Biography

David L. Smith
Dave Smith by Dave Smith

Photography Background

My interest in photography grew while serving in Germany with the US Third Armored Division. They had a lab in the service club where one could do darkroom work. There I learned to develop and print black and white photos of my trips in Germany, Austria, and France and my Army adventures.

After the Army I worked with a portrait studio and a lithographer in My home town of Morgantown, West Virginia for a year. I then entered West Virginia University under the GI Bill to get my degree in Art. in 1972. While at WVU I was the head photographer for the yearbook and also took courses in journalism, advertising, typography, film making and stage lighting to expand my photo education. My art background has been very valuable in understanding lighting, the all important element in photography.

After working for a photo lab I was employed in 1973 for about nine years by an ad agency in Pittsburgh, PA. They had their own photo studio to produce photography for their many savings and loan clients. We shot a lot of stock like photography of models of all ages for the ads as well as PR and product photography. Through this studio I was able to do work on modeling portfolios and that work helped get the fashion photography for Horne’s department store plus a few other clothing stores.

In the eighties I went into a partnership that had three employees. Our major client for about five years, until they opened their own studio, was Black Box Corporation. We did the photography for at least three catalogs each year, over 200 pages, as well as many other smaller pieces. A lot of the work was 4” x 5” and many were high tech style photographs requiring many lights and multiple exposures. My work was both on location and in the studio.

In 1988 I became David L. Smith Photography and continued doing some smaller catalogs and also more industrial photography on location. Some of My work includes industrial, products, Illustration, lifestyle, fashion, portraits for PR, work for artist, studio & location.

I am often ask “What do you really like to photograph?” I have many interests and find many of the companies and products I photograph fascinating. I chose to do commercial photography because I like the variety and the challenge to produce what the clients wants. I also like working with people to get that “right” expression and pose. And most important getting the right lighting. And I still get excited seeing my work published.

Interests

These are listed because I feel they are factors that are a benefit in understanding of what I photograph, how I approach the subject and how I keep in shape to do the assignment.

My interests are: arts, astronomy, cycling, the environment, hiking in WV, history, maps, motorcycles, sciences, skiing. I no longer skydive or race hare scrambles. However I am very active with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh and lead cycle rides with the Western Pennsylvania Wheelman.