Bill Eilers
Teaching Area:
Photography; Journalism and Newspaper Courses; General Education Arts Classes
Biography:
I love visual communications because it allows me to combine my love for people, art, math, science, and social comment into one discipline. I love teaching because it gives me the chance to empower others to do the things that they love to do.
A client, who happens to be an M.D. recently said to me, “Hey Bill, you’re a great guy. Could I hire you to teach me photography next weekend?” I said, “sure doc, if I can hire you to teach me about surgery the following weekend.” Moral of the story: There’s way more to this game than most people realize. After twenty years in the field, I have come to realize that Mark Twain was right. “It’s not what we don’t know that gets us into trouble. It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.”
I recently asked my Grandmother (age 95) for some age old wisdom to which she replied, “I’m fresh out of advice, sonny … no wait … take care of your teeth.”
After completing my first college degree, I went into the photography business in Minneapolis in 1990. In those days I made up for lack of technical acumen with a hyperbolic drive to make my clients happy. My people skills helped me to build a client base. Throughout the 1990’s I photographed “real people doing real things,” which included covering politicians like Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Jesse Ventura, and Paul Wellstone. I also made photographs for big and small business publications, and worked as a staff photographer for a local magazine. I continue to work as a photographer and have added consulting to my resume. Recently I’ve “coached” professionals including investigators with the State Crime Lab Homicide Department.
I have a beautiful wife who works in my industry and shares my passion for art, music, children, family, and photography. I’ve been blessed with a son, two step daughters, two dogs, and a cat. When I have free time, I love making saw dust in my wood working shop.
Education
- Kindergarten Graduation class of 1964 – Mrs. Olson’s class - Reede Gray Elementary – Redwood Falls
- B.S. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse- Magna Cum Laude
- M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota – Magna Cum Laude
Darrell Tangen
Teaching Area:
Photography
Biography:
This is an exciting time in the world of photography. We have experienced more changes in the last five years than the changes in the last 50 and I find it invigorating to explore and teach all the new areas of this technology and creativity.
My interest in photography began around the age of 12 when I took my first class in photography. After completing my 2 year diploma at Staples Technical College (then a vocational institute) I worked as a corporate trainer for 10 years at Pako Corporation where I traveled the world and trained business owners how to start and run a photo business. Then after working for a few years with Agfa Corp in Mpls and Rabbit Photo in Australia as technical troubleshooter and trainer, I started with Proex Photo Systems as corporate manager of operations. I have always loved to teach and when I got a chance to teach at DCTC I left the corporate world for the technical educational system and now 18 years later, here I am.
Education:
I have a two-year diploma in Photographic Technology from Staples, combined with an AAS degree in technical communications from Anoka Ramsey Community College. To increase my teaching skills I completed a BS degree from U of MN specializing in vocational education and will complete my Master’s of Arts degree in Education at Saint Mary’s this year. Informally, I have a certificates in Auto Body and Refinishing, solid state electronics from Cleveland Institute of Electronics, and a few other areas.
Hobbies:
I enjoy the outdoors and motor sports on many levels. My wife and I are avid campers, hikers and explorers and spend time traveling Minnesota, Africa, Australia, Alaska, Canada and Central America when we can. When I am home, I can usually be found in the garage, any one of five, working on motorcycles, snowmobiles, muscle cars, antiques.
Peter Latner
Teaching Area:
Photography
Biography:
Peter Latner (B.S., Journalism, Univ. of Wisconsin-Oshkosh), has been a photographer and teacher for more than 25 years. He spent 12 years as a museum photographer for the Minnesota Historical Society and, prior to that, six years as a staff photographer for Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. He has taught photography at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minnesota Center for Photography, Colorado College, Minneapolis Community College, and Film in the Cities. His documentary and art photography has won fellowships from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation and the McKnight Foundation, as well as a Minnesota 2000 commission from the Minnesota Historical Society. His photographs are in many corporate and museum collections.