Scott photographer named Air Force's best

Published March 8, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Jake Eckhardt
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Just moments after returning from a photo assignment Feb. 27, Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane learned he had been named the Air Force Photographer of the Year for 2011.

"It's weird to me still," said Crane, photographer assigned to the 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office here. "I just remember my previous supervisor talking about all these famous photographers in the Air Force. He would emphasize how they were the best, and that I should strive to be the best.

"I remember looking at their work thinking that it was impossible ... that there was no way I could get to that level, but now here I am."

Crane, one of 421 photographers throughout the Air Force, not only competed against those in his assigned specialty code, but against more than 750 other public affairs professionals who were eligible to compete in the yearly media contest. He also earned a first-place award for the "picture story" category and was named a significant contributor in the first-place win for the best "website" category.

The 24-year-old veteran said his passion first sparked while taking a black and white photo development class his junior year at Mead Senior High School in Spokane, Wash.

"I just took the class to fill the art class requirement," said Crane. "I loved it. I had a lot of fun with it. My teacher liked my work and suggested that I try out for his advanced photography and multimedia class."

During this time, his parents noticed his blossoming talent and bought him his first Canon Digital Rebel XT as a graduation gift.

"After I got my camera, I started taking pictures for fun," he said. "My dad was in the Air Force so I figured I'd follow in his footsteps. When I found out that I could be in the military and get paid to take pictures, I was sold."

At the young age of 18, the Washington native left home July 11, 2006, for basic training with a guaranteed job as a photographer. Five years and two assignments later, Crane spent most of 2011 deployed to a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, where the bulk of his award-winning photographs were taken.

"I was happy with the photos I got from my deployment," he said. "Afghanistan offers a unique look into a world most don't get to see. I enjoyed sharing my team's experiences with the world. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

During his short time in the service, he has been awarded 14 first place awards at major command and Air Force level, but this was the first time he's been selected as the Photographer of the Year.

"Whenever I do something, I try to be the best at it. That may not always happen, but I tried really hard to get this far. I'm just glad I was given the opportunity to compete at this level."

Through the years, Crane has developed his own style that has become easily recognizable.

"Everyone has a preference of the type of photos they like to take and the type of post processing they like to do," he said. "I've been told before that they can recognize the photos I've taken. That's interesting to me, because I never really thought I did that."

Even though it's been seven years since he picked up a camera for the first time, he is still motivated to learn as much as he can about every aspect of photography.

"I've been through a lot of classes and workshops," he said. "I've been mentored by some of the best people in the business. They definitely gave me a direction. But, I would also say that because of my love for my job, I go out and shoot a lot on my own. I research better ways to do things. A lot of things are just trial and error. I look back at my photos four years ago, and I think to myself 'what was I thinking?' I'm sure I'll look back in another four years and think the same thing."

Crane explained "experimentation" is the key to being a successful photographer.

"You have to be curious, and strive to learn something new. The curiosity is what drives you to get good photos. People think that if they shoot the same thing every day that they will get better at it. I think if you shoot something new every day, you will become far more proficient at your craft.

"Photos don't have words, video or audio telling you exactly what's happening, yet it's my job to tell you a story in one single frame. That's not exactly something you learn overnight. It's a skill that isn't taught. You have to learn through experience. Learning that lesson for myself was the hardest."

Winning this award is a highlight for the 24-year-old husband and father of one, but he's looking forward to many more.

"I don't want to settle on just winning this," he said. "I would love to continue helping others develop their skills. My goal is to transition into a teaching role. I want to pass on what I know to other people, so we can better the career field as whole."

To see more photos by the award winner, visit the website www.ryanthephotog.com.