My parents entrusted the family camera to me on a trip to Washington D.C. at age nine and launched a lifelong fascination with photography. The anticipation of picking up the bright yellow Kodak envelope at the local drug store was followed by excitement as I went through each print, puzzled, sometimes thrilled, at how different the images looked from what I thought I saw.
The camera has allowed me to look more closely at what’s in front of me. The discrete square and rectangular frames permit even closer inspection. The camera proved a reliable companion to my explorations. Fifty-five years later, I still feel the same excitement looking at new photographs. The cameras may have changed but the end result is the same.
After a long career as a photographer for Penn State, along with a range of freelance corporate and advertising clients, I returned to school to pursue an MFA degree in art. Those studies provided me an opportunity to explore photography on a more personal level and take on intensive projects — a study of the local landscape with 8×10 and 4×5 view cameras, and a continuous documentation of the time I spent with my wife Kim.
The Vespa appeared next as a character in my blog, Scooter in the Sticks. After 1200 posts, more than 3 million visitors, a half million words and over 17000 comments, another body of work emerged.
While riding I usually work with a point and shoot camera —small, light, and capable of producing fine digital files. My current riding camera of choice is a Canon M50. For film-based projects, I utilized everything from a Leica M6 to an 8×10 Zone VI view camera. And in the digital realm, I’m using a Fuji XT-2 and a Fuji X100F camera.
Nice addition to the blog Steve. Motorbikes and cameras make a lovely cocktail and a libation I have enjoyed for years. I too have a X100F, a perfect blend of old and new and not unlike the Vespa experience I am sure. Grand to hear from you again.
Thanks Steve. Riding and photography have been a good mix for me. And I’m glad that I can add some other photographic diversions to the mix.
The Fuji X100F is an amazing camera. One of the images in the folio was made with it — the stump along the creek.
Hi,
My name is Udo, writing from Austria in Europe.
I saw your video “Aging and riding”, it touched me so much.
I am not on Facebook, or other social Medias, but I just whant to let you know that your video ist great.
I am now 62 year old, and I will retired this year and plan a Trip from Alaska to ushuaia. I know, I am old, but I also know I can do it. And if not, than I will fail. Anyhow, I will hopfuly never stop riding.
And you should also not stop!!!
Best regards from the far Austria,
I wish you all the best,
Udo
Sorry for my poor english
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and plans here. It is always good to hear what other riders are doing.
From where I sit now at almost 70 62 seems positively young. Itchy Boots (on YouTube) did that long ride from Ushuaia to Alaska. She had to take a break in Peru because of the pandemic but she went back and finished. It is worth watching that season if you are considering such a ride.
I plan to ride as long as I can safely manage myself and the machine. Who knows how long that will be….
Thanks for your answer!
You are so right, I remeber when I was young, a person in the age of 40 to 50 was so unbelivable old, and now from my view 50 is young! But I dont feel old, for me I am like 40…
Anyhow, I will ride as long as possible. And this long ride will take 6 month.
Also thank you for the Informaion from itchy boots, I allready know here, she is so great. She travel for so many years, thats for shure not always easy. Hope she will continue for a long time, hope she will not be insured or something like that.
There are a lot of “adged riders” on Youtube, so I think, you and me can continue for years. Maybe we should not do the hard think. Riding is such an unbelivable thing, from my sie of view it does not mater where you go, just do it!
Best regards from Austria,
Udo