My love, my obsession
It began innocently enough. I was young, curious and we did a lot of camping. My mother always brought along a basic point and shoot camera. It was sleek black plastic and used 35mm film. I had to hold it. To feel the power that it contained, that all cameras contain.. To use that power.
The power to capture time.
Tiny fragments, unique moments that will never happen again.
Bits and pieces of memory and things.
Like the sap of some ancient tree that swallowed a bit of it's world and slowly turned to amber.
A peace of reality to be held and admired long after it has passed, a forgotten memory.
I would barrow that camera when I was little. My mother always reminding me to be careful. Of course I was careful. It was the greatest treasure I knew of, how could I not be careful. I was trapped inside its clutches and wanted desperately to own it myself instead of borrowing now and then.
Then came 3rd grade. Scholastic Books had a promotion that year. For every book you bought you got a paper buck that could be turned in for prizes. Mostly your basic party favor type stuff. Things like paddle balls, but right at the very top for a total of 60 paper bucks was a basic 110 pocket camera. At home I was informed that I had to read every book I bought. I read a lot of books that year.
I first reached my goal about half way threw the school year. When I went to turn in my order I discovered that they had been stolen. It was very upsetting and I had to start all over. Like I said I read a lot of books that year.
I did manage to make the final deadline for ordering and I kept those on me so no one could steal them. When it finally came it even had a roll of film with it. It was a combination of black and a medium brownish tan color and it was mine.
All mine.
I no longer had to ask to barrow a camera I just had to buy film. I spent a good portion of the funds I got on film. I spent as much of my time as I could capturing time. The power was mine.
In time I would discover that it was only a fraction of the power. A small portion that was put together for those who couldn't manage the full power of photography. That was something that came with interchangeable lenses, darkrooms and accessories. I wanted more. I wanted as much of the power as I could afford. First I had to do some research and figure out what form of it I wanted and how much it would cost.
My sophomore year in high school I got my SLR (single lens reflex) camera. A beautiful Pentax K-1000, sleek chrome and black. It was my Christmas/birthday present and had a 35mm lens and a 150-250mm telescoping lens. I would add a 2× converter and a remote trigger. It was glorious.
I took the photography class as well. There I learned how to develop my own black and white film and photography. I also learned about a number of tricks used both behind the lens and in the darkroom.
I used her until my children were old enough to try to figure out how it works. I have considered looking up how to repair it myself but just haven't had the courage.
Having limited funds and no camera repair person around I had to go back to a point and shoot camera. This time a Kodak easy share. It was blue and better than nothing. It did not compare to my K-1000 that now sits in a drawer waiting for me to man up and fix her.
These days I have an EOS Rebel t5 and a lot more. I even have a portable studio. I got the studio stuff for taking graduation photos of my youngest. She is a great companion and I enjoy going on walks with her. We tend to do more macro photography because of my vision but I have the power ready when I want it.
Sure, I could probably use a vertual darkroom but I don't need one. My photography doesn't really need to be edited even if it might be fun to do a bit of mix and match.
I can be a bit of a purist with somethings.
My flickr account is under AKOriginals if you want to check it out.
The power to capture time.
Tiny fragments, unique moments that will never happen again.
Bits and pieces of memory and things.
Like the sap of some ancient tree that swallowed a bit of it's world and slowly turned to amber.
A peace of reality to be held and admired long after it has passed, a forgotten memory.
I would barrow that camera when I was little. My mother always reminding me to be careful. Of course I was careful. It was the greatest treasure I knew of, how could I not be careful. I was trapped inside its clutches and wanted desperately to own it myself instead of borrowing now and then.
Then came 3rd grade. Scholastic Books had a promotion that year. For every book you bought you got a paper buck that could be turned in for prizes. Mostly your basic party favor type stuff. Things like paddle balls, but right at the very top for a total of 60 paper bucks was a basic 110 pocket camera. At home I was informed that I had to read every book I bought. I read a lot of books that year.
I first reached my goal about half way threw the school year. When I went to turn in my order I discovered that they had been stolen. It was very upsetting and I had to start all over. Like I said I read a lot of books that year.
I did manage to make the final deadline for ordering and I kept those on me so no one could steal them. When it finally came it even had a roll of film with it. It was a combination of black and a medium brownish tan color and it was mine.
All mine.
I no longer had to ask to barrow a camera I just had to buy film. I spent a good portion of the funds I got on film. I spent as much of my time as I could capturing time. The power was mine.
In time I would discover that it was only a fraction of the power. A small portion that was put together for those who couldn't manage the full power of photography. That was something that came with interchangeable lenses, darkrooms and accessories. I wanted more. I wanted as much of the power as I could afford. First I had to do some research and figure out what form of it I wanted and how much it would cost.
My sophomore year in high school I got my SLR (single lens reflex) camera. A beautiful Pentax K-1000, sleek chrome and black. It was my Christmas/birthday present and had a 35mm lens and a 150-250mm telescoping lens. I would add a 2× converter and a remote trigger. It was glorious.
I took the photography class as well. There I learned how to develop my own black and white film and photography. I also learned about a number of tricks used both behind the lens and in the darkroom.
I used her until my children were old enough to try to figure out how it works. I have considered looking up how to repair it myself but just haven't had the courage.
Having limited funds and no camera repair person around I had to go back to a point and shoot camera. This time a Kodak easy share. It was blue and better than nothing. It did not compare to my K-1000 that now sits in a drawer waiting for me to man up and fix her.
These days I have an EOS Rebel t5 and a lot more. I even have a portable studio. I got the studio stuff for taking graduation photos of my youngest. She is a great companion and I enjoy going on walks with her. We tend to do more macro photography because of my vision but I have the power ready when I want it.
Sure, I could probably use a vertual darkroom but I don't need one. My photography doesn't really need to be edited even if it might be fun to do a bit of mix and match.
I can be a bit of a purist with somethings.
My flickr account is under AKOriginals if you want to check it out.