Ever wished you could freeze a perfect moment in time, capturing the world’s beauty or a fleeting expression? Photography lets you do just that, and more! It’s a hobby that combines creativity with technical skill, offering endless opportunities to explore, express yourself, and see the ordinary in a whole new light. So, dust off that camera (or download an app!), because in this article, we’re diving deep into the exciting world of photography and why it might just be the perfect pursuit for you.
Photography is one of my loves loves, it started in childhood playing with old cameras that were no longer used. When I was given my first camera, the magic of photography consumed me. From taking that perfect picture, processing the film, and printing the image, it is as close to an act of creation that I will ever experience. Join me as I share my favorite hobby and how I got started in, A Lifelong Journey: Capturing the World Through Photography.
- My first camera(s)
- A chance encounter as yearbook photographer
- From film to digital
- A lifetime of learning
- Creativity, Capture, and Fresh Perspectives
My first camera(s)
The very first camera I ever was given was an old 110 point and shoot camera. Many of you may not be familiar with what that is. The picture above is pretty close to the exact model I used to have. It took a small cartridge of film that held approximately 24 pictures.These cameras and film were pretty inexpensive at the time and the quality of photos produced weren’t the best, either.You ended up with small square-ish photos that lacked quality and resolution to be blown up for larger sizes or slides. If they were, the resulting quality was grainy and scratchy looking.
Around my twelfth birthday, I was given a 35mm point and shoot camera.This came from my constantly bothering my mother for a camera. At this age, I felt I was ready for a single lens reflex camera, better known as an SLR. This is the type of camera that you have the ability to change lenses to change the way your image was shot. However, my mother felt the cost and my lack of experience warranted me something more affordable and less like to damage or lose.
That 35mm point and shoot went with me on school trips and vacations and it sparked a love of photography that has since grown. Well, the love waned, a little, when I learned the limitation of a point and shoot versus the quality of pics I wanted to take. Little did I know that in a few short years, all of that would change.
A chance encounter as yearbook photographer
I never stopped dreaming of getting an SLR camera, it occupied my dreams for many years. My junior year of high school, we received a new English teacher – his name escapes me but I do remember his impact. We had just started the fall semester of school and during our English class, our new teacher announced that they were looking for staff for the yearbook. My excitement rose to epic levels over this announcement. Partly because I knew I would need some extracurricular activities for my college applications and also because the idea of being on the yearbook staff was a dream. My mother knew many of the yearbook committee people in her grade and it allowed her the ability to be in many photographs, in her yearbook This was something I wanted to be a part of.
When he asked for volunteers, I briefly hesitated. As I noticed very few raising their hands, for this, I decided to swallow my nerves and raise my hand. I barely got it half way up when he said “Great, thanks Mr. Simpkins.” And, it was done.
From there, I was assigned my first SLR camera, a Minolta that was probably older than I was at the time and one 50mm lens.This was the perfect starter place and from there it was a crash course in taking pictures on an SLR and learning how to process my own film. Developing film was the closest thing to creating that I would ever get as a man. I was instantly in love.
After taking the majority of the photos for our yearbook and processing them, I knew there would never be turning back from photography.
From film to digital
My first real SLR was a Canon Rebel GII and I had two lenses at the time, the 18-55mm kit lens and a 70-300mm zoom lens. I was working at Ritz Camera at the time.
*Editors note: Ritz Camera was a camera and film store that was completely shuttered in the 2000s*
While at Ritz Camera, I perfected my developing skills and also learned how to mass develop film using developer and imaging machines. I also learned more about cameras and lenses than I dreamed possible. I experimented every chance I could get. Since I worked for a camera store, getting film was easier and somewhat cheaper. Every weekend I was out taking pictures. It was at Ritz Camera that I first got to use a Digital SLR. Immediately, I wanted one but, at that time and my, then, financial limitations meant that I could not get one. However, I “borrowed” my dad’s credit card to purchase my first camera, online. We shall leave that story there. The digital SLR also used the same lenses I already had, so I was starting in a good place and it also meant I no longer needed to purchase film.
Here we are today, and there have been three DSLRs since that time. In 2003, I actually took a photography class to pick up some more skills and learn some of the basic techniques. Most of the people in my class were beginners, so I was able to help many of them learn the finer details of developing film. The class gave me skills in learning to shoot action and portraits. I also enjoyed helping the teacher out with class and others in learning more about camera and photography. It was truly an amazing class.
A lifetime of learning
Recently, I thought it would be cool to look at all of the digital pictures I have taken. I was shocked to see that the drive had pictures dating back to 2004. The drive had 190GB and roughly 20,000 pictures. My journey with SLRs and DSLRs started at Ritz Camera and while there, every film roll I had, I saved to cd to be uploaded for storage. I do know that I am missing a lot of pictures. I probably lost around five thousand pictures in 2016, shortly after I moved to Ohio. Prior to that move, I had only stored my pics on one drive, but after moving, I decided I needed a back up and started saving all pictures I had in two places, thanks in part to Adobe Lightroom. My original drive crashed and was only able to recover about 85 – 90% of those photos. Since that time, I have also taken to uploading pictures I take to the cloud, to prevent this from happening again.
I am still learning about photography. My preferred subjects are nature, architecture, and macro photography. Over the last four years, I have not been as active in taking pictures as I once have and have been slowly getting more into it. What has helped rekindle my love are the art shows Karl and I go on. These shows have local photographers who sell their images and many of them are similar to ones I have taken. It has rekindled my love of photography and also made me realize that It could be fun to try to sell some of my work. In comparison, many of the pictures rival those I have seen, no shame to any photographer, just stating. But it has also given me a lot more ideas for how to work on my craft. Below you will find a gallery of some of my more recent images. Let me know your thoughts.
Creativity, Capture, and Fresh Perspectives
Photography offers a compelling blend of creativity and technical skill, making it a rewarding hobby for many. In this article, I Shared the reasons why photography is such a great pastime, from capturing fleeting moments to seeing the world in fresh ways. Whether you’re a seasoned shutterbug or just starting out with your phone’s camera, there’s something for everyone in the exciting world of photography.
There you have it, a brief “snapshot,” pardon the photography pun, into one of the few hobbies that has been a part of my life. There is something about having a camera with you to catch a moment that may, otherwise, slip by and be forgotten. To catch a brief moment in time that can be looked back on with fondness and nostalgia. A perfect piece of history, frozen in time for the world to see.
What about you, is photography something you like or dislike? Are there hobbies that you still continue to do that you started in your youth? What keeps you doing them, if so? Maybe you aren’t a hobby person, if so why not? Let me know in the comments below. Share some of those amazing pictures, if you like. Each and everyone of you are the reasons why I still do this blog, Thank you for being a part of GayintheCLE. until next time.
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