Artist's Statement

e live in an increasingly complex world, constantly connected, never really able to relax, with very little interpersonal communication. People in this world are constantly looking for peace and solitude, while lacking true depth in our lives. As is always the case, art tends to mimic society. Much of what passes for art in the modern world is more intended to shock the viewer, to stir up anger, rather than imparting a sense of peace and relaxation.

My intention is not to shock the viewer, but to share and highlight the natural beauty of this world, both natural and man-made, in a manner that uplifts the viewer, whether it be on the screen or in a print.

I freely admit that this world has troubles, evil and ugliness, but it's not my purpose to highlight such things; modern mass-media excels in this. King David was inspired to write "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." - Psalm 34:14.

Vision

ver the years, as a photographer, I’ve heard many times the need to have a “vision” as our guiding light to photography. What has not explained is exactly what vision is, and how it guides us.

We all have vision, it’s the reason that we have certain opinions, often certain religious practices, things that provide a sense of peace in how we make sense of the world we live in. I call this our world vision. Photographic vision, while incorporating aspects of our world vision, hones that view of the world into uniquely photographic pursuits.

Adequately describing photographic vision, is like trying to describe an illusion. We may not always be able to describe it, but we know it when we see it. It’s a vision shaped by not only our world vision, but by individual practices and habits formed over the years. It’s about translating our passions into the photographic world.

If you know what your passions are, then you know what your vision is. My vision revolves around seeking what is good, what is right and what is beautiful.

Inspirations

ost photographers start the same basic way; someone introduces them to a basic 35mm or point and shoot camera. The snap of a shutter, something magic happens, and they become enamored with the process of photography. I used a 35mm camera for many years, but the first time I was exposed to large format photography, through the work of David Muench and Arizona Highways, I was hooked. The depth and incredible detail of the large format process made me realize that what I sought in photography was achievable.

Since the days when I was first introduced to photography as a way of life, I've passionately followed the work of photographers like Eliot Porter, Peter Dombrovskis, Jack Dykinga, David Ward and Joe Cornish. Even in this day and age of digital photography, it's still large format photography that stirs my soul. When I look at the work of Gary Ladd and his photographs of Lake Powell, Arizona for example, the depth and detail of the photographs are mesmerizing.

My Equipment

ften when asked about their cameras, many photographers will answer with indignation “You wouldn't ask a writer about the type of typewriter they use, or a painter his brushes" . Yet, I find it quite telling that many of these same photographers extol the virtues of their particular brand of camera on their website, or have self-portraits using their brand of camera, and thus, introducing interest in the very subject they wish to avoid; what camera equipment they use.

It’s not unusual to want to be somewhat like, or even curious about, the people we admire – even if that means asking about the of camera equipment they use. It doesn’t denigrate the photographer’s vision or skill, so I don’t consider this an offensive request to make.

The camera equipment I currently use is:

Some of the images featured on this website were taken with a large format Toyo 45AII or Chamonix 45-N1 Field Camera (4x5), with fixed focal length Schneider and Nikkor lenses on Fuji transparency film. To learn more about large format photography: About the Large Format Camera

All Images were processed on an HP Desktop computer running Microsoft Windows 10, and Adobe Photoshop CC or Adobe Lightroom CC. Transparencies were scanned on a Heidelberg Tango drum scanner by Metal & Paper Pro (previously West Coast Imagining) of Oakhurst, California.