Featured Picniker – Trevor Reed
Our 14th Featured Picniker is Trevor Reed, head foreman of a three-bay truck wash and detail facility of the largest trucking company in Idaho, aka (in Picnik World Headquarters) “Trucker Dude”. Living in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Trevor grew up in nearby Shelley, Idaho after moving away from the Mt Saint Helens area of Washington as a kid. He’s been working for the same trucking company for 12 years, he was in his high school band, still plays the drums when he gets a chance, and writes science fiction.
We here at Picnik HQ have actually been following his Flickr stream for months, where his photographs of gleaming 18-wheelers, incredibly dirty faces, and wide, “Tatterland” vistas certainly stood out in our Flickr Picnikers group. A lot of his photos are of big trucks with Vibrance effects, but sometimes a little baby in Black & White and Vignette. You get the tough guys looking rugged and mean with HDR-ish over top, but also the tough guys hamming it up with Gooify and Orton-ish. Each picture stands out and it’s obvious that “Trucker Dude” enjoyed taking every one of them. Plus, they actually are really good photographs: well-composed, well-set up, well-lit, well-edited, and each has a personality, tells a story, and actually is worth a thousand words. So we couldn’t wait to get in touch and make him our 14th Featured Picniker!
Picnik: When did you hear about Picnik, and when was that?
Trevor: I honestly can’t remember. Someone had recommended it to me over on Flickr, I believe, bout a year and half ago. Been kind of an addict ever since.
How has Picnik changed your life?
Picnik has opened many new doors for me that were previously unavailable. There were lots of things I wanted to do with a photograph and could not before I found Picnik. Now that I have a better grasp of the terrain it’s still like a grade school show and tell. From day to day I find something new I can do with it I had not ever considered trying before. Even to this day I’m still finding new ways to manipulate shots I had not considered before. A new toy I can afford and stimulate my imagination as it were.
How did you get interested in photography?
It was an on line friend of mine that drew me into photography. A professional based out of Portland OR. as I understand it. Originally I had started shooting pictures around my place of work with the intention of showing a few driver and blogger buddies of mine a different perspective of the trucking industry. When he (Sean) took notice of a few of my better photos he began giving me pointers and tips. From there it had kind of become a personal challenge, to see what I could do with his tips and my then itty bitty Kodak Easy Share digital. Later he had invited me into a photo competition he was hosting, and the entire experience just kind of sucked me in. Soon after the competition I’d upgraded to a high quality camera, and set out, bent on learning how to use the new camera, and ways to manipulate (like Picnik) my photos into resembling more what it was I saw in my head while setting up a shot.
What do you use to shoot with?
Currently I am using a Canon Digital Rebel XTi, fitted with a 18-55mm lens.
You (hilariously) call your children “Heathen Progeny”. Explain.
I was trying to think of a story to put that into better context, and for the life of me I can’t seem to settle on any single one (Though there was that little toilet plunger incident yesterday morning that now seems somewhat and disturbingly lodged in the forefront of my mind). I guess the best way to say it is; Gosh, they sure are an awful lot like their dad when he was their age.
South-eastern Idaho is not a place many associate with cramped, claustrophobic views. How does living in such an incredibly wide-open space help or hinder your photography?
That’s an interesting question. In the last five years the population here has quite nearly doubled. Idaho Falls is still a far cry from anything that one might consider a thriving metropolis, but it is nothing like I remember growing up. Lots of development, lots of expansion. It’s still a small town that depends largely on agriculture and the government nuclear reactor/test facility out on the Arco desert to survive, but I honestly have started feeling a little crowded the past few years. As far as a hindrance, I can’t really think of much off the top of my head. I do enjoy looking at photographs of big city skylines, so called urban jungles, and other images of that nature, but as much as I like them, there is no way for me to duplicate them. I suppose there fascination to me revolves largely around them being such a foreign landscape. They simply don’t exist here. We’ve got kids zipping around on bullet bikes and souped up Subaru’s, but as far as sky scrapers the closet thing that compares is our water tower. As for help. My favorite photograph subject is of course big rigs. And honestly nothing says “Wide open truckin” like the back drops I can find around here. A few minutes driving up to Swan Valley, or out onto Antelope Flats, and I have nothing but a perfect back drop of rolling farm fields, woodlands, or snow capped mountains to add to the entire experience.
What did you like most about Picnik when you first started using it, and what do you like the most about it now?
What I liked about it first. Options. I remember the first time I tried it I immediately noticed and clicked on Orton-ish. My response had been something like “Holy crap, that is cool.” I’d be lying if is said my eyes did not glow a bit when I looked up to see just what it would cost for a premium membership. What I like most about it now is, well, Options. I’ve been using Picnik for a good long while now, and it never seems like there is that feeling of being backed into the proverbial “I’ve milked this one for all it’s worth” corner. Even now there are several options available that I have not yet tried.
