The Gift of a Camera Sparks a Passion for Art Photography
For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed photography. I received my first camera, a Kodak Disc camera, one year for my birthday. I think I was about 13. Lots of rolls of film went through that camera as I went through high school, and photography documented a happy time in my life. Many summer days were spent with my grandfather at the local community college, watching him develop the 35mm film from his Canon SLR.
After joining the military at 18, everyone said that I needed to get a “good” camera to take on my travels around the world. I bought a Canon 35mm EOS Rebel with the kit lens and a shoe mount flash from Save Rite, just like Pa had. I had no idea what I was getting, or even why, I only knew that if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me.
That camera and I traveled the world – Panama, England, Germany, Italy, Newfoundland, the Azores, and countless other military bases around the states. I took a lot of photographs with that camera, some of which still hang on the walls of my home. I still have that camera today; it sits in a special box in the bottom of my closest. It came out recently, and was used by a high school student who was doing a class project on photography and film developing. Worked like a champ, 23 years old.
Over the years I continued to take photographs, but never actually explored the art of photography. I simply clicked the shutter, developed the film, put the prints into an album if I liked them, or a shoebox if I didn’t. When digital came around I bought a point and shoot and pretty much followed the same routine, simply replacing the shoebox with the Recycle Bin. I captured moments in time, but did not realize that photography could be an art form in which I could express myself, and share how I see the world.
Just over two and a half years ago I received a Canon Rebel Xsi from my wife for our anniversary, and something clicked. Literally! Since that first memory card of awful photographs I have found a renewed passion for photography. I find that it stimulates my mind technically and creatively, as I try to find ways to capture both what I see and what I feel. Some days I succeed, and others I fail, but in both cases I try to learn, as I make my journey.
Recently, some family and friends have been encouraging me to do something more with the photographs that I have made. An idea was born, and it grew into this project, to create a site in which I could share with you what I see, and what i feel. I invite you to join me on my journey…