Fifty-Plus Years of Photographic Adventures
I see the world through the lens and a frame. Photography, for me, is an extension of who I am. I have gone through many stages in my career. At one time, I was a portrait photographer with many prestigious clients. Over time, I grew restless for something else in the field. I truly enjoy my current work as a fine art landscape photographer. There is something special about examining and photographing everything, from grand scenes in nature that are there for a moment and then gone to industrial landscapes and focusing on the incredibly minute details of peeling paint and rust. I have been most fortunate to travel to many wonderful places on this planet.
I have fond memories of nights and weekends spent in the darkroom creating prints. The stereo blasting. It could be fun, and it could be tedious. You didn’t always know what you were going to get, and, at times, it required extensive hands-on darkroom manipulation. I can still smell the chemicals. I was taught by the masters of the darkroom.
Today that has all changed thanks to computers, digital cameras, and Photoshop. The darkroom is the computer. Some things are still unpredictable, but the tools to achieve the final result allow you to see them immediately on the screen in real-time and right in front of you. Digital allows you to capture a range of tonalities and exposures that were impossible with film. Variables such as emulsion, temperature, chemistry, and exposure are taken out of the equation. What you see on your computer monitor is what you will get when printed. One thing that hasn’t changed is the music. It goes along with creating and working on images. Thank God for iTunes.
I embraced digital early on. It continues to evolve and provide flexibility to all who embrace it. The digital age is still young and has completely transformed our industry. Never has a switch from analog to digital been so prevalent as in photography. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next ten years take us.
My career in photography has evolved since 1972, when I first began making a living with photography. Today I am also CEO and Owner of photopxl.com, one of the most visited and prestigious websites for photographers on the internet. I lead photography workshops to the edge of the planet locations as well as provide instructional videos to photographers on how to improve their craft.
Presently, in addition to photoPXL and Rockhopper Workshops, I am Artist In Residence at the Indianapolis Art Center. I offer three dayy courses on Fine Art Printing throughout the year at this marvelous facility.
There doesn’t seem to be anything that can dampen my passion and enthusiasm for photography. It has opened doors to the world for me, and I am most grateful I can share my experiences with others.
I look forward to sharing this adventure with you.