Having a conversation with amateur photographer Bob Lynch is like reading issue after issue of National Geographic.
Aboard a Russian research vessel equipped with high-powered electronics equipment to monitor various species of Southern Hemispheric fish, Lynch traveled past huge icebergs in the Antarctic, where he watched penguins emerging from the frigid water to traverse their icy habitat.
After flying into Buenos Aires, Argentina, and climbing the Andes Mountains, Lynch was treated to a most unique view of a magnificent sunrise: from his perch high in the rugged mountains. He watched as the sun literally rose from below his vantage point. In Patagonia, he stood beneath the towering granite peaks of the Andes, creating a stark contrast to lush vegetation in the valley below.
Hiking Tanzania's Mt. Kilimanjaro -- a triple volcano more than 19,000 feet high and one of Africa's most noted and picturesque sites -- Lynch reached the summit at 7:03 in the morning.
In Tibet, where Lynch dined on yak burgers, he was part of a tourist group that got a firsthand, close-up view of the bedroom of the Dali Lama.
In Xian, the capital of China's Shaanxi Province, Lynch, 77, met the farmer who discovered the terra soldiers of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, today found in Xian's Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, one of China's most remarkable archaeological sites.
Since 1993 Lynch, who lives in Hempfield Township, has traveled to 39 countries, stepping foot on all seven continents, and admits that he "has been fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time."
"In the right place at the right time" may be a slight understatement, as Lynch has not only the memories of his travels, but also extensive photographic journals recording his adventures. Having been an amateur photographer for three decades, Lynch has acquired such an eye for his subjects that he has exhibited his stunning photos at various locations in Western Pennsylvania.
Beginning this month and continuing through October, Lynch's photos will be displayed at the Redstone Highlands Personal Care Center in North Huntingdon, where his photos previously appeared. His photos have also been displayed at the Redstone Highlands site in Murrysville and, earlier this summer, 20 of his photos graced an entrance hall at the Greensburg site.
Another 20 of his prints were on display at the Excela Health Latrobe Hospital last month.
But there is more to his exhibits than merely having his photos line the walls. Prior to displaying his photos, Lynch develops "a certain theme, depending on the interests, wishes, and/or needs of the locale where my photos are on display," he said, such as selected winter scenes exhibited at the Millstein Library on the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg campus; based on his visit to Greece, he also created a slide presentation to use in conjunction with a library presentation on that nation and its culture.
Included among his favorite photos are landscapes, scenic views, flowers and birds.
On an island in the Adriatic, Lynch discovered another of his favorite subjects, photographing a snail nibbling on a leaf. From all over the world he has taken time to capture spider webs and their intricate designs and patterns.
Lynch acquired his photographic skills the hard way: he earned them, developing a keen sense of photography in high school.
His first public showing was in 1980 at New Brighton's Merrick Gallery, followed by an exhibit in 1982 at the Cambria County Community Arts Center, and the Old Log House Theater at Stoughton Lake in 1985.
More recently, Lynch has had showings at the Delmont Library, where he sold five prints, and at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center early this year, where his exhibit, titled "Around Our World," totaled 53 photos, including one of London's Big Ben and Parliament silhouetted beneath billowing white and gray clouds, from his worldwide jaunts.
Born in Natrona Heights, Lynch moved to Akron (with his family) in 1942 and graduated from Akron's West High School in 1947, where his physics teacher introduced him to black and white photography.
After a four-year hitch in the Air Force where he studied electronics, Lynch worked for Delco Radio in Kokomo, Ind., as a lab technician, developing transistors.
Lynch made his way to Westmoreland County, working at Westinghouse's Youngwood site until his retirement in 1993, when he was able to devote more time and energy to his passion, photography, a hobby he "just enjoys," he said, smiling.
As a Boy Scout leader, nature became an avocation, and he designed a nature center and accompanying program at Keystone State Park.
But it is showing and explaining his photos that bring a smile to his face, with the secret to his success simply "having a knack for knowing what may be a good photo," he said, but adding that his wife, Frances, who taught world cultures in the Derry Area School District, "also has a keen eye for spotting a good photo possibility."
Whether it be on local excursions or trips to foreign destinations, Lynch always has his camera with him "and ready to shoot," he emphasized. "I enjoy being out in nature and combine nature with photography. Something will catch my eye, and I'm always prepared to take a photo."
Lynch has also had the good fortune of attending the same Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church of Ligonier Valley (in Ligonier) as Westmoreland Museum of Art docent Jeanie Snodgrass, who has been instrumental in spreading the word about Lynch and his photographic talents.
Thanks to his work in maintenance, Lynch remodeled the inside of their church, which, incidentally, happens to have been the same denominational church as that attended by President Thomas Jefferson, Lynch noted, and placed his photos, which he develops and frames in his workshop studio in his basement, in the church.
"He would provide different pictures for the church every week," Snodgrass said, "and he also made several pictures for me."
And the rest is ... history
Involved with the museum, Snodgrass noted that she has "friends who are artists, so I made a list of his work, took samples, made a few calls and had a positive reaction from my contacts in the local art world. We have been fortunate to get him shows to display his outstanding photos, including a huge show at the Greensburg Garden Center, which was a great opportunity for him to display his work and talents. We had a good response from patrons who viewed his work."
But there is more to Lynch's photos than merely pictures, Snodgrass noted.
"His art tells a story," she said. "His art moves people, and those people appreciate his photos, his stories, and how and when he was able to get such exquisite shots. His photos are beautiful and portray a peacefulness that he communicates with each shot."
In obtaining his photos and accompanying stories and experiences, Lynch has traveled with the Elder Hostel to Argentina; to Scotland with group of professors and students from the University of Pittsburgh; and to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific and other exotic destinations with travel organizations.
He traveled to Russia with his wife, who also accompanied him to, among other countries, Banana Bank in Belize, where they participated in a study of dolphins.
Through his shows, Lynch has been fortunate to sell several of his photos, and has donated others for various local fundraisers.
After visiting essentially one-fifth of the world's countries, Lynch smiles when asked about his favorite destinations and photos.
"Each trip or visit is unique to itself," Lynch said, "and the same applies to the photos. There is an interesting story associated with each, whether the photo was taken 10 miles or 10,000 miles from home, whether the photo deals with nature, landscapes, animals, birds, caves, sunrises or sunsets. They all have special meaning to me."
And also to those who view and appreciate his work.
