Instructor

Craig Semetko

Featured Photographer

Craig Semetko grew up near Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication. He has co-exhibited with Cartier-Bresson at the Open Shutter Gallery in Durango,CO., and has had solo exhibitions at the Leica Galleries in New York, Frankfurt Salzburg and Solms. His most recent show was at the Phil Stern Gallery in Los Angeles. Semetko's photographs have appeared in numerous international publications, and his prints can be found in private collections throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. His new book “UNPOSED,” published by teNeues with a foreword by Elliott Erwitt, was released in the fall of 2010. Craig is based in Los Angeles, but in 2012 he'll be spending most days driving throughout the United States with a Leica in the passenger's seat. www.semetko.com

TOM A SMITH

Leica Akademie Instructor

With a background in Theatre and photography, Tom A. Smith was destined tofind his calling in speaking about and teaching photography. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, heinitially worked in print and broadcast journalism before accepting a position as a photography instructor at the Disney Institute at WaltDisney World in Orlando and later a technical and sales position in the photo industry.

Over the years, Tom has worked with end consumers, photo dealers and some of the most respected photographers in the industry, helping many make the transition from film to digital. He has developed a reputation for engaging an audience and presenting complicated technical information simply. Most recently, Tom has brought his talents to Leica to help introduce the "rangefinder experience" to a new generation of photographers as the Manager of events and education for the Leica Akademie in North America.