A Missed Opportunity

My first camera arrived when I was around 6 years old in my stocking one Christmas morning, circa 1968 (give or take a year). It was a little plastic instamatic and my older sister and I both received one. Problem was, mine was broken. I felt sad briefly, and moved on to other toys.

Some time later, I saw my sister's first batch of square glossy black & white pictures and was amazed. Of course I had seen plenty of photos before, but these were different... she had created them. I felt a sense of loss that I couldn't do the same. It would be over a decade before I would get a chance to make my own pictures.

The Early Years

In my second year of post-secondary education a good friend had a spare Olympus OM-1 that he wasn't using. He loaned it to me so I could be the fraternity photographer. The venerable OM-1 came complete with a 28mm prime lens, and a 75-150 zoom, along with a large bracket flash. I was in business! I learned to love that 28mm lens as I documented road trips and assorted other shenanigans.

Eventually I found myself wandering in abandoned industrial areas on the Toronto waterfront, shooting decaying buildings from the past. In the summer, I would load the camera with black & white film and wander the countryside. My family noticed my new hobby and gave me photography books. I taught myself the basics, and kept on shooting. Unfortunately, all those pictures are now lost.

The OM-1 (which I ended up buying) documented a large 6½ week trip with my bride-to-be, as we camped our way across Canada and back through the U.S. in 1986. It accompanied us to Germany and Austria in 1993. And then it went away.

The Present

In December of 2006, I moved from small digital cameras to a Canon digital SLR system. Now, I carry it on my back as I walk through the woods and villages of Ontario. I shoot what I come across as I wander about, because the best time is that very moment, while I am inspired by what I see. The greatest lesson I have learned so far is to always make the shot when you see it, because it probably won't look the same later.

I hope you enjoy these moments in time from my travels here and there...