Before I attended high school, I had an epiphany regarding photography. I had worked hard mowing lawns, babysitting and delivering newspapers so I had a little cash available. My father always took great photos of us while we were on vacation, and I wanted to be able to take some pictures of my own. So I bought a very inexpensive Kodak 120 camera. The file was 35mm size, but in a cartridge that eliminated the need to spool or wind film. You just snapped a cartridge in and you were on your way. You could also add a flashcube, (sold separately) and it would turn a dark room into daylight!
Anyway, we took a trip to Orbisonia PA to visit the East Broad Top Railroad. The EBTR was the last narrow gauge railroad in PA still operating with its original steam equipment on its original tracks. The locomotives belched smoke and steam, and created a cacophony of sound as they strained to move their heavy hulks of iron over the steel rails. Although this was the late 60's, the scene was one out of the 1920's and was a dramatic demonstration of the technology of the past.
I had loaded my 120 with a black and white film cartridge and began snapping away. This was a simple point and shoot camera, no aperture settings, no shutter control, no focus required. I shot locomotives and rolling stock, the roundhouse and turntable, the water towers and maintenance equipment. I used every bit of film I had, probably 24 exposures, if I have to guess.
When the film was developed, I was shocked. The black and white exposures, sometimes blurry, grainy, over or under exposed, did not look like photographs taken in the 1960's. They looked like 19th Century, post civil war photos. There was nothing in the photo to give away the actual date, other than the Kodak date mark on each print.
It was at that point that I realized that the photographer could control the resulting image, and that reality could be altered into an expression of the artist's intentions. Ever since that day I have realized that I could be in a crowd of others with cameras, but it was only me that would interpret the scene in the way that I wished. It wasn't long after that I realized that my interpretations were usually superior to others, and that they had some artistic merit.
I can now afford state-of-the-art photographic equipment, and my Orbisonia photos were not digitized in time to save them from the ravages of age, but I still remember my simple camera, and realize that I captured a moment in time that cannot be replaced or duplicated. Photography is the ability to capture a fraction of a second in time, and preserve it for the future, and I hope that others will accept the role of archivist, and preserve the images of today for future generations.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker,
Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor |
|
All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
Hey Richard. I'm a photography buff as well and am about to embark on a mission in real estate photography.
Quality professional photos sell houses! i can't tell you how many homes i've passed over due to crappy shots.!
I'm investing in a nikon d300. I'm pretty excited. The photos of my properties will improve dramatically and my posts will improve as well. Should be an exciting summer!
I consider myself a photography buff, because I love to look at pictures.
This is another awesome pic! If anyone says any different they do not know their butt from their elbow! I love to take them but I do not have your eye. I have considered taking a class...
JL...
And you are buff!
Mel...
Thanks, I believe you would enjoy the class and be surprised at how easy it all is! Much easier than a stubborn seller or wary buyer.
Richard - My old man was an amazing photographer. He was a naval officer and later diplomat by trade but he was rarely without a camera in his hand. I initially started taking pictures to emulate him but I remember one afternoon sitting in my room. I was looking at some rather poor pictures of my cousins we had just come back from visiting. To say the photo's were not very good is an understatement. I remember throwing a couple of 'candid' shots in the trash as he came into my room. He took the pictures out, sat on the bed and made me look at them. I remember the words like it was yesterday... "this is a moment that you'll never be able to get back and you caught it on film." From that day on I've kept just about every picture I've taken.... except for those I completely missed the boat on. Now all these years later I'm the one that's rarely without a camera in my hand.
Jesse...
Your father and I think alike. I cannot throw away a photo, or delete a digital shot. They are all part of my body of work, and they all have merit because I chose to open the shutter. What a great lesson you learned from a very wise man.
Richard, Nice story, interesting that you did discover your gift so early on.. I enjoy taking photos but never spend enough time trying to hone the skill - to many other interests as well.. I KNOW - what you are probably thinking ;-) God bless,
I am glad Cheryl brought this back up. It is truly an awesome photo!!! (Are you tiring of hearing that?).
Cheryl...
It's just something that I enjoy doing, and believe me, there were many BAD photos during the learning curve! Thanks/
Gene...
Thank you.
Mel...
I never get tired of hearing that! I don't get the same reaction from my real estate work, that's for sure!
Nothing wrong with being a photo freak, when i married into my spouse's family they thought I was weird, I carried my camera to every get-together and took tons of pictures. I would send photos out to everyone 2-3 times a year in bulk. Now everyone is thankful that I took the pictures, especially now that some of the family members have passed away.