My dad and I in 1973 Me with a Kodak XL-55
Me 45 years later!
I’ve always loved taking pictures (and movies) since I was about 5 years old. My family growing up, had the usual assortment of cameras from the 70’s-80’s: Polaroid SX-70, Kodak XL-55, and the Canon AE-1. Once I transitioned into the digital era (early 90’s), I stopped using film (no more trips to Fotomat), but did not delve into the interchangeable lens cameras just yet. I was mostly interested in having something that easily fit into my pocket, so I could always take a photograph when I wanted to, and felt that having something small and compact was the solution, which excluded any of the DSLRs. Even after the first smartphones came out, I still opted to take a point-and-shoot compact camera wherever I went, especially since the quality of images shot by phones were not very good. Over time, I was not happy with the quality of photos even on some higher end point-and-shoots, not to mention the inability to fully adjust the camera the way I wanted, so ended up getting a Sony RX-100, which seemed like a logical in-between option – having something compact that produced superior photos, even though it had a fixed lens. Eventually, this was also not satisfactory, but could not justify spending money in getting something I really wanted, but did not need, as this was just a hobby. Fast forward to 2018…after getting laid off a year and a half ago, and not having gotten another job, I unexpectedly sold one of my Datsun 240Zs (I had 2). Even though I probably should’ve used that money to pay some of my bills, I decided to get a “real” camera – a Sony A7 III instead. But not only did I get a camera, I also signed up for the Trail Runner Photo Camp in Bishop. I figured if I’m going all-in, I may as well get some superior tutelage from one of the great photographers I admired, while photographing a sport that I spend the majority of my time doing!
Gear List
Cameras
Sony A7R3