What Were You Thinking?

This is from the 'dedication page' in the new book titled, "What Were You Thinking". A collection of photographs from the students of Dick Garvey. Soon to be available on Blurb...


"What were you thinking?" was a Garveyism quote his students heard quite often. Sometimes in jest, sometimes out of curiosity, but mostly to get them thinking about 'why' they took that particular photograph. This book is dedicated to Dick Garvey - as a man we respected, a photographer we admired, and a teacher who inspired us. He taught us the basics of photography, and more importantly, how to strive to be better photographers.

Dick Garvey enjoyed teaching. He was a natural at it and had that special gift that made his students strive for more and enjoy every minute of it. He was awed and inspired by their dedication and determination to constantly imporove.

His passion for photography was evident in his photographs, his passion for teaching was evident in his students’ photographs. This book is a collection of their passion and his.

We dedicate this book in memory of all that you have taught us, in photography and in life. We will miss you greatly, but we will carry with us always what you taught us. Whenever we set up our cameras and start to capture that photograph, we will hear you saying, "What were you thinking?". We were thinking about you and all that we learned from you.

Thank you!

In the Zone

Producing photography classes, owning a business that specializes in photography services and being part of a large camera club, I am always surrounded by photographers. Until recently I wasn't really 'one of them'. They always talked about how much they enjoy photography because while they are out there shooting the whole world seems to slip away - stress, worries, aches and pains, their whole focus is on that moment and nothing else - They are in the ZONE.

Now not being one of them (an actual "photographer") I didn't have any practical experience to refer to. What they said made sense and I did not doubt them, I just had not experienced anything like it, until recently. About 9 months ago I decided I really should "join the crowd" and take up photography. A friend gave me her camera (she moved up the line in cameras) and off to practicing I went.

Whenever we get a chance, my friend Anne and I, take a day and go shooting together. Last weekend we spent the afternoon in La Conner, photographing whatever struck our fancy. We stopped in a store in town where a friend works to say hi. This wonderful store has a vast array of colorful objects they import from other countries. Anne and I, passed some time photographing things in the store. It wasn't until later that I realized, that while in the store photographing, I was in the ZONE! I totally forgot where I was, or that the store was full of people. I was so focused on my photography that all else slipped away. As I thought about it later, I wondered how many people were paying attention to Anne and I, wondering what we were doing and why. It was then that I realized I was not paying attention to them.



So my advice, whenever life seems too much, pick up your camera and go find THE ZONE and let the world slip away, even if only for a moment.

Dedication to someone who taught us so much.

On March 2nd, we lost our instructor, Dick Garvey, to cancer.
Besides loosing a good man and a good friend, we lost an very valuable instructor. Photography was Dick's greatest passion, and teaching photography was very important to him. He didn't just do it for the money (that was just an added bonus), he did it because he loved to teach others and to watch them grow as photographers.

His student's loved him for his unique approach to teaching photography.
It wasn't just about the technical with Dick, it was about reaching inside and discovering why you want to take this photograph, did you feel that you accomplished and conveyed what you were trying to say with your photography, what was your vision. His 'critiquing' style was his forte. This was where you would really learn about photography. Just watching him and listening to him would give you what you needed to become a better photographer. His wit and his charm made the classes fun and exciting.

Dick had quite the following, he had students that would take just about every class we did. One of the classes we did for awhile, was a Portfolio class. It ran monthly and students were encouraged to think about how they would like to portray their work. We talked about different options available today and what would best suit them. This class was to help them continue to move forward, even if all they wanted to do was share their work with friends and family. It was discussed that your 'portfolio' would always be changing, as well, as your work. One of his students completed her first 'portfolio'. She did it as a book and dedicated it to Dick. Here is a link to Anne's new book, 'A Trip Around the Edges', one of Dick's many sayings.

He will be missed by all of us