Photo taken in Monoploi, IT, November 2017

Thoughts

Photography is not a movie, writing, nor is it perfect but I believe an instant medium to communicate what one sees. Not always what others want to see or interested in but still, it is an expression of the mind’s eye! One can tell a story from the smallest element of a photograph – which is what I attempt to do. My photo site is: http://scottgipson.zenfolio.com/

Background

I have been a California surfer, skydiver with 200 jumps, sailed under the seas on a nuclear powered submarine for 10 years, husband of 45 years, father of two, grandfather of 7, horseman, salesman, photographer, FAA licensed drone pilot, wine and cigar aficionado and sometimes wonderer.

I sold my first photo in 1967 to Competition Surf Magazine when they came looking for surf photography along the Gulf Coast, which is a but of an oxymoran because there is really little real surf there!. Living on the Gulf Coast, we all became surfers once we saw our first McGillvray Freeman Surf Movie which was shown in some school auditorium on a 16mm projector with Greg McGillvray doing the narration so I took my camera to the beach and started shooting. About the same time I was looking at Leroy Grannis’ photos in Surfer Magazine which made mine look like something that was taken by a Kodak Instamatic. I sent a number of my photos to Leroy who was kind enough to give me the straight scoop which made me rethink everything.

Today, I focus my camera on wherever life takes me, especially subjects having to do with the landscape, animals, ranch work and those out there who are trying to keep the old traditions alive.

In the last two years, we have been to Italy twice and London over New Years of 2016/17. Not necessarily “western” in theme but quite a lot of eye candy for the photographer and those pictures are on my photo site as well.

Among all of the other adventures in my life, photography is second only my family and friends.

Scott