Refocusing the question: Sequim photographer looks for life outside the frame

By Michael Dashiell • November 6, 2024 1:30 am

A common question when people see this longtime pro’s colorful, stunning photographs is a simple and understandable one: What kind of camera did you use to get that?

It’s also the wrong question to ask, he said.

“The camera makes up less than 5% of the knowledge needed to create an outstanding image,” Tomaras writes in his newly-constructed, two volume digital book that doubles as a photography course, dubbed — fittingly — “It Is NOT the Camera.”

Tomaras writes in his forward, “Good or bad, the camera only accepts the image. This course concentrates on the other 95% that nobody tells you about.”

With more than 50 years as a professional photographer, Tomaras is looking to pass on his expertise through his course, lessons accessible and pertinent to fellow pros, semi-pros, amateurs and even those who don’t yet own a camera.

Graphic courtesy of Randall Tomaras /

Tomaras opens his home and archive of photography — much of it scenic and profile shots from across the globe — as part of the third-annual Strait from the Artists Studio Tour set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9-10.

Tomaras said he was moved to complete the publication and take part in the tour after undergoing a four-way heart bypass in March.

“I thought, ‘Now is the time’,” Tomaras said.

Outside the frame

“It Is NOT the Camera” is split in two, separating his primarily vertical and horizontal shots. Each photograph comes with some exposition as Tomaras gives either the story or the fundamental lesson (or both) that goes with the corresponding image. Each page is designed to give a kind of moral, Tomaras said.

One of those lessons, he said, is simply, “Be kind; you never know who you’re talking to.”

Graphic courtesy of Randall Tomaras /

In his visits to other countries, Tomaras often seeks out those residents who may be largely ignored, such as the homeless in Paris. He recalled meeting an elderly woman, alone and smoking, needing help getting across the street. He invited her to lunch so she would tell him her story and allow her to be photographed.

When he visits a place he’s never been before, Tomaras often picks up postcards at the airport, scenes that catch his eye, and then finds aw way to communicate with a taxi driver to “take me there.”

Graphic courtesy of Randall Tomaras /

For profile photos, Tomaras said he has a system: he takes a multi-lingual photo release form, made out tongue-in-cheek style, so as not to scare someone off when he approaches them.

“It’s not just photography; it’s working with people,” he said.

For photos of tourist-targeted subjects, such as grand cathedrals, Tomaras said he likes to get to get to the place when it opens and search for places not so obvious to the average photo-taker.

Graphic courtesy of Randall Tomaras /

During the studio tour, Tomaras, 75, said he also plans to offer a demonstration of how to get good still life photos, such as a set of flowers, in a studio setting.

For more about the studio tour, visit straitfromtheartists.com.

Graphics courtesy of Randall Tomaras Each of Randall Tomaras’ photos featured in his two-volume “It Is NOT the Camera” course features text, often a story explaining a theme or moral for each aspiring photographer to learn.