Archie Plump

As a third grade Student, our school was Scheduled to go on a field trip to the MS gulf coast, needless to say this was my first adventure away from home without parents in tow , being the second of three sons I was the bold daring type. My older brother had my parents permission and blessing if he were to knock dust from the seat of my britches if I misbehave while away from home. Before embarking upon my great excursion it came to mind that I needed a camera to capture all of the wonderful sights that lay ahead but I didn’t own a camera, so off to the local store I went, in search of the perfect camera, since I only had about a dollar and a half to spend any camera would be the perfect camera for me. Entering the front door of the establishment I told the proprietor that I was looking for a camera, he walked to the end of the counter and presented me with a 620 roll film camera, this would be the beginning of a life long love affair between me and photography. I went on that field trip with the school and was mesmerized with the many photo opportunities that day, by sixth grade I was completely immersed in the hobby and even had a makeshift darkroom where I processed negatives and prints, by eighth grade the first instant print cameras were appearing in the market, After college, and a tour in the military, I got my first fixed lens leaf shutter 35MM, after several more 35’s I moved up to medium format which I love dearly, and went on to open a portrait and wedding studio,