Sherwood Inkley
Sherwood Inkley became interested in photography at a young age when a next-door neighbor invited him to see his photographs, camera and darkroom. He watched closely as the process of developing and finally printing magically brought orth images on paper. He started collecting darkroom equipment little by little and began to process and print film.
Inkley bought his first German single lens reflex camera in 1959 and used it on his honeymoon to document the Jamican trip from Montego Bay to Kingston.
Sherwood's first big photography job was to take pictures at a family reunion in San Angelo and produce prints in 24 hours. He set up a darkroom in his motel room full of cracks and dust and met the challenge.
During his teaching career at St. Mary's Hall in San Antonio, TX, he photographed students daily as they went about their busy scheddules, shooting two rolls a week. These photos were published in the school's alumnae magazine quarterly. He claims this time of his life was the most fun!
To increase his skills, he attended school at the New York Institute of Photography and upon returning to San Antonio he concentrated on protraiture. At the time, outdoor portraiture was becoming very popular and so he took the St. Mary's Hall senior portraits outdoors. He continued to photograph all seniors for several years.
In 1976 Sherwood opened his photgraphy studio and extended his portraiture to weddings, fashion, and special events. He photographed NIOSA and historic buildings for the San Antonio Conservation Society for 15 years. He was the fashion photographer for Frost Bros. and Joske's and did work for Victor Costa. Fashion models regularly enlisted him for portfolio work.
His interest in landscapes came when he was hired by HEB to photograph murals for their stores around Texas and Louisiana. Since the murals were 4 feet by 12 feet, he bought an 8x10 view camera to documenet buildings and landscapes around HEB locations. Some of these murals can be seen in Kingsville and Conroe, TX.
Sherwood Inkley began his career as an educator teaching history and then photography. His deeply rooted teaching skills always spill over into photography, where he enourages his students to develop the discipline to become a good photographer. He taught at St. Mary's Hall, TMI, Keystone, and San Antonio College.
His concentration now is landscapes of Texas. He enjoys the outdoors immensly and goes camping at the locations he wants to photograph. His love of Texas is evident in his photos of the Missions in San Antonio and the rodeos and ranches of South Texas.
