In the “old days”, we shot with 35mm cameras that used something called…film.

You loaded your own bulk film if you shot a lot.

You manipulated something called “ASA”.

You had to meter the light and set your shutter speed and f/stop.

There was no auto focus.

The cameras were made out of steel with metal gears – weighed a ton…especially if you carried an external motor drive with EIGHT AA batteries.

You developed your negatives at home – according to temperature.

There was no “Photoshop”.  You used an enlarger and “dodged” and “burned” your prints to make corrections.

You all have it easy now.  Well, I guess me too.

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Just for memory’s sake (and my ego), here are two of my award-winning sports shots from 1972.  From one statewide photo contest.  These are surviving test prints, i.e., boo-boo prints that had been stashed away by luck. 🙂

The final prints – from the best printing efforts – were mounted and submitted.

Available light (and lighting was poor, believe me).  I didn’t use flash as I felt it distracted the players trying their best to win.

Exposed Tri-X at 2400 ASA and “cooked” the negatives in HC-110 replenisher.  Brutal stuff.

I usually shot from the stands, rim level, for a different perspective.

You had to anticipate the play and pre-focus.

And some luck.

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1st Place

Honorable Mention:

Not bad for not having taken photo classes.  All self-taught.

OK.

My ego’s placated…and no criticisms from the pros who might be peeking.

Bad for ego.