A self-described “computer dork,” Russ found photography a bit later than most, especially when photography went digital.

In his day job, he is a computer systems analyst for a local pipeline company. Being highly analytical, Russ felt the need for balance, and when digital photography came along, it allowed him more creative ways to express himself.

“Photography gave me something that I really miss from day to day...a chance to look at the world as a collection of colors and patterns that evoke emotion and feeling. Those small details that can mean a great deal are the things we miss out on during our normal lives.”

Russ says, however, that you cannot take the computer dork out of the artist, at least in his case. “Teaching is very humbling and very rewarding at the same time. I do learn from my students, but I also want to impart efficiency when it comes to editing photographs. I think that my career gives me an interesting and rather different perspective on photography.

“I hope that, above all, I can make people see the possibilities in their own pictures. Even those that seem like a simple snapshot can be turned into a stunning image very often and with very little effort...if you know how to get from boring point A to visually appealing point B.”

Russ teaches different computer-based photography courses at Apertures. Sign up for one of his classes today and find out how your analytical left-brain can truly enhance your creative right-brain.