I am originally from Connecticut, but took a year’s leave of absence from my teaching job there (19+ years ago) to come to Israel and teach. I ended up meeting my wife, also American, and have worked as a learning disabilities teacher at the American International School during this duration. I maintain a garden, grow sprouts to juice (sunflower and pea), and try to eat smart. I also mountain bike as much as I can.
I began photographing at an early age because I loved art and was unable to draw the beauty that surrounded me. I took my first camera course from the late Fred Picker, and seeing his amazing personal collection of images, sent shivers down my spine. I started going frequently to shows and buying photographic books that inspired me. I found that I literally received a visceral shock to my system when I viewed certain photographs and must have had some type of endorphin high that caused me come back for more. Over the years I have attended some workshops to learn skills I find are better learned with a master. Some people who have helped me have been Bruce Barnbaum, Don Kirby, Tillman Crane, Craig Stevens and Lucy Johnson. Of course, one of my major inspirations comes every few months from Lenswork which is such a superb publication (I get the CD) and the interviews are inspiring.Yet, it is the reading, the doing, the mistake making, the re-doing, and the plain luck of it all that really ends off making a great photo.
I live here in with my wife, who is a clarinetist and an amazing teacher. Her recordings can be heard at:www.leonarda.com It is an “interesting” place in the world at times affording amazing photographic opportunities, while at others being a bit too “hot” to really venture out into the back country. I am fortunate that I get to travel, and live for those times as seeing new places is like an infusion of life to me. There is still so much beauty to be found in this world, and if we can just learn to lessen our indelible imprint, then future generations will be able to experience the wonderment that we are still being afforded.
Please note that I do keep a non-photographic blog though every now and then, photos appear on it. Some ramblings, rants, impressions, workout stats, updates, poetry, and messages to the world. You can check this out at lostroads.blogspot.com.
Finally, I do believe that we all have to give back. There are many great organizations in which to give, and one that I keep coming back to is Oxfam International. Here is their website: oxfam.org Another wonderful organization is Bishvilaych (which means in Hebrew "For You"). This is a Woman to Woman Health Center and an organization that my wife is ever so fortunate to have discovered. I am adding their site as well: www.bishvilaych.org