Starting images

[Big Bully]

I was 15, on a school trip, and took a snapshot of the Washington Monument from the base - it was washed out by the greyness of the day and the $15 dollar camera I was using, but the (accidental) effect looked like a perfect road dissolving slowly into the clouds...it was the best picture I had ever taken, so I kept it.

Skip forward 12 years, and I needed to decorate my office - I still liked that photo, so I had it enlarged -- and started thinking that it'd be fun to do that again. I had always enjoyed taking pictures, but at 15 I was just pointing and shooting, without understanding - so I wanted to understand how to, you know, do it right "on purpose."

Not really life changing, and it's hard to say that I was "inspired" by something my 15-year-old self did by accident while waiting in line, but nonetheless that image is what started this expensive, obsessive little habit.

I don't know, I think in a way you were inspired. I mean come on you are still taking pictures aren't you?! When I was 15 I went to San Fransisco for the first time (that I remember), I have always (so I have been told) into art, even when I was a kid. So I was given the camera for the trip. I had so much fun taking pictures of China town and the beach. When the fog set in, that is when I really remember taking pictures, and really cool pictures. I took a picture of a statue in the fog, and it was so cool. I wonder if my mom still has it. But, that trip has kept me interested in art and photography to this day.
I think that it does matter how old you are, if you do something that made you want to continue many years later, it is an influential (inspired) time in your life..
Hey so can we see the image you took when you were 15?

 

[Joves]

Nope! I just grew up in the Life and LOOK magazine era. So my life was saturated in photographs. Then there was my grandfather and, all of his cameras. Plus my aunt uded to teach photography in colleges so, I was doomed from the start.

 

[Sideburns]

I was mostly inspired by my own photos as a younger child. I had taken some really great pics as a kid with disposable camera (considering my age and no knowledge)...and I always wanted them to be even better.

I also just always wanted to be in that elite group that calls themselves photographers. I've always been in awe of the guy with the crazy looking expensive camera that has flashes going off all around and gets paid the big bucks to take pictures for a living.

I guess being a bit technical minded has also played a role...because I understand photography concepts better than say...the people in my night school class I finished last semester.