When i was a kid growing up in the back country of Jamaica, only those who could afford it, would have pictures of themselves or may be a family portrait hanging on the walls of there home. In fact the earliest picture i have of me is one when i was, i think 19 years old and that one i have until this day.
I was first introduced to the camera and to photography by my 4th. grade teacher. He challenged us (the class) to build a camera and to take pictures, of course no one in the class knew anything about cameras or photography and only a few had ever seen a camera.
Our teacher drew a rough diagram on the black board and gave three days to build a camera from cardboard, well with his help and instructions we did it; noting also that our teacher himself did not know too much about comers:. Now for the film, it took us (the class) a week to collect enough money to buy two rolls of Kodak 70mm black and white film the only one available in the area at that time.
This is now Friday afternoon, our teacher told us that he will be buying the film on Saturday. Of course he will have to go to the nearest little town some 10 miles away.Going to town, from my area in those days, was always a special occasion, even for adults. Adults go to town to do business of some sort, kids go to town only when there parents take them. So we had to wait until Monday to see the films. I was anxious the whole weekend. Can you imagine a weekend that would normally go so fast; but this weekend was the longest weekend of the whole school year; for me that is.
So Monday morning came. I think i was the first one there. Normally we would walk to school with friends but this time i waited for no one. I ran all the way. The school bell rang and we formed our orderly line as usual to enter the building. After prayers we settle down but for me, high in anticipation i could hardly follow what was going on and a few times i was asked by the teacher if i was day dreaming, all i wanted to here was when we were going to set up the camera. The day dragged on and nothing was said about the project, it was the longest day i ever spent in school.
The whole week, for me; dragged on in much the same way it was on Monday. Now it is Friday, the end of the school week and a half day. So we went to our class as usual and settled in. Our teacher stood and scratching the back of his head, he said,!"today we make photographs, after school that is". I was elated, can't say for the other kids but for me i was overjoyed. .... (to be continued)
