Today, there are new frameworks and libraries popping up every day and I am constantly finding out that the language I am currently working with, or learning to work with, is now deprecated due to some other new language. It's a guessing game as to which ones will take hold and power the future of the web (and mobile web) but I have made my foundations in what I believe is safe to call "the classics."
Being able to build apps like a world class developer has eluded me thus far, and isn't really the object of my pursuit. For me, my goal is to gather a deep understanding of the principles behind development, design, and user experience to help teams do their jobs faster while producing even more incredible work. I have, however, been able to learn enough to give myself the made up title of "half-stack" developer and if I have enough time and resources can make my code do awesome stuff. I have alot of experience with most enterprise level API's for video platforms as well as basic social media platforms. I have extensive knowledge of implementing and augmenting Jquery and Javascript libraries and plugins to fit into project requirements as well as modifying the source and CSS of (most) things I see on the web.
Below are the languages I use each day to build the web and I felt it necessary to include Photoshop and Illustrator since they are just as vital to my work as the languages themselves. I could have included everything in here from brackets as my code editor, to JSONlint for debugging, to console log for testing, and even my absolute favorite places to learn (Lynda.com, W3Schools, StackOverflow, Codecademy) but I didn't really think those needed to be added down below.
As mentioned above, I try to stick with the tried and true programming languages that have been around for ages, while dabbling with the insanely awesome functionality of the new stuff. I am more of a "half-stack" developer than full-stack. I use backend technologies, but mostly to facilitate front end experiences. Don't trust me with your server side code since most of my stuff is purely functional, but pass me along an API and some wicked documentation and the world is my oyster. I know how the web works and have done a lot of work in CDN and hosting optimization, especially in VOD and Live Streaming video.
I have loved photography for a long time and love to take photos. I don't do much photo work anymore since code and video have become a lot more prevalent recently, but when I get a chance to do client work or even just shoot in my own free time, its a real treat. Our blog has afforded me the ability to take a LOT more photos and the best part is, I can eat the things I am photographing afterwards!
Despite the debate, I fall into the category of those who believe in the RAW image. Yes, I know, if you shoot it right you don't need the RAW, but I love the flexibility to be a human being and not a robot and that RAW can let you fix even the most minute discrepancies between what you want and what you shot. Mastering RAW has been an arduous journey but once you really understand the nuances of all that data, you can really unlock some great stuff.
You can see that my style has to do with clear, brightly lit photos and a delicate control of depth of field. I believe that the technology you are using is just as important as the person photographing, despite my fine arts background (they kinda had this "anything goes" policy). I find that the quality and clarity of the photo matter greatly and I try very hard to keep what I want in focus and what I don't... well, not in focus.
To see all my photos I have on the site
I am a Canon guy through and through, shooting on a 5D Mark III and a 7D Mark I. Lenses of choice are the timeless 24-70mm f/2.8L, the sister to it in the 24-105mm f/4L, and the always handy "cheapies but goodies" 50mm f/1.8 and 40mm f/2.8.
Aside from being pretty good with powerpoint, my digital careeer started in video. It was where I fell in love with the technology and where my business was born. Today, my focus is on live streaming and I act much more in director and producer capacities than I do actually spending time in front of the camera. I will occasionally get my hands on a camera now and again, but my more recent objectives have been to build infrastructure, partnerships, teams, revenue, and strategy to support our video team.
To see all my videos I have on the site
My team has produced over 300 live streamed shows including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders' Cup horse racing events. Personally, I especially excel at event planning and the forethought required to do remote production, or on site production, at mass-media and mass-attendance events. Everything from power consumption to the tips on the microphones has to be thought through.
In 18 months, my department has moved from 1 person (me) to 6, our annual costs have been cut by over $100,000 and we have created over $75,000 in new Revenue via advertising and event partnerships. We moved from an non-linear editing suite to live production switching and have built a $150,000 studio from the ground up. We have strategic partnerships with multiple technology companies who help us do our jobs more efficiently and we have built web and peripheral infrastructure to help our production team move faster.