Cameras really have changed in 50 years

While looking at the pictures in the 2004 pictorial review section, I thought about the different generations of cameras I've used over the years.

First was the little Kodak Brownie camera that I took pictures of the Pasadena Rose Parade when I was about 10 years old. Used that and my mother's box camera until I went into the Air Force in 1950.

There I used the Speed Graphic with a 4"x5" negative and collapsible bellows. That led to one of my most interesting photos assignments — flying in a C-47 to photograph dropping of supplies to a group of Boy Scouts climbing the Grand Teton in Wyoming. That was the roughest flight I've ever experienced, and the only time I've ever been airsick.

Recovered long enough to take pictures of the supply drop — and then got sick all over again. Back at Great Falls AFB, the pilot, Base Commander Col. Clair Back, commented, "You look a bit peaked there, Sergeant." That was the understatement of the year.

To add injury to insult, though, when the photo lab developed the film it discovered that the bellows had a light leak. Not one picture was usable!

After my Air Force days I worked for the Record-Tribune at Roundup for a couple years and was introduced to the Polaroid Land Camera. It took about 3"x5" prints that developed in the camera and then had to be coated with a smelly "fix" to keep the picture from fading.

Got some pretty good shots with it including a picture of a wildcat oil well in the front yard of a long-abandoned homestead shack. I climbed inside the shack, photographed the oil well through the window and captioned it, "They left too soon."

Another favorite was one of Governor J. Hugo Aronson as he climbed out of a Cessna 140 at the Roundup airport. A short time after I arrived at Polson I met Aronson at the Finley Point Store and he remembered that picture. The "Galloping Swede" had a remarkable memory. He even called me by name and said, "Paul, that was a good picture you took of me at Roundup a few years ago."

After Roundup I worked at the Sioux Valley News in Canton, S.D., and at the Inyo County Register in Bishop, Calif., and used a Japanese-made Electra 35mm "point and shoot" camera. Brought it to Polson where the Flathead Courier was still using a Polaroid. Used the Electra and a 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 Yashika for a few years.

That little Electra took one of my favorite photos — that of President Richard Nixon's visit to the Kalispell airport.

Those were the years that Thompson Falls editor/publisher Doc Eggensperger and I were engaged in a tongue in cheek editorial feud, hurling insults and challenges back and forth.

Doc was covering the presidential visit, too. But from the ground level. He took a picture of me standing on the press trailer in the midst of the traveling press corps with their humongous long-lens cameras. Doc ran the picture in the Sanders County Ledger with the cutline stating "the guy in the middle with the toy camera is Fugleberg."

After selling the Courier in 1980 to try freelancing for a few years, I had three Nikon 35mm cameras with interchangeable lenses. Still have a couple that I use infrequently.

Now most of my picture taking is with a little Olympus digital camera that requires no film. Drawback is that it's basically a point and shoot camera without interchangeable lenses. Can't shoot football or basketball and other fast moving action. That takes a much more expensive model and I haven't convinced myself that I need one at this stage of the game.

Newspaper production has changed in many other ways, too. But that's a story in itself.

John Dutzar was a true friend

The Rev. John Dutzar, who was the minister at the Polson Presbyterian Church from 1965 to 1980 died Dec. 27 in Spokane.

John was a true friend. In troubled times, he was a good listener; when I needed direction, he pointed the way; when I was discouraged, he provided encouragement. And his sometimes quirky sense of humor brought joy and laughter.

I can't think of any definition of "friend" better than that. I'm so grateful that he was a part of my life for so many years.