A Change of Focus

In my coin collecting I am close to a point of calling an end to the hunt. I have put together a collection of proof coins I am very happy with. There are maybe a half dozen coins I would not mind picking up yet, however, if they do not come along, I am very happy where I am at. I am not quitting the game, however, just changing my "focus." When I first moved to Montana 41 years ago, I became hooked on photographing wildflowers and butterflies. Seems kind of foolish for someone that moved here to hunt big game and fish and a job. I also photographed the big game and enjoyed it all. However, the photography of butterflies fascinated me. I would kneel hours on a mountain side waiting for some butterfly to open its wings just right and only to have a cloud pass over the sun. Back then it was film photography so I burned a lot of film. Now one simply pushes delete and tries again. So now on to my coins. I have played with photographing my coins and gradually have become hooked on that photography. My coin collection is primarily proof coins from 1950 through 1964. I also have variety coins, mainly Roosevelts. When I see one of the photographs taken by the professionals, I am really drawn to learning how they do it. The one real advantage of a coin is that it has a lot more patience than a butterfly. The coin will lay on my desk for days just waiting to be shot. I collect all denominations of the proof coins so counting the varieties I have maybe 100 coins to work with. I also have a variety of other coins not in the Registry that I look forward to working with. So hopefully in the future now my bank balance will gradually improve and also my coin photos. I look forward to the challenge of the photography. To me displaying the coins is more enjoyable than the collecting. Obviously my collections are not obstructed and I appreciate any comments or advice viewers have of my photos.

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