Leonard Vernon 1918-2007

I learned today that my dear friend and patron Leonard Vernon passed away Friday.

The last time I spoke to Leonard was back in the Spring and his voice was full of happiness and excitement. His remark that he was busier than ever led me to believe that he was going to be very busy for quite some time.

So needless to say I was shocked when I got the email from my friend Jim Stern that he saw it in the LA Times obit section. Why Jim reads that is beyond me, but thank goodness he does.

Leonard and his late wife Marjorie have one of the most recognized collections of photography. They've loaned their collection to most every important museum in America and overseas. Heavy in the modernist side,especially Western landscapes, the collection has some of the pristine examples of works by Weston,Adams,Strand,Cunningham and Watkins.

Along with the Pages, the Vernons were the first of my "big" time collectors-patrons. I think there are close to 40 photographs of mine in their collection.

I will miss you my dear friend.

Rest in Peace and give Marjorie a big hug for me.

Attempting Summer

Paris, 7th District, 2006

View of Venice rooftops, Ca' Pisani Hotel, Italy 2006

Do you ever wonder why it is that summer flies by so fast ?

Here we are into the second week of July and I have yet to make a serious effort into printing my work from September's foray in Europe.

All the negs are done with the exception of half a dozen or so rolls . From what I've seen , the group has potential.

But what sticks to me most, at least so far, are the Polaroids I made.

These are Type 667 material, so they are archival and stable.

I love working with my old folder. Its now part of the Tuscan landfill as it died while I was shooting in San Geminiano. I will always regret not being able to use the vintage packs of Polacolor that I had taken along. Then again we will be back sometime in the Fall......so maybe this time my new camera will last a bit longer.

Spring 1997 New York

Spring 2002

All Things Spring

Its the last day of March and all the harbingers are present.
The sun feels wonderful .
I missed this version of him.
Perhaps I can get through this Spring without the assistance of over-the-counter medication.
I'm almost positive I saw a chipmunk sneeze yesterday.

Maine 1999 8x10in. Palladium print




4th of July at Jim & Judy's , NY 1999 8x10 in. Silver gelatin contact print




Claudia and Mandy, Sheffield 1998 11x14 in. Silver gelatin contact print





Oregon 1995 12x20 in. Silver gelatin contact print






Claudia & Mandy, Summer, Chatham,NY 2004 8x10 silver gelatin contact print






Paris 2006 6x9 cm. Palladium print




Little Farms,Kinderhook, NY 2005 5x7in. Platinum-Palladium contact print





February Exhibit




Its been a few months since I last updated my blog so I thought I'd start off by adding a group of photographs that I've been looking at these past few days as I contemplate warmer weather.

Most of these exude a feeling of warmth and the luxurious radiance that only Summer light gives off.

Maine, 1999 was taken near the cliffs of Ogunquit, a place that is like no other. This humble porch and how it is juxtaposed against the infinite breath of the Atlantic is what my soul is yearning for ....a personal portal to step into.

The portrait of mother and daughter is a bit of a tribute to Caravaggio and Vermeer. I love the way skin glows during a late afternoon in July- this is what an 8x10 contact print does so well......there is both immediacy and tenderness.


Thanks for stopping by.