About Chris Budny

In September 2005, I bought my first camera (a Sony DSC-H1 5.1mp "near-SLR" point & shoot.) I shot like crazy on it, gaining an understanding of the various shooting modes & exposure controls. I picked up Jim Miotke's BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Photography with that camera--which led me to this site--and I recommend the book to anyone new to photography. (Several years later now, I am especially proud that a handful of my images were selected by Jim Miotke and his co-author Kerry Drager, for inclusion in their 2 newest photography books, published in 2011 and 2012.)

In April 2007, I upgraded to the Canon 400XTi/Rebel dSLR; a terrific camera which also introduced me to RAW shooting. I upgraded again in Dec. 2009, to the Canon 7D, which brought better ISO response, expanded metering & focusing systems, and a few other nifty features. Then in Dec. 2013, I finally went "full-frame" with the Canon 6D.

My lens collection includes:
- the EF 16-35 f/2.8L,
- the EF 24-105 f/4L IS,
- the EF 50mm f/1.4,
- the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS,
- the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro,
- the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS ii,
- the TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift.

I use an Induro carbon fiber tripod and a Really Right Stuff ballhead, a wired shutter remote control, and the Angle-Finder C viewfinder attachment (my favorite accessory by far!) I edit primarily in Lightroom5, sometimes dipping into Photoshop 6 and the NIK Software plug-in suite (which is wonderful!); all running on a MacBook Pro 15" Retina laptop.

I love architecture, and it is one of my favorite subjects (followed by macro images, travel photography & landscapes). I am drawn to strong design elements, and love repeating, receding subjects. I generally aim to produce realistic images using available light (I have no flash gear). My goal is continual learning & technical improvement, and honing my artistic style.

I have served as a volunteer docent at Washington National Cathedral since 1995; it has been a favorite photography stomping ground and you could say I learned photography there. The substantial damage caused by 2011's 5.8M Virginia earthquake is truly heartbreaking. The remaining earthquake repairs will take perhaps 6-10 or more years, and are estimated at around $24M (all of which must be raised privately; the cathedral receives no federal or taxpayer funding, and is not covered by earthquake insurance.)
Please consider lending your support; visit nationalcathedral.org for details.

Thanks for looking and feel free to contact me!

--cjb 7/16

My online gallery, arranged in subject matter albums, is at www.chrisbudny.com