I picked up my first camera and started taking photographs in 1978 on a family trip across country. Trying to capture something more than a simple scene quickly became the aim of every shot in every national park we visited. Though most shots never reached that lofty goal, it became the reason to take pictures.

Over the years, with a variety of cameras, I have attempted to place my camera in the right spots at the right times to capture the moment at hand. It's not easy, but it's rewarding when you hit the mark. In the end, taking a photo that captures what you're after is the icing on a delicious cake. To me, the greatest value in this endeavor is the process of learning to see, learning to anticipate, and putting myself in the way of beauty. I still love national parks, but I've learned you don't need to visit Yellowstone to get a great photo–you just need to open your eyes to what's around you where ever you are. It takes practice, and that's the joy of photography.

I currently have an exhibit entitled "The Sky Surrounds Us" which is a joint show with Barbara Joseph at Railroad Square Cinema sponsored by the Maine Film Center as part of their "Art in the Lobby." program to support local artists. The show will be up from November 29, 2017 through January 8, 2018 with an opening reception on Monday December 4 from 5-7pm.

John T. Meader
November 2017

John is the owner/director of Northern Stars Planetarium, a portable planetarium business that has served Maine schools for 30 years. He is a Registered Maine Guide and loves canoeing, hiking, sailing, and the outdoors. He lives in Fairfield with his wife, Laura, and has three grown children.

jtmeader@myfairpoint.net