The images before you are a few of my finest photographs collected over many years of persistence, dedication, and patience trying
to capture the perfect images of nature. I have returned to some locations over 40 times to capture images that transcend the
beauty in nature and push the envelope of the believable. My goal when I’m out shooting is to capture more than just a beautiful
picture. I capture a portion of the overwhelming emotion that a scene can produce when the elements of nature come together
for a fleeting moment in time. All of my images are captured with all natural light and with no alteration of nature (such as
removing twigs, turning leaves over so the colorful side is up, rearranging flowers, etc.). No computer enhancement, artificial
lighting, or enhancing filters are used in the creation of any of the photographs. The incredible sharpness of each photograph
comes from using large format cameras.
My photographs are captured with 4x5 and 8x10 wood field cameras on Fuji film.
The 4x5 format means that the original sheet of film that was in the camera at the time the image was taken, measured 4"x5" for
a single shot. For most nature photographers in the country, this format would be considered their "high-end". I
started shooting this format in the late 1980's with an old Burke & James cast iron model. Now I use a lightweight Tachihara
model. Photographs from this format can be blown up to 30"x40" without any noticeable loss of sharpness to the untrained eye.
The
8x10 format means that the original sheet of film that was in the camera at the time the image was taken, measured 8"x10" for a single
shot. The image on the home page shows me with the 8x10 camera at Monument Valley. I have been known to hike
over 20 miles in a single day with this camera and all the associated gear. Only a few nature photographers throughout the world
use an 8x10 camera and capture these “magical” moments in nature. The 8x10 format is unparalleled when it comes to the sharpness
and depth of the final photograph. The final photographs from this camera should be viewed in person to truly appreciate
the quality it can produce.
Each original transparency is scanned on a drum scanner to produce a digital file of the image. The
digital file is brought into Photoshop to clean up imperfections in the scan and film as well as necessary adjustments to contrast
and color balance to match the original transparency. A test print is then made that I inspect to ensure that the final photograph
will match the original transparency exactly. Final photographs, which I also inspect for perfection, are printed on Fuji Crystal
Archive paper on a Lightjet printer. Fuji Crystal Archive paper is currently the most archival color paper on the market today. Each collector photograph is also laminated to provide unsurpassed archivability. The technology of drum scanning and using
the Lightjet printer allows me to produce a final photograph that is unrivaled by any other printing method today. Each collector
image is limited to 50 total photographs.
