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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · The Beginning of my Photography (circa 1985-90) | |
I'm sometimes asked about when I first became a photographer. It's a complicated story, so I usually just talk about when I became a professional photographer in 2009.
When I got my first credit card back in 1983 or '84, I immediately went and spent my limit on a Pentax ME Super kit. The pictures you see here were from that camera, no editing whatsoever, as we didn't do that back then. These are just my iPhone pics of those prints, and the prints are like 35 years old.
I joined the Army as a journalist in 1985, and eventually got the prime assignment from 1990-93 with the European Stars and Stripes. Some of these pics are from my earlier days during a first tour in Germany from 1985-87.
I don't really share these pics with anyone, but thought I'd share them here.
1. 1987 in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany. The USAREUR tennis finals. I had lost in the quarters or semis to the blond haired guy in the near court. This was an amazing experience, playing on clay courts at the foot of the German Alps. On the way back, we caught a ride on a Huey with helicopter pilots who flew low to the ground, terrain flying or something like that. Crazy thrilling ride.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52028323910_eafbfea47c_b.jpg
2. One of my buddies while attending DINFOS editor's course at Fort Ben Harrison in Indianapolis in 1989. Pretty good tennis player.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52028323810_de6237d343_b.jpg
3. Sometime around 1985-87 out in the field with my Pershing unit. I obviously would edit this differently today and the image is a bit washed out over the years, but I still like it.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52026767982_bd2b11b462_b.jpg
4. Out in the field on a training exercise, these are a staff sergeant and a sergeant first class from the S-1, an administrative unit. I couldn't believe they agreed to pretend we were like combat soldiers, but we had a lot of fun with me directing them around.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52026768192_c67843290d_b.jpg
5. This soldier got caught between these two military trucks. As a military journalist, it was the first time I realized I had to take pics. I went for a more artsy look. The soldier turned out to be fine.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027810611_5910ccb9a4_b.jpg
6. Another shot from the field during the 1985-87 time frame. I had a great sunset. Funny how you could get your flash right back then without immediately seeing the result.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027848038_7da73a58c6_b.jpg
7. Again, 1985-87, one of the few shots of a Pershing missile in a firing position. Back then, this was highly classified.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52028059734_4fc006340d_b.jpg
8. It was kinda funny back then how I'd approach the prettiest girls in the unit to pose for me. I only did it a few times, a bit nervous approaching them, and it surprised me that they always said yes. During this shoot, a little grasshopper ended up on her. Image is pretty yellow and washed out from the years, but I just don't like the idea of editing it now.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52028059839_4bd8890f01_b.jpg
9. Still 1985-87, another girl from my military unit in Germany. We spent an afternoon doing a shoot. Here is one of my favorite shots.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52026768077_e5504f8c7e_b.jpg
10. Same girl as in 9,now in a bikini shoot. I think we were at a German pool.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027847803_1b8a922c6d_b.jpg
11. As a writer for Stars and Stripes, I was twice forced to go the Alps, once in Kitzbuhel, Austria,, and once somewhere in Switzerland, to do travel stories on skiing in Europe. This shot was taken of me in 1991-92 by Ken George, who has since sadly passed away. It was a funny trip with him, as he couldn't ski. So he was traipsing around the slopes in his boots.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52028473545_d4555c1345_b.jpg
12. Here's a shot of me and my German girlfriend, Geli. This might be another day from the same trip with Ken George. If not, I'm not sure how I got the pic. But I do remember art-directing this shot. It was after a long day of skiing, and Geli and I were both wiped out.
http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027960286_7d7a1c6d55_b.jpg
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