Teaching A New Dog.....Old Tricks?! **NEW UPDATED

[GoCubsGo32]

I love baseball. In fair comparison, nothing can beat a sunny day at the ballpark. Being able to experience, the sound of the crack of the bat, the smell of hot dogs and hearing that pop of the ol’ leather glove. It’s heaven.
Growing up, idolizing the game and players who played it before I did there was something so majestic about it. When I was a kid, I loved looking at books and magazines reading about the game’s best players. I can recall sitting in my room flipping through a sports book with my brother, I had gotten for Christmas when I was 8, and just staring at the pictures. Then I would go outside play baseball with my brothers and neighborhood friend… pretending I just like Babe Ruth by pointing my bat to the neighbor’s house.
It was the photos of Charles Conlon, George Bain and photographers alike that helped make baseball America’s pastime as well. The part I really fell in love with was the view from the casual fan. Since I am a fan of baseball it’s truly amazing to see some old baseball snapshots taking by other casual fans who try to capture a moment in time with their favorite player. A candid snapshot from a fan, IMO..is more appealing to me because, it seem so natural and real. Sure they are not the best composition, angle, lighting, or clarity. That’s what makes them great! Gives it character!
THE MISSION:
I decided to challenge myself in bringing back this lost art of candid snapshots. Yes. I purchased original 50’s/ 60’s Polaroid camera and took pictures at baseball games with it. Yeah. It’s pretty crazy. Yes, you caused alot of attention…and YES…..you won’t believe the players reactions when they see you taking their picture with an old camera. Players came up to me just wanted to chat and asked me if I wanted their picture. They were so amazed and excited about it! Some players told me about their grandparent’s photos that they took when they went to games and spring training. The players felt like they travel back in time and felt like they were part of the “Golden Era” in baseball. Which is exactly what I wanted. I wanted to bring the past to the present.
I purchased a scrapbook that was from the 40’s to place my snapshot in to try look like an original scrapbook. The players originally signed their snapshot photo with a black fountain pen..but…that was challenge to get the players to sign with...”how do I use this?!”. So it is now..just a blue ballpoint pen,lol.
It took me a long time to figure out what camera and how it even worked. Wasn’t easy. I’m really pleased with the result after a long learning curve.


(sorry for the long post and many pics but wanted to finally share months of hard work and....hopefully photobucket behaves and display my picture the way they are supposed and saved.. )