As news of Bryan F. Peterson’s passing at the age of 73 continues to circulate on social media today, a collective sigh of sadness is making its way through the photo community as we mourn this true photo legend. Bryan Peterson defined what a masterful photo educator should be: inspirational, motivational, approachable, sincere, and likable.
In fact, anyone who has ever picked up a camera, particularly those on a quest to teach themselves the fundamentals, no doubt knows Peterson’s name. Indeed, they most likely have a dog-eared copy of Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera tucked away somewhere in their home. Selling over 1 million copies worldwide, photographers consider it a classic. Accordingly, the book has helped countless photographers grasp the basic concepts of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in such a way that is readily digestible and understandable. In other words, it clicked! Peterson made basic photo concepts far less intimidating and much more approachable every time he spoke, wrote a book, posted a video, or taught a workshop.
Four Decades of Masterful Work
Going even further, Peterson’s contribution to photography spans four decades. It is no stretch of the imagination to say that he has inspired generations of photographers. This includes hobbyists, beginners, and pros alike. Additionally, self-taught creatives— all through practical, hands-on teaching and a myriad of instructional videos. He also had great success for over 35 years as a commercial photographer. Bryan worked with major clients such as American Express, Kodak, UPS, Phillips, and Citibank. Peterson earned many awards and accolades over the years from Communication Arts Photography Annual (7 times) and Print Magazine (4 times). Additionally, the prestigious New York Art Directors Gold Award.
Bryan’s Words Teach and Inspire
As the lovable and relatable host of You Keep Shooting with Bryan Peterson on AdoramaTV, he dove into everything photo-taking oriented. Subjects like the Rule of Thirds, Shooting During Blue Hour, Freezing Action, Learning to Work with Leading Lines and Motion with Umbrellas. Even the the concept of moving your feet to help with photo composition and taking a simple portrait to using your super wide angle lens. Through it all, his visually rich teaching style and ability to demystify photography concepts quickly was bar none to anyone else in the industry.
All one needs to do is peruse the comments section under many of his AdoramaTV shows on YouTube to see what his videos and teaching style meant to so many. Comments like, “You do a very good job presenting concepts,” “I love your simple explanations and inventive ways,” “Bryan always has the best tips,” “Love your tutorials, man,” to “I want to learn to enjoy photography like you do and to experiment. I guess that’s the whole thing about this art form. I always learn new things from you.”
Thoughts on the Loss of Bryan Peterson
As the news broke on Instagram early this morning, photographer Vinny Macias wrote the following sentiments, which no doubt countless photographers, upon hearing the news, most likely share:
“I owe everything I know about the art of photography to Bryan Peterson. Before reading his books, a DSLR camera was this overly technical device that I found intimidating. And my photographic eye was very unrefined. I still remember buying his book at a local bookstore back in 2011, reading the first few pages, and instantly feeling as if I had found a secret treasure. It contained everything I yearned to understand and presented it in such a fun way. I was quickly able to demystify shooting in manual mode, understanding the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. I learned to change perspectives when shooting to give the subject a certain feel. My photography skills as a whole had mushroomed over a short period, and I was recognized by friends and family as a good photographer. I owe it all to Bryan.”
California travel photographer William Yu posted a heartfelt tribute to his dear friend and mentor on Instagram, writing, “He had a rare gift for revealing the poetry hidden in the mundane, infusing each image with depth and emotion that resonated deeply with all who saw them. Though he is gone, his photographs and books remain as timeless windows into his creative soul.”
Lasting Impact
Other heavy hitters in the industry are also feeling the loss. Take Roberto Valenzuela, for example. The award-winning commercial fashion and portrait photographer who is an acclaimed author of his own photo instruction books as well as a Canon explorer of Light. He recalls the impact Peterson had on his career when he was just starting out, telling me that he read his Understanding Composition Field Guide: How to See and Photograph Images with Impact multiple times over and it had a lasting effect on him and his photo setup choices. Valenzuela, who like Peterson has a proven track record for teaching and explaining difficult concepts to photographers of all skill levels is sad to hear that the photo educator has passed but also grateful that he was able to access his books and educational videos during the start of his career.
Making the Complex Seem Simple, a True Master
During my time at Photo District News and Rangefinder magazines, I always thought of Bryan as someone who could break down any photo concept and make it simple, even for the most novice. He was also someone who encouraged photographers to push past their limits and see beyond the snapshot. To create by exploring beyond the boundaries of traditional color, composition, conventional angles, and framing.
He has written at least 12 photography books in 9 different languages, including the “photo bible” Understanding Exposure. Additionally, Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color and Composition in Photography, Understanding Shutter Speed, and Understanding Flash. His incredible bio also includes a stint as Contributing Editor at Popular Photography and Outdoor Photographer. As co-founder of the online platform The Bryan Peterson School of Photography (BPSOP) and the founder of youkeepshooting.com, a worldwide community of photographers who all share a passion for image-making, Peterson embodied an approach that emphasized not only the effective use of light and composition but also creativity. He allowed us to see the world through a more imaginative lens, and his dedication to teaching and demystifying complex photographic concepts made him a respected figure in the photography community whose presence will be sorely missed for many decades to come.
While the circumstances of Peterson’s death have not yet been made public, his family is asking for privacy and understanding as they navigate through their grief. We extend our condolences to the Peterson family and share in their sentiments:
“His presence brought light, love, and joy to all who knew him. This loss has left a hole in our hearts that words cannot fully express.”
Bryan on AdoramaTV
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have embedded in this article a few of my favorite AdoramaTV videos Bryan made while I was with the channel. To see the entire playlist, click here – Daniel
