If you’re also a “camera nut,” you will remember when your first photograph was published. I do.
Jordan Steyer, a student at the University of Texas, recently wrote his thanks for the Maxine Smith Elam scholarship award and exuded the same enthusiasm for his published Daily Texan photos.
Of course, publishing your photo these days takes only a punch or two on your I-phone.
But not in 1944 when I was a weekend, high school “cub” at the Abilene Reporter-News. Back when they issued me a large “speed-graphic” press camera. So large that to ship today you would need the large postal box they now sell at the post office.
My 1944 assignment was to shoot an action picture at the high school football game. The old city editor issued me instructions.
“Kid, don’t forget to pull the plate that protects the film. Better to stand behind the goal posts and shoot ‘em coming at you. Reduces chance of blur.”
He looked out the window. “I’ll guess at what f-stop you need.” He set the lens aperture. “Remember to pull the plate that protects the film before you shoot. And put the plate back in.”
I stood behind the goal posts. As the fullback rose above the goal-line defenders, I shot.
Since then, Sports Illustrated published my photo of Olympic track star Wilma Randolph.
The Daily Texan published my picture of an angry mob at a State student government meeting. But they don’t compare to the fullback who carried the ball right at me…the one published on the sports page, inscribed:
“Photo by Dick Elam”
Image by Thomas Serer on Unsplash
