What did you do before photography?

[capturedbymike]

I have had a few people ask me what got me into photography after being a cop since 1996 so I want to see what everyone else does, or did, for a living besides 'shooting' people, legally, with a litle less blood!

I have been interested in photography for a long time. My two departments I have worked for always went for the $30 cheap film (now $50 digital) cameras that took terrible pictures. About 3 years ago, they purchased a Canon SLR for the detective. Thanks to politics, the current detective was out and they moved me into the position. I used it at work and a little at home. Before I knew it, I was using it 90% at home, 10% at work. A DImage Z10 and S3IS later, I bought a digital Rebel late last summer and approx. $7000 later, I cannot get enough.

Back to politics, I disagreed over some things and I am no longer detective! Still working in police work and I dont feel like I have really had a job in 11 years but I guess that is why I like photography, it does not feel like a job.

And a quick side note, I belong to about 20 different forums of all types of stuff, and I know there are 'police haters' out there and some have good reasons, but the people on the POTN forums are the nicest people in the world. I personally have yet to run across any police bashing forums and I am thankful. I guess that is why I spend 4-5 hours a day on here looking around. And I carry a photographers rights form I found on here with me 24 hours a day and when I run into photogs on my scenes, I usually scare them with my kindness so I tell them about these forums to ease their tension!!

[sblais]

You may want to look at this thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=69099 :D

It's not exactly the same thing, but I'd say pretty close ;)

I was a student and I am still a student (Ph.D. level now) in electrical engineering.

[cosworth]

Before photography I ran from police on my motorcycle. Most times they didn't really bother chasing. GSX-R 1000 ;)

Now they just look at me funny when I'm taking pics.

[inthedeck]

I dunno what I did before photography. I have had cameras for a long time, whether they were in the family, or mine. My dad used to have this 'Ricoh' automatic camera. It was like a larger version of the G7...but that thing was amazing (at the time). I always had one of those slim line film cameras, that used to take 110 film (back in the 70's and early 80's). Then, I had a Canon SLR...with a couple of lenses...and once I learned about digital SLR's, that was about it. Got a 20D, and now, have the 5D.

That's my little snippet.

[cosworth]

My response was somewhat in jest, but I think many of us were into photography for some time.

A good question would be what activity did you DROP to take photogrpahy more seriously? I did notice me riding my bike less and less. I stopped cycling in preference to walking with the camera.

[rhys]

I never dropped a hobby to use my camera. I seem to be more involved with the mundane things in life now and don't have much time to use my camera these days though.

[kevin_c]

I used to have a life, went out with friends and had loads of spare income.

Now I just just take random pictures of trees and old doorways and spend half my life on the computer, either post-processing images or writing complete cr*p on photography forums... :-)

[capturedbymike]

cosworth, glad your not in my city. I have yet to have a motorcycle get away from me. Unless you count the one that went 5 miles down the interstate and jumped off an exit but unfortunately for him, an off duty officer watched him pull in his garage!! We went and got him out of his house a few minutes later.

But if one was going to actually get away, I would want it to be a fellow photographer!! So if you ever make it to Kentucky, I'll be glad to chase you and let you get away (notice i said let !!)

And Sblais, thanks for pointing that thread out. I searched but evidently did not type something in right because when I just now re-searched it, that thread popped up too. I'm still a forum rookie but at least I am diving in and working on it, i guess

[rhys]

I understood US policemen had an infallible method of stopping speeding motorists in the form of the Thompson 1911.

[Zilly]

used to race karts at national level while juggling being a full time high school student and photography. since a major injury i now only have to balance the doss life of collage student with photography

[PacAce]

I was crawling around in my diapers and trying to learn how to walk. :lol:

[Eagle]

I've had a camera of some sort or another in my hands for at least 30 years. Before that I was just a dumb young teen.

[Zilly]

dumb young teen.

thanks :rolleyes:


;)

[Eagle]

thanks :rolleyes:


;)
Not meaning all teens are dumb just because I was. But I grew out of it.

[Zepher]

I shot video (still do).

[spyraling]

I used to spend all my money buying cute clothes for the kiddies and myself. Now I find myself sifting through all my shoes and clothes seeing what I can hock on ebay to fund my new hobby.

[purelithium]

I used to spend all my money on Video games and computer parts. I now spend all my money on cameras and lenses, probably a better investment ;)

[JWright]

There was a time before photography?

[Jay McLaughlin]

I was a graphic designer. I've always gone back to photography throughout my life without realising it. Even as a full time designer, I was using a lot of photography. Eventually I grew tired of marketing guys ruining my designs and paying "pro" photographers to shoot things, only for me to have to shoot them again when they came back crap. After being made redundant last year I decided to go pro myself. It's hard work, but I know it'll be worth it.