NaturePhotoWeekend

Nature or nurture is a false choice, because most human behaviors and habits and talents are a mix of both.

This is certainly true of photographic expression or other creative passions. You are born with it or not; you nurture what you have, or not. You can or can’t color inside the lines early on; your horses look vaguely like horses or they look like Polish sausages on toothpicks. Genes do matter.

But there is not a one of us who cannot with study and practice and direction and passion sharpen our vision–whatever form it takes– and learn to better use what light we’re given to produce works of beauty and meaning. It may be for our enjoyment and edification only that we grow our drive and strive to create. We may or may not want to share, but mostly, we do, truth be known. It’s the way we’re made. Look, Jane, Look! were the first words I learned to read, and I’ve been asking others to LOOK now for many, many years.

And herein lies the reason you might be considering attending a photo-weekend workshop with me. I might have been down some of the trails you think or feel are right for you–as a photographer, writer, naturalist or steward of the planet. I am an eager teacher of those who genuinely want to grow in these ways, in whatever means my years as a classroom teacher might have provided me.

You’ll have to decide if you and I are a good fit for a few hours together–in woods or mountains, over a pot or bottle of a beverage of choice, or at the computer comparing notes on your photos or mine.

I’ll try to provide you with enough information about who I am and what I have been about to help you decide about signing up for a weekend event. Find various information and links on a bio page here; explore gallery links to SmugMug and Flickr. If you have questions or want to know more, leave a comment or drop me an email over at gmail. I’m fred1st

The next Appalachian Nature and Light Photo Field Trip is in April 2009. Watch this page at Claiborne House for details.