Originally from Detroit, Bob Tanner studied with Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, and Frederick Sommer and received his B.S. in Photography from the Institute of Design, Chicago. 

He directed and produced business and educational films and videos for over thirty years. Tanner later earned a Master's degree in Teaching and taught art in Chicago.

Following the birth of his first grandchild, and the death of his parents, Tanner felt the need to return to photography. His work became very personal. He wrote, “Photography enables me to discover, reveal and create more than the eye readily discerns.” Tanner’s photographs are in the collection of JP Morgan Chase, The Detroit Institute of Arts, and private collections. 

Tanner has exhibited at the Bauhaus-Archiv Museum, Berlin, Lenscratch, The Center for Fine Art Photography, Ft. Collins, Colorado, Bridgeport Art Center, Stephen Daiter Gallery, Perspective Gallery, The Art Center of Highland Park, Gallery Pink, Oak Park, IL, and Aux Pieds Leves Gallerie d’art, Montreal, Quebec. Bob is a charter member of Perspective Group and Gallery.