My Photo Biography

Rod Schall, Photographer

My photography began in the mid-40's as a signal corp. photographer at the end of World War II and continued in the early 50's as a public information photographer in Japan during the Korean War.

After earning my Bachelor's Degree I began my photography business as Schall's Photo Service in Sacramento, California. In 1956 I moved to Lamoni, Iowa to be the head of the Audiovisual Center and establish a full service photo lab at Graceland College, (now University.) I continued my education at Indiana University earning Master's and Doctor's degrees in Audiovisual Communications. I continued part-time as a professional doing business as CAMERA CRAFTS by Schall.

I retired from Graceland University in 1994 continuing in my business. I travel a lot and have taken hundreds of photos. I opened my photo gallery on the web at www.camera-crafts.com. In 2002, it was discovered I had a cancer growing on my left pelvis in the area where the hip is. The only treatment available was to surgically remove my left pelvis, (internal hemipelvectomy,) in order to eradicate the cancer. My leg is without any bone connection and will not support my weight for walking, so I am confined to crutches and wheelchair.

I could have become a couch potato, but I was determined to accept the disability and find ways to continue my love of photography. Many of my photos were taken since the surgery. Some have offered a real challenge to get. Such as the one of Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore Drive in Minnesota, I had to walk a couple of hundred yards and then descend a stairway on crutches 120 steps and then return. Going down steps is challenging since the leg muscles used to step forward are detached from the pelvis that has been removed. I have to throw my leg forward and bend my right knee at the same time so the left foot will catch on the step. Then I can let myself down to the lower step with my arms. This took me a long time, but the photograph was worth it, and many others agree and have purchased it.

Another challenge was getting the photograph of Presque Isle Lighthouse in Erie, Pennsylvania. The only view out of the trees was a very long trek on a sandy beach. Trying to walk on sand with crutches is not easy and took me over an hour to get the position I wanted.

I remember the difficulty in getting photographs of Cape Lookout Lighthouse on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. First, I had to take a ferry in a small boat tied up well below a dock. I cannot lift my left leg because of the detached muscles from the pelvis. I managed to throw my leg forward off the dock, and with my right leg squat down to a sitting position and then lower myself into the boat. When the boat arrived at the island, I had to make my way along the seats to the bow of the boat, sit on the side and shift up on the bow, throw my left leg overboard, and let myself down on the beach. I had about 70 yards of sand to crutch through until I got to a boardwalk. Getting back was an equal challenge, but I was able to get some fine photos on that visit.

These are a few of my challenges, but I enjoy taking photographs of our Creator's magnificent beauty for people to enjoy. I hope you enjoy my photography and your purchases will keep me going.