News

Canon USA announced this morning that it has expanded its respected Explorers of Light professional photography education program to include five new members. Those members include the following pro photographers: landscape photographer Erin Babnik, car photographer Larry Chen, wedding and portrait photographer Sal Cincotta, wedding and portrait photographer Vanessa Joy, and outdoor photographer Zak Noyle.

Canon's Explorers of Light (EOL) program started in 1995 and has since been imitated by a variety of other photography brands seeking to put their users and, of course, their gear on the photo industry map. Canon's Explorers of Light now has 33 photographers in the EOL. There are also 14 photographers in Canon's Legends program, which is comprised of the original Explorers of Light.

This year Shutterbug will be partnering with Canon's EOL to produce a monthly column with photography tips, tricks, and helpful advice from the Explorers of Light on how to shoot better photos. Each month, a Canon EOL photographer will write a piece with their easy-to-understand tips and gorgeous accompanying photos, explaining a different aspect of photography to Shutterbug's audience.

Stay tuned for the first Canon EOL tips story coming soon! Read more about the new Explorers and the Canon Legends in the below press release from Canon.

 

PRESS RELEASE

With the New Decade, Canon Explorers of Light Program Introduces New Talent and Honors Legends of Photography

MELVILLE, NY, January 14, 2020 – Imagery is powerful, it can elicit emotions, reinvigorate memories and forever capture new ones. The Explorers of Light (EOL) program created by Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, showcases industry leading photographers who leverage Canon products to see and capture the most evocative images of our time. Today, five new Explorers of Light are revealed from an assortment of genres, as well as Canon Legends, a new program that honors photographers who have broken barriers and lead the way within the photographic community.

Pushing the boundaries of creativity and discovering what is possible with Canon equipment, the newly introduced EOLs are:

Landscape Photographer – Erin Babnik

• About Erin: Known internationally as a leading photographic artist, educator, writer, and speaker, Erin’s ambitious and expressive style of landscape photography brings together an unusual integration of adventurous exploration, progressive techniques, and formal education in the arts. In her writing and public speaking, Erin explores topics with a unique blend of art history philosophical, and instructional ideas, an approach that has made her one of the most influential voices among the current generation of landscape photographers.

• What’s in her Bag?: EOS 5D Mark IV, EOS M50, EF 11-24mm f/4L, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS, EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS

• Thoughts on Photography: “Exploration is the key to creativity. The more that you find to photograph, the more that you find yourself.”

 

Car Culture/Automotive Photographer – Larry Chen

• About Larry: Larry is a world-renowned car culture and commercial automotive photographer from Los Angeles. His work has graced the covers of magazines like Hot Rod, 000 and SuperStreet and he is known for his work with the Hoonigans. When Larry is not covering editorial, he also works with major automotive brands and he is the official series photographer for the Formula Drift series and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

• What’s in his Bag?: EOS 1DX Mark II, EOS 5DsR, EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye, EF 35mm f/1.4L II, EF 85mm f/1.2L II, EF 200mm f/2L IS

• Thoughts on Photography: “There are not enough weekends in my lifetime to photograph all the automotive related gatherings and events, but you can bet I will sure as hell try my best.”

 

Wedding and Portrait Photographer – Sal Cincotta

• About Sal: Exposed to the darkroom at a very young age, Sal photographed his first wedding at the age of 17 and his love affair with photography was born. Today, he is an international award-winning photographer, educator, author, and the Publisher of Shutter Magazine. In addition, Sal created ShutterFest.com, an immersive hands-on photography event geared towards helping photographers master their craft.

• What’s in his Bag?: EOS R, RF 85mm F1.2L, RF 50mm F1.2L, RF 28–70mm F2L, RF 70–200mm F2.8L IS, RF 15–35mm F2.8L IS, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS, EF 24mm f/1.4L II

• Thoughts on Photography: “How will you stand out? Today’s photographers have to be so much more than just a photographer. We are the visionaries and creative directors. Our clients are looking to us to help them bring that vision to life.”

 

Wedding and Portrait Photographer - Vanessa Joy

• About Vanessa: Starting her photographic journey in 1998, Vanessa has since branched into public speaking, has earned five college degrees and received a PPA Photographic Craftsman degree. Vanessa has spoken at almost every major convention and platform such as CreativeLIVE, The Wedding School, Clickin' Moms, WPPI, ShutterFest and Imaging USA, in addition to hosting personal workshops and numerous small business and photography conventions around the globe.

• What’s in her Bag?: EOS 1DX Mark II, EF 70-200mm II f/2.8L, EF 135mm f/2L

• Thoughts on Photography: "Remember how you felt, not how you were posed."

 

Outdoor Photographer – Zak Noyle

• About Zak: Based on the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu, Zak spends countless hours in the water, creating dramatic imagery and artful interpretations of the world’s most magnificent ocean environment. He has worked with a variety of high-end clients from the worlds of technology, automotive and fashion – he has also worked on highly visible and successful advertising campaigns. With careful planning, hard work, and sheer luck, Zak has made a lifestyle out of his passion of photographing swells, surf and sea.

• What’s in his Bag?: EOS 1DX Mark II, EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye, EF 16-35mm f/4L IS, EF 24mm f/1.4L II, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II

• Thoughts on Photography: “It’s the moments in between that are worth living for, water and light only enhance it. Capturing ensures its timelessness.”

Legends Program
Started in 1995, The Explorers of Light program was created to celebrate and highlight the work of outstanding professional photographers. These professionals have made a profound impact within the photography industry and are leaders within their respective genres of photography. As a new class of EOL creators are ushered in, an influential group of EOLs will make up the inaugural class of Canon Legends, which provides a means for Canon to recognize, honor and preserve the legacy and leadership of some of the most accomplished Explorers of Light. These legends of photography have made and will continue to make a substantial impact on not only the photography and imaging industry, but on the Company as well. Canon Legends provides deserved notoriety for this elite group’s hard work and dedication and will be an anchored honor within the Explorers of Light program, continuing to grow in the coming years.

The inaugural Legends Program class members include:

Harry Benson	Art Wolfe	Parish Kohanim	Arnold Newman
Duane Michals	Sam Abell	Denis Reggie	David Stoecklein
Melvin Sokolsky	Greg Heisler	Joyce Tenneson	Brian Lanker
Walter Iooss	Douglas Kirkland