I took a darkroom class in 1980 and bought my first camera — a Canon AT-1, totally manual. I learned about f-stops (aperature), shutter speed, and ASA (ISO in digital). I had wide angle and zoom lenses, but usually only used the zoom.
After being bitten hard by the computer bug in 1988 and becoming addicted to watching a computer do what I wanted, I finally got my first digital camera in 2000 so I could have something more to play with on my computer. It was a Sony DSC-S70 — with all the manual controls I was used to with my Canon. Even tho it was only 3.2 mp, my photographic skills really improved from the instant feedback. I read photography books and found a plethora of photographic information on the internet. I learned about light, the Rule of Thirds, and all the other composure techniques I could find. Since I'd become very spoiled with the live LCD display, I didn't want to give that up for a digital SLR (dSLR) camera. And besides, I'd had it with changing lenses. In 2005, I finally found the camera I was looking for, still use all the time, and love dearly — a Sony DSC-R1. It's considered a hybrid because of the settings and controls but does not have a removable lens, is no longer made, but does everything I really want and need. I'm totally comfortable and familiar with it even tho some photographers consider it just a "point and shoot".
I believe the camera does NOT make the photographer — the photographer makes — not takes — the photograph regardless of the equipment. Afterall, the pots and pans do not make a great chef, nor the paint and brush making a great artist. It's the photographer's eye, some knowledge, and frequently the luck of being in the right place at the right time that captures a good photograph.
I hope you enjoy my photographs and that they bring you joy looking at them. I have many photos posted here.
