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Old friend and ski partner Chic Scott" writes of Neil Jolly: Neil Jolly has been taking photographs most of his life but it is only during the last ten years that he has taken his art more seriously. Growing up in Medicine Hat then Vermilion he was introduced to photography by his father at about age eight. He captured his first images with a Yashica 35 mm SLR and learned to develop his black and white photographs in his father’s darkroom. For a number of years he drifted away from photography. Not having a darkroom of his own, he was unable to control a very critical phase of the photographic process. But when he discovered digital, the possibilities opened up again and thanks to his extensive computer skills he had complete control over his own image processing. Although he initially photographed primarily mountain settings, his work today also encompasses prairie landscapes, which have their own unique magic and charm. Neil favours simple compositions, shot in early morning, late afternoon or evening light. He prefers large-scale natural compositions but occasionally old houses and barns that are being reclaimed by nature, catch his interest as well. Neil’s photographic influences include Ansel Adams, Galen Rowell, Art Wolfe and the many incredible photographers on photo.net. Neil remembers, “For much of my life I raced through incredible landscapes on my way to personal goals, rarely stopping to enjoy the view.” Now he is dedicated to the photographic art because “it forces me to stop and take in the magnificent scenery that surrounds me.” Bio Data Neil's maternal grandparents were pioneers who immigrated to the Grand Prairie region via oxen cart along the Edson Trail. Neil and his wife Kim have one daughter Michelle. For many years Neil was a dedicated alpinist, skiing, climbing and hiking in all seasons and all weather throughout the Rocky Mountains. He is a licensed automotive technician and more recently ran his own information technology company for seven years. In his spare time Neil enjoys music, literature and travel.