Scott O'Brien has studied art since childhood. His grandfather worked for a large art gallery in Southern California, where he was inspired by the work and would make visits to the gallery often to observe the permanent and traveling collections. Scott first started to express his art as a painter and attended numerous classes offered through schools and galleries. In high school, Scott saw the works of the famed photographer Ansel Adams, which motivated him to expand into the field of photography. After high school, Scott did some extensive traveling before starting college. His travels included many lectures, informal workshops and location shoots with several professional photographers across the Western and Southern United States. Scott received his first formal degree from St. Leo University in Florida (1991) and is currently in the education and arts programs at Weber State in Ogden. He has also attended classes/workshops at Bringham Young University in Utah and the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Montana. Scott works with 35mm, medium format and digital cameras in black and white as well as color. He runs his own black & white darkroom and has growing skills in computer editing programs. As much as Scott loves learning and growing as a photographer, his other love is helping people in doing the same. "Once you stop learning as a photographer," states Scott, "you have either become perfect or started to stagnate." He has worked as a freelance photographer for over 20 years and has been published several times. His work has been in galleries across the Southern and Western United States. Classes offered by Scott range from several photographic art lectures to full black and white darkroom workshops. Scott is also available to lead on-location photographic workshops to historical city sites, events, or outdoor scenic areas. Preferences and Requirements: Activities: residencies, teacher training, extended projects, collaborations with other artists, and short-term activities. Age groups: age 10 and above Seasonal constraints: none for 2003/2004 with advanced notice Materials needed for basic classes: flexible. Materials needed for black and white darkroom classes: group size darkroom with equipment, chemical and paper supplies. Needed for on-location photographic workshops: clearance from property owners. Technical/space requirements: flexible