“If you want to become a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.”
- National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson (maybe)
I am a retired aquatic ecologist who takes photos while traveling by sailboat and camper van. I have always had an interest in photography and invested in a Sony Alpha 7C full frame mirrorless camera in November of 2022 (I already want an Alpha 7IV. sigh) and am slowly learning how to use it.*
Looking through my photos, my interests in subject are apparently eclectic.
This website is a place to display what I consider the best, or at least the most interesting, of the thousands of photos I’m taking and share them with family and friends (and the occasional random stranger).
I am also trying to hone my almost non-existent portrait photography skills, but those will only be displayed if allowed by the subjects.
Why is this website called Chimaera Contemplations? See below
*UPDATE - I replaced the Alpha 7C with an Alpha 7CR
Out in the middle of Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park - photo taken on Bob’s iPhone
Why Chimaera Contemplations?
I started a blog on Blogger way back in 2007, which lasted until about 2010. I was reading a lot of blogs and decided to try my hand at it. I think this was a creative and emotional release for me and it can still be found HERE, albeit a little worse for wear. I took a lot of photos even back then.
Chimaera (kaɪˈmer.ə)(also spelled chimera) has several definitions: A fire-breathing Greek monster that is part goat, part lion, and part serpent; a wild and unrealistic dream or idea; an organism that contains two or more genetically different tissues; a deep sea cartilaginous fish of the family Chimaeridae
Contemplation also has several definitions: the action of looking or gazing at something for a long time; deep reflective thought; the state of being thought about or planned; concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion
Yeah, not that last one (see my original blog )
I tried to re-vamp the blog on Wordpress in early 2023 to try and possibly showcase and organize some of my photos - and quickly ran out of steam. That blog has been moved here, and I will still add to it occasionally, but this website is designed more for photos.