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"There are no rules for good photographs; there are just good photographs." ~ Ansel Adams
My Photographs with Their Stories
I've been serious about photography since 1985, when I studied under three exacting Army Combat Photographers who taught me in Black and White. You'll see that I still prefer it.
I call myself a "Hybrid Photohobbyist" because I work in both film and digital, and to differentiate myself from the multitude of people who call themselves "Photographers." I won't use the word "amateur" because it implies a lack of expertise or skill.
I use a Nikon D850 for Digital. For Film, I use a Mamiya 6 for 120mm and a Canon A-1 for 35mm. I send my film to The Darkroom for developing, scan my negatives with an Epson V550 Photo, and adjust them with Photoshop Elements.
I'm a purist, believing too many adjustments or additions to an image make it graphic art, Not Photography. I prefer cold monochrome images and natural color shots. If I have a "style," I would call it Journalistic— I enjoy recording the moment, the truest form of history. My favorite subjects are My People.
Below are links to a few of my favorite photos and their stories, which I believe are "good photographs."
People
"The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do." ~ Andy Warhol
Kady
Kady visited me twice during my first tour of Turkey. The second time, 1986, she came alone to spend New Year's with me and to attend the Command Holiday Party. It was like the Honeymoon we never had. I took the opportunity to photograph her with my new camera, practicing everything I had learned—the best work I have ever done.
I took this with my Canon AE-1 Program, Kodak Plus-X Pan 125, 100mm, and developed the roll with Kodak Microdol-X. That's Right, old school film and darkroom work!
She is The Boss. She's amazing at everything she does, a wonderful wife and mom, a great cook, and a fantastic interior decorator. Everyone who knows her adores her.
Also, she is the REAL photographer in the family. Her stuff is amazing.
LR
This is my firstborn, by Beck. She has returned to my life through her efforts and those of my other two. I'm so grateful.
A poignant story of divorce, loss, distance, and the passage of time is finally reconciled. I love how she has taken on the roles of big sister, godmother, auntie, and friend in our family.
She brought with her a great man and two more marvelous grandchildren.
Jay
I'm amazed at how few photos I have of my son as an adult; I took hundreds of photos of Jay as a child. I need to fix this problem. This one is from my granddaughter's birthday party a few years ago.
An Iraq Veteran, he returned home, educated himself with the GI Bill, and earned his MS in Information Technology. He is the best man I know.
I dig the hat and his Carnegie Mellon bowtie.
KS
My daughter-in-law has always supported my photography; she is always willing to sit for me. I've had some success, but capturing how I see her has always escaped me until this shot, taken during one of our coffee dates.
She was my daughter's college best friend and part of the family, long before my son showed interest.
She proved that angels live among us, entering Jay's life at the perfect time. She saved him.
Nikon D850, 50mm, f2.5, 1/25, ISO-100, RAW
CE
My daughter is, and always has been, a classic beauty; she looks like her mom. Sadly, she never lets me take her photo. I don't get it.
She's an Afghanistan Veteran, still in the Army, and recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. She's a Paratrooper and wears the AA Patch on her left shoulder.
Each time she allows me, the photos turn out great. Maybe again, soon.
AJ
Finally, a fine man comes along. I couldn't have picked a finer husband for my daughter. Though a "Damnyankee," I liked him from the first.
He is the perfect calm opposite of my fireball daughter. They are a great team, and he treats her like the Princess Royal she was raised to be.
Cooper liked him instantly; nuff said.
Bee
I've taken photos of this youngster since she was a teen. She was my favorite of all my kids' high school friends. She married my son and gave me my Grandson, JK. Though the marriage didn't work, she will always be one of my children and a member of my family.
Bee is remarried now and living out West.
JK
My grandson is one of the most photographed young men in America. We all took thousands of him when he was little. The Cadets and the school's public affairs office joined in. He's smart, articulate, and quick-witted, with a tendency for good-natured Neel sarcasm. His intelligence is not to be ignored.
It's hard to believe that he just graduated from High School. I'm excited to see what his next big step will be.
ES
I spend a lot of time with my granddaughter. She's super intelligent, has a near photographic memory, and is into science like I am.
I enjoy taking photographs of her, and she enjoys posing. She knows what she wants and must approve every shot.
SGM
This baby and I were great collaborators. She was ready anytime Granddaddy wanted to take photos, as long as she got to review each shot and then push all the buttons on the camera.
When she had had enough of my camera and me, she gave me an emphatic "All Done!" This also means, "Let me have a go with that camera."
