Chris Malone
I am a professional photographer and pixel artist, living and playing in Coos Bay, Oregon part of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I have a beautiful wife, four children and four grandchildren. I served on active duty in the US Army and the Oregon Army Nation Guard. I flew on several UH-1 Helicopter variations as a Crewchief and Mechanic, and I am a veteran, serving in the Gulf War, with the 498th Medical Company AA (Air Ambulance). Aviation is my first love and my favorite subject overall to photograph. I enjoy learning about all types of photography and new techniques I can implement into my creative process. My interest in photography dates back to my childhood, and as a teenager during the 80s Heavy Metal music scene I helped a high school friend photograph concerts and events with metal bands of the era. As a young adult in the US Army, I had to retreat some from film photography due to the costs of developing and raising a young family, but in the late 90s I rekindled my passion for photography with digital point and shoot cameras. One of my strongest childhood and present interests has always been Aviation, and the love of flying. In 2009 a friend let me borrow a DSLR for a trip to an air show. I had always hoped one day to be able to break the bonds of a point and shoot and reach out and capture those beautiful aircraft up close. I did just that and the photos I took brought tears of joy to my eyes, which led to my first Nikon DSLR purchase. My story continues from there with that passion growing very serious in 2010. I am an active member of the Oregon Coast Photographer's Association or OCPA, and I have served on the board of directors and have performed the duties of Secretary and President. Being in a social camera club like the OCPA has been a wonderful experience for me, and I recommend every photographer find a group or club to get involved with. The collective experience of the group is an invaluable tool and wealth of knowledge for any photographer to learn from. My photography has been published in Landscape Photography Magazine, Oregon Live, and has won numerous awards, ribbons and mentions within the OCPA Camera Club, Coos County Fair, Columbia Council of Camera Clubs, and the Nature Photographers of the Pacific Northwest. I have also had my work on display at the Coos Art Museum in Coos Bay, Oregon, and the Pony Village Mall in North Bend, Oregon, and several businesses around the south coast of Oregon. I am also a member in good standing with the Professional Photographers of America and the Photographic Society of America. Living in the Pacific Northwest and on the Oregon Coast is a true blessing for any photographer. It affords an almost endless variety of shooting locations and subject matter. I enjoy my Oregon surroundings and I love to get outdoors and explore new locations as well as revisit old familiar ones. I can often be seen out alone or with fellow photographers during my free time with camera in hand. I would absolutely love for you to say hello if you see me out and about.