The visual arts have always been something that I have enjoyed as a spectator, but rarely as an actual participant. I’ve never really had the ability to excel with the visual arts so, combined with a knowledge of what I like in the visual arts and an almost obsessive desire for high-quality, I have always been reluctant to try my hand at a visual art - until a fateful (for my checkbook) trip with my friends to Zion National Park for a hike through The Narrows.

Not only was that easily the best hike I’ve ever been on (and I highly recommend it), but one of my friends, Aaron Beddes, had been into photography for some time and took his cameras along for the hike. He sure seemed to be enjoying himself and I took interest. He was kind enough to explain many of the basics of photography to me and, after we returned, loaned a few photography books to me.

I became very fascinated by photography and decided to take a bit of a foray into photography - I bought a used Canon Rebel 2000 from someone on eBay, along with some lenses and filters, and got practicing. I took a mountain of horrible photos, but enjoyed every minute of it. As I got better at “seeing the photograph” and more adept at composition and exposure, I made a move into slide film.

After some time taking photos with slide film, I began to get interested in digital photography, mainly for the workflow enhancements. Again, Aaron came through for me and let me borrow his Digital Rebel. I was smitten and began saving for a Digital Rebel myself. I eventually purchased a Digital Rebel and have subsequently upgraded my lenses, tripod, and other equipment.

Photography has been able to do what no other visual art has been able to do - capture my intense interest and become a hobby that I absolutely enjoy. I have since become a photographic junky and enjoy it as a hobby that has tremendous benefits to me as an escape from work (I work in information technology) and a hobby in which I can include my family (who dutifully travel around with me looking for good photographic locations).

This website is an online gallery of my photography. By displaying my photography I hope to improve as a photographer. I also hope you enjoy the site.

Equipment

• Canon 40D
• Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 AF USM
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD AF
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L AF USM
• Hoya polarizers
• Manfrotto tripod legs
• Acratech Ultimate Ballhead tripod head
• Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash