Several years ago, my friend, Ken Shaffer, who is the owner of Whispering Pines
on Charleston Lake, kept telling me that he had a friend he wanted me to meet as the two of us probably shared a love of photography
and Charleston Lake. Unfortunately, it was a year later before we could meet. When I had the opportunity to see
the work of Charles Ryan, I knew immediately that this was a person with a great eye for capturing nature and a
lover of Charleston Lake. I recently asked his permission to create this page featuring his work.
Most of these pictures are taken on Charleston Lake. I also asked that he give me a little information about his
background. To introduce him, I am just going to use his own description of himself, so here goes>>>
"I
have been in love with Charleston lake for about thirty years. I have always been interested in the arts and did paintings
and sculptures in a younger life. Teaching fifth-graders was also a passion of mine for about thirty six years. I found photography
in the sixties and this digital thing has renewed my love. The computer has opened a whole new world of expression for
me.
There is no place in the world I love to
photograph or be at than Charleston Lake. I am one with the lake at my cottage on Haybay
I am a certified loon lover and an avid smallmouth
bass fisherman. Catch and release is the only way to preserve the fishery at Charleston."
Charles Ryan, August 29, 2005
Charlie has been coming to Charleston Lake for years and finally gave up the teaching game and bought a
cottage on the lake...
Charlie can be contacted at