Getting To Know R Best Photography
Capturing the World with Enthusiasm and Heart
Based in the picturesque region of Upstate New York, R. Best has been fascinated by art for as long as he can remember—even if he cheerfully admits that he “can’t draw a stick figure!” Much like his love for singing (despite being unable to carry a tune), his enthusiasm for the arts has always outshone any perceived lack of traditional skill. This spirited approach to creativity eventually led him down the path of photography, where he found both passion and purpose.
His photographic journey began in earnest in the early 1980s with a Minolta X370 35mm film camera. Though the images were mostly simple snapshots, they sparked a lifelong interest in capturing the world through a lens. Over the years, his tools evolved—his first digital camera was a Sony Mavica gifted by his wife, which used small CDs to store images. From there, he progressed through various Canon models, and today his camera of choice is the Canon R6 Mark II.
His continued loyalty to Canon was inspired by that very first digital gift—along with lenses and a flash—which made it practical and sentimental to keep upgrading within the same brand. He now uses high-quality L glass and has honed his craft through both experience and an eagerness to learn.
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R. Best photographs exclusively in RAW format and brings his scenes to life through editing. He primarily uses Adobe Lightroom but frequently moves between Photoshop CC, Topaz, Luminar Neo, and DxO Pure RAW 4, depending on the needs of the image. He finds great joy in the editing process—perhaps even slightly more than in taking the photos themselves—describing the balance as 40% shooting, 60% post-processing. His aim is not always to represent reality exactly as it was, but as he saw and felt it in that moment.
He draws inspiration from a wide range of contemporary photographers including Thomas Heaton, Nigel Danson, Nick Page, Michael Shainblum, Isaac Spots, Rick Berk, David Long, and especially Charlotte Gibb and Viktoria Haack. Though it’s hard for him to pick a single favourite piece of his own work, several stand out: Rainbow Falls at Watkins Glen State Park, the black and white Dockside in Canandaigua, AM Foster Bridge in Vermont, and the serene Oneida Lake Blue Hour, taken close to home.
Open to feedback, R. Best welcomes constructive criticism, provided it’s offered respectfully. He’s always seeking to improve both his technical skills and artistic eye, and has taken courses, read photography books, and sought inspiration from the work of others.
Much of his photography takes place within a few hours’ drive from his home—covering regions such as the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, and the Thousand Islands. However, he never misses an opportunity to photograph new areas when visiting his children, who live across the United States. Whether it’s the Pacific Northwest, Southern Louisiana, or Washington D.C., he always finds a moment—usually around sunrise—to capture something special. He also enjoys exploring nearby New England, with regular trips to Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Although he hasn’t yet ventured into drone photography, he’s becoming increasingly curious about trying it in the future.
One of his more humorous photography stories involves mistaking a bronze statue for a fellow photographer. While attempting to photograph the St. Louis skyline, he approached what he thought was a man on a bench, only to discover it was a statue of Malcolm Martin. He laughed quietly to himself, imagining how foolish he must have looked chatting away to a figure who would never answer.
His work has been displayed at the Baltimore Woods Nature Center gallery in Marcellus, NY, and several of his images have been purchased for display in local healthcare facilities. While he has no current gallery exhibitions planned, he regularly showcases his work at 3 to 5 local art and craft shows each year. He admits to a love-hate relationship with these events—he adores meeting people and sharing his work but could do without the setting up and tearing down.
R. Best markets his photography primarily through Facebook, Instagram, and Threads where he tries to post images weekly, directing visitors to his custom domain: rbestphotography.com
Although photography remains a side pursuit—he still works full-time—he is available for commission work and has previously done real estate photography, though it’s not something he actively promotes.
Outside of photography, he has a background in sports, having played softball and golf as an amateur, with two hole-in-ones to his name. He has been married for 31 years, and his wife remains his most honest critic, offering her support in the most straightforward of ways. His extended family, including his sister, daughter, stepdaughter, and stepson, are all supportive of his creative pursuits.
As for what he dreams about when he sleeps? “Everything,” he says—perhaps a fitting response from someone who sees the world in layers of light, shadow, and possibility.
