“Covered Bridge of Stanislaus County”
Winner, Best in Show – Photography 2009
Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance “Business Supports the Arts” Juried Exhibition & Sale.
Built in 1863, this is the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi, located just outside of Modesto CA. That’s me at the far end!
“Drive-in”
I borrowed this 1953 Buick from a friend and brought it everywhere I could in Southern California to get the perfect shot. When I came across this abandoned drive-in, I knew that I had found a great location.
“God and My Country”
My friend in this picture had been in the Navy and agreed to pose for me at the National Cemetery in Los Angeles.
In order to capture the ghostly feel I used infrared film instead of standard black-and-white. I had done my senior thesis on the uses of infrared film and experimented with it extensively. By carefully positioning the model’s head I was able to use the sun to blank out his features.
It is important to note that this picture was taken in 1994, well before digital photography and retouching were as commonly used as they are today. This was taken with a manual camera, film and natural lighting. No Photoshop at all!
“The General Store on Main Street”
Conversely, this image started as a traditionial color photograph, taken on an early fall morning in Newtown Connecticut.
The effect was created with a computer program designed to allow artists to create freehand electronic drawings that mimic watercolors, charcoal, oil on canvas and other styles. I scanned in my original picture and used it as a template, “painting” over it with a stylus and tablet. By utilizing various textures I created the effect you see here.
“The Broom Shop”
On a summer vacation a few years ago we ended up walking through the 19th century industrial village of Furnacetown, Maryland, which is now a preserved state park. It is a “living heritage museum”, complete with demonstrations by a weaver, a blacksmith and a woodworker. And of course, there is a broom shop.