Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I’m liking this new section. It feels nice and free, like a kaffeeklatsch. So I was thinking about how I got into photography, and wondered how you did, too.

My dad was a full-time professional photographer pretty much all his working life. After high school he went to work for Acme Newspictures, which much later was absorbed into UPI. He was too nearsighted to be drafted but Acme sent him to the European Theater as a war correspondent. After the war he and four other fellows from Acme started a commercial business called Camera Associates in New York City.

Unfortunately, Dad died when I was just 10. I was marginally interested in photography because he was, but just didn’t get into it. I was in the army from 1961-1964, posted to Germany, and did not have a camera (long silly story, ‘nother time :? )

1965 found me out of the service and living in Oakland, California. That year Polaroid came out with the Swinger, with an extinction metering system and roll film that developed outside the camera. Priced at $19.95 it was affordable (although that’s supposed to be almost $150 in today’s dollars), so I bought one.

WOW WHAT A BLAST!

I was hooked, gainfully employed and single, so it wasn’t long before I stepped up to a better Polaroid, then another one, and I was involved in a church youth group at the time and found myself agreeing to make some pictures for the newsletter. In no time at all I found the Polaroids beyond inadequate, so I bought a Yashica TL Super, 35mm, Pentax mount, with a 50mm ƒ/1.8 (I think it was). BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH! For one thing, processing was spendy! So in the same photo store where I bought the camera they had a little B&W processing kit with an instruction book, Bakelite tank with adjustable reel, thermometer, some chemicals, some trays, a 7-watt red bulb and a little plastic horizontal enlarger. I got some black plastic sheeting and duct-taped it over the kitchen window. One thing led to another...

Well, looooooong story a little shorter, I met and married my bride, she urged me to go back to school on the GI bill plus she was working. I studied photography (and anthropology with emphasis on archaeology but that’s ‘nother long silly story for ‘nother time :? ). I emerged with two degrees and quickly discovered that there were no real jobs for photographers OR anthropologists, so I hung a shingle and started freelancing, which was entertaining. I also found work in a camera store (hafta eat) and freelanced as much as I could, learning new things daily. In 1978 I heard about a photographer who was selling his studio. Very, very foolishly we bought it. We lasted 16 years before she developed too many leaks and went under. (If you want advice, I recommend two things: have enough money in the bank for a full year of all expenses; and own your building and the ground it sits on.)

Yeah, so... :cry: I pretty much refused to pick up a camera until 2007, when we were going on vacation and my wife begged me to take a camera and I balked ‘cuz I didn’t wanna. I was overpacked. The bag was heavy. Yada, yada. So she bought me a $100 Nikon L12.

WOW WHAT A BLAST! (And one thing led to another...) :lol:

So that’s my too-long story. What’s yours? :mrgreen:

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

This will be fun! Thank you for sharing! S-

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi, Chuck,
Check out the "bio" at my website:
http://davidleegraham.biz/davidleegraham/bio.html

(Having a posted website IS a time saver!)

Dave

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Wonderful story, Chuck! Very engaging! You are a master storyteller, as well.

Someone gave me a Brownie (?) camera for Christmas when I was eight years old. I don't recall any more than that :)

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Boy, such credentials!!! My hat is off!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Aw. c'mon Linda; I know there's more to it than that! :mrgreen:

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

:thumbup:

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Wow! Now THAT'S Humility!
C'mon, Linda,.....somewhere along the line the SX50 snuck in there...and there have got to be a few more "gaps" you've left out...like where, along the line...was mastery being gained...and how...and why?

Dave

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Dave, I am flattered by yours and Chuck's interest! I truly don't have many memories of early years; however, in 1990 I took a year-long black and white film (and printing) class at a community college. That experience made a lasting impression.

Someone gave me an SLR in 1986 and I took an evening adult-ed class on how to use it :) That instruction was a great foundation for understanding exposure.

I was in a large, very active camera club in Virginia around the same time as my community college classes, and had great fun on outings and in the monthly club competitions. Learned lots and lots.

As for the SX50, I met someone a couple of years ago who was a bird/turned photographer. I couldn't get too many bird photos with an 18-55 mm lens, lol, and didn't want to pay big bucks to upgrade, or carry around all that weight.

The SX50 felt familiar in my hands, having used Canon SLR's always, and the opportunities here for photographing wildlife are plentiful. I have a great awe and appreciation for nature and it sure is fun to experience it with a super-zoom :)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Oh, and also in that 1988 - 1991 timeframe, I placed in top 3 in two photo contests: one at the National Zoo, and one sponsored by an army base.

Now you have my full resume :)

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

thanks for filling in. Your consummate virtuosity with the SX50 should be an inspiration to all "bridge" aficianados!

Dave