It is amazing how easy a selfie is today. By the time I was a teen I was very interested in photography. My mother sparked the interest with her "Brownie" that was always used for birthdays, trips and holidays. Some of her photos are my most endearing memories of her and my family. 35mm was the rage of serious photographers with a cousin having an Asihi Pentax that I was fascinated with. He spent time on the farm with my Uncle one summer and took many 8x10, B/W image I still have.
Polaroid was the rage in the 60's with its instant photos. Advertised on the Ed Sullivan show, It had a simplicity factor going for it and the appeal of not having to take your photos in to be processed; instant gratification.
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| Polaroid Land 100 and self-timer Still have both |
Aah, it had available an optional shutter release / self timer. You know where this is going. The still un-name girl-within could now take selfies. After the photo whirred out of the side, no one but myself would ever see the photo. I am sure this played a part in my camera choice of the day.
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| Casa Susanna Everyone taking photos |
The above cartoon rings with such a feeling of our desire so see how we looked as a girl, yet fearful of the local photo lab discovering our truth.
My next camera was a 35mm Minolta SRT 101, and I learned the art of developing and printing in a darkroom. Later, I discovered an understanding professional photographer with a studio and had a professional portfolio done. The ultimate validation as to how my feminine person looked.
We have come along way... Our phone has contributed to the selfie phenomenon. Photo editing programs allowed us to enhance our selfies in a way that was only possible with hours in the darkroom. Plus, with AI we can become our fantasy female / queen with just a few clicks.
How about you? Were you brave enough to just drop your film roll off for processing at the drive-through; (in the next town over)? Also, what was your first serious camera? If you say the iPhone we will know your age.
