Sequim photographer Randy Radock doesn’t miss an opportunity to take a good picture.

"When I’m in the car, I always have my camera with me," he said. "You never know when you’ll have the perfect photo op."

Indeed, Radock, who said he travels about three times a year with his wife, Sallie, sees photographs in everyday things that many non-artists might simply pass by: a female peanut vendor in Buenos Aires, a driver in Zanzibar, a saxophonist in Seoul.

Although he said he is beginning to shoot with a digital camera, Radock said he prefers the mystery of photographing with old-fashioned film cameras.

"That’s what’s neat about film, you never know what you’ve got until you get home," he said of his Canon Elan film camera. "It’s always a surprise."

Picture-taking may be hereditary for Radock – his grandfather was a photographer in the Midwest in the 1930s and 1940s and often persuaded little Radock to pose for him.

"I was his subject," laughed Radock. "I’ve enjoyed cameras for a long, long time."

People and animals are Radock’s favorite subjects and he enthusiastically recounts stories for each of his pieces.

"This man was our driver in Zanzibar (an island off the coast of Tanzania, in East Africa)," Radock said, pointing to a close-up of a jovial-looking man. "He spoke perfect English and I found out he worked in New Orleans for six years, saved up money and moved back to Zanzibar … what a great man."

Radock said he and Sallie have made friends in many of the places they have visited. One of his favorite photographs is one he took of a family matriarch he and Sallie stayed with in Turkey. Radock snapped his camera as she fixed a meal over an open fire in the home’s courtyard.

"Being able to meet people when you travel and learn how they live … it’s fun," Radock said. "People are very interesting around the world."

Upon returning home from their globe-trotting, Radock said Sallie often makes CDs of their photographs set to music and the couple enjoys reminiscing about the most recent trip.

"We get up in the morning and sit with a cup of coffee and see pictures from somewhere else in the world," Radock said.

The artist, who also does block printing and said he finds much of his inspiration from his photos, is The Buzz’s May artist of the month. His photographs will be on sale throughout the month, but to Radock, getting a sale is secondary.

"I just like getting them out and having people see them," he said. "(Sallie) wants to see the world and I want to see the world … seeing it together is really important."

Photos at The Buzz

Sequim artist and photographer Randy Radock is The Buzz’s featured artist of the month for May. About 20 of Radock’s framed photographs from around the world, plus many more of his matted work, will be on display and sale throughout the month.

An artist’s reception will be held at The Buzz during the First Friday Art Walk from 5-8 p.m. on May 2

For more information on Radock, visit his Web site at www.randstarimages.com/.