I'm a mostly self-taught photographer.  I've attended several workshops with some of the well known but not famous photographers and I've managed to absorb a few bits and pieces of information along the way. I read the photo magazines, internet photo sites and try things that look and sound interesting.

 I like to return to special places to find things I missed on the previous visits.  I've visited the Great Smokey Mountains at least a half dozen times and I still get excited when I think about returning.  Michigans Upper Penninsula constantly is calling me back.  I could spend lots of time up there.  I've spent time on both the east and west coast of Lake Michigan with the lighthouses and have enjoyed every minute,  I always want to return.  There have been dozens of trips to the covered bridges in Indiana and I still like to go back.  I've had a taste of Arches National Park, Bryce, Canyonlands, Monument Valley and Zion NP.  On my list of to see is a three week visit to the Grand Canyon.

With the price of gas,most of the time I have to be satisified with home.  I live on the West Lake in Paris.  It's about 60 acres of water and wetlands and a really interesting three arch concrete railroad bridge built in 1906.  I can launch my Souris River canoe off my dock to paddle and explore.  I paddled this lake hundreds of times and it's never the same.  I like to go out during the full moon and just drift and listen to the night sounds and watch the moons reflections dance on the water.  On the west end of the lake is a city park known as Blackhawk Park.  The park is a 61 acre natural area that is full of wildflowers all year.  Over 80 have been identified so far.  Numerous trails criss-cross the park, some are man-made some are critter made.  White tailed deer, wild turkey, and numerous other mammals and birds abound.  And it's a five minute drive or a 20 minute walk from the house.  Some fringe areas can only be accessed by canoe. 

Old barns, windmills, iron bridges, farm fields, star trails, small creeks, wildflowers, abstracts and various other things is what I shoot most of the time.  It's a challange to take ordinary mundane things and find that special light that makes them extra-ordinary. 

Confucious said: " All things have beauty, but not everyone sees it".

I try to do a little writing along the way.  Sometimes stories just pop into my head.  Especially when I spend time at some locations.  The longer I stay the more the place talks to me.  I've managed to publish some articles in ILLINOIS AUDUBON, NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER (print and on-line), GRIT and I write a column in the local newspaper about Blackhawk Park.  I've had photos in NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER, ILLINOIS AUDUBON, RIEMAN calenders, GRIT and LOG & TIMBER STYLE MAGAZINE.

Taking pictures is fairly easy.  Marketing is work.