Memories of Queen’s

Queen’s University and

the beginnings of my Photography

Although I began taking pictures in High School I did not really become proficient at it until I went off to Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario. This was where I began my love affair with cameras and the printed image. Unfortunately, I am somewhat compulsive and frequently my photography came ahead of my studies.

It was at Queens that, instead of working alone in my improvised basement darkroom, I suddenly had real darkrooms to use, with enlargers and equipment I could never afford myself, real publications to print my work, and real friends who shared my interest. 

My photography back then was all black and white: it was inexpensive and the developing was very tolerant of error. 

Following Henri Cartier-Bresson’s dictum that “your first 10,000 photographs are your worst”, I took lots of pictures; pictures by the 100 foot roll. Lots of them! 

And here we have some of those images: images from my earliest photographic days. These are images that I took between 1960 and 1965 while I was a student at Queen’s. I offer them here as a tribute to the beauty of Queens University that gave me so much.

Ordering Prints

Not all of my images here are what one might call “art”. For me they are more of a trip through my memories. However, some, in spite of have been done when I was just starting out, do have merit and I have been asked several times now for prints of some of my images.  Although I have declined such requests in the past it has always been my intention to make them available and now, in my 82nd year, time is running out. And so I offer these images for those who would enjoy them.

Pictures that can be ordered have a small “Purchase” button on the bottom edge. Those images have been chosen for their tonal quality and image sharpness. But bear in mind that they were taken by a very young photographer on black and white film simply as a hobby. The cameras used, a Minolta A2, Leica M3, Minolta SR-1 or Yashica 44, were good for their day but do not meet the basic performance standards of modern digital cameras.

Each image is printed individually for each order. They are 18 by 24 inches in size on the finest archival “cold pressed” watercolor paper available.  Each is inspected by me to ensure the image is the best that can be had from the negative and only when I am satisfied is it signed by me, numbered and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Each will be limited to 250 copies.

The paper used is coated with a special absorbant surface to accept the ink that makes up the image. This means that the paper is especially susceptible to dirt and grease. Handle these prints with great care and preferably with clean cotton gloves to protect the delicate surface until they are framed.

Before I am finished I expect the series “Memories of Queen’s” to consist of 100 different images reflecting all aspects of student life in the early 1960’s. I would be pleased to answer any enquiries about specific images. Other sizes and print media are available by special order. Contact me by e-mail to discuss your ideas.