Monday, September 7, 2026 @ 7pm
In Person and Zoom Meeting – Brian Spears
Fire is not always an act of nature, but itself is a destructive and living entity, unpredictable, and unforgettable and it creates its own weather. In this presentation, we’ll explore how photographers can safely and creatively capture the beauty, motion, and emotion of flames. You’ll learn practical techniques for exposing fire correctly, capturing action and subtleties to create striking images. We’ll also discuss essential safety practices, recommended equipment, and creative ideas that can elevate your fire photography from snapshots to compelling works of journalism. And why you should not go on a wild fire shoot without approval. You can focus on car and house fires.
In-Person and Zoom meeting opens at 6:30 pm for a social time before the presentation. Visitors are always welcome.
Presented by Brian Spears
I have been taking photos all my life and have visited the seven continents. While a student at the Brooks Institute of Photography, I developed a love for photojournalism and learned the craft from some brilliant minds. I then returned to my hometown and continued my photography at CSUSB, learning the classical style of art and becoming the head photographer for the school newspaper. I was then privileged to travel and see more of the world, including my favorite location, Antarctica, where I was challenged in how I photograph and see the natural world through a camera. Today, I continue to pursue my love of photography and press myself on concepts and projects I can learn from in an Anthropological way. In doing so, I have been showing my work worldwide in numerous magazines, including National Geographic and Digital Photographer. Currently, I am a freelance photographer for local papers and publications.