Mountain Pond

Date: June 25, 2011
Medium: Acrylic
Description: This was my first painting without reference material.

Taylor's Bridge, Idaho Falls, ID

Date: October 14, 2009
Medium: Acrylic
Description: Based on the Taylor's Bridge replica found in downtown Idaho Falls, ID. This bridge is the reason Idaho Falls is where it is today. If this bridge had not been built, the city most likely would have grown up around the ferry site about nine miles upstream.

First Acrylic- Bob Ross Style

Date: September 2009
Medium: Acrylic
Description: This is my first real attempt at an acrylic painting, based on an oil painting by Bob Ross as part of this "Joy of Painting" series on PBS.

Lessons learned from a point-and-shoot camera

Ever since I knew they existed, I have wanted a Digital SLR camera. I just have. Nothing against compact point-and-shoot cameras, but they just don't give me the control that I want when taking pictures or shooting video.

I am a third generation amateur photographer. My grandfather shot black and white film and developed it himself late at night for the want of a dark room. My father bridged the gap to color film, and finally to digital. My interests (which are primarily in video) rely heavily on that foundation of photography for training in light, exposure, and composition.

About a year ago my wife and I went shopping to get a camera for me to shoot videos with, knowing our budget wouldn't permit a DSLR I found what I thought was a suitable replacement. While I was able to shoot video and make a few short films, it didn't give me nearly the control I was looking for. I wanted to stylize my video, but the camera wouldn't allow me to do so. It was then that I came to a startling realization.