I was born on Eglin Air Force Base in 1953. Dad was transferred so often that wanderlust captivated my imagination at an early age. However, each duty station had a civilian teacher urging me to stand before class; reluctant to be introduced as the new target! During the sixth grade introduction I realized Moms' insistence on dwelling among civilians provided different regional lifestyles. Kids my age out-drawing black-hatted outlaws; capturing enemy soldiers; hitting ninth inning home runs, I travel our back yard poking holes in the ground with a stick to plant imaginary apple seeds. My hero Johnny would be proud...Mom? Her Beauty, Kentucky twang yet echoes, "Boy! You are one weird sumbuck!”
The moment before graduation in 1971 from Ft Madison High,"I'm going to be a poet" slipped out of my head to Her ear, the anticipated tirade explosion only a fizzle."Boy, I give you a beginning and an ending; sure hope you can fill in the middle!"
The middle? Drifting through a decade supposedly gathering experiences worthy of creating word images, only finding myself wishing for a camera. Purchased a used Nikon EM with two lenses in 1983. I heard a whisper while looking at the first developed roll film. I have carried a camera with me since. My wife at times complained about the camera causing our six kids to sit shoulder to shoulder. Other times she jokingly(?) said "your hands shake more when unzipping the camera bag than my dress!"
My photography education consists of reading books. Studying real photographers' images; paying attention to television scenes; and exposing many rolls of film, which admittedly provided many "what not to do" moments! I confess, no assignment deadlines; clients to please prompt any of my images. Scenes provided to my eye, are my focus.
In 2001 a co-worker loaned me his digital Nikon, which regulated my film Nikons to be displayed on shelves.Prior to this, my outlook was "Digital isn't real photography!"
In 2024 during a hospital visit with me, my eldest son asked why I hadn't tried to sell my images over the years. I informed him the images were for me to relive memories. Playing with a camera was fun and the thought of selling images wasn't in play. He retorted "You should share them." Why? Grandma is right, you are one weird sumbuk!
Don't have the heart to inform him of seeds not falling far from the tree.
weird sumbuk aka John Moore
