Gwen E. Sprague

I'm a mid-western, middle-aged, nerdy, divorced, clinical medical librarian that enjoys good pics, good friends, good books, good movies and good works.

I have returned to a photography hobby after an absence of nearly 20 years. For me, the camera is a creative outlet for a life spent immersed in science and technology. I continually strive to improve my techniques, master new skills, see creatively, capture the moment and put my vision into my images.

My first quality camera was a Canon TLb I bought in 1973 and I still shoot with it. I also have a Canon T70 that I bought for a little automation. In September 2005 I moved into the digital world and now shoot with a Fuji S9000.

As someone that has never lost a childlike sense of wonder in all things the universe has to offer, I use my camera to document the wide variety of subjects that I find interesting. This has led to an eclectic collection of photographs, currently not adhering to any definitive style but one that includes pet portraits for friends, mid-western landscapes, flower macros, glowing neon signs, encounters with nature, urban safaris, after dark excursions and a mix of architecture of my home town of Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Portfolio

Portraits

Photo Journalism

Projects

Landscapes

Stock Photography

Artist's Statement

I use my camera to document my encounters with the world because it makes me be in the moment, in that instant of time when the shutter is released. No other medium I have tried has given me that tie to my subject, that link between me, the subject and our shared existence at that brief moment.

Since I can find interest in the most mundane of items, it leads to an eclectic collection of photographs, currently not adhering to any definitive style, all of which could probably be titled "Something Cool I Saw Today". One photo shoot may be a study in color temperature as it relates to time of day and the next may be a collection of Gary Larsonesque images of vultures feeding on a road kill opossum.

For the launch issue of The Utatan I chose 3 different themes. I have never done any stock photography and used this theme to expand my photographic experience in a new direction. I found it an interesting endeavor worthy of revisiting for future opportunities. The second collection is a project consisting of cityscapes representing my continuing fascination with the city at twilight. The third collection is a counter-point to the city shots, a landscape theme of farms and fields around the edges of the city all within a 30 minute drive from downtown.

Favorite Photos (of mine)

Utata Member Page for Gwen E. Sprague