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On June 16th, Father's Day, my Nana provided me with the opportunity to experiment with my Nono's camera he purchased in Germany in the early 1950's - an Adox Golf. The opportunity was one that filled me with inspiration and excitement. I have always had the opportunity to shoot photographs in digital and have become very comfortable doing so. However, the chance to capture moments in film made me feel nervous and full of trepidation. Not only was the camera in my responsibility, a device that had not been touched by hands nor light in a long thirty some-odd years, I was unfamiliar with film cameras in general. I was unfamiliar with the camera's design and was unsure of how to handle the piece of equipment with its awkward accordion-like portfolio. 

 

Once I began to explore the device, I found that it had several similar features to the standard functions and capabilities of my modern day camera. The manual zoom allowed me the ability to be up to six meters away in distance - the aperture and shutter speed had to be manually set according to ambient light - and I dare not take a photo indoors for the experimentation that would be required to learn how to properly use a bulb flash (although I will eventually get there).

 

The weight of the camera in my hands was a lot less than that of my DSLR. The weight of the camera reminded me of my sixth grade year, where working with photography for projects came with the permission of my parents to use disposable cameras. I would go for hikes in my west-end backyard and spend hours shooting trees, ravines, my parents vehicles, my mother's front-yard flowers, and I often received the same odd question, "Why would you want a photograph of that?" My answer always seemed to be, "I'm trying new things. I want to see how it will turn out." It wasn't until the film that was stored in my Nono's camera was developed that I realized something - he too had shot familiar subject matter within his own dwelling in order to "capture a moment" and "try new things."

 

The only two photos that had been taken and developed from the colour roll film that was stored in my Nono's camera for nearly thirty years was a portrait of his daughter and a photograph of my Nana polishing glasses in the kitchen. Basic, everyday lifestyle shots that only served to show the love my Nono had for the "click" of the shutter and the anticipation to wind up for his next shot - a feeling I can relate well to. 

 

On the first day using the camera, I was accompanied by a good friend on a walk through Fort Creek on the Hub Trail. He, himself, is an artist in film photography (although he is to modest to admit this). His guidance was paramount in  providing me with guidance in order to be able to accurately use the Adox. While on our walk, I was immediately astounded by a dragonfly - now, for those of you who may already be aware of the symbolism of dragonflies - I was completely overwhelmed with a reassuring sense that my Nono supported my use of his camera and was happy to join me on my journey. In many cultures, dragonflies are a symbol of loved ones who have past on. Oddly enough this was not the only time I was followed by dragonflies after being offered the opportunity to use the Adox. While visiting Gros Cap to capture some additional photographs one buzzed around me without any place to go - he found a sunlight spot on a rock and would only bounce from rock to rock and from tree branch to tree branch not minding my ever close proximity.

 

Recently, while in NYC I was also followed by a dragonfly while riding in a cab - the size of this particular dragon fly was in no comparison to the size of those I had the accompaniment of locally as I had originally thought it was a bird. This particular dragon fly astounded me the most, considering I was made aware of his presence shortly after purchasing film for the Adox. 

 

My goal was to capture photos of my family members with the Adox and to ensure that my Nono's camera still had life. Although I was  unable to schedule a time to capture the entire family, I was able to encourage family members to pose for photos while dropping by impromptu. Most of my family members had complaints about their appearance and disliked my eagerness, but for Nono, to find out if the Adox was still capable of capturing photographs - they agreed! 

 

Eleven exposures was all I was granted. There was no room for error - there was no visible screen to view the photograph and delete it if it was not to my liking. Instead, I had ONE shot, one photograph, one click of the camera in order to capture the moment I had envisioned. My Nono was well-known for his ability to shoot with film and was asked by people in Italy to take Wedding photos. According to my father, the Adox had taken photographs for nearly 1,000 weddings and I was holding the same camera. 

 

When the film was developed, I was excited to learn that the camera itself worked and that the errors made in the photographs, which included overlapping due to user error (that would be accredited to me not knowing how to use the camera properly... yet) and the overexposure due to slight light leaks, were issues that could easily be resolved! 

 

I am even more excited to experiment with my Nono's camera and am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to do so. After purchasing film for the camera, I am even more excited to schedule impromptu visits at my relatives homes (lol) and capture those amazing, everyday moments that evidently my Nono and I have become so fond of. Thank you so much Nana, for such an amazing opportunity.