How I Got My Start
I still remember the thrill of looking through my first 35mm camera 25 years ago in a High School photography class. I also recall my disappointment when the clerk behind the drugstore counter told me there was no charge for processing my first roll of film. It was blank! While the photography class taught me how to operate the camera and develop and print B&W film, I still struggled to find my artistic vision. Shooting buildings and people were interesting enough, but passion for a subject hadn't materialized.
The Ultimate Subject
Over the years I discovered my passion by shooting wildlife and the great outdoors. In the many years I've pursued these subjects, I've worked to refine my technical mastery of the camera, and in the process, gained deep respect and admiration for nature and its wild inhabitants. I find that the people who respond to my images share that respect and admiration for nature's limitless expression. We've enjoyed connecting with fellow nature enthusiasts around the country.
Home and Away
The Midwest has been and remains my home base. Although Iowa isn't known for its grand vistas or prolific wildlife hotspots, it's here that my informal nature training began. Today, I'm lucky enough to travel frequently with camera in hand (actually many bags!) to locations across the country known for awe-inspiring landscapes, and environments where humans and wildlife are at ease with each other. It's in these places and moments — when nature puts on a show — that defines the work you see in Expressions of Nature Photography.
Acknowledgements
I first need to give a credit to my loving wife, Denise, who has supported my dream from day one. She knows the disappointment of a lost shot, and the excitement of the one captured. She 's a great assistant on location and logs many hours home alone when she can't accompany me. I couldn't do what I do without her support.
There have been many mentors along the way as well. Learning from successful, professional, photographers in the early years of my career gave me so much instructional information and yet the inspirational effect was just as important. I feel I would be remiss by not paying tribute to a few of those who have been so inspirational.
Two of my earliest mentors were John & Barbara Gerlach, I wanted instruction on metering, composition and the business side of being a nature photographer. John & Barb provided all of this and they are also fun to work with.
When I decided to move into large format photography I once again needed a mentor. Danny Burk, took me from a shear novice in the format to being completely confident in the operation of a very complex camera system in a short time. This is now my preferred camera for landscape photography. He also does drum scanning services for hi-res digital files.
I've also had the pleasure to learn from Weldon Lee. Weldon lives, loves and breathes wildlife and photography. His adoration of, and I quote, "Our wild brothers and sisters," is so ingrained in his approach to wildlife photography that it is hard not to leave with a new respect for the art of photographing wildlife without causing distress in their lives.
Last but certainly not least is my respect of Thomas D. Mangelsen. I have met Tom at one of his galleries a couple of times and I have to say he is, for all of his success a very personable man. On a weekend trip to Galena Il. I was fascinated by his work and dedication to the art and yet he greeted everyone amicably as an equal.