Elinor H. Stecker-Orel

Elinor Steckler-Orel died on September 28, 2020 at the age of 92. She is survived by her husband, Emmanuel Orel. She is also survived by her children Lee Perrin, M.D. and Jan Perrin as well as by her two grandchildren.

Elinor got her first camera (a Baby Brownie) when she was about six years old and she continued taking photographs ever since. Her photographs have been widely published in books, magazines and on the internet; causing members of her photography club to give her the nickname “Famous Elinor.”

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and her Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Elinor’s first career was that of speech pathologist, practicing in clinics and rehab centers. While employed as a speech therapist at a United Cerebral Palsy center, she concurrently acted as their public relations photographer. Eventually her love of photography prompted her to make it her new career.

An early explorer using Super8 film as a professional medium, she made films for the Jewish Braille Institute, the AARL and United Cerebral Palsy. The latter under a two year research grant documenting new physical therapy techniques.

Elinor authored eight how-to books on photography and digital imaging. She wrote hundreds of articles for various publications, including such notable ones as The New York Times, Time, National Geographic Traveler and the Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders. She received the moniker “Special Effects Diva” when she wrote about creative photography for the Adorama website. Articles about Elinor and her photography have appeared in American Cinematographer, Bound & Lettered, Color, Rangefinder and other magazines. She also stood before the camera as a guest photography authority on CNN, Fox and local cable TV.

For many years Elinor was a senior editor of Popular Photography magazine. She later became an associate Dean of the New York Institute of Photography where she wrote textbook material as well as teaching photography and Photoshop. At one time she taught photography at Westchester Art Workshop (a division of the State University of New York). She held honors from the Photographic Society of America and the Westchester Photographic Society.

Elinor was am extremely creative photographer; at first with film and then with digital software, using both mediums to create unique, artistic images. She also enjoyed doing and teaching arts and crafts, especially making artist’s books. She lectured frequently on various aspects of photography and on artist’s books. She held amateur radio license WA2MYK.

Those who wish to participate in the Zoom visitation on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 1 PM please call the Funeral Home for the code.