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Garry Black Photography

Question:

I don't know if you'll ever have time to answer or even read this, but I hope you'll. I've started to get interest for photography in April this year (2000). So far, I've already managed to acquire lots of information and learn by myself how to take proper exposed pictures, how to develop my own films, how to print b&W and color including ilfochrome. I usually recur to books at the public library or information from websites.

I saw your site the other day and have to say that your pictures are impressive. I also noticed by your biography that you're a self-taught. Well, I plan to take one of your workshops when it comes to happen in Canada again, but meanwhile what do you suggest to someone who's starting? I'll probably never turn into a professional, but I wanted to take great pictures like you do. I have Pentax equipment, as I could not afford Nikon. I liked what you said about zoom lens, but to get the image definition you get you probably use high-end zoom lens, the ones that cost a couple of thousand US each right?

Well, if you have a time to give me an advice in what to read, what to try, etc. that would be great. I really miss having someone to critic what I've got so far. I thought about going into a course, but they're are either darn expensive or way too basic. What did you do when you're learning?

Answer:

It's funny, when I was learning photography, I also thought I'll probably never turn into a professional photographer. You never can be certain what the future holds for us!

It sounds to me that you are on the same track that I was on nearly 20 years ago. I did everything that you have done so far. The equipment that I had back then was not even as good as the equipment that you have. I had "Black's Cameras" (no relation) cheap "Makinon" lenses I paid $99.99 for a wide angle zoom and a telephoto zoom - they were one of the worst quality lenses that money could buy - today, the screws in my cameras cost more. But at least they got me started in photography, in fact the first picture of mine that ever sold was taken with one of those lenses, which goes to show you that it is the photographer that makes the pictures not the equipment.

I will be in Toronto next week Thursday Nov. 9th speaking at the Toronto Camera Club, you should contact them to see if they have any tickets left. Then you can ask me all sorts of questions in person.