Hi, I spent a lot of 1967 dollars at Gasser's on Geary Blvd, and that's where I had my first show. Actually, it was the second hanging of my first show, which first appeared at the Parks and Rec building. They're still "in business," although the last time I was there things seemed a little shoddier than I remember them to have been. Back in 1967 - 1970 it was a great place to learn. The place was always busy, and lots of ideas were flying around as well as some experimenting with different techniques and the sharing of equipment. Until getting my own studio (actually a little co-op a group of us put together) out on Chenery at the end of the J-Church line, I practically lived at Parks and Rec. Fond memories.
Gasser's in those days was a real haven for photographers, at least it seemed that way to me. The staff was knowledgeable and helpful. and quite friendly. Many of the people there became friends, or at least good photography buddies. There was one fellow there named Gene (can't recall his last name) who'd sometimes have little photo parties at his apartment in the Tenderloin. A bunch of us would gather there, look at one another's prints, maybe have a slide show, and Gene might talk about some upcoming deals that Gasser was going to offer ... and then we'd have milk and cookies <LOL> Where was your dad's pharmacy? Shel > [Original Message] > From: Joseph Tainter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Got my first SLR at age 16 (1966) from Gasser's on Geary Street, San > Francisco. Saved up from my job at my father's pharmacy. In those days > Gasser's was a real photography shop. It was a used Honeywell Pentax S2 > with a 55mm f1.8 Takumar and some third party 200 mm. Telephoto was why > I wanted to get an SLR. > > Built-in meter? Har! I didn't have one of those until I bought a used > K1000 in 1996. > > Subsequent cameras included an Exakta and a Rolleicord. I still have > both, but sold the Pentax years ago. Stupid of me, huh? > > While doing a year at San Francisco City College I used a 4 x 5 view > camera. I don't want one today, but it was an experience to learn what > it could do. Also did B&W darkroom work in those days. San Francisco > Parks & Recreation department operated a public darkroom, with > enlargers, that one could use for a small subscription. I wonder if it's > still in operation? > > I remember Kodachrome II, Kodachrome 64, early Ektachrome, Agfachrome 50 > (my favorite in those days), Panatomic-X, Plus X, and early Tri-X. I > played for a while with Anscochrome 400. Ansco sold a chemical kit that > allowed one to develop positives without the need to hold the film strip > to a light source. But subsequently I learned to do that too. > > Despite all this, I love my *ist D, Photoshop, Nikon LS 2000 scanner, > and Epson 870 printer. I have some nostalgia for the old days, but I > keep it under control. > > Joe
