I'm in the Army stationed in Korea, it's 1967 and I find myself in the club drinking on my off time. Realization sets in that I need a hobby.  Why not photography, so off to the PX, where I purchase a Yashika twin lens with a 35mm adapter. It didn't take long to realize I also needed a light meter. So  shot my first roll of 120 black and white and went to the photo lab and ask how do I develop and print pictures. Like to never got the hang of rolling film onto a reel in the dark without messing it up.

From there to the alps of Germany where we had a more modern darkroom and great german lab tech who taught me about papers and how to enhance my photos.  The wonderful scenery of Germany and ajoining counries led me to some geat shots and the purchase of lens attachments. Before leaving I bought my own dark room equipment.

!973 finds me in El Paso, Texas and a place for my darkroom. Even did a few giant enlargments, shinning the enlarger on the wall and sponge devloping. Boy, is that ever scary the first time! Somewhere along the way my boy's grew up and he army found ways to keep me away from home and photography fell by the wayside except for family events with a point and shoot.

Enter the new millenium and digital cameras. After some study, I purchased a Canon Rebel. I tried reading and undrstanding the manual and got lost. So, just started shooting and tryng the different modes, then back to the manual if I had questions. Even enrolled in a couple of Continueing Education Classes on Digital Photography where I learned more about Photoshop than my camera, guess that's a good thing.

An up and comming trip to Colorado and Yellowstone prompted me to purchase the Rebel XT and a 200mm zoom lens. That trip really got me back into the hobby. I decided I wanted some winter shots of Wyoming and booked a snowmobie trip into Yellowstone, of course I bought another lens. Then this year the Alaskan Photo Safari under the leadership and tutilage of Wayde Carroll has to be the highlight.

I have entered several photo contests, even a juried one and have come away with some ribbons and bragging rights. So, my motto: If it make you happy, do it"