Upcoming Events » April 7, 2011
SFCC Presents Alexander (Sasha) Vasiljev
On Thursday, April 7th, 2011 South Florida Camera Club is honored to present conceptual fine art, portraiture, wildlife and commercial photographer Alexander (Sasha) Vasiljev.
Alexander’s presentation on April 7th, 2011 will give you a good glimpse of the diverse and abundant Costa Rican animal and plant life and its tropical landscape, as well as photographic technicalities he followed during his shoots. So, let him take you for a photo-hike through Costa Rica’s lush lowland rainforest, and then to its mysterious mountain cloud forest.
Verdant mountains disappear gradually into the dense mist. Leaves and branches, wet with recent rain, brush against me as I track through the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica, an amazing theater of natural life, where the curtain is drawn open at all times.
My curiosity and fascination with the tropical rainforest began early, from continents away. At the age of nine, I found my way to the tropical plant conservatory at the Kiev State University’s botanical garden where I volunteered for many years before being accepted as a student. I majored in botany with a focus on tropical orchid studies, staying true to my childhood dreams.
I got my first camera at the age of 18 and soon my love for creating images nearly supplanted my scholarly pursuits. Photography has since become an essential creative element in my life. After relocating to the United States, I finally had the opportunity to travel to the rainforest equipped with my camera, love of nature, and long-held anticipation.
Experiencing this bastion of flora and fauna as a photographer has been unforgettable. At the same time it presents me with great challenges. It is necessary not only to have a sharp eye, a good lens, and the right technical skills, but also knowledge of the rainforest, patience and a bit of luck.
I have been able to capture vivid images of the rainforest’s unique atmosphere – the light defused by the canopy in the mist-saturated air, trees overgrown with air plants; mystical flowers competing in splendor with flamboyant birds and other odd animals – the artistry of a world unfamiliar to most of us.
Yet, my biggest challenge is to convey a message beyond the subject matter itself, focusing my camera on what I feel passionate about – portraying the rainforest as it stands today, magnificent and strong, and adding one more voice of concern for its future.
BIO
Award winning photographer Alexander (Sasha) Vasiljev works in conceptual fine art, portraiture, wildlife and commercial photography.
His work has been exhibited in galleries and is part of many private collections worldwide. Several of his photographs are now part of the permanent collection at the Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica in Washington, DC. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and his articles and photos have been published in the following magazines: Home & Décor, Nature’s Best Photography Magazine, Fine Gardening, Washingtonian, Orchids Magazine.
Alexander Vasiljev is on the staff of The Washington School of Photography. In addition, Vasiljev was the principal make-up artist for the Washington National Opera for over a decade. His web site is http://www.alexandervasiljev.com
Alexander is also offering all South Florida camera Club members a special offer on two of his upcoming photo tour workshops in Costa Rica!
This year Alexander is leading two photography tours/workshops to Costa Rica and would like to offer a special discount to the members of SFCC.
June 27 - July 7, 2011 — JEWELS OF THE RAINFOREST: ORCHID & HUMMINGBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION — $2,550/person in double occupancy
July 23 - August 1, 2011 — OFF THE BEATEN PATH: PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE RAINFOREST TOUR & WORKSHOP — $2,350/person in double occupancy
These special prices are only valid for members of SFCC and their companions, when a total of 10 participants sign up for either tour.
The tours are all-inclusive with locations and accommodations personally selected by Alexander to ensure a safe, comfortable and extraordinary experience.
Please visit his web site http://www.NaturePhotographyTours.com for detailed itineraries and more information.