I don’t remember when my love affair for photography actually started but I know it was prior to high school. All my snaps in my earlier years were just small moments captured in time. High school brought me closer to “The Art of Photography.” I was eager to learn about the masters of photography and study their work. College in July 1974 is when I figured out I was having a love affair with the medium. I guess one could call it my first love. In 1974 at Cypress College I had the honor of learning from David Drake, my professor and also long-time friend. I was befriended by a person by the name of John Charles Wood (friend, photographer, artist and author). He introduced me to two of the finest in the world: Ansel Adams and Brett Weston. Over the years I visited Ansel at his place in the Carmel Highland although I would not have the personal relationship with him that I had with Brett Weston. The relationship I had with Brett Weston turned into one of a friend. Over the years I learned more from him about photography then any book I could have read or studied. I was always welcome at his place in Carmel Valley for however long I wanted to stay. We even managed to get out and work along the coast of Central California numerous times. His philosophy and love of the art were never about money – just the pure love of photography that he had. His love was romancing the photography as one would court a lady. I do need to give special thanks to Brett Weston for allowing me to work and learn from his as a photographer and a friend. John Woods for 30+ years of friendship and David Drake, an instructor who passed a few years back. And if it wasn’t for my wife, Penny and my daughter, Heather, whose love and support for me made all my work possible.

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