Kathy Cavallaro (Cavy2) Interview
Keywords: landscape, wildlife, macro, street, infrared, photography, cavy2
Kathy Cavallaro is a versatile photographer who is at home with landscapes, cityscapes, wildlife, digital enhanced images and the list goes on with her accomplishments. Better yet Kathy shares her experience and the wonder of her images regularly on Nikonians. It is clear that she enjoys taking on new forms of photography and working until she has achieved a high level of mastery.
“I’m originally from the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania, and have lived in Colorado, Nebraska, and Indiana. I’m currently back home in rural Bucks County, PA. with my husband of 40 years. I purchased my first camera, a D70s, about 11 years ago. In addition to learning from the folks at Nikonians, I’ve taken many photography courses online, in the classroom and in the field.
Bucks County is a beautiful area rich in history, natural beauty and an abundance of old barns and farmhouses. Bucks County is also close to the urban areas of Philadelphia, New York, and the New Jersey coast. That provides me with a wide variety of subjects to shoot.
I enjoy cycling along the Delaware Canal, there’s a scenic trail of about 60 miles that runs along the river and canal. This offers a lot of opportunity to photograph nature, flowers, covered bridges, and the quaint towns along the river.
I also enjoy long-exposure photography. Some of my favorite subjects are landscapes, especially in the early morning and cityscapes during the blue hour. I typically use a low ISO to lengthen the exposure time. There’s something about the quality of light and the movement with long exposures. I always use my tripod when shooting during low light. It slows me down, allowing me to put more thought into the composition and, of course, helps with getting the image sharp.
Another passion of mine is macro photography. The delicate beauty and detail of a flower is magic, the same can be said of butterflies, and certain insects. I find it’s equally interesting to use a shallow depth of field for a beautiful blur, or focus stack images to render the subject in complete focus.
I also enjoy Infrared photography. I was intrigued with the images I saw online. I got started using an infrared filter, an inexpensive way to try infrared. I soon became hooked and had a D200 converted with a super color filter (590nm filter). Taking an online course was invaluable in learning how to shoot and post-process these images. I’ll shoot infrared in midday light, during the times not conducive to regular photography. It’s a great way to fit more photography into a day, and another way to work an interesting subject.
Another favorite photographic pastime is processing images. I enjoy spending hours in front of my computer blending, and adjusting a good image. Shooting with the D700, I find the dynamic range a little limiting. Because of that I’ll often bracket exposures and blend images manually in Photoshop. If I use Photomatix, I’ll finish the image in Photoshop, sometimes blending parts of the original image back into the HDR file. I also enjoy using several of the Topaz programs again making the final edits in Photoshop. I’m not a fan of one button processing, and usually vary the opacity of the filters to attain a more realistic image.
I found Nikonians through a friend. I immediately found the community to be nurturing with a wealth of knowledge. I’ve gained many friendships over the years.
Nikonians is a valuable place to test what works and what doesn’t. Many times members have pointed out things that I didn’t notice in an image. I’ve also found value in reading critiques on other member’s posts. Early on that was an area that helped me the most. Reading the critiques helped me learn to look at my images with a critical eye. Another value I find on Nikonians is members’ willingness to share their knowledge of equipment and offer technical advice.
For me, I think practice has been the best way to improve my shooting skills and photographic vision. Many times, I’ll download an image and realize if I had only moved and shot at a different angle the image would have much more impact. Also, practice has taught me to appreciate the quality of light. If I find a good subject and it’s an area I can visit again, I’ll go back a few times until the light and clouds are what I envisioned for the scene. Once the techniques and mechanics of making images (including post-processing) became second nature through practice, I found I could focus on my artistic vision and attempt to create the image I saw in my mind’s eye.
I’ve found there’s something to be gained from every shoot, whether I end up with any keepers or not.
A most memorable experience for me was when I shot the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart, Florida. It’s a dynamic structure and, as it turned out, even more so at night. I shot images during the day and the blue hour, which had beautiful light, but when the sky turned black there was a striking contrast between the dark sky and the red and yellow lights of the bridge. I was excited when I viewed the images on the camera’s LCD screen and knew I captured the dynamic scene I wanted.”
It is a pleasure, Kathy, to hear from you and to benefit from the breadth of your knowledge in capturing such dynamic images. What you have shared is only a glimpse into your life as a photographer as we have seen the spectrum of images that you have shared on Nikonians with various lenses, settings, subjects and techniques. Thanks for the motivation to delve deeper into the world of photography.
