Began photography while in RPVN with Marine Corps artillary. Yashika rangefinder was my first real camera then Canon FX w/ 70mm lens. Later entered (1966) LSU fine arts Painting and Drawing and graduated w/ BFA. During this time I was showing and selling my work. Early influences were Matisse, Braque and Picasso and Fernand Leger. Ofcourse the American Abstract Expressionists could not be ignored. Even as a landscape photographer I think back on the ideas of Ad Reinhardt. I lived, or more accurately stated, I survived for a year in New York city where I was engrossed in viewing some of the world's great art. This was a time when jazz music was in a evolving stage so in New York I took opportunities to listen to musicians that I had been hearing on LP's already. Both of my teachers at LSU where graduates of Yale so it was through them that I became cognizant of the paintings of Al Held and Brice Marden.
In 1971-1973 I attended graduate school in Fine Art (painting) at Newcomb College in New Orleans. During this period I was showing in galleries and art shows. In 1979 I decided to enter drafting school and soon after began a career as a draftsman. Later I landed a job as a Civil/Structural designer in industrial engineering and retired from engineering design work in 2005. In 2004 I purchased a Nikon Coolpix 8700, which had many features of a DSLR. To digress a bit, around 1977 I had begun hiking and camping "getting out in wild nature", but with no thought of photography until 1981 when I purchased a Minolta X700 w/ 50mm lens. My first excursion into the mountain west was 1978 when I travelled to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and did some mountain camping and hiking. These experiences were a huge awakening for me and it was not until later (1987)that I went to Colorado again. On this trip I packed my Minolta on a 5 day backpack in the Weminuche wilderness and climbed a 14,000 foot peak, Windom Peak. Also at this time I became aware of the art and adventure of Galen Rowell. There was no looking back.
To condense time somewhat: In 2008 I purchased my first DSLR, Canon 5D w/ 24-105mm lens, Sigma 12-24mm, Canon 100mm macro, Canon 100-300mm and Epson R2400 printer. Photoshop CS3 etc.
I have taken part in Rocky Mt. National Park workshops with Glenn Randall (winter and summer). My first really illuminating photo tour experience came when I signed up for the Central Oregon Coast and Columbia river gorge excursion with Marc Adamus. Later I did the Death Valley/Eastern Sierra tour. Living in Louisiana means that I either fly and rent, or drive long distances to get to the Western theater. I have done many trips alone and like exploring, scouting and hiking. The most recent adventures have been in California's White Mts. and Mt. Whitney. At present my focus is on printing and marketing. Meanwhile it is winter and my website is low on snow and ice in the landscape.
