For as long as I can remember photography has been a part of my life. My roots go back to Hudson County, New Jersey (Jersey City) where my uncle used an apartment in my grandparent’s house as his photo studio / lab and radio-TV repair shop. Unbeknown to me both his interests would be taught to me gradually, and in later life they would become both a hobby and two major components of my professional career.
At age 7 handling a Speed Grafix 4×5 camera was no easy task. It was one of several cameras that I learned the basics of photography on before graduating to 35mm and 2 ¼ x 2 1/4. I actually found film processing and printing much easier than taking the photos, probably because I had more control over the finished product than I did over anything I was photographing! In my teen years I financed my photo hobby by photographing fires, news, and local sporting events and selling the photos to local newspapers. At $7 a photo, just two photos bought 100 sheets of poly-contrast 8×10 paper and a 36-exposure roll of Plus-X was only about a buck!
My uncle passed away several years ago, just before digital photography surpassed film. He left behind over 5000 Kodachrome slides of priceless family memories. I’ve been scanning them and cleaning them up using 
Photoshop. As I look at each photo I can’t help but wonder what he would think today of how far photography has come since those days on 6th Street in Jersey City and visiting Hudson Camera? Knowing the end was near I did thank him for all the things he contributed to my life, and I think he knew I appreciated it. I think we’re even.
After discovering HDR a few years ago I changed my photographic selection process and started concentrating on what subjects could benefit using HDR. It did not take long to realize that HDR was to a photographer, as spices are to a chef. It should enhance the flavor but not dominate it. I decided to create this blog to share my ideas and hopefully get others interested. While I enjoy receiving positive comments, I also welcome constructive criticism. Jointly these contribute to the Japanese concept of “Kaizen” the Japanese word adopted into English referring to the philosophy of focusing on continuous improvement. I hope you enjoy looking at my work as much I enjoy taking these photos!
Things I regret: Not going to see Les Paul play in NYC before he passed away.
Things I don’t regret: Marrying my wife, my life stabilizer!
My 5 minutes of fame: Having a beer with James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano)
Bob & James Gandolfini
The Bergen Photo Blog 
Congratulations! YAY! I am your very 1st comment. The site is very cool. Even though I have known you for 26 years, there were things I did not know “about” you until reading this. Very sweet comment about Mommy. 🙂
Bob, I am impressed You are a man of many talents. I dont know how you have the time for all your many intrests. Thanks for sharing. Lenny
The Cathedralis spectacular but it must be my monitor but the Osaka picture looks almost “too good”. It reminds me somewhat of those photos popular 5 years ago that looked like they were printed on tinfoil. They sort of glistened. TO my uneducated eye there also seems to be no life just a very precise technical presentation of ones and zeros. Now you can bust my chops at work tomorrow.LOL
ANd oh yes. “How Highs’ the Moon” was one of my favorites. He was doing multitrack before multi track existed. And with tubes!
I like what you say about HDR being like spices to a chef, to enhance the flavor not dominate. And the photographs you took of the Eldridge Street Synagogue are just beautiful!
Amy
Hey Bob ..you still watching this blog?
Bob–I followed you here from another site where you answered a question on the Olympus Fl50r flash. I’ve just bought a Panasonic GH3 and I’m new to flash. Would you consider this flash unit over the Panasonic FL360L? And does TTL and wireless work as if the GH3 were an Olympus, or are there some drawbacks?
Bob–Thanks for the superfast reply! One more question. Are these flash units considered mid-power flashes or do they edge into the high end? I don’t want to have to think about upgrading after I become experienced at shooting with flash.
Thanks again.
They are adequate, but not high power.