About The Author

My Life In Photography

This is a very boring story. I suggest you read my articles instead. In fact, you may wish to read several other more interesting things instead (hopefully after the articles, but before you read this page). I can name a few for you: “War and Peace,” “Silas Mariner,” or perhaps the top selling “1001 Things More Boring Than Watching Paint Dry.” If after reading the aforementioned titles you sit want to read this, check with your therapist first. If, after all that, your still looking for entertainment here, I doubt there is really any point in trying to stop you. I have only included this so that you might know that I know what I am talking about.

My history in photography

I always interested in photography already when I was very young. I think it was a feeling it was related to technology. I loved to play with any old camera I could find. I would not even need film in it. I just enjoyed framing things in the viewfinder and hearing the click of the shutter. I still like that sound.

I once read a magazine article written by a man who would take photos at small sporting events. He made (so the article claimed) his living by returning maybe a week later and selling the photos he took to the competitors (and anyone who also wanted one I would guess). That seem like just the kind of life I wanted when I was old enough. My guess is he drove a Volkswagon bus, just to give you an idea what kind of lifestyle had. The idea of a freelance photographic lifestyle really appealed to me.

"I bought my first camera when I was twelve."

I bought my first camera when I was twelve. At the end of my first week as a paperboy a house across the street had a garage sale. I bought my first 35mm camera for $5.00. It was an Ansco Super Memar and none of the shutter speed slower than 1/15th of a second worked. Otherwise, I was a great first camera. It had no meter, so I was force to learn how to guess exposure (I'm still not sure about the difference between “hazy bright” and “slightly overcast”).

"I paid over $18.00 for two sets of 4×6 prints, my first roll of film."

That week I took my first roll of film to Fotomat for processing. I had bought a 36 exposure roll instead of the 12 exposure roll my parents had suggested in case it turned out I didn't like photography (like there was any doubt at all). It took over a week for Fotomat to process the film back then (Fotomat was called “the outhouse” in the processing industry because of their little parking lot kiosks). I paid over $18.00 for two sets of 4×6 photos, my first roll of film.

Those photos turned out pretty good. Especially if you consider I used a camera with manual focus, exposure, and a tiny little viewfinder to compose and focus in. I still have those photos.

Early in high school I was involved with school related photographic contests (with the help of a high school teacher). I did very well on a state wide level.

About this time I received a Canon AV-1 from my uncles. Finally! A real SLR! The AV-1 was the lowest cost SLR Canon made at the time. I used that AV-1 for many years.