As an active Graphic Designer since 1991, I was fortunate enough to learn the trade using the ‘old school’ ways from the printing industry. That experience gave me a firm understanding of things like DPI, RGB vs CMYK, designing for the screen vs. designing for print, etc. Along came the Internet. I was so enthralled with its possibilities that I was the first person on my block to learn to create a Website. The ability to use my Graphic Design skills to create stuff in a digital environment was hugely liberating!
Then along came Digital Cameras. Again I was so enthralled with their possibilities that I was the first person on my block to own a Digital Camera. This was the perfect environment for me to learn about photography. And boy, did I!
Fast forward a few years…
I found myself involved with the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA during 2001. I have since traveled with the world’s greatest archaeologists to very remote corners of our world to photograph both active as well as non-active dig sites. And what a true privilege and total thrill this has been.
All along the way, I honed and perfected my photography skills, web design skills, attained a teaching-level knowledge of Photoshop, and have created and maintained well over 200 websites.
As I traveled the ancient world with the Institute, I looked high & low for a particular kind of travel book in every city I visited: I wanted a book that was both highly visual, and well, smart. I wanted to learn in depth about each place and its history, but I did not want to commit to a dry, historical tome. I wanted the knowledge spoon-fed conversationally. And I wanted it to be fast and fun – not bleedingly dull.
After years of scouring each city and finding only me-too versions of corporate templatized travel books, I decided to write the first one myself.