It was, oh, many years ago when I bought my first Nikon. I asked the salesman if he had a mirror so I could see how it looked on me. I should have known then and there that I was destined to step beyond Nikon. To stray from the cattle drive. To buck tradition. To throw caution to the wind. To realize it's the camera, not the photographer...to go beyond Nikon.

Folks write and ask, "Marcy, you have much better luck finding Junk Store Cameras than I do. How do you do it?" Well, I believe I'm blessed with a nose for Bakelite. Why, just yesterday I came across a Beacon camera, manufactured by Whitehouse Products, for only $5. I've already got a regular Beacon camera and a Beacon II. What am I going to do with yet another Beacon? But how could I pass up such a good deal? Then, it hit me! A contest! With the Beacon as a prize!

That's why we here at Marcy's Junk Store Cameras present to you the:

"Beyond Nikon Poetry Contest"

This is your opportunity to take advantage of me...ah...errrrr...I mean, take advantage of my Junk Camera homing skills. And I do believe it is a skill! No, you don't have to send your hard earned images as entries, as I am whole-heartedly against that type of rip-off. This, my dear readers, is a poetry contest! Email a bit of your very own poetry...a poem dedicated to anything that has anything to do with photography. A poem about: any camera, any piece of gear, any image, any image making experience, any gear purchasing experience, any darkroom experience...you get the picture?

The only stipulation is that the poem must have been written by you (or someone you know) and you must be willing to have your entry published on this web site. You'll receive full credit for your work, if you feel the urge to 'fess up to it.

On...hmmm...let me see... can't be the end of May because I'm going to see the WWF live...let's say June 30th. On June 30th, my friends and I will get together over a few beers (or, perhaps some of that 2 Dogs Lemon Brew...have you tried that? It's goooood.). We'll pour over each and every entry. All two of them! We'll appraise your prose. We'll feel what you feel! Or, maybe we'll simply tape all of the entries to a wall and throw a dart at them? The most deserved...or the bull's eye, will win!

Here's a tip for future reference: Any style of poetry is eligible but, keep in mind - the Beacon is a U.S. made camera. A future haiku contest is planned, with a Japanese camera to be the prize. "Surely, haiku's are welcome in either contest?" you ask. "Of course", I reply. "And don't call me Shirley."

Start date: today, 4-23-00

End date: 6-30-00        The winner will be announced on 7-1-00

At this point I'd like to add that threats probably won't get you too far. But bribery? Now, that's another thing. -MM

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