Bob Crum

His name is Alex. Alex is a regular reader of Focus on Photography. Alex sent me an email saying that he is ready to enter the Royal Realm of 'Real' Photography (RRRP). Fret not, he's not totally foregoing phonetography. Just that he has become acutely aware of it's limitations with respect to dedicated camera possibilities.

Alex requested help selecting a camera. Delighted considering that I love spending other people's money. I suggested a camera store in Santa Barbara. I know there are camera stores closer but camera selection (inventory) is far greater at the Santa Barbara store.

I asked Alex his budget. “Oh, about $ 95.00” he said. OK, but I think we're going to have a problem finding a Kodak Brownie camera except on eBay. Consider increasing your budget. Alex flashed a credit card... with a gargantuan line of credit. Oh yes, this was going to be fun! Hmmm... Hasselblad?

The camera store to Alex was like a candy store to a six-year old. Alex's grin displayed exhilaration with the proclamation: WOW! Never heard that from anyone entering a smartphone store! Just sayin'.

We were promptly greeted by store rep Ron. I explained that my friend Alex needs a few minutes to get acclimated. He acknowledged saying wave when ready.

Finally Alex waved. I suggested that Ron first present a few point-and-shoot best sellers. These days, many reasonably priced P&S cameras are excellent. But they have fixed lenses. Benefit: no sensor dust. Con: can't change lenses for special needs. Alex wasn't impressed wanting more versatility. Next, ILCs (Interchangeable Lens Cameras).

Ron presented three best selling mirrorless ILCs. Alex was instantly hard pressed to curtail his excitement. Remember, I said, you're not just buying a camera, you also need a lens. “No problem”, said Alex, grinning.

Continuously fondling a Fujifilm X-T2, an Olympus OM-D EM-1 and a Sony A6500 camera, Alex taxed Ron's patience to frustration. Finally Alex said OK. OK what I asked? “I don't know what to buy,” he said. Arrrrgh! “Just kidding,” he added.

After much agonizing, Alex bought the Olympus OM-D EM-1 camera and a 14-150mm lens. Awesome kit. Plus he bought a couple extra batteries and other accessories-polarizing filter, lens cleaner, camera bag etc. Alex instantly experienced ecstasy with his new nifty photographic equipment. And I added another notch on my camera strap.

We spent the rest of the afternoon photoing as Alex learned how to operate the camera and the menu system. A quick study, Alex began photographing everything. Telltale symptoms of photographers. However the exuberant Alex was calling me constantly telling me about all of his latest awesome photos. I had to block his phone number.

Note to procrastinators: Photography is therapeutic and extremely rewarding. Also scratches your creative itch. Want to go shopping?

When not shooting events, you should expect that I enjoy shooting for pleasure. One particular subject, the majestic eucalyptus tree on highway 126 west of town, eluded my photographic capture until recently. I waited because I thought a sky with clouds would enhance the image. One day clouds came and I went and made the photo. Afterward I thought, would a blue sky be better? Do the clouds enhance the tree? When confronted with the conundrum of boundless creativity, I quote Henry Miller: “Whatever I do is done out of sheer joy; I drop my fruits like a ripe tree. What the general reader or the critic makes of them is not my concern.” Of course my fruits being photos.

Hark! The awesome County Fair begins 8/1! Imagine a gazillion photo ops!!!! Cameras UP!

Happy photoing!

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