A visit to the Spencer Livestock Exchange
West Fork's Bluegrass Festival dancers
By Bob Weaver
Some believe that the secret of making great photographs is knowing where to point the camera. If that means what is in the photograph draws you back to it again and again, then it might be an acceptable definition.
Calhoun photographer Chet Dowell's photos not only catch the eye, but call to the viewer to "look at me again."
 Dowell, (left) born in southeastern Colorado, brought his wife Nellie from New Jersey in 1972 to a Calhoun County farm on Rush Run.
"That's what I always wanted to do. Be a farmer." said Chet.
Later, they moved to Hughes Fork between Rowels Run and the faded village of Joker, where they raised their three children.
"One winter it was so cold in the old farmhouse, we had to close the rooms and stay in one room," said Dowell. "You learn about nature and masterfulness in a place like this." He really liked raising Black Angus cattle and going to the livestock sale in Spencer.
"The silence is a wonderful thing, being able to collect one's thoughts," he said, "A real blessing," saying that people who have always lived in the backwoods likely take the luxury of space for granted.
West Virginia's Blackwater Canyon
During the early years, Chet taught at Orma and Pleasant Hill, but decided to fore-go teaching for photography. Nellie has continued to teach in the local school system, and is approaching retirement.
Chet's early interest in photography came from visiting some of America's national parks, shooting wildlife and nature. Twenty years ago he started getting serious, have his photographs juried so they could be entered in arts and craft shows around the country.
"I have really enjoyed photographing horses and farmers," he said.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of Chet's photographs hang on the walls of homes and businesses.
After lots of traveling, "I'm coming home to launch a new project - chronicling the daily life and culture of Calhoun folks."
While he has photographed people and nature in Calhoun, he says it is now his focus, making a photo record of country life at the beginning of the 21st century.
"Folks here have always been gracious to help with my efforts," he said. "I hope to pay them back with the photographs," which he hopes to publish in a book.
See Dowell's Gallery at www.chetdowellphotos.com
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