Rad A. Drew Photography: Introducing Rad Drew

Continental Divide at Dawn

Continental Divide at Dawn
Continental Divide at Dawn

Introducing Rad Drew

I'm a professional photographer and teacher from Indianapolis, Indiana, who photographs with Fuji mirrorless cameras, enjoys infrared photography, and, loves mobile photography, especially with an iPhone! 

Sharing in the classroom or in the field what I've learned about photography – whether traditional, infrared, or mobile – is as much a passion for me as is the actual photography and post-processing.

This post is to share a little about who I am and the work I do, and invite you to visit my social media sites and web page.



En Pointe, Cuban National Ballet
Fuji X-E2, Processed in Topaz Studio
© Rad A. Drew

Photography has been a part of my life since I was a kid, but I really fell in love with it in high school and especially college. My photojournalism work during high school earned me a scholarship to Indiana State University, where I worked as a photographer and editor for the college newspaper, The Statesman.

I later transferred to Indiana University where I completed a degree in journalism with an emphasis in photography. During that time I served as a photojournalist with the Indiana Daily Student.


Cuban Farmer Making Charcoal, Vinales, Cuba
iPhone X
© Rad A. Drew 
Cuban Farmer, Vinales, Cuba
iPhone X
© Rad A. Drew
While at Indiana University, I was fortunate to have as instructors two prominent photojournalists of the time — the late Dr. Will Counts and the late Dr. John Ahlhauser. Both were working photojournalists who were fully engaged in historic events of the time. Both photographed (and were bloodied at!) the demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, and both were involved in photographing events of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Will Counts is famously known for his award-winning photographs in Arkansas during desegregation efforts there. One of his images, that of Elizabeth Eckford being harassed by white students in front of Little Rock’s Central High School, (below) was seen around the world.
1957 Desegration, Little Rock, AK
Photographer: Will Counts
These two photographers, more than any others, were instrumental in not only teaching me the fundamentals of photography, but also the power of imagery to communicate about complex issues and to drive change in our society.

After more college and an MA in Education in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University, I worked briefly as a journalist before my career took me into corporate America for 30+ years. Even though I veered from photography as an occupation, I continued to photograph for my enjoyment over the years.


Tobacco Farmer, Venales Cuba
Fuji X-T2
Processed in Topaz Studio
Fast forward to 2010!

That was the year I purchased my first smart-phone, an iPhone 4. I was buying a phone, so it wasn’t until after owning the device for some time that I even realized that it had a camera in it! One thing led to another and I became enamored with this little portable device that fit in my pocket and allowed me to make images of the world around me nearly any time I wanted! I was further excited about the apps that allowed me to process images on the phone, thus freeing me from the big computer for image processing.


Fountain Square, Indianapolis
iPhone 5
© Rad A. Drew
Suffice it to say that the iPhone re-ignited my passion for photography. Before long I was deep in the world of mobile apps and mobile processing.
Early iPhone Image, European Weeping Beech
iPhone 4
© Rad A. Drew
The more I enjoyed the smaller world of iPhone photography (a break from huge cameras and heavy lenses!), I began to seek out cameras that would provide higher quality images than the iPhone could, and which had a longer reach, but were still small and easy to carry and travel with. That's when I discovered and fell in love with Fuji mirrorless cameras and lenses and have been photographing with them ever since. 

Somewhere along the line, I reconnected with my love of infrared photography, too. I bought an IR-converted Lumix DMC LX7 point-and-shoot camera and began exploring the world of infrared again. Today, I also use a converted Fuji X-T1. IR photography has become one of the most satisfying aspects of photography for me.


Dam, Cuba
LUMIX DMC LX7, IR Camera
© Rad A. Drew

Three Trees and Cloud Shadows in the Palouse
Fuji XT-1, converted to Infrared
© Rad A. Drew
In 2011 I founded Rad Drew Photography, LLC, and not long after, I retired from my corporate position of 21 years with Eli Lilly and company to pursue my passion full-time. Since then, I have taught mobile photography students in countless classroom sessions, presented at conferences and camera clubs around the country, and led photo workshops to destinations around the world, including the South of France, Cuba,  the Palouse, Moloka'i, and Tuscany. 


