Photographer
My stepfather gave me my first SLR camera, a Minolta X-700. I used it for years, including a few in Alaska, where I spent a tour in the USAF. I tried to learn about aperture and shutter speed, but it was over my head, so I shot on auto. I have several great images composed and captured with the film camera.
Later in life, I became more interested in photography, so I adapted to the times and bought an advanced point-and-shoot digital camera. It worked perfectly for what I needed in a camera at the time, and I packed it along on all my outdoor activities and family outings. I was still shooting on auto.
Eventually, I switched to a DSLR, a Canon D10. In my 30s, I was finally ready to learn more about the exposure triangle. I read every Bryan Petersen book I could find to help me become a better photographer. His “Understanding Exposure” had the most significant impact.
Over a decade, I progressed through several Canon DSLR models. During that time, I started a side career as a freelance writer; I relied on my photography skills to support my articles with images. As a more proficient photographer, I was hired for several photography projects.
Finally, I switched to a mirrorless DSLR, opting for the leader at the time, Sony. Currently, I have three camera bodies and a variety of lenses. Over time, I became a better photographer; however, I am still learning. I intend to remain on that path.
Below are a few of my favorite images taken with the cameras, along with a brief snippet of how each image was created. Enjoy!
FAVORITE IMAGES
Wildlife: My wife and I were exploring Rocky Mountain National Park when we came across these bedded rams. As I prepared my gear, it began to rain steadily. Before I knew it, it was an all-out downpour, followed by a nasty hailstorm. (The hail pellets are visible in the image.) Throughout the storm, the rams remained stoic, mostly motionless. I was able to capture several images of the pair together and individually, including this favorite of mine. The early onset of the storm, mixed with the afternoon sun, provides superior light and color. It makes a super metallic print.
Horses: In the early 2000s, a friend and I approached Babbitt Ranches to propose a calendar project. Over time, it morphed into a book project, with copies issued to the ranch’s stakeholders. We spent several weekends on the ranch capturing images for many years. This image was captured in 2010 at the annual Colt Sale. To avoid the onslaught of buyers, I arrived early in the morning. Luckily, I caught these two horses at the perfect moment. This image is available in color and black-and-white.
Scenes: I have traveled on the Million Dollar Highway through Red Mountain Pass in Colorado many times. As a child, I did so as a passenger. As an adult, I have driven the scenic byway to access near and far Colorado destinations. The drive, especially the Silverton area, is one of my favorite spots in Colorado, or anywhere. The simplicity of this image, emphasizing the red peak, makes it a favorite of mine.
Stories: I describe a subset of my images as “story-telling.” It’s literal and figurative. In the literal sense, my images, like all photography, capture a moment of time and space. Figuratively, the same image allows the imagination to flow, reflecting on what life might have once been in the same space at a different time. The unique combination of the old within the line cabin and the ever-present found in the reflection of the painted desert in the broken glass makes this image a storytelling one. This image was captured during my project on Babbitt Ranches.
Trees: On a recent trip to Utah, I fell in love with this little pine growing out of a rock outcropping. I captured the little tree from near and far, in a larger scene, and in both portrait and landscape orientations. Of course, when my close friends and family saw the images, “You and your lonely trees, was the most common comment. I love all the images, but this one is a favorite from the trip and one of my all-time favorite tree images.
Abstract: This image was captured on a stormy day in Northern Arizona, near Mormon Lake. The purple and yellow colors were created from years of oxidation, causing rust to form on the metal surface of an old galvanized door. The entire building, once a useful structure, has seen better days.
Black & White: Walking around Estes Park, Colorado, I saw several images of this interesting church. After a quick search, I found Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock just south of town. Early one morning, I headed out to capture an image. Stormy clouds and low light allowed me to capture this image, enhanced by the movement of the storm clouds above. The color image looks excellent, but I prefer it in black-and-white.
Minimalist: After driving past this unique juniper tree many times, the weather finally provided the conditions to isolate it against a neutral white background. A few inches of freshly fallen snow, combined with the morning fog, created the perfect conditions for the shot. After careful consideration, I composed this shot with the fence as a leading line.