About Introducing Nancy

Hi, I’m Nancy. Computer Scientist by profession, classical musician by history, and photographer by passion.

My History of Photography

My first memory of taking photos was with a Kodak Brownie camera in the 5th grade at a beach-side camp. I was dubbed the camp photographer. I wish I had some of those pics, but I don’t know where they went. I do remember them using my photo in the camp paper that came out afterwards. But I do have photos from 1968 that I took at wedding reception for my grandmothers 3rd wedding. I was 9. Here’s the happy couple (I should have moved the bottle).

I always remember having a camera growing up (as did my sister and brother). My Dad always took photos (and still does) and this might be why. All the kids had Kodak Instamatics with those great 4-sided flash bulbs that could burn your little fingers off.

My first real camera was a Canon AE-1 circa 1978. I used this camera exclusively from 1978 to 2000 with a single 50mm lens and occationally an external flash unit. I shot almost exclusively Ektachrome slide film. I have hundreds of slides which, one day, I will edit and digitize. The camera still sits on a shelf in my closet, good as the day it was born (although the case is a little worn for wear).

Around the year 2000 I bought a little Yashica 35mm P&S with Zeiss lens. Here’s an eerie sight I captured with this camera in April 2001.

Hmm, remembering back, there was few unhappy months before the Yashica with an APS camera. Remember APS? No? It was supposed to replace 35mm in the late 1990’s. The camera I got, every image had sun flare in the center of the image.

Some time around 2005 I bought my first digital camera – the Canon A95. I never considered it a serious camera, just something to play around with. The flash was incredibly over compensated.

Then everything changed in May 2006 with the purchase of a Canon Digital Rebel XT. I also joined flickr. Photography has become a major hobby for me. Digital makes is so fast to learn and this huge community of people just fuel the fire. I have 4 lenses, 2 flashes, 2 flood lights, first-rate tripod and a host of other miscellaneous lighting do-dads. And of course many new flickr friends. Quite a distance from the simple days of Ektachrome and a single 50mm lens.