When I retired in 1994, I bought a used manual 35mm Canon camera, took a Junior College Class and joined the Santa Rosa Photographic Society. I found a 20 mm lens at a garage sale for more money than I paid for my camera and two lenses and started discovering the compelling alure of taking pictures. Enriched by the solitude and beauty afforded by wilderness areas near my home, though initially nature deprived, nature photography became a passion as enriching as my efforts expended for environmental concerns or empowering the disenfranchised and promoting social justice here and in Asia as a Maryknoll Affiliate. This year, I was awarded second place and first place in Color and Overall Best of Show (740 entries) in Photography at the prestigious Marin County Fair and have qualified for the Photographic Society of America's annual competition (Group A).In 2001, I placed First and Fourth in PSA's annual competiton (Group B).In 2002, I was awarded Pictorial Slide of the Year by the Northern California Council of Camera Clubs. I've won Sonoma-Marin County Fairs' Best of Show competition three times and also that of the Rohnert Park Association for the Arts. Photographer's Forum's Annual Spring contest (19,000 to 26,000 entries) has awarded me Honorable Mentions for 3 of the past 4 years. I've donated photographs to worthy causes and sold to friends. I've been encouraged to try to market my work.
