What am I doing here?

My passion for photography started when I was very young (That’s me in the lederhosen), while standing next to my father in the darkroom. I felt a sense of wonder as I watched his images magically appear in the developing tray. That is what I feel, even today, whenever I take the time to really see what surrounds me.
I am inspired to share this sense of wonder with the viewers of my work when I see the how light can bring out the detail, richness, and beauty of everyday objects.
I’ve been a full time photographer for over 35 years. For almost 30 of those years, virtually all of my photographs have been made using the specialized technique of light painting* (I actually think of this process as sculpting, but using light). This has given me the ability to show subjects in a “different light”, so that viewers can appreciate them in a new and unexpected way. I’m intrigued by the way in which my subjects take on a sense of “hyper-reality”, brought on by the nature of unnatural light.
I’m drawn to things that are rich in texture and surface quality, often turning to objects found in nature. I find that in combining these natural objects with man-made elements, I can further reveal their innate beauty through juxtaposition.
The negative effects of time have often been addressed by artists and writers. I’m convinced, however, that beauty isn’t necessarily diminished when something is “past its prime”. In fact, I feel that time imparts a certain beauty that was not there before.
* Light painting requires working in a completely dark studio, opening the camera for an extended period of time, and “painting” the light onto the subject. This reveals greater shape, texture and color.