This is Who I Am...Photographically Speaking:

Since there are several genres of photography which I especially enjoy--at least from time to time, I found it impossible to limit a description of my photography to 3 or 4 areas. So, I hope you don't mind that I've included a few more to show the range of my interest.

Photographing nature has for many, many years captured a significant portion of my time with a camera. I find it ranges from basic documentation and "collecting" views of all forms of flora and fauna, to sometimes even venturing into the area of Fine Art Photography.

I get my most satisfaction from making candid portraits of people. Over the years I find that I photograph "mature" people, and primarily men with rugged faces the most.

I've been fortunate to travel quite a bit through the years, and it has been an enormous pleasure to look back in my archives at images I've captured and re-live the trip, remembering the ambiance, the food, the wine, the people, the lighting, and the stories.

Maybe I should have put this category at the front of the list. I always seek to tell a story with my photographs. Sometimes it's easier than others. But, what I've discovered is the better the story, the better the photo.

There is an old adage, "I'd rather be lucky than good". I honestly believe this is true quite often in photography. I agree that a photographer has to know when he or she "sees" a good photograph and then be able to deliver. But, the blind luck of stumbling upon a good photo opp, and realizing it, is an unmatched serendipitous moment.

Fine Art Photography, I've read and researched quite a bit about what makes a fine art image. And, I still don't think I really know the answer. I've tried a lot, usually unsuccessfully, but to me when I spend time thinking about the shot, studying the composition, lighting, perspective, depth of field, etc., etc., and avoid the "grab and go shot", I tend to come closer to my definition.

And I never, ever pass up an opportunity to add a bit of humor to my photography.

And even occasionally, I venture out of my comfort zone and try something weird--at least for me.

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However, at the end of the day, by far the most pleasure I derive from my life-long hobby of taking pictures is taking photos my two precious grandsons, Henry and AJ. If I leave a photographic legacy, this has to be it!