artist's statement

I began making images more than 40 years ago with child-like enthusiasm for the way cameras work, and how film is processed, and how prints are made. I just thought it was a neat thing to do, and it was a good way for a shy, introverted boy to be recognized and valued by others. As I matured into my adult years, I found that photography became an expressive outlet in the midst of all the other cares of life.

Over the years my work has primarily been landscapes. My style has evolved from literal interpretations of large vistas toward a more detailed, sometimes abstract view of reality.

More recently, I have discovered that I am drawn to photograph the interiors of 19th century buildings. I am inspired by the diaries of my great grandfather, and I am fascinated by the differences - and similarities - of life from that age to the present. My work reflects the profound emptiness of these spaces where life once was abundant.

I am also inspired by classical music, and when I am doing my best photography I frequently find my mind is filled with music.

My creative process starts with finding an image to which I respond emotionally in some way. My natural landscapes usually evolve from a feeling of wonderment or beauty, and my 19th century architectural work most often springs from a feeling of mystery or emptiness. Since I work with a 4x5 view camera, each image requires careful thought and preparation in the field before the film is exposed. I think through all of the steps that will be used to produce the photograph, including exposure, film development, and print making, and I attempt to “see” the end result of this succession of steps, and how various controls at each step could affect the finished artwork. For each photograph, I usually make only one negative, so careful camera work is essential. When making the finished print, I go through numerous iterations, applying various printing controls until I obtain the image that I originally envisioned in the field.