PHOTOHEADS NEWS......People and
places
**Cole's camera
shop**
I'll never forget the first day I came across Cole's camera
shop. It was during the summer of '91, and I was desperately looking
for
something interesting to shoot.
I had driven Mongo (my trusty 4x4 pick up) to Tennyson street, just
north of the Old Elitch's, where there are a handful of really cool
assorted shops.
While looking around the word *CAMERA* leapt at me. My curiosity
aroused, an exploratory visit was in order.
While approaching, the sign became more prevalent and the rest
of the name was visible.
Cole's Camera Shop
The store while modest in size was very well stocked with top
name used cameras and equipment.
The front section of the store, about two thirds of the floor space, is
used for the stock.
The back third is a different story there's chairs, tables, an antique
pop machine, a coffeepot and assorted photo magazines.
It's this area that sets Cole's camera shop apart from the rest. An
area
for photoheads to chat, exchange ideas and those real life
misadventures
that photographers often have.
Though it's only a one man operation, when Don gets swamped,
one of the loyal film pit residents will pop up and play salesman.
Cole's camera shop is one of those magical places
where time and space just seem to stand still. A shop where you are
first a friend second a customer much like Floyd's barbershop in
Mayberry, or Cheers in Boston. Press members
have the press club or the parlour lounge, layman photographers have
Cole's camera shop. And it's a good thing too because as everyone
knows,
we lovers of the silver image can't afford much more.
My new home away from home had been discovered. My wife naturally was
thrilled to death. "Oh how wonderful" my wife would say "A new place
for
you to hide out and play photographer!
" Well when your an artist you can't please everyone (or is that
anyone)
such is life.
On Saturdays, the film pit is filled with the regular cronies
that frequent the shop. This pit attracts an amazing array of
photoheads, with varied backgrounds. There's David Deharport,
a retired anthropologist and historian; Bill Brown, a DPS employee,
biker dude, and semi-pro photographer; Mel Bakula, retired government
employee, still life photographer extraordinaire and someone who has
loads of knowledge to share. There's Ron Bruner, professional
photographer. This guy actually makes a living with his camera and
nothing else
(I wonder what that's like????? maybe someday. *sigh*) There's also
Gene
Okes, president of the North jeffco Camera club and of the Colorado
council of camera clubs. The list could go on and on.
Cole's love for photography started when he was a child. At
seventeen the photo bug bit him and as we all know when the bug bites
you stay bitten.
Don's trade was bookkeeping, a trade he had trained for for many
years. A trade that had gotten terribly stale and boring. Don was
growing restless.
With the photo bug still alive and well in his system, Don
embarked on a five-year mission
...To learn as much as he possibly could about the art of photography.
To go where no man has gone before, to.... Wait that's Star Trek -
sorry!!
Anyway, Don pursued his dream to see if he had what it takes to become
a
professional photographer.
"I found out I didn't have either the talent, tenacity or the
discipline
needed to be a successful pro" stated Don adding "So, Barbara (Don's
wife) and I figured there has to be another way to make a living from
photography.
We came up with the idea for the store. We thought Denver could use
another used camera store, with a new twist; a place for photographers
of all levels can feel comfortable and share ideas and just plain hang
out, have some coffee, read a magazine, or share your latest shot with
the film pit guys." And maybe even become a film pit guy yourself.
In 1987, they found their spot at 4024 Tennyson, and that little shop
was born.
As people, I personally love the heck out of Don and Barbara
Cole and their little camera shop. Don always smiles when you come in
even if you're selling some piece of equipment instead of buying, even
if you're there just to be somewhere. There's always room in the film
pit.
There's an atmosphere much like the old trading post. There's always
time to chew the fat with their patrons.
Yeah that's it, when you come to Cole's it is like going to his home
and
being a guest. On the walls, Don has a small gallery of pictures taken
by his friends and patrons, which really are one of the same.
Don always keeps his stock in excellent condition and he always stands
behind his equipment. He is his own quality control, keeping it at the
level that the pro demands. His prices are fair and honest, and when he
buys equipment, he buys at a respectable rate. Then there are the
trades, and he carries his own charge account. One of his customers has
been in constant trade deficit since 1989.
As a photohead you owe it to yourself to check this little
place out. Step back in time and kick your heels up and talk some photo
talk at Cole's.
I wrote this story back in 1993, since then Don and Barbara
have closed shop and retired, but the memories are still there. I hope
that somewhere out there, there's another little place like this. And
if
not maybe one of you will open a little shop like Cole's. All I know is
that I miss it terribly.
If you have a story that you would like to share with us,
please Email your story to me and I'll gladly publish it on my little
web site here. Be on the look out for photo contest and a chat and
posting board for us little guys to share some photo talk.
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