It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. How true that is…
I have walked in the forest, in the desert, on the seashore—each time amazed, overwhelmed, and humbled by the grandeur and beauty of this precious Earth we call home. Peace and quiet, broken only by the soft rustle of Earth’s voice. Or thunder, crashing waves, and wind screaming and rushing in a frenzied torrent. This marvelous Earth is a gift I must share.
Shortly after college graduation, I embarked on a lifelong ambition to hike the Appalachian Trail. It stretches over 2,100 miles through the eastern states from Georgia to Maine. My trusty companion for the journey was a new Pentax K1000 film camera. I didn’t want to forget even one minute of this grand adventure. For six months I was surrounded by nature—a guest of the forest and field. There were more animals than people—deer, fox, bear, woodchuck, a rattlesnake, and a moose! I was a visitor in their world, and I felt privileged. Every sunrise, every sunset, every breathtaking panorama along the way gave new meaning to the words “America the beautiful.” I am proud to say that I number among the ten percent of hikers who actually make it all the way from end to end.
Quite recently, I hiked a mile into Death Valley before dawn. Alone, among the sand dunes, in that half-light before the sun’s first ray breaks the horizon, one can truly appreciate the meaning of “vast.” The arid desert is a far cry from the succulent forest. I drink it all in and want to bring it home with me—to share it with you.
How do I begin to capture the awesome and wild beauty in nature’s three dimensions and render it as one dimension? This is why I make photographs. My camera is an extension of my soul. My eye is one with the lens. Together we capture memories that are priceless.