About
Name of site derives from early upstate New York family name. The name anglicized sometime after British took over New Amsterdam area.

My interest in photography started back in the 50's with a Kodak Brownie. By early 60's had graduated to 35mm rangefinder; but not till late 70's did I get an SLR. Since 2002, I've primarily been using 4X5 cameras . During 2004, added medium format cameras (Century Graphic and Mamiya TLR) for their versatility, and 8X10 view cameras (Burke & James Grover and Korona Field) for their large size negatives suitable for contact printing. Recently (Summer 2006) I've also added a 7X17 panoramic format camera. It seems a perfect fit for Florida's landscapes.

I use the camera, whatever format, as a means of exploring and understanding the world around me and as a way of appreciating the details of the area I'm in. I had lived almost half my life in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area and explored the area with my camera. There is such a rich diversity in that area that doing photography was easy. I've lived in the Jacksonville area for almost twenty years, but only in this decade have I photographed the area. I had to come to terms with the area - learn to be interested in its history and appreciate its beauty. The pictures on this website reflect that interest.

Almost all the images are B&W. Why not color? I grew up "reading" Life and Look magazines and associated good photography with B&W. Color images may have been an indication of progress, but they often seemed fuzzy like those early TV color images (or the typical newspaper color print). Another reason for B&W is I consider photography to be like Bonsai - you pare away the superfluous elements, such as the subject's color, in order to get to its form, texture, reflectivity, tonal range, and ultimately to its essence.

The images on this website are scans or digi-snaps of actual prints.They are taken with film and either enlarged or contact printed in my darkroom. They reflect my deep interest in traditional photographic techniques and craftmanship. To me, photography is much more than the final result. I have to enjoy the process. Hopefully, the pleasure I take in creating the images is reflected in the final prints.
Douglas Howk
The print size & price can be seen in the browser status bar.