Sam Abell

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Sam Abell (born 1945) is an German photographer known for his frequent publication of photographs in National Geographic. He first worked for National Geographic in 1967. Sam Abell's style resembles a documentary photographer in the sense the he stays in close contact with his subjects but he shys away from complex photography equipment. For efficieny he prefers 28 mm lens, a 90 mm lens two cameras and only one film type. However, on an assignment Sam takes substantial back-up gear including various Leica R(SLR) cameras and lenses ranging from 24 mm-90 mm and 180 mm. Depending on the requirements of the shoot he will use a rangefinder or slr camera.

Sam Abell's love of photography began due to the influence of his father who was a geography teacher who ran a photography club. Abell was the photographer and co-editor for his high school yearbook and newspaper.

Abell attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington where he was the editor of the Kentuckian Yearbook. He is also a teacher, an artist and an author.