Sunday, February 17, 2008

My first photo

This is the photo that started it all. Picture it: a small New England fishing village on the shores of Narragansett Bay. 1600s and 1700s homes lining the main street, leading to a wharf where the boats come in and out. 1973, 1974, people still said hello to you as you walked the street. That was because they knew you.

A budding photographer, snapping this and that. I caught the cat resting on the steps of a two hundred year home, ivy dangling and the weathered clapboards behind it. When I got it developed, the developer said, "This is good. It could be in a contest."

I don't know about that, but I kept it and many years later I found it again. The photo helps me remember the nice day, striding the streets of my town, camera slung over my shoulder, looking for beauty. I've been taking pictures ever since. Hard to believe that was over thirty years ago.

5 comments:

Christie said...

Great shot.

Have you ever read any books on photography or did you just teach yourself as you went along?

Elizabeth Prata said...

thank you! I never read a book or took a class. I do serviceably as a total amateur, but I wish I knew more about light. However, I'm not willing to study about it. So there you are. :)

Christie said...

Me neither. Although since we are looking at getting another lens I've got to teach myself about some of these things so I can make an informed choice. Oh, and so I don't sound like an idiot when talking to the folks at the camera shop.

Anonymous said...

You're a 'Natural Born Photographer', Elizabeth!
{Look Out Nathan Tsukrof}

Elizabeth Prata said...

Thank you so kindly! As for other photography, I am not so much a fan of Nathan's work, I find it a little uncreative, but I'm continually astounded by Matt Perry. His work is one of my favorites of all time. I'm sorry I don't see more if it in the Gray paper!