p.1 #1 · The Beginning of my Photography (circa 1985-90)
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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
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
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
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
p.1 #4 · The Beginning of my Photography (circa 1985-90)
Cool to see these early shots, especially since I started shooting at almost exactly the same time. My mom got me a K1000 and signed me up for darkroom lessons around 1986, and I started shooting for my middle school yearbook shortly after.
p.1 #6 · The Beginning of my Photography (circa 1985-90)
OregonSun wrote:
Cool to see these early shots, especially since I started shooting at almost exactly the same time. My mom got me a K1000 and signed me up for darkroom lessons around 1986, and I started shooting for my middle school yearbook shortly after.
p.1 #8 · The Beginning of my Photography (circa 1985-90)
Thanks for sharing those! I was a 71Q in the Army from '84-'88. I never left the states. Had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people. Probably the best job I ever had looking back. Did you go to DINFOS at Ft. Harrison?
p.1 #10 · The Beginning of my Photography (circa 1985-90)
Yep, that's what I was as well, 71Q. I was at DINFOS twice, once for the basic journalism in 1985, and then the editor's course in 1989. Man, that was good times, both times. DINFOS was a pretty crazy place. I was supposed to do Airborne training after my MOS training at DINFOS, but they offered me Germany instead, and I had to go for that.
jcw1982 wrote:
Thanks for sharing those! I was a 71Q in the Army from '84-'88. I never left the states. Had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people. Probably the best job I ever had looking back. Did you go to DINFOS at Ft. Harrison?
p.1 #17 · The Beginning of my Photography (circa 1985-90)
Evan,
I was pretty lucky with my experience in the military. Spent almost 6 years in Europe, including my last 3.5 years with The Stars and Stripes in 1990-93. I got to travel so much in Europe, and Stripes gave me access to people and places that normal people would never get. Three days on tour including going on their bus with them to and from concerts with The Beach Boys, spending time with my favorite tennis players on tour in Europe.
Aside from meeting my wife later in life and having kids, those were by far the best times of my life.
Evan Baines wrote:
Really fun to look at these Ron! Looks like the Army gave you some good experiences!
