We first moved to Alaska in September of 1964, six months after the earthquake that devastated a large portion of the state. Even after all this time, there was still evidence even here in Anchorage of the destruction that was brought on in that few seconds of shaking ground. Afterschocks were still felt on almost a daily basis. Sometimes causing us to think about heading out of the buildings we were in. But after awhile we ingnored all but the largest of these.
We came to Alaska compliments of Uncle Sam. Dad was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base having been stationed in Georgia before that. It wasn't that much of a cultural shock as most Air Force Bases are the same, a community of it's own. In 1969 dad retired from the military after 27 years of service. Alaska was to become our permanent home.
Growing up in Alaska was like living in heaven as far as I was concerned. My love of the outdoors was fostered by the Boy Scouts and through that organization I was able to explore many wonderful areas of the state. It only wetted my appetite for more. Hiking, camping, fishing and hunting became my most favorite things to do. As time went by I was finally able explore more of Alaska on my own and with like minded friends. I couldn't get enough. Summer days, when I didn't have to work, were spent on the banks of a creek, river or on a lake fishing.
During the summer of 1974 I was able to combine those passions with earning a living. I spent that summer working in Prince William Sound as a Fish and Wildlife Protection Officer Aide. For several weeks I worked in the commercial fishing area surrounding Ester Island and in the Port Wells drainage. Since the commercial fishermen didn't fish on the weekends it enabled me to spend that time exploring the streams, lakes and tidal flats in those areas. To say the least, it was the most enjoyable summer I have ever had. Unlimited fishing and wildlife viewing in what was to me the most pristine area ever imaginable.
In 1989 all that changed. Prince William Sound was struck by the now infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill. I know the experts say that the oil is gone, but visiting one of the affected beaches and digging down a few inches will change your mind. Flying over the area a few months after the accident brought a lump to my throat. You could see the effect even from a commercial aircraft 5 miles up in the air. Even now you can see sheens from the oil in some places. Mother Nature will eventually clean it all up, but not in our lifetime.
Like many of those that grow up in Alaska I had to see what the "real world" was like. I moved to the Seattle area and eventually spent about 18 months in the San Francisco area. As I like to tell people, I spent 13 years trying to figure out how to get back to Alaska. But life got in the way. Finally in 1992 I returned to Alaska, settling on the Kenai Peninsula, home of the largest King Salmon in the world.
I left the Anchorage area 20 years ago and wanted to never live there again. To many people and to big of a city. That's why I had left Washington and California. But again life got in the way. A promotion required that I once again return to the town I grew up in. So I ended up back in Anchorage. But that wasn't the end of it. Work then required that I leave my beloved state and return to the Pacific Northwest. So once again for a short time Washington state was home.
But I have once again returned to Alaska to make it my permenant home. The wildlife, scenery, and slower pace of life has called me back to again fish the lakes, streams, and rivers and photograph the wonders of Alaska's nature.
It didn't take me long to go from the 126 point and shoot camera I grew up with to a 35mm Argus that my father gave me to use. It had served him well when we were stationed in Europe with the military and my first slides with it had me hooked. Before long I was using a Mamiya/Sekor that a friend who worked at a camera repair shop gave me. I added a longer lens, a tripod and several more accessories. My outfit was growing. I read all the photo magazines and studied the work of several professional photographers. I went to photo shows and looked at the books that were published on the subject. I wanted to be able to produce the types of images that I saw others doing.
While I am still along ways from getting the images I want each time, I am getting more consistant in my work. Now I'm equiped with all Canon EOS equipment, a quality tripod and more accessories than ever before. It is a constant learning process and fortunately I have the support of friends that are successful photographers to serve as mentors. Without their feedback I would be floundering around in the dark. Just talking with them makes me want to go out and "burn some film".
Enjoy wandering around my website and welcome to a bit of my Alaska.
Regards,
Jim
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