Jim, What films do you use?

I have always used Kodak EPP-100 Color slide film and Fugi NPH 400 and 800 NPZ color print. All black and white is taken
with TRI-X 400 pushed to 800 ASA. Now I'm using a Nikon D300 digital camera for everything. When shooting 2 1/4 I still use Fugi film.





Do you develop your own film?

I develop all my own black and white film and use Kimbo Color Lab in San Francisco for my print film. I have my color slide film developed at San Francisco's New Lab.





What advise can you give someone just starting out taking photography?

I feel everyone has the potential be be a good photographer. I'm always learning and always reading about photography. I would suggest you learn using a manual camera as opposed to an automatic camera. This way, you will learn what you are doing, and will be able to adjust the amount of light exposing the film. I was taught in my early stages about both composition and perspective. I would suggest you learn the zone system by Ansel Adams as well.





What are some of the best Photography Schools or Institutes?

I'd say Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara or the San Francisco Art Institute. Although I learned at MacAteer High School and by trial and error.





What advise can you give someone just starting out in the industry?

You're only as good as your last photograph! Good Luck!




Who are some of your favorite photographers?

Ansel Adams, Jim Marshall, Tom O'Boyle, Herb Ritz and Annie Liebovitz. The list is endless.




How does a man like yourself feel about life? You live in one of the most diversified and beautiful cities in the world, working a job that most dream of. Where did you get the drive and determination to succeed in what you do?



Great questions! I have had a great life and over the years have photographed and traveled to many places on this earth. I have had a lot of opportunities and good fortune. I have met and know a great number of peoples in this great city not to mention other places I have lived or traveled to. Growing up in the Sunset District of San Francisco, I had the chance to photograph many events, concerts, celebrities, friends and family.

In July of 2003, I lost one of my nephews to a senseless murder. Robert was my first nephew and I photographed him as well as all my nephews and my niece from the moment they were all born, right up to the present. To answer your first question, I love life and what I do. However, friends and family have always been the most important thing to me. It was after the death of Robert I have realized how important it is to understand and except the fact that one day you can be having a great time laughing with someone and soon after you or that person can be gone. It's not that I didn't notice it before. I have seen my share of death and destruction and had many close calls with death. One friend once said, "Crowley, I have seen you use up about five of your nine lives". I have come to except that everyday people are killed and taken away from their families, but you do not realize or let it effect you as deeply until it hits home and happens to one of your own.

Life is about experiences, both good and bad, overcoming adversity, living life to the fullest, doing unto others as you would want them to do to you, being real with yourself and others, being happy, content, and not about the possession of material objects or that of monetary value. Remember, what comes around, goes around.

I love my family, friends, and my job (in that order) and I am fortunate to have had such a fantastic life. Don't get me wrong, there have been dark moments, but I have learned to over come those obstacles, become resilient, and move on. Everything happens for a reason and I take the good with the bad. I have faith and am grateful and blessed to have had such an interesting and rewarding life. In July 2004, my daughter Erin K.Crowley arrived and my life has even much more meaning, has taken on a whole new aspect, and has brought even more reasons to take photographs, not to mention a huge and rewarding responsibility.

I get the drive to do what I do from the people that enjoy my work and the outcome of my assignments. I have been photographing people, places and events that interest/intrigue me or I enjoy photographing for over 31 years. That's a lot of film.



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