Like many photographers, I began taking snapshots as a child in the late 60's and early 70's. I used 127 roll film, 126 Instamatic, and Polaroid Swinger cameras. In 1979 at age 20, I got a Minolta XG-7 SLR and additional wide-angle, macro, and telephoto lenses, bringing me into the world of serious hobby photography.

In 1980, I met my fiancee, a dark-haired, dark-eyed, olive-skinned beauty of Acadian ancestry. She was wonderful in front of the camera, and under her conservative guidelines my photography reached a fever pitch. Much of our dating time was spent in Rochester, NY's Highland Park, the picturesque University of Rochester campus, and other scenic areas like Niagara Falls, Finger Lakes country, and Fayetteville, NY where I grew up.

In my Senior year, I took two photo courses and learned B&W developing and printing. I shot many rolls of Tri-X from which I still have pristine negatives today, many of which were never printed. In this wonderful and all-to-brief period of my life, I learned to love photographing nature, scenery, and people.

That world came to an abrupt end in 1981, when I graduated, married, and embarked on an engineering career in Port Arthur, Texas. The early adjustment was awful, but my photography adapted to the scenery and nature the area had to offer. Port Arthur's Pleasure Island and the Big Thicket area were favorites, as well as Hodges Gardens in Many, LA, where I recaptured some of the feeling of the old days up North.

As the years went on and our children came, I ended up being more of a family snap shooter than a serious photographer (not to downplay that important role!). Eventually the XG-7 was put away and replaced with early 90's automated 35mm cameras that the wife could operate. More recently came a 3.2 MP Sony DSC-P52, which was the first step to reviving my interest.

My real passion was dormant until early 2004, when a family member purchased an HP-3970 flatbed scanner. I had passively contemplated scanning my old images for years, but assumed that a decent scanner cost thousands of dollars. I knew that I needed to try this "cheap" scanner nonetheless, and was captivated after scanning some of my old film images.

I have discovered that I do my best work photographing people in an unobtrusive "stroll and shoot" mode.

I also enjoy nature and floral macro photography. I seem to have the ability to coax interesting images from mundane subjects.

Another area of interest is industrial photography. I have spent much time in Gulf Coast refineries and chemical plants over the last 23 years, and have always seen the artistic potential. Company policies severely restrict photographing within these facilities for safety and security reasons, and the events of 9/11 have made things even tighter. Such work would have to done under contract with the operating companies. Many other industries offer opportunity as well.

I have recently started working with models, for now on a strtctly TFP/TFCD basis

Some self-portraits to introduce myself:

      Thanks to WestOUT Photography                       At my day job