Seton Droppers' photostream  

I have been taking pictures for over 40 years, as far as I can tell. My first pictures were taken on an old Kodak Brownie 620 box camera. By Earth Day 1970 I had advanced to the point where I borrowed my father’s Kodak 620 folding camera for my first “project”. I seem to remember more double exposures than good pictures, the most useful result being the realization that I wanted to take pictures. (I don’t think I really ever returned the camera, by that time my father was using a Kodak 35mm camera that my Mother’s father had used many years before.)

Since that time I find myself going back again and again to taking pictures. I don’t have “formal” photographic or artistic training, just some informal printing instruction from a friend making money taking pictures, a photography course as part of my bachelors degree (in computer science), and a community education course on “taking better pictures”. The big “problem”? I keep getting “caught” taking pictures. During the fall of 2007 I was studying for a work related professional certification. More than one Saturday or Sunday afternoon my short break for a walk or bit of fresh air was extended to two or three hours as I found myself working to get that “special” shot. I now realize I cannot avoid the photography. (And just to make sure my wife and my boss don’t get scared: I achieved the certification and enjoy using those new skills and knowledge in my day-to-day work life.) The great thing is I am equally caught up in my work and photo projects.

As for “style” I am not quite sure what to say. While I enjoy taking “event” pictures of the groups I participate in, my true passion is in pictures with a different point-of-view, be that perspective, juxtaposition, focus, or content – what this means as a formal style or statement is a bit unclear to me, and I hope to be exploring this in the near future. And, I love pictures I can “fall into”, larger format work with rich tones, colors and engaging content.

As I write this (Spring, 2008) I am in transition: I am working to formalize my photographic endeavors, moving from the “family snap-shooter” to “serious photographer”. For those of you here on Flickr come join the fun! I hope to formalize a body of serious work and continue to enjoy the social interaction of taking and sharing pictures with all of you.