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Who Is Bob Shell?

Bob Shell was originally schooled in Zoology and fine arts, and worked for the Smithsonian Institution as an illustrator and authored scientific papers. 1 In the 1970's Shell changed careers and pursued photography and writing. He wrote his first articles for Shutterbug magazine in the mid-1970's, becoming Technical Editor for that magazine in the early 1980's, and Editor in 1991. He remained with Shutterbug as Editor until he retired from that position at the end of 2000, staying on as Editor at Large.2

Shell is the author of more than two dozen books, primarily on photographic topics, including Canon Compendium (the authorized history of the Canon Camera Company), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Video, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Massage Illustrated, and many others. He has written more than 1,000 magazine articles for publications in the USA, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Spain, Japan, and others, and his books have been translated into many languages.3

He has appeared on local and national television and radio, including morning programs on NBC, CBS, and Fox. He has also appeared as a photographic expert on television in France, Germany, Italy and Hong Kong. From 2003, he has been Technical Editor for Digital Camera Magazine. He has worked as a technical photographic consultant for the National Geographic Society, Eastman Kodak Company, Minolta Camera Company and others.4

Bob Shell's fine art photography has been published in books and magazines, exhibited in galleries worldwide, and purchased for collections. Shell's biography has appeared in Who's Who in the World since 1983, in American Artists, as well as in regional Who's Who volumes. He has been a popular speaker on photographic subjects worldwide, and has taught many courses and workshops on photography. For many working photographers, Bob Shell has been the ultimate technical authority for many years.

1During this time he was commissioned to design and paint Wildlife Conservation Stamps for the National Wildlife Federation, where he met his mentor, Roger Tory Peterson, and did his first work for National Geographic. His wildlife paintings and drawings were widely published.

2He was also Technical Editor for PhotoPro magazine during the life of that magazine, worked on the staffof Outdoor And Nature Photography magazine, and for e-digialphoto magazine. In 1994 he was Editor/Publisher of Pic magazine in the UK.

3In addition to publication in his own name, he has also used several pseudonyms, and done work as a ghost writer.

4He is the co-inventor of the Weincell battery for use in photographic, scientific and medical equipment. In regional Who's Who volumes. He has been a popular speaker on photographic subjects worldwide, and has taught many courses and workshops on photography. For many working photographers, Bob Shell has been the ultimate technical authority for many years.


Books by Shell include: