The Last Page - Jarrell's Cove, WA (May, 2006)

This photograph is like finding the last page torn from a paperback, seemingly left behind on a table, in a coffee shop. You pick up the page, read the ending, and begin to consider the missing chapters. You wonder about the title, envision the cover, consider the author and puzzle over the plot. You sense unabridged loss. What was the opening sentence? Where did it all start to unravel? And without the rest of the story, the ending is impenetrable.  

In the beginning there had to have been optimism, at least for a while. The generous porch might have been built to sit outside in the evenings, undercover, sheltered from the rain, providing a protected platform to survey their kingdom and listen to song birds. But I wonder about the foundation. Was the adventure doomed from the outset? What were the character’s hopes? Were they realistic or just allusions? Somewhere along the way, there must have been a setback. Was there an antagonist, a precipitating incident, or some catastrophic natural event? At what point did the protagonists realize their dreams had become condemned?  How long did they struggle to right the sinking ship? (more...)

The trail running along San Ysidro Creek, near Santa Barbara California is a 2 mile strenuous walk from the trail head to the San Ysidro Falls. The trail was relatively steep with a few switch backs and plenty of poison oak on the edge of the trail. 

This image of an inviting pool was taken during a water break about half way up the trail. I came very close to not taking this shot because there was poison oak all around where I wanted to set up my tripod, and I had a hard time finding a good place to set down my camera bag. But the light was just too good to let the opportunity pass, so I carefully peeled off my camera bag and ever so carefully set it down in what I thought was a safe spot. Unfortunately, after setting down the bag one of the waist straps flipped out into a patch of poison oak. After reflecting on my options I decided to continue because, well, why not?  (more...)

The last time I watched the movie Casablanca, it wasn’t because it’s one of the classic films of all times. It was more to study the lighting used during the 1940s. I’m not really a student of film, but I’ve often thought that a defining characteristic of a film noir is its visual texture, mood and style, rather than the film’s content. When I look at the scenes in Casablanca, with half illuminated faces, deep shadows, and high contrast sets, I get a sense of unmistakable style.  (more...)

“Pull over, stop the car!”

I’d like to know how many old barns and out-buildings I’ve looked at over the years from a “photographer’s” point of view. I imagine the number would be surprising. In fact, I’ve given semi-serious thought to spending a week or so in the Willamette Valley for the specific purpose of photographing old barns. I might even find a few ancient Oak trees to photograph. I’m sure this will be something I will continue to think about until I’m finally able to cross it off my list. (more...)

Hey, Ho! Roll and go!
Round Cape Horn to San Francisco
Shanteyman sing, boys, pull on the line
And we're back in record time

 - from Shantyman's Hail by Fred Gosbee 1984

What is it about boat's and the sea that's so alluring?

Growing up on the Southern Oregon Coast, I've always been around boats. My dad, who had been a Merchant Marine, used to take me down to the docks to watch the fishing boats steam into port. (more...)

"Self expression is usually an egotistical approach, a willful distortion, resulting in over or understatement. The direction should be toward a clearer understanding through intentional emphasis of the fundamental reality of things, so that the presentation becomes a synthesis of their essence."

- Edward Weston, 1932

The Washington State Capitol Dome is Olympia's defining landmark. At 287 feet, it looms large above Capitol Lake and is the world's 4th tallest all-masonry dome. The light in the lantern above the dome hadn't been seen in 50 years until it was turned on in early December, 2004 following a $118 million renovation project to repair earthquake damage. This photo (more...)

I originally took this photo to enter into a photography contest with a theme of "simplicity". But someone pointed out that the eye was perhaps the most complex organ we have. What was I thinking? But I like this photo so much that I'm now thinking about doing a series with the hopes of being able to show them as an exhibit. Can you imagine walking into (more...)

Here's another floral photo, which was taken during one of those wet, grey weekend afternoons. Once again, it's an example of how bad weather can force one to look for subjects  they might not otherwise think about. This exercise, was my first attempt to do anything with external lighting. The light source was a shop light, which I had in my garage and the dark (more...)

There's nothing like being in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment. On this particular evening, I was at the right place, at the right time, and made due with the equipment I had. The photo was taken from my deck which overlooks Eld Inlet just as a full moon was sneaking above the hillside on the opposite shore. Luckily, I just happen to have my (more...)

This is my best selling photograph. The exposure is excellent and the detail is exceptional.  You'd never guess it was taken in macro mode with my Olympus C-700.  To get the shot, I had to ever so carefully slide into the koi pond in our back yard and set up my tripod.  It was extremely slipper and I was a bit worried about falling in and ruining my camera.  (more...)