“They say if you go far enough away, you’ll be on your way back home…”
Tom Waits, Blind Love

The Artist

Not much to tell, really. I was born, in Johnstown, in the middle of the last century. Twenty-four years later, I moved on. I’ve been here and there and, at times, somewhere else: always looking for a way to hold onto a piece of what I was experiencing at the moment, and to share it with any who might be interested, or not. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that photography could help to satisfy that particular desire. I’ve been away for a little more than a quarter century now, and I look forward to moving back sometime in the next couple of years. I can’t paint. I can’t write. I can’t make music. But, with the guidance of a few knowledgable friends, and with God’s help, I’ve learned to at least remove the lens cap and to point the camera approximately in the right direction. I present the results here, such as they are, for your consideration.

The Site

…is, primarily, an exhibit of photographs of the Southern Alleghenies and Laurel Highlands regions of Pennsylvania: the city of Johnstown, Cambria and Somerset Counties, and the surrounding area. When the internet was young, I scoured the web for images of home, and there just weren’t enough to satisfy me. So, I built Laurelight mainly for those who have moved away, and who might, occasionally, wish for a glimpse of the old stomping grounds.

The galleries are expected to grow often, but not regularly, so it wouldn’t hurt to stop back occasionally. I would very much appreciate reading your comments on the photos and the scenes they depict. If you prefer, you can email your comments, suggestions or requests from the Contact link that appears on most of the pages. I don’t harvest, sell, barter or in any way abuse email addresses, and will only respond if you request it.

I’ve started a section of articles and, so far, counting the one that’s posted and what I’m working on, I have a total of one. The articles will be updated less frequently than the galleries. I would also appreciate reading your comments on these rants, but, unlike the galleries, you’ll need to register a name and a valid email address in order to comment.

The Images

I have no illusions regarding the quality of my photography. On the other hand, I have no qualms about publishing them for the world, either. As the Great White Father told Chief Lone Watie, “Endeavor to persevere.”

There is, currently, a predominence of Johnstown images on the site, for a couple of reasons. Johnstown is my hometown, and I only manage to get back for a few days every month or six weeks. And much of that time is devoted to projects other than photography. Also, the powers that be insist on tearing down buildings as quickly as I can get to town to photograph them, leaving little time to explore outlying areas. Eventually, Laurelight will cover the much broader region described above.

If you enjoy your visit to Laurelight, please, tell your friends. If you don’t enjoy your visit, well, tell your friends anyway. Maybe they’re smarter than you.