Not new, but actually New.

[Fiskamon]

Hello from Delaware. I just became a member of this forum today. Now to explain my Topic Title. I'm not actually new to photography so to speak. Most of my experience is with the use of film in 35mm and medium and large format cameras. In the past I've used an assortment of 35mm cameras for skydiving photography, as well as a Bronica ETRS system and a Yashika Mat 124. When I first started in photography, there wasn't a time you would find me without my camera by my side.

 

Before retiring from my current 28 year career with a Major Aerospace Company, I was a Career United States Marine with 22.5 years of service. During my younger years in the military we didn't get paid very much money and part time jobs at times weren't feasible for me because I seemed to be deployed a large majority of the time. Money didn't go far when raising 4 children so I took to making extra money with my camera, which I have to admit was pretty lucrative at times. I took Little League as well as Soccer team photo's. I also took High School sports teams as well as Cheer Leader squads. I was able to basically corner the High School Reunion business in my, and surrounding area. The way I did this is a discussion for a later date. Skydiving was my choice of sport, after two tours of duty in Vietnam, bowling was kind of boring for me. I made quite a bit of money in this kind of photography. During this period in my photography history, and because it was all oriented towards MONEY, I NEVER really got any satisfaction in the photo's I was taking. I never had the time to take photo's that would reflect my love of photography.

 

As I gained rank and my basic salary increased, the pressure to make extra money wasn't there; however, because I was senior in rank, it put more demand on my time and eventually I stopped taking pictures. Something in my life happened that forced me to sell my cameras and to tell the truth, my photography interest went as well. For years I only had a small point and shoot Nikon and that was about it. My now grown and married children were now having children, my grand children, and I decided to get a new camera. I started with a Canon Rebel, and graduated to the Canon EOS 40D. On a couple of vacations to the Island I took a few photo's of flowers that in a moment of conceit, I have to admit were pretty pleasing to the eye and gave me pleasure.

 

To cut to the chase, I think my love and joy of photography has returned. Now that I'm receiving two retirements, the pressure of money is no longer an issue. Now don't let me give you the impression I don't like money, it's just that I will never let it get between me and stopping to smell the flowers again. I made a vow to myself, I will never snap another photo with the intent of making money again.

 

Through this forum and maybe a couple of classes at the community collage I am hoping to get catch up more in this world of digital photography to get the most power out of my Cameras. I also bought a Sony A6000 about a week and a half ago. Hope my little story didn't bore you good folks too much.

[chiapeteater]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your service.