When Gary Stanley, a professional outdoor and nature photographer from Swampscott, needs inspiration he hardly has to leave the house.
Many of Stanley's published photographs were taken from his deck overlooking King's Beach on Humphrey Street, including images of Boston's skyline at sunset, and nor'easters sending waves crashing into the sand.
From his perch, Stanley also photographs lobster boats and colorful dinghies used for lobstering, a profession for which he said he has a deep affinity.
"It's fascinating, difficult work," Stanley said of lobstering. "(It's a) tough (way) to make a living."
Tonight, Stanley's love for lobstering and nature will be on display in the Phillips Library Auditorium of the Peabody Essex Museum, during "The Art of Photographing Nature," a free, 90-minute lecture co-sponsored by Salem Sound Coastwatch and PEM.
The night will begin with a short slideshow set to music titled "A Lobsterman's Life," which will cover all aspects of the vocation. Included will be photos Stanley shot on the coasts of Swampscott, Gloucester and northern Maine.
Then, Stanley said he'll give a light instructional program based on his work as a self-taught photographer with 30 years experience. He'll display and critique a series of images he's shot around New England, and in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, where he leads photo tours.
"I'll talk about lighting and composition with a good amount of humor thrown in," said Stanley, who added that he'd also provide basics on equipment.
Stanley has published his work in several magazines, in scenic calendars and on postcards. He also writes articles and books on photography, and he and his wife, Pam, maintain a Web site, www.light-chasers.com, where he sells high-quality prints of his photos.
But without the help of a local doctor, Stanley's photography career would have come to an end several years ago.
In 2003, Dr. Michael Medlock, chief of neurosurgery at North Shore Medical Center, performed brain surgery on Stanley to remove a benign tumor putting pressure on his optic nerve.
Stanley said he was told there was a 15 percent chance of going blind if the surgery did not go well.
"When you.know a transmission is going on your car, you might get 5,000 miles on it or it might break down tomorrow," said Stanley, who worked in the auto-glass repair business for years before taking up photography. "So I chose elective surgery sooner rather than wait for it to happen."
"It's quite a handicap to be a photographer and have a tumor pressing on your optic nerve," deadpanned Medlock. "I was very gratified that that got better for him."
Since the surgery, Medlock said he's become a fan of Stanley's work. He's purchased two of Stanley's large prints and had Stanley show his work in the atrium of his outpatient offices in Peabody.
Last summer, Medlock invited Stanley to present his photos at Swim & Fin Oceanfest, a Salem Sound Coastwatch festival celebrating Salem Sound held annually at Forest River Park in Salem.
Medlock was also the impetus for "The Art of Photographing Nature," Stanley's lecture tonight.
"I'm sort of paying him back," Stanley joked.
Stanley — who was a newlywed of just four months when he was diagnosed with the tumor — said the surgery "literally boosted my appreciation for life and for my creativity." To make his point, he refers to the motto on his Web site that reads "photography inspires because nature inspires."
"I get excited when I see my photography, not because I took them but because I was able to capture what I saw and felt in my heart," he said.
BOX
If you go
What: "The Art of Photographing Nature," a lecture by Gary Stanley, co-sponsored by Salem Sound Coastwatch and Peabody Essex Museum
Where: Phillips Library Auditorium, PEM, 161 Essex St., Salem
When: Thursday, May 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
How much: Free
Info: www.pem.org, www.salemsound.org, www.light-chasers.com
