So there we were. Just the two of us. Alone and in the dark. I wondered if the small amber light above our heads revealed the fear in my eyes, the sweat of my brow, the relentless pounding of my heart in my chest. I wondered if it was obvious that I was nervous as hell, yet giddy like a little school boy. It was after all my first time. Yes, I was a virgin. I know, I know. At 31 you would think I would be much more experienced at this sort of thing. But I wasn’t. Its not that I never had the opportunity. I did. Plenty in high school. After all I was on the year book committee. Okay, maybe not plenty. Its just that at that age I had other interests. Football. Grades. Avoding being pounded by my older brother. No, it had to be the right place. The right time. The right person to guide me. To gently walk me through this, step by step. I didn’t want to miss a thing.
I stepped forward, palms sweaty. I knew that I if I rushed it then bad things would happen and I would be horribly embarrassed. At the same time if I hesitated too long the moment would be ruined. No, it had to be just right. “Here goes nothing” I whispered to myself. “Be. Amazing….”
I’m of course speaking of my first time hand developing my own film earlier this afternoon. And for the record, I was amazing. To see that image come to life literally took my breath away. Don’t get me wrong. I am and will always be a digital photographer. But there is no denying the spiritual and emotional investment one makes when realizing your vision from start to finish. From exposure to print. Its so innocent. So organic. And like a certain orange juice I love, “simply unfooled around with”.
This experience would not have been possible if not for the love and support of the couples who consitantly push me to new levels and the readers who encourage me beyond measure. To commemorate this wonderful experience I would like to give my very first, hand developed fine art print away to a reader who will enjoy this image as much as I enjoyed creating it. Taken on my Holga 120N, the print, aptly named Number 1 is an 8″x8″ image on 11″x11″ Fujifilm Crystal Archival Paper, matted and framed. Just show some comment love to be eligible. The winner will be announced one week from today so don’t wait. Leave some Goodness now!

The awesomeness meter just got cranked up to 11.