I was talking with friend and photo-buddy Bob Clark (http://roberthclarkphotography.com) a couple of days ago about things photographic. We both have times when we wonder what the heck are we doing out there. Just what are we making images of, why, and who cares anyway. We are both driven… compelled to make images. To satisfy our egos? God, I hope not! Are we just making pretty pictures? Again, god (or is that dog?), I hope not. There is no social commentary in either of our works. And often no overt sign of humans other than the extent to which we reveal ourselves through our images. Sometimes I think I just like to show people the cool stuff I found. But it has to be more than that. I can’t need affirmation that badly, can I?

I think of Minor White and his friend Paul Caponigro, both really powerful and influential photographers and superb craftsmen. Both of whom have had a significant influence on me forty some years ago. White conceptually through his teaching, and Caponigro through his images… they really expanded my ideas of what an image could be, and in a way that connected to my view of the world and to the photography I was doing at the time. Without question they are living in my images today.

A couple of points: Paul Caponigro, not John Paul Caponigro… Paul is John Paul’s father. And this is Dolly Sods Wilderness, one of the most extraordinary places in the Mid-Atlantic region.

28-90mm Leica Vario-Elmarit, Nikon 800e, Lr4, Ps CS6.