20 more years with Canon

2010 begins my third photographic cycle. In 1968 I acquired my first SLR camera, a Pentax Spotmatic and a Sunpak Flash, that started me on a journey which still has no end in sight. 21 years later I am at a photographic crossroad and makes a wise decision to step away from Pentax in favour of Canon. Canon offered the new photo quality that I needed to take my photography to the next level. A couple Canon T-90's, one for the studio the other for the bag saw me through until the EOS-1 was launched. During this 20-year cycle I move up, in, around, and about, and finally ended up home, and retired.

So I am retired and during this time one is expected to stay out of trouble, so it is fishing and everything else, and not bikini watching on the beach. Next thing my neighbour is getting married and I am invited to the wedding. Of course I am going, but I have never gone to a wedding as a guest before, always as a photographer, so I have to go with a camera in hand or I am naked. Long story short, between Winair and Boolchands I had a Canon EOS-10d and I think a 550 flash unit, at the wedding on the weekend. That was my forced contact with digital photography ... and the pictures look good, for my first try, even the 2-ft x 3-ft blow up of the Prime Minister and his cousin..

So I had a digital camera and that was as far as I planned to go. But you know how it is , Canon comes out with a EOS-20D, so off on LIAT to Boolchands to get that too, plus a 580EX flash unit. But that was as far I intended to go with photography. Then the retirement beginning to lack some of the excitement and I get onto Facebook, which should keep me a bit occupied. Meet some old friends and some new ones. Thanks to Kurt for introducing me to Ebbe who brought me a message straight from GOD. It is strange how some things happen, but one thing I have learned a long time ago, is to obey that small little voice in the back of your mind, or head, consciousness, or wherever.

In 2010, I am ending my second 21 year cycle and beginning on my third. I have to thank God, the Almighty, the Creator, for the time given to me on the planet, and the talents, abilities and gifts, which I am empowered to utilize in my photography and other pursuits. This demonstrate that God is alive and doing well on the earth and in our lives, even though some of us elect not to acknowledge it. God has given to every man/woman gifts and abilities, and I hope that they seek to exploit them to the max. Thank you is in order to everyone who appreciate that my photos have brought them some measure of joy and entertainment. I can appreciate that our Nationals away from home can see some of these images as a "missing link", and I am pleased that God has given me the ability to stand in this gap for you. I hope that everyone can share a photo link with another National, family or friend, at home or overseas, and so spread whatever little joy that may exists here.

So I was saying that this is my third photographic cycle beginning and I have no idea where God is going to be taking me with this so I am walking every day with an open mind. I know for sure that it is walkabout SKN, and with my Canon digital camera. After due consideration I do not think that it is a wise decision to move away from Canon to Nikon, even though I may have issues with Canon Factory Service policy, and even if it is claimed that Canon camera sales are now second to Nikon. I have been with Canon for over 20 years, and that includes being an Authorized Dealer for St Kitts-Nevis for Canon Camera and Photo Products ... but I am having a rather hard time trying to get seven [7] of my Canon EF lenses Factory Service repaired. Things like Canon lenses you don't just send around the corner to fix by some dime shop. These organizational hiccups can come with any response to the global economic situation, and in time will pass.

I feel it for the ordinary folks off the US mainland who do not have the means and contacts to get their small cameras repaired by Canon Factory Service. There are many reliable repair centers in the US. Cameras may no longer come with a one year warranty but 30 days, and it is just the times that we live in. I am not saying that one should consider the Kodak digital camera instead, but you have to see how other consumers fare. For me I am staying with Canon, and if I knew that I was still going to be into serious photography in 2010, I would have acquired the Canon EOS-1Ds instead of the EOS-10D and EOS-20D. Hard lesson learned, but the EOS-20D is a pro camera, just at the bottom end of the lineup, and it does a very good job. Thanks to Canon for creating such a fine machine and the complimentary software.

Since it appears that I am saying "Thank You" it would be remiss of me not to say the biggest THANK YOU to Frank my software programmer in Germany. It is known that my raw images are not processed with Photoshop or Lightroom, but maybe if I do get into "Professional Photography" later with my EOS-1Ds3 and Eizo ColorEdge CG-222W monitors, I may consider comparing Lightroom with my German software package. Thank you Frank for the great software and I am still waiting to see you at our St Kitts-Nevis Regatta.

Facebook has the greatest group of serious photographers I have ever seen. It presents a unique learning experience in itself. There are some very talented and expert guys/gals, and I am humbled by just being in their presence. Everyone brings something different to the screen, it is truly amazing if one is paying attention. Thanks to all the photographer guys/gals who have me as their Facebook friend, you don't know how much it means to me to be able to see and appreciate your "brand" of photography ... I pray that when you get past your three score years, you will have that experience too.

Thank you to everyone ....