Film Camera Collection by Andrew Weier

While in high school, Brittany Harrington signed up for a black & white photography class that required her to use a film camera. Her great aunt, who had been passionate about her photography hobby since the 1950's, gave her her first camera -- a 35mm Bell and Howell.

Five years later, Harrington is now a sophomore at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA where she majors in photography. Her great aunt has since passed away, leaving behind her love of photography as well as a few cameras to her young niece.

"Ive always felt like she gave me the beginning light to my passion for photography." said Harrington of her great aunt. "Since I was little I always remember her producing photographs, capturing moments, or documenting my family's history."

Harrington went on to explain that while her great aunt had been employed as a secretary for a living, photography was her real calling in life.

"I'm sure her parents wouldn't have been very happy if she had tried to pursue it professionally back then. I know it was important to her though -- she had cataloged albums full of all the pictures she'd ever taken that I used to look at when I was little." Harrington said.

Harrington's aunt also had an old Leica she kept locked away in a safe at the bottom of her closet.

An avid collector of film cameras, Harrington now owns twelve, including a Holga, a Brownie, an Argoflex Seventy-Five, a Kodak Vigilant Junior Six-20, and her newest aquisition -- a Mamiya m645 J that she is "literally in love with."

Harrington said she gets most of her cameras from B&H Photo, or from eBay, but is careful to make sure they are in working order, and not in need of any repairs.

"My future plans for this collection are to get a view camera, an underwater film camera, and possibly a new body for my DSLR." said Harrington.

She is currently working on a 365 day photo project that consists entirely of self-portraits.

"I really wanted to start a project that I wasn't 100% comfortable with." said Harrington. "Since I am always behind the camera, I decided to try being in both places."

Harrington's year-long project can be followed on her Flickr page at: www.flickr.com/bmhgallery