Member Profile: Michel P.Gelinas
About me:
© Michel P. Gelinas
Do you consider yourself a Professional/Semi-Pro/Amateur/Beginner photographer?
I consider myself an amateur hobbyist photographer, but in recent years I have devoted significant time to studying photography and improving my skills. My deeper involvement began when I was gifted a Nikon D850 by family members who are serious amateur photographers themselves. That generous gift became a turning point for me and motivated me to take photography more seriously
Who are you?
I am a semi-retired ophthalmologist from northern Wisconsin, USA. After a career devoted to helping people preserve and improve their vision, I’ve developed an even deeper appreciation for the simple act of truly seeing the world around us. Photography has become a natural extension of that lifelong perspective.
Tell us about your photography journey.
We live in Minocqua, Wisconsin, a place in the beautiful Northwoods that offers endless inspiration for photography. The forests, lakes, wildlife, and changing seasons, from vibrant autumn colors to quiet winter landscapes, provide a constantly evolving canvas to explore through the camera lens. My deeper involvement in photography began when family members who are serious amateur photographers themselves gifted me a Nikon D850. Their encouragement and shared passion for photography motivated me to take the craft more seriously and continue developing my skills while capturing the natural beauty that surrounds us.
How did you find TSOP?
I enrolled in The School of Photography online program, beginning with a basics course, followed by courses in Lightroom and Photoshop. As my interest grew, I continued with night photography, landscape photography, and wildlife photography courses. Each step has expanded both my technical skills and my creative vision. I am currently planning to complete courses in cityscape photography and forest photography in the near future
What is your preferred genre?
© Michel P. Gelinas
My primary passion in photography is landscape and wildlife photography, where I feel most connected to the natural world. More recently, I have been drawn increasingly to night and Milky Way photography, which has opened up an entirely new way of seeing familiar places. I have also been taking time to explore and learn more about street photography, which offers a very different challenge—capturing candid moments and human stories in everyday life
What inspires you to create photography?
While photography has become an important creative outlet, my greatest passion is travel and the opportunity to experience the vast and varied beauty of this planet. Seeing new places, cultures, and landscapes has broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the world we share. Photography became a natural extension of these travels, allowing me to preserve moments and memories from the journeys I have been fortunate enough to take.
Who are some other photographers you’re inspired by?
As for inspiration, I have long admired the work of Ansel Adams, whose mastery of black-and white landscape photography and powerful creative vision continue to inspire my own approach to seeing light, form, and composition in the natural world
My favourite photograph:
Describe the first photo you took during your learning journey.
When I got my first DSLR camera and started learning what aperture, shutter speed and ISO actually did. Was a automatic point and shoot photographer before that time.
© Michel P. Gelinas
What is your favourite photograph that you’ve taken?
A photo of a family of elephants I took in Namibia last year. Its on my wall proudly displayed.
© Michel P. Gelinas
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from TSOP?
That there is so much to learn and how creative you can be in photography. TSOP is also such a supportive community. Beyond some of the technical details of photography and have learned to sharpen my eye to look at scenes very differently, be more artistic and creative. Its inspired me to continue to learn.
What’s next for Michel?
I am especially looking forward to upcoming trips over the next two years, including Greenland, Borneo, Tanzania, and the Atacama Desert. Each destination offers unique photographic opportunities—from Arctic ice and light in Greenland, to rainforest wildlife in Borneo, iconic safari landscapes in Tanzania, and the clear night skies of the Atacama Desert. I am also particularly excited about travelling to Greenland this August to witness and photograph a solar eclipse, a rare and unforgettable event
Conclusion
That there is so much to learn and ways to be creative in photography!
Where can people follow you?
My Instagram is mpgelinasmd19
Michel’s Gallery:
All images © Michel’s Gallery
