Erik Lamont
When i turned 21 my mother gave me a decent camera, a Pentax sp500. I still have it, worn to the brass. At first I snapped the usual sunsets/family etc then started finding other subjects. A warehouse fire down the street. A gent with a coffee at the counter, the streets of New York City...that was the real challenge. Then I was given an old Leica, a 1951 IIIc. The viewfinder/range finder was the size of two peas together. Very slow to focus. It came with a viewfinder attachment that fit into the flash shoe and that helped but still no easy focus. I hung it under my jacket focused at f8/5.6 at maybe 20 feet. I knew the coverage of the 50 or 35mm lens so I'd shoot it at waist level or bring it up while slowing in mid stride. Strange I know but my eyes were hyper tuned to the scene. The zen of camera work. It’s much quicker and more talented then my conscious mind.
These days I'm still intrigued by people, places and things. Life. Those same early ways of seeing still apply as always it’s always me. Like dreams. Everything is you. so what to do? doing maybe..just doing.
