I present "Just Passing Through" to the viewer as a collection of observations, images, music, stories, smiles and sorrows that span sixty years of this life, my life making pictures. My vision of this world is unique unto me. In the early years , I did not question our relationship. Photography was the only thing in my life that was entirely mine. I did not feel that it was required or necessary to show my work. To be honest, I did not give it much thought.. I gave no thought to teaching photography to anybody. Besides, I didn't know anything about anything. I knew a wee bit and I was driven to learn more. A string of young interns through our Freer & Sackler photo studio at the Smithsonian told me that I enjoyed teaching and engaging with students. At that time, I had studied Photo Science and was in possessed quite a bit of knowledge of film and film photography I understood how mastery a craft could augment and sharpen the meaning of a fine image. My excitement with the process was contagious. That a few young and curious minds in every class I taught at this little community college could want this was bewildering to me. I could tailer the lessons to varying degrees of interest. I really liked teaching a subject that I truley loved.
During this time the value and importance of presentation. Showing work in a publivc space was for me the final step in my creative process. I presented new, fresh work at every faculty show over 2o years. I managed to drop a print into an international show in Soul, South Korea.
Years later when I started to teach to teach college level photography courses, I understood that a reassessment was necessary. I require students to show new work. As a teaching, working artist I felt obligated to show new work of my own to students and colleagues. It was a matter of integrity.
This document is a testimony to my having passed through this place.
Treat each other well. Work hard at the art of being yourself. No one is exactly like you. Your perspective, vision, and the meaning that they create is unique to you. Cherish the difference.
