My start in photography was odd. For years I never really paid much attention to photography. I was camera shy and not the type to 'document' trips or family gatherings, preferring to keep them in my mind's eye. In terms of the visual arts, I was (and am) a huge fan of painting, drawing and sculpture, particularly 'representative' art, (art that depicts things in reality); Rembrandt, the Pre-Raphaelites, Klimpt, Franz Von Stuck, even Tamara de Lempicka and Picasso. For a long time, I actually held the view that photography was a 'sub-creative' medium.

Don't get me wrong - I owned a camera! An old Pentax Program Plus 35mm I bought from a friend in the mid 90's. But aside from taking pictures of my beautiful girlfriends, I never messed with it much, and when it broke, I really didn't miss it. (Looking back now, I think getting film developed was such a pain in the a** back then it stifled my creative urge).

Then in July of '05, I bought my first digital camera, mostly for the purpose of selling things on eBay. One day I was playing a gig (as a musician - www.davebass.com) and met a beautiful singer with a lovely voice. When she handed me her card, I was struck by just how awful it was. It didn't do her justice at all. The picture was tiny and blurred and didn't convey her lively, vibrant personality. Without thinking I blurted out, "I can do better than THAT!"

Much to my surprise, she took me up on it. I was hooked! Soon I was shooting everything and everyone - headshots, creative portraits, swimsuits, nudes, athletes, musicians, nature, architecture, babies, pets.... My inner 'eye' was awakening and I realized how naturally visual I always was. (having memories back to 18 mo. old, or so I'm told)!

I started with no formal training, relying completely on Gut, Intuition, Imagination, Inspiration, Vision.... I 'feel' a picture more than think about it. My early work attracted the attention of a mentor, who said I had a great natural gift and showed me some technical things. My uncle was an accomplished portrait photographer for years as well, and taught me some things too. I started devouring reading on the subject and compiling more equipment. Even now though, I still rely on 'feeling' my shots and know when I am in the 'zone'.

What moves me about photography is the ability to capture the essence of something, particularly human emotion. When done correctly, photography can capture the 'person behind the mask.' When a photographer works well with a subject, they allow the subject to simply 'be' without superimposing phony poses and moods on them. The result is the capturing of real feeling, real personality, real shape and form. This is what interests me.

In truth, I am a sociologist with a lens. As long as I can remember I have been observing people, mostly from a distance; on solitary walks, from the outskirts of crowds, in shops and diners, on my gigs.... You can 'see' a lot when you allow yourself to really observe.

Now I want to go 'backwards' and buy a film camera and develop my own pics! Funny how this works, isn't it?

Enjoy,

Dave