My first camera was an Ansco box – a Christmas present when I was 13 years old. One year and two days later – using a $50 Praktica FX – I published my first front-page photograph in a daily newspaper. By the time I turned 16, I had published a national magazine article and a few pictures in national publications.

The latest book is called “Great Pictures Made Simple.” It’s aimed at ordinary folks with inexpensive cameras and cell phones who don’t want to become professionals: They just want to make better pictures of the dogs, cats and family.

Today, I’m retired, living on the Stokes County farm I bought in 1979. (Since I’ve only been here 36 years, people still say, “You ain’t from around here, are you?”) When I can churn up enough energy to get off the couch, I make pictures of subjects I like: Mostly landscapes, flowers and wildlife.