Years ago, when I was in high school, I used a Canon AE-1 camera while assigned to the yearbook staff.  In our small school, the staff did everything except for the portraits that were done each year.  We were responsible for taking photos of the school plays, the parades, various events...

Then along came graduation, life, the Air Force, marriage, family.  Film cost money to process, so I'd take a few rolls of film here and there and every year or two I'd go get a dozen, 15, even 18 rolls developed at one shot.  I even have a low-end Minolta SLR but never felt very inspired by it even though it took decent enough shots... (it was a little too automatic).

Many if not most of those photos over the years were forgettable.  Regrettably I lost many opportunities to take beautiful shots simply because I wasn't "there".  Then about four years ago, an elderly neighbor lost her husband of several years.

I started going down every week or so and mowing her two and a half acre yard, in addition to my own.  I didn't charge her for it - it was my "community service" so to speak, with the understanding that she was planning to move in a few months when "things were in order".

For me, the time spent on the lawn tractor is a time for reflection, a time to replay the day's events (or week's or year's as the mood strikes) without distraction.  The sun shining down, or an overcast day, a breeze blowing the smell of freshly spread manure from the farms nearby or just a perfect all around day... It didn't matter - I'd go enjoy myself.

When finally, after a few months, she did move, she gave me a couple things rather than deal with them... One was a nice gas grill, to cook with.  I argued the point, but she insisted, and I've got to say, the months of mowing paid off when I use the grill to eat a steak, a burger, or even just a bratwurst.

The other item she insisted I have, was a Fuju 2MP point-and-shoot camera.  She knew I was mildly interested in photography.  And thought I might be able to use the camera.  And, grudgingly, I did.  As I learned that I could take a few dozen photos and print one or two out, I was intrigued by the possibilities.

A few months later, I bought an Olympus 4.1MP C765-UZ camera.  By the time I got that one broken in, I was hooked on photography again.  One day, I had the battery on the charger, and only had the Fuji with me, when I saw a scene that I just had to turn back for....

One of my favorite photos of all time is Amish Skies (Available here on eBay.)

From my 2MP "backup" camera, no less.  But back to the Olympus...  The one photo that really inspired me to do more, was Heaven's Light  (Available here on eBay.)

I have since upgraded to a newer model of camera, but it's an 'interim' camera because I know that sooner or later I must make the leap into a bigger, better model... yet at the same time, I don't feel a rush to do so because I have learned that a newer camera, a better lens, those things are fine and dandy - but to take a good photo, first you have to SEE the picture (or at least something interesting enough to inspire a good photo).

Anybody can go out and buy a $1000 SLR and point it at pretty places and call it good... but - and this is the tortuous part for me - the tough part is really learning how to do more with less, how to capture the "feel" of an object, a place, a thing, without having the five senses to do so. 

It would be awesome if my camera could give you the moisture spraying up from a waterfall, the scent of honeysuckle along the trail, the oppressive heat of an August day, or the sweetness of a candy bar... But it can't... So instead, I am trying to learn how to at least capture the "feel" that I can of scenes that I capture with my camera.

All that said, I just purchased on eBay a seven year old Canon 35mm SLR.  This $50 item included the kit lens (28-80mm), a couple filters, a cleaning kit, and a camera bag.  Included were the original receipts and warranty registration card.  The camera almost like new (only used a few times per the listing on eBay).

I took it out for the first time a coupla days ago, and I had the thought - I should have bought a REAL camera years ago!!  The first roll - through no fault of the camera, was less than stellar... But the second roll... :)  I can't wait to share those shots with you (soon!!)...

Maybe one day I'll be ready to spend the dollars on a digital model that can do what this one does, but first I'll use this one, and learn it's foibles, and sharpen my skills... It seems funny but 20 years have passed this month since I quit using that old Canon AE-1 in school, and here I've come around to a Canon Rebel...

Feel free to look around my eBay store, sign the guestbook, leave me some comments and tell me how I am doing... I am, after all, a newbie here, and welcome any feedback!