Crimson and Clover

A Rocky Abyss

Redwood in Shadow

Eyes Pried Shut

Ah, the golden age of photography, when everyone shot on film and you wouldn't know for days or weeks if your photos turned out. Here I am at the Golden Gate Bridge in 1998, where a kind person stopped to take my picture, sensing somehow I was a tourist. Sadly, I closed my eyes and ruined what would otherwise have been a perfectly decent vacation snap.

Fortunately, the fellow had me pose for another, better image. 

Muir Woods Tree

During the closing days of World War II, the United Nations charter was signed in San Francisco. President Roosevelt didn't live long enough to see the charter signed, so the delegates travelled north, to Muir Woods, for a ceremony honouring the man. Muir Woods is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been; it makes me wish I were a better photographer. I think I've improved since 1998, though, and I think I could do a better job today. 

Observing a Goat in Montana

On a trip through the northwestern United States in either 1983 or 1986, I shot this photo of tourists observing a goat at a national park in Montana. I was using my first camera, a Kodak that used 110 film. That little camera didn't have a lot of creative options - it was essentially a point and shoot - I think the composition is decent enough.

As we were leaving, we were briefly scrutinized by Secret Service agents because we passed very close to Vice President Bush's limo, who for some reason was visiting the park at the same time. We did not see the man himself, however; just his vehicle, with dark windows opaque to curious passers-by. "Observing a Bush in Montana" may have made a more interesting photo.

LATE UPDATE!
According to Mom, this photo was taken at Glacier Park, and I drove from High River to the US border in our old (well, pretty new then) Corolla hatchback. Our journey continued through Spokane and Seattle. When Mom and Dad went to San Francisco a few months ago they returned via Montana and walked up this same trail.

"The goats are still there. The walk was much harder 25 years later!"

Alcatravesty

In 1998 I travelled to San Francisco and shot this truly dreadful photo of Alcatraz. If you can't make it out through the haze and scratches, Alcatraz is the dark, flattened blob at lower left. I don't think even Photoshop could improve this misfire terribly much.

I scanned the original colour negative with my CanoScan, which normally produces excellent results. But you can't make an Ansel Adams out of a...an Earl J. Woods, I guess.