At Four, she most often refuses her permission.
CFN
I've taken photos of this beautiful woman three times: once for her Father's birthday and twice in Charleston, when I was there for one reason or another. Both sessions produced some of my favorite portraits of one of my favorite people, but that was years ago. I plan on working with her again - soon.
She is a faithful friend and stays in touch, checking on me more than anyone else.
SS
The day after Christmas, 2017, I took a few shots of SS to test my new 50mm lens. I was happy that he agreed. The man has such an interesting face.
I took it in Available Light, which worked nicely. I should have shot from a little farther back. The tree lights are a little distracting, though I like them.
We met him on the Internet way back in 1999 or 2000. He has become a member of the family. We enjoy time on his farm in Tennessee.
HJ & BH
My Niece and nephew are such an amazing team that I can't write about one without mentioning the other. They have built a great life out in Arizona, in a beautiful home, constantly full of children and grandchildren.
HJ is a professional family and addiction therapist and serves as the family fitness guru. I have never asked her about anything physiology-related that she didn't know about. I could listen to her all day. BH is an ex-Army Special Forces NCO. He works as a drilling engineer now. He is also an amazing cook and a born comedian.
These are two of the finest people I know, always willing to help someone in need. I enjoy visiting.
TS
While our niece lived with her grandparents, I asked her to sit for me. What photographer worth his salt wouldn't? I overexposed and was unable to make a decent print in my darkroom. I kept the film.
Technology Improved. I found the negatives, scanned them individually, and worked on them in Photoshop. Finally. Amazing!
Never give up on those old negatives!
SA
There are few people I love as much as this lady; I consider her one of my closest friends. She has the nicest legs and cutest feet on the planet.
She sat for me when she visited us in Church Crookham, England, in 1988 or 89. I shot about three rolls of Tri-X and destroyed them by turning on the wrong tap and rinsing in hot water.
I managed to salvage these photos using all of my Photoshop skills.
Sal
This photo was't meant to look heroic, it simply couldn't help it.
Sal is, by far, the most highly-trained and tested warrior that I know. He's done it all. An Air Force Combat Rescue Officer, he was once my Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major and became the Cadet First Captain at VMI.
I took this shot in front of my quarters on the 4th of July. Of Course.
Scout the Dog
Somewhere in all this fur is my new love, my daughter's pup, Scout.
He's a treasure— well-behaved, trained, and happy. I didn't think I could love another dog after Cooper, but this guy won me over. When I'm there, he's My Dog.
The Lesson of The Girl in the Park
I met this girl and her family at Kultur Park while photographing the city of Izmir with friends back in 1985 during my first tour. She had striking emerald-green eyes and beautiful chestnut hair. My AE-1 Program was loaded with black and white.
Those eyes were worth sacrificing the rest of the B&W roll to load color, but I didn't have the time. I already had my 70-200mm zoom mounted, so I stepped back and took about seven shots of just her.
That's my pencil she's holding. She gave me their address, and I mailed prints of the photos I took of them. I still love doing that.
Not long after, I bought a second Canon Body (A-1). I kept one loaded with color and the other monochrome. Digital is so much simpler.
Ah, but B&W Film is so beautiful.
Burçin
This young lady worked at Matisse Kahve Shop, directly across from my apartment. Every day that I arrived home from work or the commissary, she was there, staring at me with a look on her face that I couldn't decipher. I took it to mean, "I don't like Americans."
Ah, but she was beautiful.
I had to show her, and the rest of the staff, that I was a good guy. I got up the nerve to walk over. I ordered a coffee and börek, using my best Türkçe. She smiled and said, "We have been wondering when you would come over."
I would visit Matisse often. The kahve and pastries were good, but I went to bask in the presence of Burçin. I became friends with the owner and the entire staff, who often joined me at my table.
I took this photo the morning before I left İzmir as Burçin read my coffee. Her reading was sweet—
"You will have a long and happy life, surrounded by those you love. One day, you will return to your many friends in Türkiye."
BRS
This guy and I have a very long history. Though we went to rival high schools, we toured with the 66th Street Baptist Church Youth Choir together the summers after our sophomore and junior years. He dated a girl that I wanted to date in our senior year.
We met again at the formation of "The Cult." He and his lovely wife, Millie, helped me through my divorce and introduced me to Kady. Boyce is a fine photographer and musician,
When Millie died, he moved from Alabama to Arizona to be near his children and grandchildren. I took this photo when we were there visiting family.
I wish I had taken photos of Millie. She was an exceptional beauty, loved by all.
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