Sentinel, Crown Hill Cemetery
iPhone 7+
© Rad A. Drew
Of all the places I've had the opportunity to travel, my trip to the UAE and Oman was one of the most fascinating. The image  of the Afghani man below was made on that trip.

Afghani Jamal (Camal Man), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
iPhone 7 Plus
© Rad A. Drew
Since 2010, my images have been recognized internationally in many venues including: Follow the Light, Studo b. Light Impressions, Miami; Mobile Photography Awards, Honorable Mention (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018); Mobile Photography Awards Winner’s Show, SOHO Gallery, NYC; Mobile Shadow Stories Exhibit, SOHO Arthaus, NYC; Mobile Photography Awards, Obscura Gallery, Melbourne, Australia; L.A. Mobile Arts Festival; MIRA Mobile Prize 2017, Porto, Portugal; and more.


In the past I serve as associate editor for PhotoPXL.com, a photographer's resource established by my friend, Indianapolis photographer, Kevin Raber, and for the mobile art network, TheAppWhisperer

Poppies and Olive Grove, Tuscany
Fuji X-E2, Processed in Topaz Studio
© Rad A. Drew
In the May 2018 issue of PSA Journal, my iPhone work was featured on the cover for my article, Age of the iPhonewhich you can read here


The Cover Image is of Cuban Dancer, Patricia Santamarina Roca
iPhone 6+
© Rad A. Drew
The February 2019 issue of PSA Journal featured my article, The Magic of SnapSeed; Processing Images on Your Mobile Phone , which you can read here.


In recognition of my contributions to the PSA Journal, I was recognized in the Photography Society of America's Who's Who in Photography Editorial Awards Category, 2018. 

I’m also a contributor to the how-to book, The Art of iPhone Photography: Creating Great Photos and Art on Your iPhone.




In 2016, I created what has become a popular webinar series, How I Did It!™, where I share mobile photography shooting and processing tips. A recording of the webinar, The Magic of SnapSeed and Your Mobile Images is available for purchase here

To satisfy my need for traditional processing, I've become an advocate (and affiliate representative) for Topaz Labs desktop software products. I routinely share my Topaz Studio workflow with about 1300 photographers in Topaz Labs webinars. If you have an interest in Topaz Labs products, you can view my recorded webinars on the Topaz YouTube site

If you'd like to purchase Topaz products, go to the Topaz Labs site (here) and use my discount code, RAD15, for a 15% discount on all Topaz Labs products.


You can see much of my work and tutorials on my websiteFacebook, and Instagram.

View my mobile phone tutorials on my YouTube Channel.

I hope you’ll subscribe to my monthly newsletter where I share tips and tricks about mobile and traditional photography, feature leading photographers whose work I appreciate, and share images from my workshops and other travels. Newsletters are (usually!) monthly. Here are links to some of the most recent Newsletters.


Monthly Newsletter Archive 



DISCOUNT CODES 
As an affiliate rep for Topaz Labs, Luminar 4, and Flypaper Textures, I have links and codes that will save you money and generate a small commission for me. Thank you for your support! 

NOTE: Please use the LINK and the CODE in combination. You’ll get your discount and I’ll earn a small commission. Thank you!

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Luminar 4
For $10 off all Luminar products (even items already on sale) follow this link:
Use code RADDREW10
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Flypaper Textures
For 15% OFF follow this link:
Use code RAD at checkout.
******
Topaz Tools
For 15% OFF all items (even those already on sale) follow this link:
Use code RAD15 at checkout


Photography Tours and Workshops

A large portion of my business is devoted to photo tours and workshops to beautiful places in the world. 

With the onset of the global pandemic, I've cancelled all trips to Tuscany, Calabria, Southern France, Moloka'i, Cape Cod, The Palouse, and Cuba. Watch my Workshop and Tours page for new information about upcoming trips.

Thank you for taking time to read this and to follow the links. If you have any questions, or just want to "talk photography," don't hesitate to get in touch!

Best,

Rad

Rad Drew Photography 
317-506-9901 
RadDrew@gmail.com 
http://www.RadDrewPhotography.com