Quest Couch
| Quest Couch | |
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 Quest Couch |
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| Born | 10 January 1950 San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas |
| Occupation | Writer, Photographer, Inventor |
| Nationality | United States of America |
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www.lumiquest.com |
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Quest Couch (b. January 10, 1950) is an American writer, photographer, inventor most notable for creating the popular LumiQuest line of photo flash accessories and author of several books on flash photography. Throughout his life, Couch has maintained a fascination with the sea, learning to SCUBA dive at age 8, certified at 16. This interest resulted in a lifetime of diving, underwater photography, the CUDA line of SCUBA diving equipment in 1984, partnered in building a surf school hotel in Costa Rica in 2002.http://www.surfschool.net/costa-rica/location/ Most recently, Couch co-founded Quest Nautical, a line of offshore catamaran products. http://www.questnautical.com/.
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[edit] Education
- B.S. 1972 Communications University of Texas, Austin
- M.A. 1974 Radio, Television, Film University of Texas, Austin
[edit] Early Influences
While in graduate school Couch served as assistant to, and was inspired by Rod Whitaker (pen name Trevanian), Radio, Television and Film Departmental Chair and author. Whitaker also introduced Couch to then CBS anchor Walter Cronkite. Later, Couch would write a script for Cronkite documenting the Lower Pecos Indians of Texas. The presentation was narrated by KENS TV anchor Chris Marrou. Over two decades, Quest Productions would produce and Marrou would narrate over 30 films/videos/presentations for a long list of clients. Subjects ranged from children with Muscular Dystrophy to captains of industry, including three presidents of the United States, photographed for political advertising legend Lionel Sosa.
[edit] Career
Couch’s career in photography, diving, and boat related activities has spanned nearly four decades. The varied projects and assignments included work for an eclectic clientele.[1] The challenges of moving quickly and setting up fast while making quality images resulted in the his development of the LumiQuest line of photographic accessories. He continues to shoot and develop new accessories for today’s digital photographer and particularly those interested in outdoor activities, nature, and especially the sea..
- Founded Quest Productions, 1978
- Judge at the National Film & Video Competition of the Public Relations Society of America, 1983
- Co-developer of the CUDA line of SCUBA equipment, 1984
- Judge at the American Multi-Image Festival, 1985
- In 1987, Couch co-founded LumiQuest, a manufacturer of photographic accessories, and continues to serve as C.E.O.
- Executive producer of the Opening Ceremonies for the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival, San Antonio, TX
- Producer/ Director of the Opening Ceremonies for the 1995 Senior Olympics
- In 2010 Couch founded Quest Nautical and continues to serve as CEO
[edit] Patents
- U.S. Patent 4,752,263 -- Scuba Buoyancy Control Device
- U.S. Patent D547,353 -- Flash Diffusion Sheet
- U.S. Patent D342,273 -- Light Diffuser for Electronic Flash
- U.S. Patent D335,717 -- Portable Photographic Light Reflection Unit
- U.S. Patent D312,471 -- Reflective Camera Attachment
- U.S. Patent D640,723 -- Gel Holder
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Dual Flash Diffuser
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Snoot with Telescopic Tube
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Strap for securing photographic accessories to Flash Units
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Extendable Strap
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Dinghy Launch/Retrieval System for Catamarans
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Marine Diving Board
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Sport Fish Retrieval Device For Catamarans
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Electric Powered Dinghy
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Catamaran Anchoring System
- U.S. Patent Pending -- Boat Hook and Mooring/Anchoring Device
- GB patent 1044827DES -- Reflective Camera Attachment
- CA patent 60812 -- Reflective Camera Attachment
- JP patent 792573 -- Reflective Camera Attachment
- FR patent MA830/170590 -- Reflective Camera Attachment
[edit] Books
- Creativity in a Flash (1996) ISBN 9781883403423
- Flash, The Most Available Light (2004) ISBN 9780974826707
- Currently working on a photographic exploration of northern New Mexico scheduled for completion in late 2012.
[edit] Media
Quest Couch, his products and inventions have been featured in the following articles and media.
American Media
Strobist (Oct 2008, Feb 2008, Nov 2007), Digital Photo (Sep 2008, Aug 2005, April 2008, Jan/Feb 2009), Imaging Info (Mar 2009), Digital Photo Pro Magazine (Nov 2009), Digital Pixels (Feb 2009), Picture Your World Photography (June 2009), The Digital Picture (Softbox Review), Gizmodo (Dec 2007), Photo Tidbits (April 2001), Camera Dojo (April 2008), Photo Tips Online (April 2009), John Milleker Photography (Dec 2008), Contact (Mar/April 1993), International Photographer (Aug 1991, Swimsuit 1992), Mac Design (July 2003), USA Today (April 8, 2009), Modern Photography (Mar 1988), Outdoor Photographer (April 1988, Aug 1992, April 2003, Sep 2003, Sep 2005, 2009), Peterson’s Photographic (Nov 91, Feb 92), Photo Electronic Imaging (Dec 1991, May 1992), Photo Methods (April 1988, Dec 1990), Photonews (Fall 2005), Photoshop (Feb 2004), Popular Photography (April 1989, Jan 1990, May 1990, Oct 1991, Sep 1992), Professional Photographer (Nov 91), Rangefinder (Dec 1991, Oct 1992, Dec 1992, Nov 1993, April 2004, June 2004), Shutterbug (May 1991, June 1991, June 1992, Aug 1992, Aug 1995, July 2009), Studio Photography (Feb 1991, Jan 1992), Studio Photography & Design (July 2003), Travel & Leisure (June 1989)
International
Australian Photography (Nov 1992), Chasseur d’Images (Jan/Feb 1990), Color Foto (Nov 1990, Dec 1992), Focale (Jun 1990), Fotoheft (Jun 1990), Foto Creativ (May/Jun 1990), FotoDoka (April 1991), FotoGrafai (April 2005), Foto Magazine (Jun 1990), Invista (Anno 11, Numero 32), Kaufberatung (Jan 1991), Leica Fotografie Intl (Jan 1991, Feb 1992), Makrofotografie (Aug 1990), MFM Fototechnik (May 1990), Sonderdruck Aus Photographie (Oct 1990).
Videos
Couch also produces a series of instructional videos[2] about how shoot flash photography and use LumiQuest photo flash accessories.
[edit] Personal life
Couch and his wife Shannon divide their time between New Braunfels, Texas and Querencia Taos, their home in Taos, New Mexico.
[edit] References
- ^ Client list included Sea World, USAA, San Antonio Sports Foundation, Modelo (Corona) Brewery, Valero Energy Corporation, City of San Antonio, Southwestern Bell, La Quinta Hotels, Frederick Refrigeration, H.E.B. Grocery, Fudrucker’s Restaurants, CARQUEST, Church’s Chicken, U.S. Olympic Festival, CitiCorp, Data Point, Handy Dan/HouseWorks
- ^ Quest Couch on the LumiQuest YouTube Channel
