Today, just after finishing scanning 1600 slides (and who knows how many negatives) I can't help but remember my first camera, and my first photo contest.

When I first started shooting pictures back in 1980, my new camera was a Minolta XG1. It preceded the later release of the XG-1 which had a revamped body and a new Minolta logo. Both were 35mm film cameras of course. The XG1 is an aperture priority camera with a non-metered manual mode. I carried a light meter in my camera bag so I could shoot in full manual mode which was a good thing to learn how to do. The camera came in a kit that I purchased from Sam Solomon's catalog showroom. The kit included the XG1 with a Minolta 50mm normal lens, a bag, a cheap 135mm lens, and a cleaning kit. A bit primitive compared to today's digital cameras, including some cell phones. I thought it was a good camera, even with the cheap 135mm lens, which I replaced with a Sigma zoom later. And no, it did not shoot moving pictures.

I was not very familiar with using a still camera. I had shot some with an old Kodak Brownie, and I had used my Dad’s Agfa range finder 35mm camera on occasion. Dad’s camera was all manual, exposure, focus, the whole nine yards. I shot a few slides with it back in 1972 but nothing very good. I did have a friend take a picture of Diane and me with it, which I treasure very much.

Let me focus on what this post is really about.

I took a lot of pictures with my XG1 right out of the bag so to speak. I loved it. I liked the feel of the camera while advancing the film. I shot in black and white for a short while. Then I focused on color, and started taking pictures of my kids, Diane, and just about anything that looked interesting to me. I was a television studio and field camera operator for years so framing, exposure, and light were not unfamiliar to me, but translating that knowledge to still-shot film took a bit of work. I found that work to be interesting and pleasant. Actually, I loved it and took to it like a duck to water to use an old phrase.

My first field trip with my camera was a trip to the Virginia State Fair in Richmond. I shot a lot of pictures, but very much aware of the price of the film and to have my pictures developed and printed. I came home with some fair shots which later I made a lot better when I really threw myself into being a complete photographer. The following are two of the first photos I shot with my XG1.

I built my own color darkroom in our laundry room. That was quite a project. Along with printing my own pictures, I ordered metal museum frames, and mat material so I could cut those myself.

I had been shooting with my new tool, or should I say tools, for a few months, when I decided to enter an amateur photo contest sponsored by a well-known camera shop and the Portsmouth Parks and Recreation Department. The contest had a number of categories and I think there was a small entry fee for each one, but I am not sure about that. I remember that I entered five categories, Black and White, Children, Portrait, Open, and Still Life.

I printed the pictures, framed and matted them myself of course. One of the reasons that I built my own darkroom, was so I could print and frame them myself and ensure that they came out the way I wanted. I didn’t like being locked into certain sizes. I wanted to print my pictures and mount them in full frame if that made the image better. I agonized over what pictures I would display.

With Diane’s help, I made my decision about which picture to enter in each of the categories I wanted to compete in. The next morning I drove to Tower Mall in Portsmouth. I got there and saw folks setting up saw horse-like structures with chicken wire stretched across the fronts. There was a sign attached to the top of each with a category printed on it. I walked over to the entry table and spoke to one of the ladies there, signed my name to a paper, and was handed a few tags. . A few minutes later I was hanging my photos where they needed to go and attached my name under each.

I met other photographers who were also displaying their work. One was Frank, who would be a good friend. He also had a darkroom and would help in learning what better chemicals to use in my darkroom, how to work with contact sheets that sort of thing. He would show me how to develop color film, but I was never any good at that. The printing process, I could handle.

Here are my entries and my results. The category is at the bottom of the image.

I didn’t make it back to the mall the next Saturday for contest judging. Diane’s uncle Andrew suddenly passed away a couple of days after I entered and I of course had to attend his funeral on Saturday.

I went to the Mall on Sunday and one of the judges happened to be there. He told me my Still Life would have won first place if not for the reflection at the bottom of the picture. If it had been judged first it would have been one of the contenders for Best in Show. He thought it could have won. It was a pleasant surprise because I entered it at the last second just for the heck of it actually.

Years later, I scanned the slide and “repaired” that reflection. It turned out to be a better picture as you can see here.

The show was a grand experience. It helped set me on a path where I learned “The Art of Seeing” as one of my favorite photographers Freeman Patterson describes what we photographers practice. It’s a great hobby, one that I can practice virtually on my computer now. The darkroom went away a very long time ago. Frank and his Father in Law bought from me. I doubt they have it any longer.

If you wish to learn more about digital photography, both equipment and technique, check out my online lessons here on my blog:

PS I find this version of my Floating Veggies picture to be more accurate color-wise even with that award-costing reflection, I removed it in the next slide,which you can see by clicking on this one.