Influenced by photographers Edward Weston, Brett Weston and Ansel Adams, I taught myself the Zone System technique that was first developed by Adams. The Zone System helps create the path from the photographer’s vision to the final print. It is a combination of technique and approach; the values of fine art and photographic science support the photographer’s perception of the world in front of the camera. 

I find most of my photographic subjects close to home or within a day’s driving distance. I enjoy visiting California’s botanical gardens, where I concentrate on cactus and succulents. I have been photographing the downtown Stockton area since 1999 and now have a large selection of architectural photographs of historic buildings as well as those that have been more recently constructed. Another of my projects includes industrial photographs taken over a period of several years at the Gladding, McBean Company, maker of clay products, in Lincoln, CA. 

In addition to developing the ability to visualize a photograph before taking the shot, I have been using computer-generated masks in order to create the final print. This is the only way that I use digital technology in my work. Otherwise, I use 5” x 7” and 6 x 9cm format cameras with black & white film; I develop the film myself in Pyro in my own darkroom. My photographs are silver gelatin, toned in selenium, processed to archival standards, and mounted on acid-free mat board. The entire process from visualization of the composition to framing of the final print is done by myself. 

My darkroom and gallery are located at my camera repair business,147 E. Alpine Avenue in Stockton. I welcome visitors. For more information, please visit my web site, www.henrypaine.com, or call me at (209) 942-2821. 

I am associated with the Tidewater Art Center and Gallery in Stockton (www.tidewaterartgallery.com ), Appel Gallery in Sacramento (www.appelgallery.com), and Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, also in Sacramento (www.viewpointgallery.org).