He turned his mother's basement laundry space at their home in Great Falls into a dark room by covering the windows with towels. He used some of her Pyrex dishes for trays.

He became friends with photographers at the Great Falls Tribune, who gave him odds and ends to do.

He received a degree in art education from the University of Montana in Missoula and taught in the Great Falls public schools for 28 years.

Warner has worn many hats, including, we imagine, a cowboy hat. Both John and his wife, Diana, were drawn to the ranching lifestyle. In 1971 they got a place at the base of Square Butte, a landmark that can be seen from miles around. The Warners raise sheep, cattle and the hay to feed them.

Why does he continue with photography after all these years? "It's something that I do for my soul. It fills a creative need," he said.

He specializes in black-and-white photos as well as images that he hand colors to enhance their impact.

He shies away from digital. "That's one thing that separates me from a lot of photgraphers," he said. "I'm pretty traditional. I'm not interested in digital. I think my photography has become more of an art form because of that."

Warner has come to Utah for the cowboy poetry gathering in Heber City. "My cowboy stuff just fits in there. It's nice to go down there and gain some relationships with artists and buyers."

More information ...

THE BOOK: Hands of Harvest: The Craft Heritage Trails of North Central Montana
WHERE TO BUY IT: Cascade County Extension office at the Westgate Mall, 1807 Third Street., N.W., Great Falls, Mont.
PRICE: $10
PURCHASE ON THE WEB: www.handsofharvest.org; www.biblio.com/books/99941050.html; $12
PHONE: 406-454-6980

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E-mail: kclayton@desnews.com