Hi everyone:
Although I've somewhat introduced myself through my posts, I think it's time I do so formally, having joined in late May and here it is nearly August already.
I'm in the incorporated City of Brentwood, California, which is in the far eastern part of Contra Costa County. So I'm in the Sacramento Delta region, not the Brentwood district of Los Angeles. I'm about 2 hours' drive directly east of San Francisco, in the sweltering Central Valley.
I've been photographing all my life, and bought my first 35mm SLR in the mid-1970's. It was a Canon AE-1, and I've been addicted to cameras ever since! Over the years I've owned too many cameras (from 35mm to 4x5) to mention, and currently have only two systems: Nikon FM2 and Hassy 500C/M. Years ago I sold the last of my autofocus cameras (except for my Olympus Stylus Epic, which is my "go-everywhere-snapshot" camera and the digicam I use for my eBay shots), after realizing that I only truly love heavy, well-built "metal, mechanical, manual" cameras. I also love fast prime lenses and avoid zooms. I own studio flash equipment, etc., but these days I shoot 99% in natural light only.
As for styles of photography and working methods and darkroom techniques--the list is very long. Speaking of the darkroom, I prefer FB to RC, and I work with two enlargers: Beseler 67 with a dichro head and an Omega D2V.
I've photographed for money, but now it's only for love, and I do love photography. Of all the "hobbies" or "interests" I've had in life, nothing has kept me as fascinated as photography--traditional, analog, black and white.
I could weep when remembering the good old days of walking into numerous, local, "real" photo stores and being able to actually handle various cameras and accessories. The darkroom supplies sections were well stocked and the store personnel were very knowledgeable. Now I buy everything mail order, as there are no real photo stores within 2 hours from me, and the more distant stores have all but abandoned the analog photographer.
Then I discovered APUG in late May, through a newspaper article. Long live APUG!
All the best,
Pat Trent
Although I've somewhat introduced myself through my posts, I think it's time I do so formally, having joined in late May and here it is nearly August already.
I'm in the incorporated City of Brentwood, California, which is in the far eastern part of Contra Costa County. So I'm in the Sacramento Delta region, not the Brentwood district of Los Angeles. I'm about 2 hours' drive directly east of San Francisco, in the sweltering Central Valley.
I've been photographing all my life, and bought my first 35mm SLR in the mid-1970's. It was a Canon AE-1, and I've been addicted to cameras ever since! Over the years I've owned too many cameras (from 35mm to 4x5) to mention, and currently have only two systems: Nikon FM2 and Hassy 500C/M. Years ago I sold the last of my autofocus cameras (except for my Olympus Stylus Epic, which is my "go-everywhere-snapshot" camera and the digicam I use for my eBay shots), after realizing that I only truly love heavy, well-built "metal, mechanical, manual" cameras. I also love fast prime lenses and avoid zooms. I own studio flash equipment, etc., but these days I shoot 99% in natural light only.
As for styles of photography and working methods and darkroom techniques--the list is very long. Speaking of the darkroom, I prefer FB to RC, and I work with two enlargers: Beseler 67 with a dichro head and an Omega D2V.
I've photographed for money, but now it's only for love, and I do love photography. Of all the "hobbies" or "interests" I've had in life, nothing has kept me as fascinated as photography--traditional, analog, black and white.
I could weep when remembering the good old days of walking into numerous, local, "real" photo stores and being able to actually handle various cameras and accessories. The darkroom supplies sections were well stocked and the store personnel were very knowledgeable. Now I buy everything mail order, as there are no real photo stores within 2 hours from me, and the more distant stores have all but abandoned the analog photographer.
Then I discovered APUG in late May, through a newspaper article. Long live APUG!
All the best,
Pat Trent
