My earliest camera beginnings? I was born through a small aperture, in November 1962. Later, I picked up a camera. But from Day One, forces and events beyond my control have shaped my view of the world.

I’m not into astrology, but if you are you’ll know that date makes me a Scorpio, in the Year of the Tiger and the Age of Aquarius, and probably explains why I mix up my yin with my yang all the time. But a lot of things got mixed up back then.

In 1962, technology went to the moon, though it missed it by 22,000 miles the first time (Ranger 3) and crashed right into it the second time (Ranger 4). However, Telstar, the world's first commercial communications satellite, was a huge success, entering orbit with one giant leap for broadcast TV.

On the entertainment scene, the Stones opened for Baldry, Ringo joined the Beatles and Carson became permanent host of NBC's Tonight Show. But all was not Rosie O’Donnell; Marilyn Monroe tripped out on Champagne and pills... what a bummer.

Culture was front-page news. South Africa arrested Mandela, so the UN levied sanctions against Apartheid. University of Mississippi students rioted as the first African-American, James Meredith, registered for classes (escorted by US Federal Marshals).

Politically, the climate boiled. Photos from an American U-2 spy plane triggered a nuclear standoff over the Cuban Missile Crisis and human consciousness hit a watershed moment when Rachel Carson birthed the modern environmental movement with her book Silent Spring.

During all of this, the church organized a giant group hug with Vatican II, where they adopted a more Christian attitude towards the modern world, allowing Catholics to associate with folks of other faith, like Protestants.

So, where does that put me? Too young to be a Boomer, too old to be Gen-X – I’m a self-proclaimed "Crester" – persona non grata, riding life’s wave in dynamic tension, yet passionate and grateful for the visual arts that help to resolve the intense nature of that which we call Today.

Take care (eh),
Craig
British Columbia, Canada