I love talking with photographers who have been in the field for years and it's always exciting to gain some insight into what it's really like. I got the awesome opportunity to chat with Photogofer about his journey through photography and pick his brain to learn about how he's adapting to new technology, girls, and motorcycles. This guy is awesome...seriously.

Where are you from and how do you think it has affected the way you are and the type of work that you do?

I'm pretty much an Oregon native except for being born in Seattle.  My Father grew up in Silverton, Oregon and when I was a year old, my parents move back to Silverton. I'm not sure if being a native of the Northwest had any real affect on my photography unless it is the relaxed laid back life style of the Northwest. I'm pretty mellow and I think it helps in working with models.  Except for my 6 years in the Navy, I've always lived in Oregon or Washington.

My father probably got me started by setting up a small simple home darkroom when I was a kid. We had no real training and just a simple box camera. We had lots of fun though and it sparked enough interest for me to pursue Photography when I joined the Navy out of High School in 1962.  I guess I've always been artistic, my dad was a pretty good artist, but I didn't really know I was until I started working in Photography in the Navy.

After 6 years active duty and an honorable discharge, I wandered into the Skagit Valley Herald in Mt Vernon, Washington to hopefully chat with their photographer about possible work in the area. Much to my luck, their photographer gave notice the same morning and I started working the next day. I worked there for 8 years and 20 years at the Bellingham Herald after that. Followed by 11 years at the Statesman Journal in Salem. My work at the Statesman was not as a photographer but as an imaging tech. (mostly Photoshop for the photo staff)

You mention that you were a photojournalist for 40+ years, what was that experience like?

Being a Photojournalist (news photographer) was a great way to make a living. Not the best pay but quite rewarding.  I liked the fast pace and daily deadlines. Sometimes hourly deadlines. Also the variety. As I always said, "fashion to football and everything in between". A great way to stick your nose into everyones business and get paid for it too. 

A photojournalist has the honor of doing things most people never have an opportunity to experience.

Everything from covering the visit of Queen Elizabeth in Victoria, BC to following the Seahawks up and down the sidelines to riding in an open cockpit biplane during aerobatics.  Too many experiences to cover here, and many good times. I'm still talking on Facebook with a man who remembers me photographing him in High School in the early '70s.  Many long time friends.

I don't really know if photojournalism is the reason but being patient and open minded are big lessons. It also makes you think about how to get things accomplished outside the normal way of thinking.  Your job is to get coverage of an event that some times is not easy to get to or get access to.  You can't just go back and say "I couldn't get there or get in".  Probably the best life lesson is learning to work with and get along with all kinds of people.

I started photographing women very early in my photographic career. When I was still in the Navy I started experimenting with photographing women. Mostly just portraits, I was much to shy to go beyond that.  The idea of photographing a woman nude was way beyond my self confidence at the time.  But, even my early portraits were often very soft and sensual.  I must have had a natural eye for beauty. My first nudes were much later while working in Mt Vernon for the Newspaper there. I had been working with models quite a lot and one of my models became a close friend and suggested it herself (much to my relief).

Once I lost my photographic virginity it became much easier to find models and as I gained confidence and skill, the models were much more willing to work with me.  I remember early on having a neighbor who was asking me about my "taking pictures of naked girls" I told him when I was ready I would show him the results.  I was very pleased when his comment when finally seeing my prints was "Wow, you are serious about this"  Certainly not what he was expecting.  I should add that my beginning text book for posing and lighting was Playboy. I would study my favorite shots and diagram them on paper for lighting then find one of my willing models and experiment until I felt I had the same effects.

One of the best things about my relationship with my wife is the fact that she is an artist whose favorite subject is the nude. When processing my photo shoots she will often look over the results and pick a few for herself to work from. She is also one of my best model recruiters. She has brought me many of my best models with the hope of having subjects for her art.

(see more of her art here)

When ever possible, I like to create a story line. It's probably the photojournalist in me, I like telling stories.  I like my sets to try to have a beginning and an end. Why would she take off her clothes? Well, here is the story, here is why.  Also, I like to have fun with my sets and I want the models to have fun and want to come back for more. When I'm really lucky, the models will have a story line in mind because after over 170 sets, I'm running out of ideas.  But, some how, I seem to come up with more ideas.

