Robbie Keene
A photographer should be able to shoot anything and I think I’ve tried most genres. I guess I have mainly focused on Concerts, Portraits, Landscape, Wildlife, Macro.
That said, I am always interested in trying new things and looking for unexplored territories and new challenges. I’m that guy that takes the gravel road in the middle of nowhere just to see where it goes.
I got my first camera a very long time ago as a birthday present in 1964 or ‘65. One of those Diana all plastic cameras that took 120 film. The love affair was on! I bought my first 35mm camera as a teenager. A fully manual Praktica. I got my first magazine cover in 1980 with a shot of the Who showing Kenny Jones on Drums surrounded by Roger and Pete. I shot a lot of concerts in that era.
I went digital in the ’90’s with a Casio QV-100. When the pandemic caused us all to stay home I started to experiment with extreme macro. I’ve learned a lot about it and developed my own processes and I really enjoy seeing where I can take that at the moment. I have gone through many phases with photography. Various styles and gear. Natural light, constant light, flash and mixtures of those.
I’ve always loved pushing the gear and the creative expression photography allows as well as the ability to straight up document one’s surroundings and circumstances. Photography is the artistic medium and I shall ever be the eager student.
Do you have a photo tip for us?
Photography has rules. Learn them. Then learn how to break them. Never follow fads as you’ll always be behind. Cross pollinate techniques between genres. Get the job done but always leave time to experiment and explore. Every day is a school day. Keep learning and stay curious.
Patience and persistence pays off!
I shoot a lot of wildlife particularly birds. A rare to find Northern Pygmy Owl had been sighted not too far from my home in a slightly remote area. I had travelled to the area many times. Sometimes I see the owl and get a few shots and sometimes I wouldn’t see the owl at all. Even when I did photograph the owl It was never really all that close. Even with my long lenses and teleconverters I was still having to crop the photos way in to get something presentable. After several trips of no luck I made the 2 hour drive once again.
I spent a good portion of the day perched along a remote forest service road hoping the owl would make an appearance. I saw and photographed many birds that day but no owl. The sun started to drop in the west and I was thinking it just wasn’t going to be my lucky day. I was ready to prop my tripod and gear over my shoulder and hike back to the vehicle.
Just as I had resigned myself and started to reach for my tripod there was a sudden flash and flutter of feathers at my eye level in the tree directly in front of me. It was the Northern Pygmy Owl! He was so close! I actually had to pick my tripod up and take a step back as he was too close to focus on.
I reeled off a ton of frames. The camera noise was not bothering him at all. Then I saw him looking towards my feet. I was frozen in place. Suddenly he flew at my feet, scuffled in the grass and twigs there and flew back to where he was perched. He had a vole! I of course kept shooting.
What a rewarding day! It just shows how persistence can pay off. Never give up! I left the mountain that day with some amazing photos and an amazing memory.
What’s in my bag?
I have several bags and it is dependent on what I’m shooting as to what I’ll take. I have several Nikon DSLRs and a ton of lenses, a Sony, a Fujifilm camera that stays in a B&W film simulation, an IR converted camera, film cameras in 35mm and medium format. Then there’s all the lighting gear and stands and so on.
The one item that is always with me though is a BlackRapid strap. Portrait shoot or wildlife adventure, product shots or street photography you’ll find a camera on my BlackRapid Travel strap riding on my hip. Comfortable and perfect and ready to pop into to use at a moment’s notice. I don’t go anywhere without it!
Follow Robbie Keene
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/robbie.keene/
BLACKRAPID SPOTLIGHT: Amy Lynn
Wow! Thanks for sharing. Love this. I follow Robbie on insta and FB and he’s an extraordinary photographer and artist.
Amazing photography!
Not only an incredible photographer but an all gouger great guy. I have enjoyed Robbie’s pictures for years, now you can too!
David Chesney
The King of White Rock BC
Great article and awesome shots!!! Robbie, you are an awesome photographer!!!
I too was into macro and astro photography back in the eighties with my trusty Nikon F Photomic and an Edmonds 1200mm f11. When I started seeing Robbies Photographs I knew he was the real deal. Constantly putting out images that most strive a life time get. I look forward to all his posts. Great Job Robbie
Robbie Keene has a keen eye for details
Just incredible 👌🏼
I’m always wowed by Robbie’s photographs, whether it’s wildlife, scenery, or macro. He is amazing!
I’ve enjoyed the creativity of Robbie Keene for decades. First as a musician and then seeing his painting and photography and most recently his fabulous exploration of macro.
Definitely check out his portfolio.
AH! This is so awesome! Congratulations, my Friend! I love seeing all the images you share! Your talents are definitely worthy of envy & praise! Keep up the amazing work!! Thank you for sharing it with us all!
Great spotlight article! It always pays to try new things and apply all your knowledge where you can.
Hello Mr. Keene, Not that it matters to you but I agree that a photographer should be able to shoot anything. We have lots in common except I started photography even earlier than you with my family Polaroid M80 Land Camera, used primarily to document family events. I kinda left it alone for a long while to concentrate on playing baseball. Eventually after high school, a stent in the US AirForce, and career in Quality Assurance, I got interested again. I went through several 120 point and shoots, then finally my first DSLR a Minolta HTsi+. I also bought a used Yashica-A, eventually a Minolta Maxxum 9. While waiting for Minolta to get into digital I bought a Sony Mavica and Olympus C5050. I eventually got the Konica-Minolta 5D, and switched to Sony when they took over Minolta. I still only use DSLT cameras. I haven’t and probably won’t go to mirrorless unless my current cameras, A99M2 and A77M2 break. During periods away from my 8-5 job I worked as a school photographer for Herff Jones, traveling portrait photographer for a couple national portrait studios and a freelance wedding and event photographer. I am now 70 years of age and retired. My primary photographic interests are wildlife (birds mostly) and scenic. My biggest wish now is that I could properly learn how to use LrC and Photoshop for post-processing.
Sincerely,