Plenty of valid comments here. I think that there has always been a segment of the hobby that was very willing to share with newcomers and also a few that wouldn't.

I first became a fan in spring of '64 when I discovered the Pickering Lbr. line on a fishing trip with HS buds. One the way home, we stopped off in Columbia and I saw a copy of the West Side Lbr. book by Alan Krieg. They chipped in and helped me purchase a copy, my first book on the subject.

After reading it, I forwarded letters to 4 or 5 of the major photographers and all but one responded. I am still friends with the 2 surviving ones today. They were both very good to a young kid and I'll always be thankful for that. I hope that I have the opportunity to do the same.