In the Hot Seat! Friend and Amateur Photographer, Tom Perry

I haven’t done an In the Hot Seat feature in quite a while. Sorry about that, but today that changes. As my first feature of the New Year I am happy to welcome personal friend, small business owner and amateur photographer, Tom Perry to the seat. Tom doesn’t have his own web site for me to link to and that’s a shame really, as he does some really fine photography himself. With his permission I have some of his images to share with you.

Tom and I have gone on a couple of photo shots together. Most memorably to Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Antietam National Battlefield in September 2003 and the Cedar Creek, Virginia Civil War re-enactment in 2003. Without wasting further time let’s get to the interview.

Burnham Down the House: When and how did we meet?
Tom Perry: We met at the Baltimore Camera Club about 3 yrs ago and became instant friends. That was easy! My dad always told me to surround my self with “smart” people. That’s you.
BDTH: Why thanks Tom.

BDTH: When and where were you born?
TP: I was born in the small town of Bladenboro, North Carolina back in ‘41.

BDTH: Where do currently reside (general geographic area)? Is it where you really want to be or would you like to be living someplace else? If so, where?
TP: I’m currently living in Perry Hall Maryland. Do I really want to be here….not really. I’d rather be back in Southern California or Hawaii… someplace warm.

BDTH: What was your childhood like?
TP: Teen years were in the ‘50’s and wasted hanging on the corner. Too much drinking and too many parties.

BDTH: What is your favorite childhood memory?
TP: Fishing and crabbing with my dad. Sitting around and listening to my mom play the guitar and sing those good old country songs. Yea ha!

BDTH: What person or what group of people has most influenced your life?
TP: Had two “girl” friends, Beth & Lea that talked me into going back and finishing high school after dropping out for almost two years.

BDTH: What do you do for the Shitty Little Job (SLJ) and do you love or hate it?
TP: A lot of people would like to know, but honestly, I own a temp agency (Employment Network, Inc.). I specialize in technical type people, engineers, draftspersons, technicians, etc.

BDTH: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
TP: At my age (63), I don’t want to work anymore. Maybe a part time photographer.

BDTH: What profession would you not want to attempt?
TP: Never wanted to be a garbage man.

BDTH: What are your hobbies and interests?
TP: Photography and reading

BDTH: Tom, tell us more about how you started in photography and your interest in it.
TP: I’ve been interested in photography since 1963 while stationed in Key West
Florida. A year later when I was stationed in Germany a fellow soldier taught me how
to process prints and I’ve been hooked ever since. Like everyone else, I started by taking “snapshots” of family and friends and reading a lot of photo books & magazines.

I’ve taken several college courses dealing with the basics of the photo
process and even had a small wedding photography business for a while.
I got away from the camera for about 10 years and then picked it up again
when “digital” cameras started becoming popular. After trying one out I
found it so much fun that it rekindled the urge.
Most of my efforts are directed at shooting subjects that either capture the
moment or the place. I like landscapes & current event type images. I’ve
even taken close up shots of “Famous” people like President Ford, First Lady
Laura Bush, movie stars like Kirk Douglas, Julie Andrews and yes even Oprah.
Living here in Maryland gives me a great opportunity to take photos of
historic places like Fort McHenry (it was while watching the bombardment of
this fort that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled
Banner), Civil War battlefields like Gettysburg and Antietam. Also
Washington DC is only 50 miles away.

To me photography is still a hobby that I enjoy very much. I get a personal
thrill when I show my images to people and they go WOW. Yep, it happens
once in awhile and it’s even better when they want to buy one.

BDTH: What are your favorite three movies?
TP: Shane, West Side Story and Dr. No

BDTH: What are your favorite three TV shows?
TP: CSI, Raymond and 60 Minutes

BDTH: What are your favorite three books?
TP: Red Badge of Courage, No Time for Sergeants and any book by James Patterson.

BDTH: What are your favorite foods and drinks?
TP: Filet Mignon and beer. Not necessarily together.

BDTH: What is your favorite curse word?
TP: Ah Shit! Kind of speaks for its self.

BDTH: What is your favorite word?
TP: Expectorate. It’s along story that I’ll tell you sometime.

BDTH: What is your least favorite word?
TP: Nigger. Never liked it and never will

BDTH: What turns you on creatively, spiritually and emotionally?
TP: Being involved in photography, I get a real kick when I’m able to capture the proper lighting and composition in my images.

BDTH: What turns you off?
TP: People that like to say my least favorite word.

BDTH: What sound or noise do you love?
TP: Singing birds and children laughing.

BDTH: What sound or noise do you hate?
TP: Barking dogs

BDTH: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear (insert deity of choice here) say when you arrive?
TP: Welcome. Come on in! Or… Sorry, I’m not ready for you yet. You will have to come back at another time, cya!

BDTH: Thanks for sitting in the seat, Tom.
TP: You’re very welcome, Will. Thanks for having me.