning photography?
My first *digital* SLR was a revelation, especially the ability to change ISO from image to image. It doesn’t seem like a big deal now, but it was back then.
What do you like about post-processing?
I don’t. Seriously, it’s the least favorite part of my job.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration?
Almost any non-photographic form of creative self-expression. Artists, musicians, writers.
