Originally I was trained in the Ansel Adams style of black and white photography using a Sinar 4x5 view camera, but as I transitioned to digital I discovered color. It feels like I have landed in the movie Pleasantville. Perhaps I am starting at the end instead of the beginning. It seems that folks would like to know a bit about me either before or after viewing my images.

I was born okay perhaps that is too far back. My photographic education commenced at Foothill and DeAnza Colleges in the bay area of California during the 1970s. I was fortuitous early in my education to meet Marion Patterson, photography teacher and department head at Foothill. Marion taught me the importance of art but to never take oneself too seriously; that every subject has an inner spirit that will speak to you if you open yourself to listen, rather than exerting your own ego upon it. While initially simple to describe, it has taken me years to begin understanding the depth of her teachings.

Initially, I emulated many of the masters of photography that were readily accessible to aspiring photographers during that period. Their style influenced and shaped my art for many years. But, during the past few years, under the tutelage of several photographic workshop instructors who define modern photography, my understanding of the art continued to advance both technically and visually. Many of these instructors have become my friends, and I am deeply appreciative of their time and guidance.

Alan Ross was instrumental in reigniting my love for photography. He not only guided me to a greater understanding on the technical aspects of the art, he also helped me to refine my visual strengths.

John Sexton, Ray McSavaney, John Paul Caponigro, and Bruce Barnbaum freely gave of themselves and their expertise during intensive workshops. These provided me with an increasing awareness of composition, an understanding of mastering the photographic craft from a technical basis, an intellectual awareness of my images, and defining the deeper spiritual depth within my subject matter.

During many conversations with my friend, Eric Biggerstaff (an accomplished photographer and exceptional writer for View Camera magazine), the beginnings of a new pathway began to appear. We often discussed the state of color photography and how the importance of color should be a vital component of the image. As photographers, where within our environment was color the vital ingredient for creating a powerful image?

Soon after purchasing my first digital camera I challenged myself to see beyond the natural landscape I had become comfortable within, to explore a new environment - the urban landscape - and seek out color as a vital component of that landscape instead of the dull gray sameness that we have become so desensitized to in our every day existence.

However, understanding the technical aspects of the color environment and recalibrating my eye to see in color proved to be a far greater challenge than I initially believed. Fortunately, I was introduced to Charlie Cramer, an accomplished photographer whose images speak to the soul. Through Charlies teachings, I was able to blend into my training as a black and white photographer the technical and visual aspects of color.

Since the end of 2011, I have been represented by a local prominent gallery, The Arts Company. The owner of this gallery, Anne Brown, is a major supporter of the arts within the Nashville community and has been an inspirational force not only to me but to many artists within the region. 

All the best to you and thanks for visiting my website.

Chuck