Simplifying

I learned photography using a 1970’s vintage Canon SLR.  When the Base Newspaper Office where I worked upgraded to new Canon EOS bodies, it was like a quantum leap in photography for me. 

Even though most of my photography these days is done digitally with my DSLR, I’ve been keeping film cameras around.  I enjoy shooting a roll of film now and again; it teaches me to slow down, to concentrate on the process, and makes me think very hard how to capture the moment I want to capture – film definitely does not offer the instant gratification of digital, nor the chance to shoot several hundred images and cherry pick the best right away.

That having been said, I’ve collected a few vintage cameras over the years.  They’re gathering dust for the most part, stored in a bin, not being used.  And that’s a shame. 

My partner and I are going to New York this weekend, and I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to visit Adorama and divest myself of some of the little-used cameras.  I’ll keep a couple that I really like – my very nice Canonet GIII QL17 and my banged-up, well-used Nikomat FTN spring to mind – and see if I can recoup some money from the others that aren’t being used. 

I still intend to shoot a roll of film now and again, as the experience helps me remember that making a good photograph isn’t always so simple.  A little history lesson now and again can only benefit my work.