What I do for a living:

I am Computer Engineer and Technology Leader for AT&T. My work experience covers Internet Services, Digital TV, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Cloud and Network architectures, and AI services during my 37+ years with the company. Building computers and services for my family, friends and myself is another passion. I have been a speaker and coordinator for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) for several years speaking on post production topics. I am the holder of 60+ patents on Internet, Digital TV and virtual reality applications and  I’m still working.

How I got started in photography:

When I was 10 years old, I began shooting pictures with a Pentax Spotmatic 2. I had no idea of my subjects, composition, etc. I just wanted to take pictures.

In high school, while studying physics, I came across a quote by Albert Einstein:

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

I wondered about that, and I thought hard on it. When I saw the word nature, I immediately thought of wildlife, flowers, the forest, you know, the basics. I also realized the beauty of physics and mathematics. How nature applies math in architecting, in trees, plants, shells, microbes, everything around me. Everything I saw in nature, had roots in mathematics.

The sea and shore were also a tremendous influence on me. Growing up on Long Island, I spent a lot of time at the shore, watch shore birds, swimming in the ocean, combing the beaches and observing all the wildlife there. Another major influencer for me was Jacques Cousteau who said:

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

It’s true. I was amazed at what I could see. It was like visiting another planet. I enjoyed it so much that I took SCUBA instruction and received my PADI SCUBA Certification before my senior year of high school ended. I was then able to expand my world to include life in the sea as well.

With no formal photographic training I went out with my camera whenever I could. I took my own field trips to local parks, wooded areas, and shorelines, snapping pictures, just to see what I could capture.

About 15 years ago, living here in Georgia, I joined the Georgia Nature Photography Association and my world changed. I have teachers, mentors, friends with like interests.

I no longer just trying to capture nature but also nature’s moments in time. The story of nature. Examples where nature exhibits its unique behaviors in context. I’m happy to say, I still am and I always will be learning the art of photography. I’m lucky to have photographic friends who guide me along this now lifelong journey and a wife who understands my obsession.

Today I enjoy a wide range of nature photography: macro, insects, flowers, wildlife, landscapes, and more recently, astrophotography. Nature videography is now a new addition to my arsenal. This opens up more worlds to me. Ways of finding nature and watching in action and share with others. I am always trying to learn, always grateful that I can discard images that are unacceptable (thanks to digital photography!). I am always exploring new techniques and new processing methods too.

I currently sit on the board of the Georgia Nature Photography Association where I am in charge of coordinating photography webinars for the club. I manage video production and post-production for the webinars and manage the video library for the club.

I live in Alpharetta, Georgia with my wife, 3 cats and all the nature our backyard provides.