Your photos vary mostly between portraits and trucks. What’s easier to photograph: hardened truckers or speeding 10-ton big-rigs?
The big rigs are quite possibly the single most photographer friendly subjects I have ever shot at. Typically they are pretty easy to please, and they don’t normally complain. If I’m trying to do something like a long exposure and I say “Okay, hold still”, they will usually do it. If they are out on the road eating asphalt, it’s still not to hard to get them to cooperate. We both know where the highway is, and we are both pretty convinced that the rig is going to follow that line. It’s especially easy when they have been left in my care (and I guess that’s just one of the perks to my job). On any given work day a number of rigs will simply be dropped off and left for me to run through the bays. This presents me with an opportunity to park them wherever I see fit once we have cleaned them up. If a few pictures happen in the aftermath, well…Who’s going to mind. And I think for the most part the drivers are pretty easy to get along with as well.
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Kudos to the newest featured picniker. simply stunning pictures trevor! they are all fantastic. congratulations!
May 24th, 2009 at 12:40 am
FANTASTIC!!!
A new kind of pics !!
Fantastic.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:03 am
I enjoyed the photos and the article. Some great work here.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I also live out in the open and I think it is just amazing that truely anyone can be a photographer. Keep up the good work I enjoy looking at your photography and giving myself some tips.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
SO neat!! You take amazing photos! Saw you on twitter’s picnik!
May 25th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Cool photos man. My sister wants to be a photographer, so if you could pass some facts to me i’ll tell her.
May 25th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
congratulations, trevor! that is so awesome that you’ve been featured. it’s really deserving. :)
May 26th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Congratulations, Trevor! I am so happy to see how well you’ve done with yourself in such a short period of time. You really have become a force of your own, and this recognition only proves it. Keep doing it your way, man, that’s what it’s all about.
And thanks for the shout-out. :)
May 26th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Congrats to you Grasshopper.
I am beaming with pride.
Bask and glow because you deserve all the accolades being sent your way.
Yours,
R
To the folks at Piknic…Fantastic article and excellent inclusion of the photos. Thanks for bringing recognition to the folks using your program.
May 26th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
WOW- I love your artistic perception & style! I love the gritty mood you set in your portrait work- awesome!!!!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Hey there, that’s funny reading this since I lived in the Shelley/Idaho Falls area for years. But I wanted to share my appreciation of your pictures, very fascinating. My favorite is the one inside the truck, captured and edited nicely. Picnik is such a wonderful addiction!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Idaho, represent! I’m originally from Northern Idaho and while I grew up with every intention of leaving and never coming back, I find myself missing it daily. My heart swelled with pride at seeing an Idaho man as the new featured Picniker. Trevor’s photos are beautiful and inspirational! Kudos & congratulations, Trevor!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am
sorry there is nothing i can say… but…. these pics are SO creepy!
May 28th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
WOW!! – These pics are AMAZING!! Congratulations Trevor!! …. AMVZGIRL
May 28th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I have always said you were a talented wee laddie, it’s nice to know there are others out there that think the same. Congratulations on being featured. You do have such a unique perspective with photography.
As for ‘heathen progeny’… I do understand as I refer to mine as ‘demon spawn’… And it fits.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:47 am
I love your pics. I truly enjoy looking at what we in the biker world call “real people”. The faces of America that keep the whole thing moving.
~peace,
vicki
May 29th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
great pics`.´)
May 29th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
wow….amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
very nice photos!! congrats on being fatured (:
its a really great honor, so take advantage of it.
i love the grittiness of your pictures, and how you (i think…) use the HDR effect!
May 31st, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Amazing photos! Way to go on getting featured!
May 31st, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Great job Trevor! Wow… your pics are great!! :-)
June 1st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Amazing job! I love all of your photographs! How did you do the one of the red truck? That is one of my favorite of yours!
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
amazing photos – especially that first one, with the fading truck. very cool!
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Hey Im from Rexburg (pretty close) and just have to say that like you photography has sucked me in. Loved your pictures. Congrats on being picked. Also, do you continue to submit your photos in competitions? If so what competitions and how do you find them. Also how do you prepare a piece to be entered?
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Oh these are magnificent!
I love how you make them POP
HDR effect?
June 5th, 2009 at 6:11 am
That little doggy picture is the cutest!!!!
June 5th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
my dad is a trucker.. ever wash any Peterbilt’s from Jackson Transport??? Next time I see my Dad I am going to ask him if he has ever stopped at your business.. he drives the cleaniest rig I have ever seen… Anyway.. I really wanted to say that I have enjoyed your photos.. you have a great talent!!
