Personal Photography Evolution

Past Photography

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved taking and editing photos. During my early years, the subjects of my photography were found around the small farm I grew up on–chickens, turkeys and the occasional tree. My first camera was a black Kodak Ektralite 10, which my grandpa bought for me at a swap meet when he saw how excited I was about having my own camera. When I was about 10, I took this little camera on a camping field trip to Yosemite with my 5th grade class–even got a half-decent photo of Half Dome. The camera had no zoom and my fingertip made its way into many of the pictures, but I was a happy camper.

From that Kodak Ektralite, I graduated to a newer Kodak camera, this time an automatic so I didn’t have to wind the film myself. It was around this time that digital cameras were still a bit expensive to own unless you were a professional, but I did have a scanner, which I would use to get my prints onto my computer. (I also had the option of receiving the photos on a floppy disk in addition to my paper prints.) At this time, I was also taking graphic design and Adobe Photoshop classes at the local JC. I’d stay up until the wee hours of the morning editing my photos and posting them to my personal website.

Eventually I saved up enough money to buy a Sony Cybershot digital camera. Whenever I’d go on extended trips with my friends, I’d bring my camera with me and photograph anything and everything along the way. This little camera even traveled with me to South Korea in 2008! Unfortunately my camera was stolen, so I upgraded to a newer Sony Cybershot, which wasn’t as good as the older one. By this time, cell phones were taking pretty good photos so I used my phone from then on.

Present Photography

Currently I’m using my Samsung S5 for impromptu photos, which works pretty well. For less impromptu photos, I use a Nikon D5500. The Nikon is my first “real” camera, so I’m still learning all of the features and practicing different techniques. I’ve never taken a photography class, so I’m doing a bit of research here and there on how to improve my technique. Just learned about the rule of thirds the other day. :-)

To see my photos, feel free to check out my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/therealestbailiff/. If you have any good photography resources, please let me know. I’d love to check them out!