How long have you been a photographer?
Since 1989. My first gig was writing for the Englishtown track paper. It didn't pay anything but they gave me a photo pass. I sold my first shot later that year. What is the scariest moment you recall while shooting?
Anytime I shot the old S&S blown nitro Harley-it was the first Harley over 200 mph. The thing sounded like it was just about to explode even when it was idling. I hid behind the retaining wall every time I shot it.
What is your favorite action shot of all time?
Toss up between two. Kent Stotz on his turbo Streetbike Shootout bike which later became known as the "Stotz Shot." He was about 300 feet out going close to 100 mph and the bike pogoed up and left the ground. The only thing touching the ground was Kent's toe. I was shooting film back then and I didn't expect anything special until I developed it. I have gotten a few shots with bikes in the air since but this was the first one. People still talk about it.
The other is the Larry McBride burnout shot. My signature move is to create a mini studio in the burnout box at night. It's an easy shot when the bikes do a stationary burnout but a top fuel bike does a rolling burnout. The sweet spot on the set is about 10 feet so your timing has to be right on the money. I had the camera on the ground as he rolled by at about 40 mph and I nailed it. I kept looking at the display at the camera with my jaw open. He ended up blowing the image up 20 feet high and put in on the back door of his transporter. How many photos do you think you've taken in your lifetime?
Once we switched over to digital and I wasn't paying for film I was much more liberal on the shutter button. Maybe 500,000 frames total. Hard to say, I never kept track. I've been through 16 camera bodies in my career.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a professional photographer?
Learn the craft. Don't just put the camera on "Program" and get lazy.