Photographer's Origin Story
Photographer's Origin Story
For context, the Sony Mavica—short for Magnetic Video Camera—debuted in 1981 as the world’s first “still video camera,” capturing analog video signals at 10 images per second with a resolution of 570×496. Early models used 2.0″ floppy disks for storage, later known as video floppies, which could hold up to 50 images. The 1999 model, a 0.3-megapixel camera, sold for $699—about $1,283.50 today. At that time, a floppy disk could store only 9-12 photos at 640×480 resolution. In contrast, today’s Canon R6 with its 24.2-megapixel sensor can store around 1,066 RAW photos on a 32GB SD card.
Like many people born in the 20th century, I’ve been taking photos for as long as I can remember. With the rise of digital photography, it feels like everyone has become a photographer, thanks to smartphones that make capturing and preserving memories easier than ever. I love discovering hidden treasures—like an old family photo album or the previously unseen work of Vivian Maier. However, with the shift to digital storage and cloud services, such finds are becoming increasingly rare.
I’d like to share a bit about my photography “origin story.” My first camera was a Kodak Mickey-Matic with 110 film and a “Flip Flash,” which I probably received in 1988 when I was 5 years old. I carried that camera everywhere, taking grainy vacation photos of cars, dogs, and my siblings. Although I took a break from photography to explore other interests like drawing and painting, I returned to it as an adult form of artistic expression.
I’m proud to be part of the generation that transitioned from analog to digital photography. I remember the first digital camera I saw—a Sony Mavica, likely the FD83 model—brought to my Eagle Scout Awards ceremony in 1999 by a friend. This camera fascinated me with its use of 3.5″ floppy disks for storage, which were like large SD cards with a metal sliding door.
For context, the Sony Mavica—short for Magnetic Video Camera—debuted in 1981 as the world’s first “still video camera,” capturing analog video signals at 10 images per second with a resolution of 570×496. Early models used 2.0″ floppy disks for storage, later known as video floppies, which could hold up to 50 images. The 1999 model, a 0.3-megapixel camera, sold for $699—about $1,283.50 today. At that time, a floppy disk could store only 9-12 photos at 640×480 resolution. In contrast, today’s Canon R6 with its 24.2-megapixel sensor can store around 1,066 RAW photos on a 32GB SD card.
What made the Mavica memorable was the floppy disk. My friend gave it to me as a keepsake, and even though I found the digital photos lacking compared to film, the immediacy of the technology was exciting.
That experience left a lasting impression. I remember dismissing photography as “art” back then, saying, “Anyone can take a photo; that’s not art.” Looking back, I see how misguided I was. However, that moment must have sparked something within me, because I enrolled in an introductory photography course at my high school the following year. With my aunt’s help, I bought my first SLR camera—a Canon Rebel 2000, which I still own. I remember choosing the black and silver model at Art’s Camera in Milwaukee and pairing it with a Tamron 28-200 lens. Although that lens was stolen along with my first DSLR, I still cherish the camera and its replacement lens.
In the darkroom, I truly fell in love with photography. Developing film, experimenting with exposure times, and achieving rich black-and-white contrasts were thrilling. I remember creating a perfect solarization effect on one photo and the excitement it brought, even if it meant throwing away the developing bath.
Although I never saw photography as a career path, it was always an artistic outlet. I discovered its true value at Edinboro University while studying film and animation. I initially planned to minor in photography, but a disagreement over my final portfolio led me to switch to printmaking. Regrettably, I missed out on developing color film.
After graduation, I worked for a web design company creating videos. While I was unhappy there, I had access to camera equipment, including a Nikon DSLR for photographing industrial equipment and networking events. One assignment involved photographing golf putters designed to look like racecars. Though I initially felt disheartened, I realized it was better than working in a sweatshop. This shift in perspective helped me find joy in my work.
When the Nikon stopped working, the company bought a Canon Rebel DSLR based on my recommendation. A new IT person with a passion for photography joined the team, and we bonded over photo walks and adventures. He taught me new techniques, sparking a deeper interest in photography beyond work.
Soon, I was completely hooked. I realized it was time to invest in my own gear. In 2009, I cashed in savings bonds to buy the Panasonic AG-DVX100B, a professional camcorder for video. That summer, I started filming a feature film I co-wrote with a friend. But I needed a dedicated camera for photography.
In September 2009, Canon announced the 7D, which shot video at 1920×1080 resolution. I decided to save up and invest in a DSLR that could handle both HD video and still photography. Plus, I could use my Tamron lens from my 35mm setup. Originally priced at $1,699 (about $2,728 today), I finally bought the DSLR. I traded 35mm film for Compact Flash and was fully immersed in photography. I took that camera everywhere.
The day I bought my Canon 7D, I felt like an artistic photographer, moving beyond my professional work. As I continue this blog, I’ll share more about my growth in photography. For now, I’ll pause here to keep things brief. There’s much more to discuss—more equipment upgrades and experiences. My passion for photography is boundless, and despite my extensive knowledge, I still feel like an amateur discovering the craft for the first time. It’s that beginner’s mindset and desire to learn that keeps me coming back for more.
