About the artist
Born and raised in California, my education in visual storytelling began when a camera was placed in my hands at age five. Decades later, that same sense of wonder drives my work and connection to nature and the West. In high school I dedicated must of my free time to photography, running a “photo commission” and pretty much living in a large darkroom. We moved to a very rural area where I first began a deep connection to the beauty that nature provides. After several years in the service (during which my duties involved taking secret photos from a helicopter) I began studying commercial art, then transitioned into landscape architecture in college. This is when I began crafting skills in composition and discovering how line and form, space and negative space, patterns and texture can be weaved into composition very effectively. Afterward I acquired a Landscape Architecture license, eventually retiring from state service.
My approach to photography was modeled after Vincent VanGough, producing art for the sake of art, not even trying to earn income from this work. Today, it about sharing my work. The work on my walls at home are windows to take me back to places visited, and sometimes spiritual encounters there.
A philosophy and approach to fine art photography
We begin here with a large format film camera. Aside from the vast improvement in resolution over a digital camera, the camera can correct for parallax correction. This allows, for instance a tree, to be seen viewed as the same width when viewing up from the bottom. You also view the image upside down, allowing for a more objective interpretation of the image on the glass. The film and processing are costly and prompt the photographer not to shoot many images. The decision whether to capture the image or not, by necessity, takes longer and more is contemplative than a digital machine gun approach.
A photographer might set out to discover something worthy of this investment. Prior to seeking out an image, the photographer might plan ahead, even sketching out ideas beforehand. Nature is vast and infinite in variety. What you want to capture is out there, somewhere. Patience can be needed.
Finally, a photograph can have a profound message, something otherwise ineffable. The greatest achievement is an image that will generate the same response in a large group.
Regarding pricing:
Since your custom order can be of nearly any size that fits your needs and be framed or unframed, there are too many permutations to include here. Generally, prints range from $40 to $300 and framed prints range from $100 to $450. Prints are shipped directly to the address you specify.
Self Portrait
Valley of Fire State Park