June 6th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Veery inteerestiing ! The doog is veery amaziing! I want too saay yoou thatt I eenjooyeed a loot wiith youur photoos ! YOOU’RE A CRAACK!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:06 am
i like the first picture of the truck, how did u do that?
June 6th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
ex. work and great ‘answers’….I look forward to seeing more of your future images!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Really cool pictures. I live in Idaho Falls too, its so neat to hear about someone from here! So random
June 8th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Eres muy bueno…
Congratulations!!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Sweet Pictures!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Awesome editing and photos!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:21 am
awesome.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Wonderful photos.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:20 am
how nice ^_^
June 14th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I absolutely adore your work. It is truly stunning, and quite unique. I am only 14, and I love your stuff. Keep it up!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Incredible photographs Trevor! I love the reality of your subjects.
June 17th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
This is so cool, i go to school in Shelley! Its a great place. And wow I love your pictures! They’re so unique and each one different from the other. Not the typical stuff. I can tell you really love it, and yes it is addicting!
June 18th, 2009 at 2:00 am
They are raddd broooo (:
June 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
how do you make the truck like dissapear?
June 20th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Thank you and all. It’s been a real treat and an honor.
I do apologize for being a little late on this, I’ve been trying to figure out how to comment back to folk on a personal level, and it seems I’ve not had any luck, so I’m just going to fill in the blanks here as best I can.
Jacob: I’m not sure there is a whole lot I could offer in the realm of teachings. I’m really not sure what I’m doing myself, lol. My best advice would be to start out with a simple digital camera (something not to spending, and easy to operate). I’d also recommend spending as much time as possible over on flickr. I picked up a lot just visiting with professionals and studying their work. Lastly. Let the imagination go wild. One mans garbage could be another mans treasure.
Maggie: The shot of the red truck. I originally shot it with a longer exposure, and a low Av. Something like four or five seconds. I can’t quite remember what I used in the post process. HDR-ish, and some contrast tweaking.
Joe G: DUDE! I was beginning to wonder if I was the Picniker in the entire state. And just right down the road no less. If you’ve got a flickr account I love to take a look at your photo stream. As for competitions. I’m at a loss there. I did a little photo competition with a few friends a while back, but that is literally all it was. A hand full of online buddies getting together for nothing more then the prize of bragging rights. I’ve kind of been asking myself the same question lately.
BransGran: The only Jackson trans. rig I can think of off the top of my head is a fuel tanker out of the Boise area, that we wash once and awhile.
Sam:…That wouldn’t be “I went to school with you, Sam.” by any chance?
Jayde: Thanks. Always cool to meet home town local. Maybe we should get together and shoot Spud Day this year, lol. Tha’d be a hoot. Seems like I’m always working that Saturday, thou.
Deli: I set the camera for a longer exposure. About three or four second I think, and then shot as the truck began to move.
June 20th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hey,
I’ve been using Picnik for a couple years now and tonight as I was editing my photos I noticed you’re in IF. I’ve have lived there (and Shelley) for a few years and actually married Scott Cook from Shelley 8 years ago. We’re in Boston now and thought what a crazy world when I saw your pictures featured. They are very well composed and fun to look at! Great job!
Ya, we do have city skylines here, but you can’t beat potato fields at sunrise, the barns and the spud tug!
June 20th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Trevor – amazing shots! Congrats in being featured – it was a great article and I love your work!
June 21st, 2009 at 5:57 am
dude, those pictures are heaps original and really cool looking. u are amazing (: put a whole new light on the truckie view too..
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
These pictures are simply stunning! Congrats!
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I’ve been into photography and editing for a year now, and you are truely an inspiration for a 14 year old like myself. You bring a new definition to the term photography. Congrats, and the best of luck.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
This Guy Is Amazing!
June 25th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Is amazing! Trevor is amazing! i love fotographics!! Kiss !!
Bye Bye Trevor!
July 1st, 2009 at 12:43 am
old beggar…..
its Optimus!!!!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:55 am
Loved the picture of the truck!
How’d you do that? =O
Congrats x
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:35 am
I really like your pictures! They are really cool :)
July 4th, 2009 at 7:30 am
FANTAAAASSSTICC!
July 5th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Very cool stuff. Love the gritty look to your photos. Keep up the good work!
July 6th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Amazing. And congrats for featured picniker. (=
July 13th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
la kier0
July 13th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
i love you editz! they are amazingg:) especially the red truck one
:D
July 14th, 2009 at 3:12 am
AWESOME!
