How and Why I Became a Nikon Photographer
Let’s take a walk down memory lane. In 2008 I was just about done editing my early drafts of Journeys Through Darkness: A Biography of award-winning, legally blind Nikon photographer Kurt Weston. While I still had Weston’s story fresh in my mind, I decided to get more serious about photography, myself and take a few classes. After all, being able to take (make) decent pictures could help me get more assignments–writing and photography assignments.
A couple of photographers I knew then (I’m still very much in touch with them) were Nikon photographers. In 2003-2004 I met award-winning (Nikon) photographer Marvin Newman. A couple of years later, I met one of my favorite photographers, Kurt Weston, who, as I mentioned above, is also a Nikon shooter–I ended up interviewing Weston for A&U Magazine–America’s AIDS Magazine, in 2005 and several other times. Also, I wrote a book about his life and photography work.
And so, by the time I decided to take on a few photography courses and workshops at SVA (School of Visual Arts, in New York City) and B&H, I already had my eyes on Nikon. Then, while at B&H, I met the amazing David Brommer (Suspect Photography), also a Nikon shooter.
While studying photography, I’ve also met photographers I admire, Nikon ambassadors such as Vincent Versace, and boudoir photographer Jennifer Rozenbaum.
That said, over the years, I’ve also met quite a few Canon photographers and Sony and Olympus photographers whose work I love and whose advice I cherish. Ultimately, we all know it’s not really about the camera. As Ansel Adams once said, “The most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.” California-based photographer Peter Adams adds to that, saying (in a quote) that “a camera didn’t make a good picture any more than a typewriter wrote a good novel.”
Truth is that we all have our heroes in our personal and professional lives. My first photography heroes and mentors happen to be Nikon shooters. They opened my eyes to Nikon and became a Nikon photographer myself. And I thank them for that!
Thank you all for stopping by and reading my blog!
Alina Oswald 