Welcome to The Light Fantastic

I was born Walter David Wray III. Mom didn't really like that name very much, so for a tiny shock of reddish hair that lasted only a couple of months, I have been nicknamed "Rusty" since I was a day or two old. That was back in 1954. I was raised in Southern California, went "hippie" at a rather tender age, moved to Oregon when I was 19 and bounced around a bit before settling in Arizona in 1982. 

From childhood, the natural world always fascinated me. I grew up at the edge of a desert expanse that I spent many happy hours exploring. My favorite times were after a violent thunderstorm when water poured over everything and wet sage was the smell of adventure. Inevitably, I became an avid traveler, hiker and backpacker. I loved wild places, particularly when dramatic skies bathed everything in an otherworldly light. Out of that grew an interest in nature photography that ultimately became a passion. In 1989, I saw my first published image in Arizona Highways Magazine. That same year I joined the Arizona Renaissance Festival to shoot a feature for Highways and possibly provide some photography to the festival itself. The next season I became an official craft person there. 

Over time, it became evident that I would never abandon my well developed career in the building materials business to hang out a shingle and go pro. I was comfortable with that, since I couldn't picture myself a starving artist. Besides, I discovered that there isn't any facet of the business side of photography that I actually enjoy. The fun part is over the moment I trip the shutter. I was one-and-done with weddings and commercial work is just that: work. I already had a job that I didn't much like, and it paid me far more than I would ever earn taking pictures of stuff. That job was very demanding, so my passion would, by default, remain a hobby. I think it's safe to say that, although dozens of my images have appeared in Arizona Highways and I have hundreds of prints hanging in homes and businesses all over the world, I have never made a dime as a photographer. Every penny, and more, was spent on film and gasoline and sometimes a new lens or doo-dad for my collection, never mind the necessary vehicle. I don't expect that to ever change.

More than half my life later, I am still at the festival, selling my prints and talking shop. The world of photography has changed so much and I have had to change with it. Come and see me so we can talk about it. You don't have to buy anything, but it would help if you did. 

Thanks for visiting.

When choosing your size, the most important thing to consider is the aspect ratio of the original image. Most of my images were shot on medium or large format transparency film or high resolutiion digital, so I can make an acceptably sharp print from relatively small areas of the original. Next to each image is noted the size of the original film or digital file. 4x5 transparencies and digital files larger than 36 MB can produce very large prints limited only by the size of the media, which typically comes on a roll that limits us to four to five feet on the short edge. 6x4.5cm transparencies and smaller digital files are best printed at no more than 36-40 inches on the long edge.

Prints can be made on glossy or matte true photo paper (no ink or laser jet), canvas (giclee), and the various metallic finishes now available. 

Most of the images in the catalog are available from existing stock as photographic paper prints in one or two selected sizes. Access to these is limited to stock on hand and the image will afterward be available by special order only. 

The process for a custom paper print can be as simple as one phone call or a few e-mails. Other formats are more complicated. Canvas prints and metallics entail a process that includes making a test strip for approval before the actual print is made. Especially with a larger print, usually several conversations occur before printing. All of this can be done over any distance, but the process does take time. Allow up to 6 weeks. 

FRAMING

At my Festival gallery I do offer my images salon mounted and matted with plain white single or double mats and framed with simple aluminum frames using reflection control glass. These services are very limited and are restricted to in-person purchases only. Further, once my existing inventory of aluminum frames is depleted, I will not be offering traditional framing at all. Easy internet access has eroded my ability to provide framing competitively. I never made much on the frames anyway. The low margins were not an issue when I could buy them a handful at a time from local suppliers, but now I have to get them online just as you can. Pre-cut mats too. 

I do offer salon mounting on various foamboards. Salon mounting centers the image on a board cut to the size of the frame. I strongly recommend mounting any print larger than 11x14. 

I will continue to offer laminated & mounted images on french cleats ready to hang and stretched canvas ready to frame or hang frameless.

If your purchase requires shipping, it seldom makes sense to do any sort of mounting prior. Likewise with stretched canvas. Lots of money can be saved by having those things done close to home.

Did you notice discounted or sale pricing when you visited me at the Festival? Please be aware that those specials are only available in my booth for in-person purchases.

Below is the special order price sheet from the 2023 season. 

Prices for paper prints IN STOCK are posted in the catalog with the image.

ALL PRINTS IN STOCK SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE. ALL PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. 

CUSTOM GLOSSY OR MATTE PRINTS ON STANDARD PHOTO PAPER

(Sized in inches. Scan Not Included. Shipping Additional.)

11x14 or smaller ....................................... $49

16x20 ............................................................$75

16x24 ........................................................... $90

20x24 .......................................................... $110

20x30 .......................................................... $149

20x40 .......................................................... $195

24x36 .......................................................... $199

30x40 .......................................................... $249

30x50 .......................................................... $295

36x48 .......................................................... $299

40x50 ......................................................... $325

36x72 .......................................................... $345

48x96 .......................................................... $695

ADD FOR LAMINATING, MOUNTING AND FRENCH CLEATS

Laminate can be glossy or lustre finish.

30x40 and smaller mounting is on 3/16 black Gator Board.

Larger prints get 1/2" Gator Board.

16x20 ......................................................... $59

20x24 ........................................................ $69

20x30 ........................................................ $99

24x36 ........................................................ $149

30x40 ........................................................ $179

40x50 ........................................................ $279

36x72 ........................................................ $299

48x96 ........................................................ $499

CANVAS (GICLEE) PRINTS

Size                   Canvas Alone                Stretched        

24x30                    $250                               $429

40x20                    $259                               $465

40x50                    $365                               $725

60x36                    $420                               $759

72x36                    $449                               $819

CUSTOM SIZING ALWAYS AVAILABLE. TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT AND I WILL QUOTE IT.

GOT A LARGER DECORATING JOB? BIG DISCOUNTS CAN BE HAD WITH MULTIPLE PURCHASES. 

There are a number of options for delivery and hanging. 

Paper prints up to 11"x"14 will be mailed flat with sturdy backing to prevent bending. Larger prints will be shipped carefully packed into a 3" mailing tube. 

Canvas prints for local delivery can be delivered stretched and ready to frame or hang or rolled so you can have the stretching done yourself. Outside of the Phoenix/Tucson/Flagstaff area, canvas prints are shipped rolled in a tube directly to you or to a framing shop of your choice. I will assist in finding an appropriate provider for these services, if needed