Hi Everyone! Tony Sweet here. It’s an honor to be on the NPN AMA platform.

I am a 35 yr professional photographer, authored several books on nature photography, and
started our Visual Artistry Workshop Series teaching throughout the US, Canada, Iceland, and
Cuba. In 2006, I was honored as a Nikon Legend Behind the Lens.

However, before photography I had a career as a professional jazz drummer and college educator. Two full time careers didn’t quite work for me, so I opted to make music performance and education my avocation and moved into photography full time.

In my work, I search for light. Actually, to quote Galen Rowell, “My first thought is always of light.” When I photograph, I have no preconceptions. No expectations. No shot list. No planning apps. I like to know where the sun will rise and set and whatever happens in between is whatever happens in between.

As a teen in the USAF, I read a book on Zen. It immediately made sense. I transferred the openness, lack of expectations, and being open to anything at anytime, and most importantly, being able to not think and to “be in the moment,” to my growth as a jazz artist and as a photographer.

After years as a photographer, I still think as a musician. Seeking to convey rhythm, romance, feel, movement, and creativity. I seldom chase images. I’m reminded of the lesson of the butterfly, where we can chase it all day long and never catch it, but if we are still, the butterfly will land on us. I prefer to get a location early then wait and react as the light changes.

I am the author of 6 books and have contributed to many others. I am also a Singh Ray and Slickpic Ambassador, and am an active speaker online and in person to photo organizations worldwide. I have exhibited in galleries in the US and in England

Since this is AMA, you can feel free to Ask Me Anything. People starting at a later age may have some questions, since I began photography at the age of 44, while working a job full time.

My website is http://tonysweet.com, but my most recent work is on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tonysweetphoto

Thanks and I appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions.