Christopher Falk was sleeping on a convertible couch in a friend’s living room and doing part-time data entry to earn money. It wasn’t the feature presentation he’d waited through the previews of high school to see.

But then he took an adult-ed basic photography course. Now he’s showing his work in galleries and opening a custom framing shop. Life for Falk, a 2000 Cape Elizabeth High School graduate, isn’t too shabby, even if his 1989 Toyota Tercel says otherwise.

Falk’s work is on display at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth through the month of February. His photos range from black and white to color and digital. His work documents his adventures- capturing local artifacts, like buoy collections, and his travels to more exotic locales, like the West Indies.

It was just a few years ago that Falk dropped out of Rensselear, a technical school in upstate New York, where he studied computer sciences on a partial scholarship. After a year at the prestigious technical institute Falk needed a break. “I don’t like to live school,” he said.

He didn’t feel passionate about fixing computers. “It was just something I was good at,” he said.

Leaving school meant he had the opportunity for less responsibility and more flexibility. “I took some time to have more fun than I was having in school,” said Falk.

Falk found his fun. After doing computer work at an all-girls college in New York, he moved to Florida and worked on a commercial sailboat, then rode his bike from San Francisco to San Diego.

In February 2003, he went to Rochester, N.Y., where a friend lived. In the depressed area, he found little job opportunity. For a while he worked part-time at the Staples and temped, doing data entry. “It’s the new slavery,” said Falk, “and the worst part was that I was good at it.”

Despite his talents in data entry, he still couldn’t find a full-time gig. “Not even the most menial work,” he said.

Making the most of his time, he took a basic photography course through the local community services program. It was there he developed not only film, but also a love of photography.

Since then, he’s pursued the art in his own time. “I bought a lot of books, and read a lot of books,” he said. However, it was computers that brought him closer to pursuing his art.

After struggling to find work in New York, he came home to Maine. He attended USM as an English major and worked part-time fixing computers. It was through his computer work that he met fellow Cape resident Stephen Popp who became Falk’s mentor and business partner.

The two met when one of Popp’s friends’s referred Falk to Popp for some computer work. Popp’s first impression of Falk was positive; he was focused, articulate and effective. The next time Popp needed work done, he called Falk again. This time it was for his small frame shop in an old brick building near the marina in South Portland.

Popp spent a bit of time questioning Falk about his interests and activities and discovered a multifaceted young man. “I realized he was really a renaissance man,” said Popp, who had uncovered in conversation Falk was a sailor, artist, and techie.

Popp, who’s rubbed shoulders with everybody from homeless people to presidents, said that nobody has made the impression on him that Falk has. “The guy is brilliant. He is literally an island of genius,” said Popp.

So he asked him to partner up in a business venture- a custom framing shop. Falk’s technical precision and skill is the perfect foil to Popp’s artistic sensibilities, said Popp. “He’ll provide a balance to a dream…I’m flighty, he’s focused,” said Popp.

Popp also admires Falk’s artistry. Which is why Popp hosted Falk’s first show in the original “Old Crow Gallery” on the water in South Portland. “He is not raising a camera to click a photo, he reaches through the camera and embraces a moment,” said Popp.

Convinced that Falk had the skills to be an artist, Popp urged him to hold a showing but Falk was uncertain. Popp said Falk “didn’t realize the gifts (he) held in (his) pocket.”

Popp also encouraged Falk to apply for space at the Thomas Memorial Library. Falk’s work is exhibited at the library through February. The Old Crow Gallery will open in early March. For more information visit www.soulthievery.com.

Cape High School grad Christopher Falk’s photography is being shown at the Thomas Memorial Library through February.