Leif Skaar

Photography Resume

Education and Certifications:

• BS EE with a background in Optics and Lasers with 32 years professional experience.
• SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor #10994
• React Right Instructor #10994

Background in Photography:

• I was originally educated in the techniques and art of photography by my father throughout my teenage years. He was a very experienced amateur using 35mm and 4x5 press formats in both color and black and white. Where as this was not a formal education venue it was complete including basics of EV values, f stops, depth of field, use of light meters, lots of practical “labs” (hiking and climbing the High Sierra's in California), dark room techniques and composition.
• In my professional life I have used my skills in photography in some very interesting applications which include:
  • Photomicrography of microscopic subjects at X1500 using Nikon and Olympus systems.
  • High speed 16mm photography using HighCam equipment at 1000 frames per second.
  • Combining High speed video and photomicrography to analyze magnetic heads and media interaction.
  • Xenon and Arc light techniques for high speed and photomicrography applications. It very challenging to balance proper lighting of exposures and not exceed energy density which would literally “fry” the subject of interest.
• Have been a practicing “serious amateur photographer for 40 year using primarily Nikon 35mm equipment.
• Was introduced to and taught Underwater Photography by Richard Barthorpe (SSI Instructor Certifier and former owner of Denver Divers) in 2001. I have pursued underwater photography with a vengeance since that introduction.
• I presently use several underwater camera systems covering film and digital:
  • Nikonos III with 35mm, 28mm and 16mm lens and strobe.
  • Nikon N90 housed in an Ikelite housing using dual sub-strobes.
  • Nikon D70 housed in an Ikelite housing using dual sub-strobes.
  • Lens for micro through wide angle applications.
• Experience with the basics of PhotoShop, workflow planning, color calibration and printing techniques.