Biography
Ron Hugo - Chincoteague, VA
Ron grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania where he developed his love of nature and science, which lead him to pursue a BS in biology and an MS in physiology. Interested in photography since childhood, he competed in local New Jersey camera clubs earning numerous ribbons and in the New Jersey Federation of Camera Clubs’ competitions, where he earned several ribbons. After 36 years in pharmaceutical research, Ron has made his hobby into his vocation. He is a member of the North American Nature Photography Association, where his image "Assateague Foggy Sunrise" was selected a Top Ten Winner in the member showcase competition for 2008. He holds membership in the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, the Chincoteague Decoy Carvers and Artists Association, the Chincoteague Natural History Association, the Eastern Shore Art League, The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, The Art Institute and Gallery of Salisbury, MD, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The National Wildlife Federation, The Chincoteague Cultural Alliance and is a Capitol Society member of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Ron exhibits his art at numerous shows and exhibits on the east coast. His photography of Chincoteague and Assateague has been awarded “Best Photograph of Chincoteague/Assateague” at the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Easter Decoy and Art Festival for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Two of his images were awarded First Places in the Urban and Bay/Seascape Divisions of the Scenic Virginia Photoscape Contest in 2008. Ron’s image “Grisette Parasols” was a Merit Award winner in Black and White Magazine’s Single Image Contest and was published in the February 2009 issue of B&W. Ron’s photography can be found in numerous private collections. Long time visitors to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, he and his wife, Susan, now call the Eastern Shore their home. They reside in Lee Mont, VA along with two rescued dogs, Fagin and Renee Blue, two Chincoteague ponies, Chocolate Contemplation and Candy Contemplation, a rescued Polish Arabian horse, Castina, a Haflinger/Quarter horse, Fritz, a rescued cat, Toonces, three hens, Alice, Big Red and Lacie, a pair of White Polish Silkie chickens, Stanley and Florence, three Rouen ducks, Ben, Lucy, and Ethel, a pair of guinea fowl, Anthony and Cleopatra. In addition to photography, Susan and Ron enjoy gardening and natural horsemanship.
Photographer's Statement
I specialize in fine art color and black and white photography of the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia with landscape, nautical, and wildlife themes. My equipment consists of Nikon D3and D2x digital and Nikon F5 film cameras, lens ranging from a 12-24mm zoom to 300-800mm zoom, Nikon Speedlight SB-80DX, Sigma EM-140DG macro flash, and Gitzo 1327 and 1325 tripods with Gitzo 1378 ball head and Wimberley Gimbal type head. I work in both film and digital media with my current emphasis on digital. All film utilized has been positive (slide film) which has been scanned in a DiMage 5400 35mm scanner or Epson V700 scanner to create digital files which can be processed using Adobe Photoshop CS3 in the same manner as the digitally captured images. I print using Epson 2200, Epson 3800, and Epson 7880 printers and do all of my own printing from 4”x6” to 24” x 48”. I use archival quality papers from Epson and Moab, and Epson Ultrachrome inks. I do all of my own matting and framing utilizing high quality acid-free archival materials. As a member of the North American Nature Photography Association, I adhere to the organizations Principles of Ethical Field Practices and my personal philosophy is best described by the oft-quoted phrase “Take only photographs - leave only footprints.” My images are the creations of nature and I have succeeded in capturing them digitally or on film. My many years as an observer of nature has developed my ability see and capture through the lens what nature has displayed, though oft times for only a fleeting moment.