My background knowledge in photography was learned on a “hands on” basis and from reading photography books. I took an instructional photography class at American River College in Sacramento when I first purchased my 35 mm camera in 1975. From that class the one major important bit of knowledge I learned was “composition”.  I have to admit I believed one had to know “everything” there is to know about photography to be “exhibited” – and this held me back. I have always enjoyed taking photographs of family and friends. I knew that I liked portraiture, but discovered I was drawn to scenic/landscape, architecture, and floral – basically I love to capture “LIFE” and all its pulchritude!

With the encouragement of family and friends, I finally ventured out and actually shared my work with others. Since 2001, I have been fortunate to exhibit my work in several galleries in the Sacramento area. I have learned a great deal from this process, and have met numerous artists who have also shared important information with me.

I continue to use my Minolta SRT201 for Black & White and my Canon Elan II for color. I have tried several times to “go” digital – but something seems to be holding me back. I LOVE the mystery of Black and White (Kodak 400 TMAX film). The grainy, non-perfect results are the feeling you see in my photos, which I might mention are not altered in any way.  Life is not perfect. So why should the result show perfection? All my prints are contact prints from the negative. My prints are Limited Editions and I will, upon request, create a one-of-a-kind! My technique is utilization of “natural light” – rarely do I use flash. Natural light is what inspires me. Life stirs me and I just have to capture it on film.