My father loved the mechanics of photography. From him I learned about film speed, shutter speed, aperture and depth of field. What I didn’t get from my father was a love of photography. Too many posed family photos led me to think I would never be serious about photography.
But then I moved to California in the ’70s. The natural beauty of the West drew it out of me. Seeing the work of Ansel Adams and Edward Weston I could appreciate the value of capturing the beauty in nature that I was experiencing. I became serious about single lens reflex film photography, capturing images all throughout the West.
I moved back East in the late ’80s to focus on family and work. I became fascinated by the potential of digital photography with its instant feedback and ability to work up photos outside a dark room. I found myself using my film based camera far less frequently. I even attempted serious photography with my pocket digital camera on trips to Europe.
It was on an adventure filled trip in Alaska that I encountered a fellow photographer with a digital SLR. It clearly was the best of both worlds! I got my Nikon D200 in 2007 and have been way into DSLR ever since.
Much of my photography arises from travels with my wife. We love to travel. I accept that our commitment to such adventure is unusual and out of scope for many. I hope that the images captured from our travels provide a window into the world, your world, our world of wondrous places, wonderful people. As Trebbe Johnson wrote “The World is a Waiting Lover.”
I am grateful to the Chester County Camera Club for nurturing my development. I have been a member since November, 2009.
I have retired from the Pharmaceutical Industry and consulted for several years after that. I also teach Pilates in West Reading, Chester Springs, and Collegeville PA.
Photos of Jim courtesy of Ken Stewart Photography – check out his gallery, there’s some great stuff there!