Biography

I was born just outside of Budapest Hungary in a small rural town called
Bekasmegyer.  My family and I escaped from Hungary during the years just following the revolution in 1956.   After spending a period of time in Austria my family migrated to New York State in late 1959. Eventually we moved to southern California where I spent the majority of my life. Currently I live in Washington State near Seattle.

Photography has held my interest from a very early age. I was fortunate to have been surrounded by very creative and artistic people all of my life.  In the mid 1960’s I began pursuing my desire to be a photographer.  I began with photographing landscapes and people. Then I moved onto commercial photography working with various agencies and clients in Los Angeles. The commercial work brought other opportunities my way, photographing celebrities for magazine covers, providing images for articles and editorials. I worked in advertising with products and fashion during this time with both small and large agencies.  As a specialist on a number of Hollywood movies I was hired to do stills.  

Digital technology has made changes in the photographic world. Film allows a smooth and natural flow of tonality, where subtle tones are captured, not lost.   These subtle nuances of tonality are captured faithfully. The digital process can result in an irregular (pixel) reproduction. I prefer working with film but recognize that time limitations and expense dictates digital technology for some commercial applications, when this occurs I can easily apply my experience to digital photography.   

I have admired many great photographers such as Paul Strand, Yousuf  Karsh, Edward Weston, Ansel Adams and Edward Curtis. Their work inspired me to work hard and constantly push to produce better photographs. Many years of hard work have taught me the technical aspects of my craft; my knowledge of film and light has allowed the quality of my current body of photographic work to advance. 

The greatest influence on my photographic career has been Ted Staidle who was a photographer himself and later became known as the best ‘cibachrome’ printer in Los Angeles.   Ted took the time to critique my work and by doing so he encouraged me to become a better photographer.  

For the work to grow one must never be satisfied that it’s the best you can do, always work to make it better!