... eyes and heart open, switching off the world, and truly experiencing the situation I’m encountering.

Being an artist is not a permanent state for me. There are times I need to be a craftsman as well. When composing any image I must keep visually exploring whatever grabbed my interest and consider the basic building blocks of visual design – shapes, lines, textures, colors, and perspectives. My underlying desire through-out the process is to be sensitive to the essential structure I’m working with and to show understanding and respect for my subject matter. At times, I find value in representing the objective reality in front of me and I’ll operate more in the tradition of fine documentary image-makers. At other times, I may wish to express a personal response to a subject or idea and create impressionistic images. When operating in the impressionist tradition I may use in-camera multiple exposures, intentional camera motion (ICM), and montages to pursue the reality and truth that lies beyond the literal – the feelings, passions, caring, moods, or other intangible qualities he experiences. When working in the digital darkroom, Lightroom 6 for me, my desire is to retain the visual clarity of an image without overly manipulating or making additions in post-processing.

I’m a self-taught photographer and reside in Maplewood, Minnesota. I hold a Ph.D. in Education, currently serve as a professor emeritus at Bethel University, and I’m a former elementary school teacher and principal. I’m also an avid outdoors person, having hiked over half of the Appalachian Trail, lived a tent for over two years, and worked as a muskie guide for seven summers.

Please step in and let the images come to you. Let your mind be still and experience art, people, places, and life.