Get in close and isolate your subject

September 8, 2019

I’ve been working in Boston for nearly four years between the South End and Back Bay, arguably two of the most picturesque parts of town. As a photographer I’m always looking for something to catch my attention; something that grabs my mind’s eye and begs to be photographed. Lately I’ve been having trouble finding and creating images in the area. Today I figured out why.

How I got the shot #1

January 29, 2019

I’m generally modest about my photos, but sometimes I feel like I’ve really nailed one. This photo is one of them. If it’s not obvious already, this photo was taken near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. True, it’s hard to get a bad shot in this wonderful city, but to make an image that feels better than the rest is an accomplishment for me….

In the zone

January 22, 2019

My big photo challenge for 2019 is to shoot photos of people. Couple that with a self-made requirement that each image has to have a story, and I know that I have my work cut out for me. So I started out early in January. The first project that I assigned to myself was to stand on Boylston Street in Boston with my camera.

November 30, 2025

Thanksgiving in Utah

This year Liz and I celebrated a very different Thanksgiving by visiting our friends Bill and Jill in Utah.

On the day before Thanksgiving Liz, Bill, Jill and I went on a short hike in Antelope Island State Pa rk, which is located on Great Salt Lake. It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a hike. Sure, I’ve gone for walks in parks and in the city to stretch my legs and to enjoy my natural and urban surroundings, but it felt like a long time since I’d been on a hike that warranted hiking boots instead of sneakers.

September 25, 2025

Going back in time, Sept. 24, 2025

Back in March 2025 I went to the site of an office building near sunset to try to make something of it. I needed some inspiration, and I thought that this open roof might help. After about 20 minutes I went home to see what I got. And I was very disappointed with my bland images.

July 1, 2025

Work with what you’ve got

The apartment that my wife and I moved into last December is small. Since we lived in a house for 30 years prior to our move, living in an apartment has been an adjustment—let’s just say that the two of us using the bathroom at the same time in the morning is not the best experience. However, the smallness of the apartment also has provided some good challenges.

March 30, 2025

Quick shot: Sometimes the photo comes to you

Cupertino, California - I was leaving the auto dealership today after getting the oil changed in my car. I stopped at a stoplight, at the end of a long line of cars. Since I am easily distracted, I was fiddling with the radio and looking at what stores or restaurants were on the street. As I glanced out the passenger window to my right, and this scene presented itself to me.

March 9, 2025

Reflections on photography

In early January I joined an online group whose members each create one photo a week on a selected theme to share on their website and to get critiqued. Called 52frames.com, I've been enjoying the weekly experience. I'm currently in my ninth consecutive week, and I believe I can keep this thing going. I’ve learned that it doesn't matter what my subject matter is, and it doesn't matter whether I wind up with a good photo or not. it’s the process that keeps me thinking creatively, and I have fun with it.

February 9, 2025

A beautiful walk

Today my wife and I had a wonderful walk in the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills in Cupertino. The place is called the Fremont Older Preserve, and it's beautiful. We drove up a narrow, winding road, passing some amazingly large mansions. The higher we went, the bigger the mansions got

January 7, 2025

Shooting fresh fruit

Liz and I went shopping for fruit the other day, and not in the way you're thinking. Did we go to the supermarket and load up on fruit? No way! This is California, baby! Instead, we drove around town, stopped at people's homes and picked the fruit from their trees.

December 31, 2024

The most important photo ever created

Today was tough because I'm a bit homesick. I miss the familiar sights and sounds that, unknowingly, have kept me comfortable for the past few decades. We are such creatures of habit that once we are out of our comfort zones we look for something to take its place. But I found solace and comfort in an unexpected place. It was in the most important photo ever created.

December 4, 2024

We have arrived in California

Great news! After months of house preparation in Massachusetts we sold our home of 24 years and headed west. It was a hell of a process, but we did it. Thankfully, Liz is an incredible organizer and ran the whole project (and me) the way she runs her consulting work—like a boss!

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