Quiet, stillness, the subtle interplay of light and shadow...

Sedge on the Wilson river Sedge on the Wilson river

An otter slips out of sight as I lower my tripod onto the bank of the Wilson river. A blue heron skims in low above the water and alights on the opposite shore, instantly motionless.

After snapping a shot or two, I straighten, take a slow, deep breath, and pause while the environment around me takes hold of my being. For the next few hours, it reveals one remarkable image after another. All I have to do is watch.

Moments like these and places like this are becoming more and more rare. I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to share them with you in my photography.

My approach to photography

Photograph of a golden helicon butterfly Photograph of a golden helicon butterfly

I communicate and share through photography; and when I’m struck by the beauty of a subject, I try to bundle the wonder, awe, and gratitude I feel into the image I produce. If I’m successful, you and I can share the moment.

This is what fine art photography means to me. I make a conscious effort to control every aspect of the image so it conveys information and feeling at every level possible. I’m not inclined to try to create something new; rather, I’m inspired to convey the richness and depth of the existing wonders I experience.

My botanical photos exemplify this most clearly. Each image is a portrait that conveys the character of my subject; and by photographing my subjects where they grow, I’m more likely to convey their vital connection to the earth.

As you view my photos, I hope you’ll see what I see and feel what I feel. You’ll know when that happens, because you’ll think, "I want to go there!"

Please do go there; but the journey involves more than traveling. To go where I go and see what I see, you’ll need to open your heart and mind to the beauty; and you’ll need to linger. Linger long enough for the environment to work its magic; but linger quietly and gently. These places are so rare and fragile...

Incidentals

Bryan Cox, when he was about 10 years younger. Bryan Cox, when he was about 10 years younger.

In at nutshell:

  • BA, Russian language and literature
  • A couple of years of electrical engineering education, followed by 10 years designing and maintaining controls & data acquisition electronics for a 400Mev nuclear accelerator
  • MA Philosophy
  • MS Computer Science, plus 35 years of professional software development
  • Photography? I’ve been at that for over 50 years. I have no formal education; but I’ve had many good mentors.

I’m semi-retired as a software engineer, ramping up as a photographer.