There have been lots of funny/interesting things but the most unusual are usually when shooting outdoors.  Like when were were on a remote country road and the model had just dropped her dress when a School bus came over the hill.  Or another shoot in the same area and wondering about the noise getting louder but nothing in sight. Then a huge Tractor Spray rig crests another hill coming down the field at us fairly fast (for a tractor).  And one I should probably not admit to, after driving about 15 miles to a shoot location with an out of state Zivity model and setting up my lights and props, NO CAMERA!!!!!!  I'm sure that has to be the most embarrassing moment in my entire photographic career.  We went back for the camera, went to a closer location and got something better than what I originally planned but still.

I'm not sure but I think I originally read something about Zivity in a magazine article just over 2 years ago. I don't remember which magazine but for some reason I'm thinking it might have been Playboy.

When not doing photos, I'm a bit of a collector. I'm a treasure hunter I guess. Garage sales, estate sales, thrift shops, Antique Malls, Antique Shows. I love them all.  I've been collecting vintage writing instruments for over 30 years and we have had two of our pens featured on the Antiques Road Show. I'm also a bit of a vintage camera collector (go figure). I look for items at estate sales and thrift stores to re-sell on Ebay or Craigslist.  I recently bought an old Kodak Retina camera for $8 and re-sold it on Ebay for $50 in less than an hour after listing it.  Vintage watches interest me also but I'm not as knowledgeable about them.  Still learning.

Ah yes, Motorcycles. My other non photographic passion.  I've been riding for around 50 years now. My current rides are a 1996 Honda Pacific Coast and a 1969 Montesa Cota trials bike.  The Honda is an 800cc sport touring bike and a bit on the rare side I think. Not many of them around.

The Montesa is the most recent addition to my addiction of vintage Spanish dirt bikes. I've had three Bultacos over the years and now two different Montesas.  I'm a member of a Motorcycle group called SMOG. "Spanish Motorcycle Owners Group"  I've also had a few different BMWs. When I was still employed, I rode my motorcycle to work every day so long that it didn't snow or have ice on the road.

The most obvious change to photography of course is Digital. For me, it's a good thing.  It took me a long time to be convinced that Digital could replace film but It's getting so good, it's hard to tell the difference sometimes.  

I still miss the pleasure of making a fine print in a darkroom but making a fine print from Digital is almost as rewarding and doesn't smell as much.  I think it is a bit of a loss for new photographers to not have the experience of working with film and a darkroom. Having that background makes you a better photographer in my opinion. It gives you a better understanding of the process of photography.  

Another advance in technology is the accuracy of auto exposure. Another good thing but again, students of photography should not rely on automation. You have to know the basics to achieve the effects you desire. Auto exposure can not read your mind, you need to control exposure, the balance of shutter speed and lens opening.

How are you adapting to all of these new changes in camera technology and the internet?

The new technology and the internet have given us all wide world exposure of our work. Everyone! Not just photographers. Another reason to do your best, everyone will see it. It's not just your photo album anymore, it's the world's and I'm sure it has made me a better photographer.

I love the challenge of producing a quality set of work.  Not just one or two nice photos but an entire set of 20 to 40+ images that you can be proud of.  Zivity give me that challenge every week.  It works my imagination and keeps me alert. Of course, getting recognition for your work is very rewarding. Be it votes or comments, it's nice to have the feedback. I think we all appreciate a pat on the back and Zivity gives us the opportunity to get those pats.  I think one of the most rewarding comments I've gotten from a few young photographers has been, "How do you get them to look at you like that?"

Probably my biggest challenge is my budget. I don't have a nice studio to work in, just my home and I can't go buy the newest and best lens or camera. But I like challenges, I like making it work with what I have.

That's a hard question, I'm always trying to answer that too.  Zivity is a little like a cross between Playboy and a good photography magazine on the internet. Yes, it celebrates the beauty of women but it also celebrates photography of women. It's a showcase for all of us want-to-be Playboy photographers and photo artists to exhibit our work and get a little feedback while doing it.