Originally written on August 21, 2017
Last updated on November 29, 2017
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18 comments
Donna Knodle (dgknodle) on October 6, 2017
Loved reading this article. Kathy you are such a well-rounded photographer who takes the time to learn how to get these special photos. It's not point and shoot for you. You dig into a project and develop your style to get these outstanding shots, and your processing always brings out the best attributes of your work.
Kathy Cavallaro (Cavy2) on September 1, 2017
Thank Ray, I appreciate your time and comment!
Ray Heslewood (Hessy) on August 30, 2017
Kathy, your photographic talents are obvious, well done.
Kathy Cavallaro (Cavy2) on August 29, 2017
Thanks Matt! Appreciate your kind response!
Matthew Gregory (Matthew Gregory) on August 28, 2017
I always love seeing your work! Interesting to hear the story of your journey.
Kathy Cavallaro (Cavy2) on August 27, 2017
Bonnie, Fred, and Russ, I appreciate you taking the time to read the article. Your comments have touched my heart and I thank you all for responding to this piece!
Russell Whittemore (rosewood_ltd) on August 26, 2017
This recognition is long overdue. There are a few photographers here who I follow closely; you are one of them. You always have something interesting to post and I have always appreciated the thought that goes into your compositions. Good stuff!
Fred Laberge (labtrout) on August 25, 2017
It was a pleasure viewing your work and understanding your photo journey a bit better, Kathy. It's always a pleasure seeing your posts and your comments. Enjoy Maine!
Bonnie Christensen (BChrisRad) on August 25, 2017
What a great article, Kathy. I was so happy to see you featured when I looked at Nikonians while on vacation. Now that I am home, I can look at all your wonderful photos on a monitor and not an iPad. The photos look even better! Agree with others that you are very talented in many areas of photography and you inspire many with your wonderful images. Thank you. Also, congratulations on 40 years of marriage. That is also an accomplishment in this day and age.
Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2) on August 25, 2017
Hey Kathy is was a pleasure coordinating this little feature with you! I have so enjoyed your photography for quite some time and have been amazed at the breadth to your work. Thanks for the opportunity to share a little more with this exercise and my respect continues to grow. I enjoy the interactions here as well and am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy your good heart and modest ways. Thanks to everyone as well for your comments on my small roll in this feature.
Kathy Cavallaro (Cavy2) on August 24, 2017
Sorry for the delay I responding. I'm traveling in Maine all week with family and just realized this was published. Thank you all for taking the time to read this interview and post your kind remarks. Nikonians has continued to be a joy and positive force in my photography journey. Feedback is such a valuable tool and I thank the many times my friends here have given me a new perspective and fresh insight. I owe a lot of my photographic growth to you folks. Creative ideas and inspiration is an also factor. Thank you Marsha for working on the interview with me. It was a fine chance to get to know you and consider you one of my friends.
Sarah Boser (Sarah9) on August 24, 2017
Your photographs are beautiful, Kathy. It's nice to read about your journey.
John D. Roach (jdroach) on August 23, 2017
Fine Photographs, Fine Photographer and Fine Article.
Ian McNicol...aka Scotty. (Scotty45) on August 23, 2017
Very informative & interesting interview. Kathys images are just a testimony to her talents.
David Summers (dm1dave) on August 23, 2017
An awesome article! Kathy is an exceptional photographer and a great asset to the Nikonians community. Keep up the great work Kathy!
Larry CdeBaca (elcee) on August 22, 2017
Kathy is a modest, talented photographer who my wife and I had the pleasure of meeting. She conquers every genre she tackles. Applause applause, Kathy!
Mark Roberts (mrob) on August 22, 2017
Kathy, That was an amazing interview along with the beautiful photo's that were shown. Your talent is to be commended. Newbies like myself learn so much from photographers like yourself and I thank you for that. Marsha....another great job. Thanks Mark
Tom Jacob (sevendayimages) on August 21, 2017
And here we go…I was waiting for your interview to come out Kathy! :) It just goes to show what a fine photographer you are, and the passion you put inside your hobby. Not to forget the kindness when replying or commenting on post here at Nikonians. Excellent images, very well composed by Marsha and please: Keep up the spirit like this my friend :) See you around here. Tom