My Journey with Photography

My 1st Camera: A Polaroid One Step

Every journey begins somewhere and this one began back in the late 1970s. It was Christmas time and I recall wanting only two things: my own 8 track player (Yes! An 8 track!) and a Polaroid camera. Well, I was a lucky boy that Christmas because I got both and while I enjoyed the 8 track player – and The Whiz 8 track cassette that came with it what I found myself playing with most was that camera.

I became the official family photographer for a while. Every chance I could I was taking a photo of something: my shoes, a favorite toy, my Uncle Joe kissing his wife … you get the point. There’s something magical about being able to freeze time and share it with the world. I couldn’t get enough of shooting! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to continue my journey for long as I dropped my camera out the back of a pickup truck and it was obliterated by both the dirt road we traveled on and a car that was following behind us.

My 1st "Real" Digital Camera: Kodak C190

I didn’t seriously get back in touch with photography until just recently; again, it was during Christmas. My daughters, tired of hearing me go on and on about how I would like to get back into photography, bought me a small digital compact camera. I was instantly thrust back into that old familiar feeling of awe and excitement and quickly went about the house photographing any and everything I could (to my daughters’ dislike).

This time around I went on a search to learn everything I could about photography and how to tell a story with images. I joined forums, subscribed to blogs and RSS feeds, read books and eventually enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where I am now officially working on a degree in photography.

Canon XTi With Battery Grip

Canon G12

I’m shooting with both a DSLR, a Canon XTi, and an advanced compact camera, the Canon G12, and I love it! I don’t know where this journey will lead me. I’m certainly enjoying the ride. Winking smile