I am an amateur photographer, NH EnviroGuy blogger, outdoors lover and grandpa from snowy Rochester, New York. After 40 years in New Jersey, the Garden State, I now live near Newfound Lake in New Hampshire, the Granite State. I also travel a lot and cherish spending time in Granite County, Montana, Marin County, California, the Boston area and other places.

My interest in photography (my wife calls it an obsession) began in the 1960s. That’s when I got my first Kodak camera. In the 1970s, I took photography in high school and developed photos in a dark room. I also took photo silkscreen, my favorite course, and considered becoming an art major in college. I soon realized that many students were much better artists. So, I became the next best thing for me: an English major. After graduation, I earned a master’s degree in journalism and enjoyed a nearly 35-year career as a newspaper reporter in New Jersey, followed by a brief stint as a freelance environmental, science and health writer. Then I was a science communicator (essentially a science writer and media relations guy) at Rutgers University for five years.

In December 1980, I began working at The Home News in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and I got a Canon AE-1 camera for Christmas. I covered one town then became the paper’s medical/general assignment writer. I joined the Asbury Park Press on Earth Day ’85 and soon landed a great job that lasted for 30 years: environmental writer. I covered myriad land, air, water, coastal and ocean issues and tracked severe weather such as hurricanes, nor’easters and snowstorms. I had an EnviroGuy blog, wrote Green Line Q&As and was on the investigations team for seven years. Our series on N.J. property taxes was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service. I also took iPhone photos for APP.com and the printed paper, plus had video training. One of my iPhone videos is still on USA Today’s website. Since 2021, I’ve posted many photos on my NH EnviroGuy blog, which focuses on the environment (primarily the weather and climate) in New England, the Northeast and beyond.

Starting about 15 years ago, I owned a couple of digital cameras for fun. In recent years, I have taken almost all of my far too many photos with two Samsung Galaxy smartphones: S8+ and S22. Both have excellent cameras and I hope you enjoy this selection of some of my best work, curated by son Ian, a professional photographer and author of the acclaimed Meadowlark and Lost Dog photobooks published by Deadbeat Club. Ian’s new book, The Weight of Ash, will be out this summer. Son Jamieson, a senior software engineer, helped design my website. Son Todd, who works in the clean energy field, also provided support. Next up: I plan to add some photos from the ‘60s and later, a few photo silkscreen images from the ‘70s and a drawing I made in 1968. I also plan to post collections of photos focusing on Newfound Lake and other beautiful places, as well as photos by Gammy, who was an avid photographer and my mom’s mom. Except for some cropping, none of my photos has been altered or enhanced via filtering or AI, etc.

All images © Todd B. Bates

Three cheers for good health, happiness and peace! ☮️