I got started doing photography when…

… my grandfather gave me a Brownie Starmite camera on my seventh birthday. I put more rolls of 127 film through that camera (I still have it) than I can count. With that gift, I was basically hooked. I took my father’s Kodak Flash Bantam camera on my first trip to France when I was 16, and overexposed about 10 rolls of the now-discontinued 828 Kodachrome, but salvaged a few pictures and a lot of great memories.

Black and white kiss

Dylan and Michele, circa 2008.

When I went to college and began photojournalism classes at Indiana University, I purchased my first 35mm camera, a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s rangefinder, and used it for many years until I lost it in the Atlanta airport in the early 80s. Today, I shoot with a variety of cameras, my main one being a Canon t6i until Spring or 2023 when it finally died. I now shoot with a Canon EOS R. Canon, along with my trusty Rolleicord, have accompanied me to France five times so far.

The photos here are just some examples of shots from Paris, the Cote d’Azur, Chicago and other locales. Most, but not all were shot digitally, and some are even iPhone pictures, which shouldn’t really be surprising, since the iPhone has all but replaced point-and-shoot cameras.

I welcome comments, critique and other feedback. Just use the form on my contact page.

Paris Street

December 2015

Rue de Rivoli, Paris, November 2021

Homeless Parisian man

Young woman near the Louvre

In a cafe in St. Jean-Cap Ferrat

This odd juxtaposition of people in a cafe was sort of a happy accident. The nuns, the baby, the architectural detail suggesting a cross and the indifferent woman in sunglasses were just there, and I hit the shutter at the right time. Taken with an iPhone 7 Plus.

On the Promenade

Promenade des Anglais, Nice, June 2018

Cemetery in Snow

Coffee by the Quai, Nice, 2018

Sun setting behind the Chateau de Nice

The view from 52. Chicago, June 2017

Chicago Avenue Bridge House, 2017

Old woman on the Avenue de l'Opera, December 2015

Eiffel Tower and carousel, Jardins du Trocadéro

Self portrait, December 2021

I was set up to take some headshots for the theatre where I work, and I asked my daughter to hit the shutter a few times with me in front of the camera. This is one of the results.

Rachel Raska

Headshot for our June 2019 Comedy 101 class.

Goth Couple, Minneapolis, May 2017

Rodney

Waiting by the sea

Woman mailing a letter, Paris, December 2016

Lincoln Park Tunnel

Young actor in "Aladdin, Jr."

Scenic designer/painter Jeff Barrick

On the road, Roya Valley, France

On a Sunday I drove east to Ventimiglia in Italy, and followed the Roya River north as it winds its way back into France, in the Alpes-Maritime. The Mini-Cooper I rented for the week was a dream for getting around in and out of the cities. There was much more to see along the river valley, so it definitely merits a return trip.