I have used cameras from age 8, at first to record family gatherings, pets, and vacation memories. As an adult a camera has been a constant companion in the outdoors. It has been used to document geologic observations in the field, and to record natural beauty on weekend excursions and family vacations.
Beginning in 2005 my interest in photography has intensified. I owe new enthusiasm to my adoption of digital photography. With digital image capture I feel more freedom to experiment, sometimes making many images of a subject – the equivalent of a roll of 35 mm film – to explore composition, exposure, range of focus, and motion. My opportunities to experiment benefit from the instant feedback of digital image review. In addition, tools now available to share my visual experiences include high quality inkjet printers, a wide range of photo paper textures, and powerful digital editing software that in combination provide limitless opportunities to hone the mood of images. Digital print makers have even more control than master wet chemical photo print makers to “burn” or “dodge” elements of a print to convey a visual experience.
I am inspired both by the chance opportunities we have to wander upon scenes of nature’s beauty, and to use knowledge of nature’s workings to capture ephemeral natural beauty. I have the greatest satisfaction from making images that capture the essence of a beautiful scene and illustrate an earth science related concept, principle, or process.