July 18th, 2009 at 7:54 am
oi
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I like how them all really bring meh into the picture– sucks me right inn. Congrats, ya deserve this. xx
July 24th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
HATE YOUR WORK AND… CIGARETTES ARE NOT GOOD FOR HEALT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Wow…awesome editing…completely new and fresh idea! love it!
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:31 am
Like the work!
August 12th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I’ve been a photojournalist for many years and have to say that your work is tremendous! I love your trucking work… but for sheer “draw me in with a million questions,” the image of the face in the winter face mask wins the prize. The wacky-looking dude is brilliant, too. Great effects. So I’m brand new to picnik and you’ve given me terrific inspiration to experiment! Thanks for that! You would be fun to interview – very articulate answers! :)
August 12th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
WOW…is awsome. I love thats pictures
August 13th, 2009 at 8:10 am
I moved to Kansas from Idaho almost 3 years ago, and it was interesting to me to find someone from Idaho Falls. (I have a granddaughter, and 2 great granddaughters in Idaho Falls) This photo program is new to me, and I am looking forward to learning how it will help me. I am working on the new county website and have found it very time consuming, but must be done.
August 17th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
nice pictures
August 17th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
u have good artwork on the pictures
August 18th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
i.LAB’ET!
August 19th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
hey love your stuff, what edit tool did you use on the truck pictures, mainly the first one i love it!!!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:54 am
looks like this person really like taking pictures of trucks and himself.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Amazing basically, perfect ;)
August 29th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
that’s so great and amazin’ i really enjoy those photos
August 29th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
they’re perfect
September 1st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Very Nice to see another person from Idaho Falls! IDF represent! IDF is my hometown so when I saw your blog I had to click on it.
Very interesting and unique take on your photography. Love it.
Keep up the good work
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 am
Excelentes tus fotos!!! Me gustaron mucho mucho.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Fantastic work. Would love to know about your sci-fi writing.
September 11th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Great Pictures Trevor… were can I see more?
September 14th, 2009 at 6:38 am
i love the first pic. very nice editing, amazing skills
September 16th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
i luv it!!! so cool!;) i wish i could edit like dat:] great job!
September 17th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
proud to say I am your friend Trev, shocked me to see you featured here but then I would have featured you myself if I could have…btw folks, this guy can write some wicked fiction tales
hope to get out there and visit again soon
September 17th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Well hot damn, Trevor! Whoo hoo….. you so completely deserved this. You’re pictures are amazing! HOW long have I been telling you that?!!!
Congratulations!
September 18th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
My friend you have an incredible eye. I love your shots. i hope you do this for more than just fun. You need to be earning some cash for this.
September 20th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Great! :D
September 21st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
love the photos :) nothing better then a peterbuilt, a tough man, and a cute pup
September 21st, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Love your work! I wondered if you had a group on facebook? Feel free to add me so you can see some of mine:)
September 25th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
wow! your pics r amazing! plus u eddited them soo well!
September 26th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
So interesting! :) I like his style :D GREETINGS!
Visit my Fotolog’s Page : http://www.fotolog.com/Morkmein
October 4th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Чувак ты крут!!!!
=)
October 5th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Very amazing photos! I was born in Idaho Falls hahaha. Go Idaho!
Anyways, way to go!
October 6th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
wow how ya dooo this so awesome lol
October 12th, 2009 at 2:32 am
I love it!:)
October 12th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Very good! Love em all!!! Esp the “disappearing” truck! I am a struggling photographer! lol learning all I can from others and from books! Sure would loike to fully understand how to do that truck photo! How do u get to be a featured photographer? N e how….ur amazing!
October 17th, 2009 at 7:09 am
awesome work! You are very talented. That Disappearing Truck is awesome!..
Keep Up The Great Work!
October 18th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
super:D
October 18th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Es hermosa la foto del hombre en el carro, los colores y la expresión son increibles.
Feliz Día.
Ainadi
October 20th, 2009 at 5:31 am
cOol photos, dude!
October 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am
I loved your photos! The one you or idk who it is in the car.
Nice work. (:
October 26th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Wicked images! I would love to see more. Thanks for sharing :)
October 28th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
omg. ur amazing at this! u take awesome pictures! && ur amazing at editing! :] great job! i wanna be a photogropher when im older! im only 13 :/ kind of a long way! but i can dream!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Fantastic, really fantastic works.
keep on creating.
Mickey
November 4th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I love these! the dog one is so my style! after seeing this, it makes me want to grab a camera and look for inspiration like this! I love them all! think you could pass down some tips to a rookie?
November 4th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Teesão Veio !!
November 4th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
HOW DID YOU DO THE THING WITH THE TRUCK!? That is soo cool!