Over the course of 1971 to 1976 I experienced a dozen LSD trips. These opened me up to the use of alchemy in creating music, films, and paintings. In 1977, I was attending film school and discovering many excellent artist of photography. I researched cameras and came up with the Contax 35mm camera with a Zeiss lens. I bought one at the end of that year and began carrying it everywhere. In 1979, I created a darkroom in my home. I used this camera exclusively until 1998 when I bought a Mamiya RZ67, a medium format camera. With this camera I transitioned to color film and continued to use it until 2013 when I began playing with digital cameras and more expansive Photoshop manipulations.

While I have a BA in film and majored in music for number of years I am largely self taught in even these arenas. Certainly I have never had a photography course or workshop. I did buy and read many books on darkroom techniques.

My most memorable shot from my first roll of film was a shot of a young man on Wabash. While the background was in focus the man's face had moved during the shot. I discovered the beauty of exploring the edges of what a camera can do. I later discovered Lartigue and played with this more.

A Canon OES 5Ds digital camera with a Sigma 35mm lens. I also use a radio controlled remote flash for some of my work. And Photoshop CS6.

I want the discovery/creations I've uncovered to be seen. I want the alchemical process to be understood.

Anyone who has loved something they've seen and told me so has both touched and inspired me. My work/play wants to be seen and I support that want in them.

This question takes me back to LSD. Human multidimensionality made manifest.

Multidimensional. Unconscious. Surreal.

It means wider exposure and another notch on my resume.

My landscape work represents a minority of what I do and is therefor less public. The landscape category at the 2021 Muse Awards just spoke to me. Landscape photography tends to be realistic oriented, but it seemed to me that Muse could grok my alternate approach to landscape and nature.

To early to tell.

Certainly I enjoyed some mentoring in my music and film training. I was nearly 23 when I started into photography. I would say I simply went my own way.

Forget about trying. Just play and play some more. Play is the best way to learn and the best way to invite alchemy and its wonderful outcomes: surprise, synchronicity and serendipity.

Passion. I love to play with light and imagery. Parting words of wisdom: drill down deep and get past the 10,000 hour mark.

New information and knowledge that knocks on my door again and again and again will get my attention. For example: when I discover via play a new technique I do not write it down. I seek to forget it and have the delight of discovering it via play once more. After a few times I can't forget it anymore and it becomes an arrow in my quiver. Play and discovery trumps deliberate acquisition.

I have already passed Muse on to friends, but do not wish to name them here.

If you can get them: Matt Mahurin, who is well known in photography and illustration circles, and David LaChapelle. I would also consider being a judge. My email is ch33@runbox.com.

Thank you, Muse Photography Awards.