Doug Sims has come full circle as a photographer.

His passionate work reflects his journey through time with a camera. By combining a vintage photo on 35-mm film from the past with a digital image of the present, the Lake Tapps artist has creatively forged something unique and telling.

The combination sprung “Old Growth,” a black-and-white photo that attracted considerable interest and the People’s Choice Award at the recent Small Works, Big Presents: The Gift of Art exhibition.

Sims also captured first-place honors in the photography category with his entry at the Auburn exhibit.

“It’s a mixed message,” Sims said of his winning photo. “There was a tension I felt. Here’s an old man in a peaceful setting, lighting a cigarette in an old growth forest. That’s dangerous. That’s something that shouldn’t exist.”

Sims recovered the oldest negative he had, a photo he had taken as a teenager of an old man lighting his home-rolled cigarette at Pike Place Market. He combined the image with a more recent photo he had shot of an old cedar tree in the Federation Forest outside Enumclaw.

By blending the gentleman’s pinstriped overcoat with the texture of the cedar, Sims accomplished his goal. Man and tree became one, providing an unusual but interesting message. The Photoshop-assisted task took about 30 hours to perfect.

For Sims, photography always has been a fascination, beginning as a teenage photojournalist who once worked in a portrait studio while growing up in the Burien area.

Sims dabbled in photography throughout his years, but other interests took him elsewhere. He proved to be resourceful and handy, working as a pools and spas repairman for 25 years. He also took on woodworking and even remodeled his home.

Lately, he found himself getting reacquainted with photography, and began a home-based business, replete with all the comforts of technology.

The former “film guy” has taken it all in, opening his services to a part-time business.

Today he shoots for others, a clientele that include weddings, senior class portraits and other significant event assignments.

Sims enjoys the creativity and the possibilities with today’s digital photography. He enjoys realizing what he has visualized for a particular project.

“And it just keeps getting better and better,” he said.

One of Sims’ photos – “Jump for Joy” – of an athletic bride and groom won first-place honors at the Covington Days Festival.

Sims’ recent work was part of the Auburn’s third annual exhibit, orchestrated and supported by the White River Valley Museum and City of Auburn Arts Commission at the museum. A portion of the sale of artwork at the exhibition benefitted the museum.

The show celebrated the diversity and creativity in the regional arts scene and showcases the work of emerging and established Pacific Northwest artists while the community was offered an opportunity to purchase fine artwork.

Judges Margaret Bullock, Heather McGeachy and Esther Luttikuizen selected 78 artworks from the 283 total submitted and selected 52 artists for the exhibit.

Other award winners were: Teri Capp, “Sinuous” (Best in Show); Rocky Barrick, “White Barn” (first place); Cal Capener, “Roses” (second place); and Kent Miller, “Green River Bend” (second place photography).

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To learn more about Doug Sims and his work, please visit www.simsphotoart.com.