Brian Jackson Photo Contact Us

Sports ~ People ~ Events

Frequently Asked Questions


Who are you?

My name is Brian Jackson, I am the owner of Brian Jackson Photo . I am based in San Mateo County, California(just South of San Francisco and North of San Jose), so I have easy access to Napa, Monterey, Oakland, and the Sacramento regions for coverage of events. Sports photography is where I have a passion, but I have interests in other types of photography as well. I consider myself a Texan, spending most of my childhood and the early stages of my adult life there, including working for and graduating from The University of Texas in Austin.

I have been a staff photographer for the Student publications at The University of Texas for 4 years. Photographer with the Sports Information Department at The University of Texas for 2 years. Stringer for the Williamson County Sun. Some of my recent freelance clients include The Sacramento Bee, Rugby World, Independent Rowing News, Univ of Richmond Athletics, San Mateo County Times, The Independent, MaxPreps.com,Renditions Music, Bella Pictures, Keane Kitchens, and the Univ of Washington Rowing. Quite a bit of my sports action photography can be seen through Action Athletics.

I am married to Gigi Banfield, and have 2 cats that spend most of their time getting into things around the house.

We also spend quite a bit of time with our first child Austin :-D

Doubleday Field
Doubleday Field, Cooperstown, NY

Do you use digital cameras? (also, what equipment do you use)

Cameras
Yes, I use Canon cameras: the EOS 1DmkII, EOS 1D, 40D, as well as a Canon 20D. I really didn't think I would make the jump to autofocus let alone digital, but the features and capabilities of the EOS 1D were just too good to not make the conversion. Prior to making the switch to digital autofocus, my main cameras were several
Canon T90's, the last non-autofocus film camera Canon made; it is a professional model and is the basis for the current top of the line professional Canon EOS cameras.

Lenses
After switching to Canon's professional digital camera, not only did I upgrade to digital, but I needed to upgrade to the EOS line of autofocus lenses. The main workhorse for my sports photography is the Canon 400mm f/2.8 II USM IS lens. There are a lot of letters after that one, let's just say it's the latest greatest top of the line lens from Canon. The other lenses I use on a regular basis are the Canon EF 17-40 f/4.0 L, Canon 28mm f/1.8, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, Canon 85mm f/1.8, Sigma 15mm fisheye, and Kenko extension tubes. Oh, I can't forget the Canon EF 1.4X II teleconverter.

Lighting
I am fully capable of doing location lighting with a portable studio setup as well as on camera flash. Lighitng gyms is also not a problem. Basketball and Volleyball just aren't the same without lites :)
6 Vivitar 285HV's, 3 PocketWizard Multimaxes, Canon 580ex II, Canon 580ex, Canon 550ex, super clamps, magic arms, lite stands, umbrellas, reflectors, and an entire bag of random grip.

Do you digitally manipulate your images?

Not in the sense that some people think. Yes every image is manipulated in some way digitally. Most of the time it is to adjust the brightness, contrast, or colors, remove dust and to crop the image. We do NOT change the nature of the image(adding fingers, removing people from the background, etc). This type of photo-manipulation goes against the grain for a documentative photograph. But then again, depending on the application we are fully versed in adding fingers, removing people from the background, and combining multiple images into amazing collages and posters.

What areas do you cover events in?

Being located near the middle of the San Francisco Bay Area, several regions are with a short drive: San Franciso, Oakland, San Jose, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, the San Joaquin valley(Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Fresno), Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park.

Are you available for assignment work?

Yes, if you have photography needs in Northern California on a short notice, please email me at brian @ brianjacksonphoto.com and we can work something out. If the assignment is a little bit more in the future and a little further away, arrangements can also be made. Since I am fully digital capable, same day transmissions are possible and can also be arranged. If you require film, that can also be arranged, but is no longer part of the typical workflow.

Are you a member of any professional organizations?

I am a member of the following orgaizations:
Sports Shooter Editorial Photographers Digital Wedding Forum FujiFIlm Pronet
FujiFilm ProNet
APA
Advertising Photographers of
America - San Francisco
Adobe Directory CPS

What do you take pictures of?

I mostly like to take pictures of sports, either the action or the individual athletes. I also have an interest in Travel photography, but not your typical stuff. Enviromental portaits are something I have been working on recently as well. I like to take pictures of people doing things. Don't get me wrong, I like the non-movable stuff as well, but I really like to take people pictures. Since I worked for Yearbooks and Newspapers in the past, Photojournalism images have a special place. I like to consider myself an event photographer, capturing the people and actions of an event.

I also have experience with studio product shots, traditional portraits, and medium format cameras.

Lately I have been concentrating more on wedding photography, and not your parent's wedding photography.

How can I contact you?

Email: brian @ brianjacksonphoto.com

Instant Message:
AIM:
B Jackson Photo Yahoo: bjp_studios

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All of the photographs and text on these pages, as well as the web page designs are © 1989-2009 Brian Jackson, brianjacksonphoto.com unless otherwise noted. They may not be reproduced, published, copied or transmitted in any form, including electronically on the Internet, or any network (including mobile), without the express written permission of the author or copyright holder.