Like many people born in the 20th century, I’ve been taking photos for as long as I can remember. With the rise of digital photography, it feels like everyone has become a photographer, thanks to smartphones that make capturing and preserving memories easier than ever. I love discovering hidden treasures—like an old family photo album or the previously unseen work of Vivian Maier. However, with the shift to digital storage and cloud services, such finds are becoming increasingly rare.
I’d like to share a bit about my photography “origin story.” My first camera was a Kodak Mickey-Matic with 110 film and a “Flip Flash,” which I probably received in 1988 when I was 5 years old. I carried that camera everywhere, taking grainy vacation photos of cars, dogs, and my siblings. Although I took a break from photography to explore other interests like drawing and painting, I returned to it as an adult form of artistic expression.
I’m proud to be part of the generation that transitioned from analog to digital photography. I remember the first digital camera I saw—a Sony Mavica, likely the FD83 model—brought to my Eagle Scout Awards ceremony in 1999 by a friend. This camera fascinated me with its use of 3.5″ floppy disks for storage, which were like large SD cards with a metal sliding door.
For context, the Sony Mavica—short for Magnetic Video Camera—debuted in 1981 as the world’s first “still video camera,” capturing analog video signals at 10 images per second with a resolution of 570×496. Early models used 2.0″ floppy disks for storage, later known as video floppies, which could hold up to 50 images. The 1999 model, a 0.3-megapixel camera, sold for $699—about $1,283.50 today. At that time, a floppy disk could store only 9-12 photos at 640×480 resolution. In contrast, today’s Canon R6 with its 24.2-megapixel sensor can store around 1,066 RAW photos on a 32GB SD card.
What made the Mavica memorable was the floppy disk. My friend gave it to me as a keepsake, and even though I found the digital photos lacking compared to film, the immediacy of the technology was exciting.
That experience left a lasting impression. I remember dismissing photography as “art” back then, saying, “Anyone can take a photo; that’s not art.” Looking back, I see how misguided I was. However, that moment must have sparked something within me, because I enrolled in an introductory photography course at my high school the following year. With my aunt’s help, I bought my first SLR camera—a Canon Rebel 2000, which I still own. I remember choosing the black and silver model at Art’s Camera in Milwaukee and pairing it with a Tamron 28-200 lens. Although that lens was stolen along with my first DSLR, I still cherish the camera and its replacement lens.
In the darkroom, I truly fell in love with photography. Developing film, experimenting with exposure times, and achieving rich black-and-white contrasts were thrilling. I remember creating a perfect solarization effect on one photo and the excitement it brought, even if it meant throwing away the developing bath.
Although I never saw photography as a career path, it was always an artistic outlet. I discovered its true value at Edinboro University while studying film and animation. I initially planned to minor in photography, but a disagreement over my final portfolio led me to switch to printmaking. Regrettably, I missed out on developing color film.
After graduation, I worked for a web design company creating videos. While I was unhappy there, I had access to camera equipment, including a Nikon DSLR for photographing industrial equipment and networking events. One assignment involved photographing golf putters designed to look like racecars. Though I initially felt disheartened, I realized it was better than working in a sweatshop. This shift in perspective helped me find joy in my work.
When the Nikon stopped working, the company bought a Canon Rebel DSLR based on my recommendation. A new IT person with a passion for photography joined the team, and we bonded over photo walks and adventures. He taught me new techniques, sparking a deeper interest in photography beyond work.
Soon, I was completely hooked. I realized it was time to invest in my own gear. In 2009, I cashed in savings bonds to buy the Panasonic AG-DVX100B, a professional camcorder for video. That summer, I started filming a feature film I co-wrote with a friend. But I needed a dedicated camera for photography.
In September 2009, Canon announced the 7D, which shot video at 1920×1080 resolution. I decided to save up and invest in a DSLR that could handle both HD video and still photography. Plus, I could use my Tamron lens from my 35mm setup. Originally priced at $1,699 (about $2,728 today), I finally bought the DSLR. I traded 35mm film for Compact Flash and was fully immersed in photography. I took that camera everywhere.
The day I bought my Canon 7D, I felt like an artistic photographer, moving beyond my professional work. As I continue this blog, I’ll share more about my growth in photography. For now, I’ll pause here to keep things brief. There’s much more to discuss—more equipment upgrades and experiences. My passion for photography is boundless, and despite my extensive knowledge, I still feel like an amateur discovering the craft for the first time. It’s that beginner’s mindset and desire to learn that keeps me coming back for more.
For context, the Sony Mavica—short for Magnetic Video Camera—debuted in 1981 as the world’s first “still video camera,” capturing analog video signals at 10 images per second with a resolution of 570×496. Early models used 2.0″ floppy disks for storage, later known as video floppies, which could hold up to 50 images. The 1999 model, a 0.3-megapixel camera, sold for $699—about $1,283.50 today. At that time, a floppy disk could store only 9-12 photos at 640×480 resolution. In contrast, today’s Canon R6 with its 24.2-megapixel sensor can store around 1,066 RAW photos on a 32GB SD card.