Poetry By Dead Men

In “full confession” mode, I’m here to tell you I have nothing new to offer. I have not made a single image since the Before Times. That’s more than three years without loading the camera, finding the scenes, composing the image, and tripping the shutter. It is a dissatisfying mental place to be, but I just haven’t wanted to create any images.

So from this melancholic zone, I’m reaching into my box of treasures to offer you some images from those whose work has inspired me, and from whom we will be seeing no new images. I’ll try to have some new images for y’all next time around.

Chuck HolznerBoris on Scrubber Deck

This is part of their joint work from Bremo power station. Here, Chuck is using my TL120-55 camera, to capture Boris (with his trusty Spud) dazzling us with his laser eye. Chuck passed away in 2014. I understand that Bremo will be gone by the end of 2022.

Matt NeimaAlbion Falls

After we had been communicating about equipment, and mounting techniques, Matt sent me this image, asking “How’d I do?” Then he told me it was mine to have! Exposure? Excellent. Composition? Excellent. Mounting? Excellent. I’m pleased every time I view it. Matt passed away in 2016.

Don LoppMt Rainier

I was first exposed to Don’s work when Paul Talbot solicited some slides and sent them (and a viewer) to me to check out. It was the classic case of, “Your first hit’s free”. One hit and I was hooked. In the subsequent years, Don was generous with his help, advice, and art. This example is the most “Loppish” of the few images I have of his. Don passed away in 2019. As far as I know, Mt Rainier still stands.

David LeeYosemite Fall

David was noted (at least by me) for his work with hyper stereo images. He worked hard for his images, and those images are arresting. He offered NSA workshops where he freely shared his techniques, but his images were a testament that technique alone is insufficient. I miss my infrequent communication with David, who passed away in 2015