Waukesha, WI William Lemke's interest in landscapes began with the many trips he took with his family growing up in the 1960s; typically trips out west. Through these trips he developed a great appreciation for the beauty offered in unique plants, water, and rock formations. While in high school, Lemke took his first graphic arts class which included a unit on photography. This class forever changed Lemke's life; He knew his career and his life would be spent making photographs. He went on to study photography first formally, then informally while he gained experience in both fine art and commercial photography. Lemke chooses to work in black and white because it encourages him and the viewer to concentrate on texture, tonality and the emotional qualities of light. His images are created either by using a 4"x5" or 8"10" film camera. This is followed by traditional, however tedious, photographic dark room processes, making silver gelatin prints. Each print is individually exposed and hand procsesed following archival standards set forth by Ansel Adams. All prints are photographed, developed, mounted, matted and framed by Lemke - to maintain museum standards. Lemke's ultimate goal is to inspire viewers to develop a deep appreciation for nature and a desire to preserve and protect our environment.