Through the eyes of this old camera.....

Today's blog is about a journey, the journey of a camera, a life, a family and an idea.  This particular story is very dear to me and it is my hope that it will give you insight into yet another facet of who I am and what I do......

Many years ago when I met the young lady who would become Mrs. Wilson (she had no idea what she was getting into:) I was a young, hobbyist photographer.  I loved photography, I found it to be the way I could express my creative side and at the same time create something meaningful to share with others.  I had no idea what a wonderful world it would eventually become for me. In fact, I had no idea the journey I was about to take nor any clue where it would lead me.

The gentleman who would become my Father in Law, Quentin Zinsmaster, whom we lovingly called "QJ" was a hearty, outspoken, fun loving man who just happened to be a professional photographer.  He had been since the 60's and had the talent, zest for life and personality to prove it.  His take on life and on the world of photography was classic and classy.  He loved the craft, the art of it, the people involved in it and the legacy each shot he took created for someone, himself included.  He quickly became my mentor.  With a conversation that took place around a kitchen table one Saturday evening in his home in WI the decision was made that I too would take this journey.  With encouragement, support and some prodding I began my career as a professional photographer.

For many years QJ had used his camera to capture the world.  This camera, a Hasselblad professional, medium format camera was a classic.  Using pro grade film and weighing more than a newborn this camera was the benchmark other cameras aspired too.  In the right hands this camera could create images that were timeless, beautiful, elegant and full of emotion.  It captured exactly what it saw, what it's user had the vision to create. It told story after story over several decades and generations.  Then something changed.....

A few months ago my Father in Law became ill. After several tests, numerous hospital stays and several hard weeks, his life came to a close.  His loss was so deeply felt by everyone in his family, his friends and those he had photographed over the years.  The camera that had captured so many stories, so many memories and created so many beautiful images had fell silent.  But this isn't the end of the story.

Last week my Mother in Law along with other members of her family came to TN to visit with us.  She brought with her a gift of unimaginable meaning. Knowing what QJ's camera meant to him and how many lives it had touched she just couldn't think of it simply "going away" or being forgotten.  She gave that camera along with all his lenses, battery packs and lighting to us to do with as we saw fit. What an amazing chance to continue something bigger than just the art of photography.

Armed with this amazing, classic and priceless camera I am going to continue sharing the countless stories it has yet to tell.  I will be using this camera from time to time to capture some of my Fine Art images. With a tripod and some fantastic pro film I will continue to use it to share the beautiful colors and deep contrast of REAL black and white photography yet to be taken in our world. 

In a world of amazing digital technology this camera still has its rightful place as a defining piece of equipment in the history and future of our profession. It can capture images that are so amazingly pure in color, tone and texture as well as true, crisp black and white images. It will allow me to use the most raw and pure forms of my skills in harmony with its classic function to once again create timeless images.  This is more than just a camera, it is a piece of history, not only in my wife's family but the lives of so many others. It captured hundreds of wedding days (including my wife and I many years ago), hundreds of seniors, countless places and moments that are forever held in place by it's task.

In having the honor of now owning and using this camera I hope to continue the wonderful legacy of my Father in Law.  I hope to continue to share the art, the moments, the emotion and the magic of life.  This camera will continue on, it will continue to bring joy, beauty and feeling to our world. It will now continue to share the world as it once did in the hands of the master artist whom I called my mentor, my Father in Law, my friend.