ARTIST'S PHOTOS ACHIEVE 'ALTERED' STATES'POLAROID IS HIS MEDIUM.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

LANCASTER - He's a mild-mannered United Parcel Service driver by day and an artist by night, manipulating photos into his own design with the use of an SX-70 Polaroid camera.

Ronald Spees has won numerous prizes for his photography, both altered and general. Two of his photos were featured in the 1994 and 1995 calendars put out by the Antelope Valley Hospital Gift Foundation. He also has a set of postcards for sale at Mourning Cloak Ranch in Tehachapi, and at the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest.

Using the Polaroid camera, Spees creates his own designs on the self- developing photos by using a toothpick, mechanical pencil or an orange stick to draw directly on the photo.

The emulsion, while it is still soft and fluid (under its protective coating), is manipulated into waves of patterns on the image. The final product can then be enlarged with a copy negative or color laser printer.

``The post-manipulated Polaroid process has rejuvenated my creative expression in photography and drawing,'' Spees said. ``I am always looking for subject matter that might be good for the Polaroid medium. And, not all of the finished works turn out as expected.

``Because I am often surprised with the results, I usually have my Polaroid SX-70 with me to see what I can create with its surrealistic effects. I call these finished works 'Altered Images.'''

Except for a few high school and college photography classes, Spees is primarily self-taught, critiquing his own work and studying the works of great photographers such as Ansel Adams and Freeman Patterson.

His greatest influences came from field workshops sponsored by University of Southern California Adventure Photography with founder Dave Wyman and professional photographer, Gordon Wiltsie.

His first exposure to manipulated photos came in the late 1980s at a Renaissance art show in Yosemite.

``I just thought it looked like a painting,'' said Spees. Though he looked for several years, he didn't find an SX-70 camera until 1994 when he purchased one for $235. This unique collapsible camera takes photos in two sizes - 4-by-5 and 8-by-10.

A UPS driver since 1984, Spees finds time to work on his photographs on weekends and vacations away from his job.

Spees, who works out of his studio at his home in Littlerock, said he prefers the Polaroid camera because the picture develops itself.

``I've got total control of it,'' said Spees. ``When you take your work to other photographers to be developed, you may not always like the results.''

He also likes the fact that unlike conventional photography, with manipulated photos each one is an original.

``I can make the same image, but it's not going to come out the same because of the process,'' explained Spees.

Spees prefers to take outdoor photos of urban and scenic landscapes, ancient rock art, ghost towns, boat harbors and wildflowers. One of his favorite places to take photos is the Coso Ranges in Ridgecrest.

``With one visit to the Coso Range, I knew this was a special place,'' said Spees.

Spees plans call for expanding out of art galleries and into businesses.

``I'd like to do more postcards and work more towards the commercial aspect,'' said Spees.

Ronald Spees' work will be on display through Aug. 5 at the Cedar Centre Art Gallery, 44857 Cedar Ave., Lancaster. The gallery is open 1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

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(1 -- 2 -- color) Ronald Spees, above, is displaying his altered Polaroid images in Lancaster. ``Horse Barn,'' left, is among the works by Spees on display.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer