Insights

A little about me and my background.

Some of my earliest memories involve photography. My father was addicted to capturing what he felt were significant events on film. Sometimes, that meant catching me doing things he thought were cute. I wasn’t always sure. He would have loved today’s camcorders with their ability to give instant feedback. In his world you had to make sure what you were doing was correct because you didn’t find out about your errors until days later when it was too late to do anything about it.

As I grew up it was natural to want to follow in his photographic footsteps. At first, it was capturing scenes on 8 mm film of areas we visited. In the early 60’s I decided that while I enjoyed filming movies of landscapes, I wanted to capture a definitive moment on film and be able to enjoy that scene for years to come. So I began doing mostly 35mm work. I began taking photographic courses in Southern California and in the San Francisco area to enhance the skills I had grown up with (this was done while I was also earning an MBA). Living now in Bend, OR gives me the chance to pursue my goals in some of the most beautiful country in the west.

In pursuit of Ansel Adams - into the darkroom. I must admit that in addition to work I was doing in color I was in awe of the work of Ansel Adams. Read every book or article, attended workshops, built a darkroom, lost several layers of skin because of chemicals and generally tried to emulate my hero. Doing so in 35mm is difficult if not impossible. Even so, my skills with equipment and processes continued to grow.

Digital and large format. I found a way to have immediate feedback on the work I was doing, literally save my skin and still enjoy using film for large format color and black and white. High resolution digital cameras provide the knowledgeable photographer with an ability to capture quickly developing action scenes. The digital darkroom then becomes a magic place where skill can ensure that what is printed is what was seen, without the discomfort of pitch black rooms and smelly chemicals. Speed is great but what I really look forward to are the scenes where I can pause to reflect on what I want to capture, how to adjust the camera to do it, then wait for the definitive moment to open the shutter. Using a 4 x 5 camera with fine-grained color or black and white film affords me this pleasure. Once the photograph is ready it is printed either using a LightJet process or pigment inks. Since my name goes on the artwork I want to control most of the process and so I do most of the prints myself as well as hand-cut the mats and frame the work if desired.

My guarantee for the choice you make. Because I control the processes up to the finished artwork, if at any time during the first 90 days after your purchase you’re not satisfied you can either do an exchange or get a full refund less shipping charges by returning the artwork in like-new condition, no questions asked.

I know you’ll find images here that inspire you as much as they did me. Which one is your favorite?